On Friday, December 29th, my family woke up at 5:30 A.M. and immediately started loading the car. We knew we had a long day of driving ahead of us, so we wanted to get an early of a start as possible. We were going on a vacation to Death Valley National Park for the New Year’s weekend. We left at about 7:00 A.M. and began driving.

 We traveled via the route highlighted above for approximately 1 hour before we stopped in Palmdale for a rest stop and breakfast. There we went to McDonald's and ordered coffee and biscuits, and we went to Krispy Kreme for half a dozen donuts. I ate a donut and a biscuit during the next hour of driving. We drove for a couple more hours before we stopped at the Ranch House Cafe in Olancha, California. We ate an early lunch because we knew we were not going to see another restaurant till at least 3:00 P.M. There, I ate a skillet and it tasted pretty good. From there, we drove for another 45 minutes or so till we stopped at our first point: Father Crowly Vista Point. From there, we could see volcanic ash that had come from a volcano, and I found it pretty cool.

Following that, we drove for 15 minutes more before we realized we missed what was supposed to be our second stop: Darwin Falls. We thought about going back but then decided against it because we doubted the fall would have much if any water in it. We drove for another hour or so till we got to the Stovepipe Wells where we went to get our pass permit. After that, we went to Mosaic Canyon, but the 2.2-mile drive on gravel was brutal because we did not have a 4-wheel drive. We got there around 2:30 and it was a small hike with nice views of many different rock formations.

When we finished the Mosaic Canyon, it was about 3:30 and we only had 1 more place to go to on our list: Devil's Cornfield. There wasn't much there, just a lot of underbrush that looked like dead corn stocks, so I'm guessing that's how it got its name.
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Now that we were down on our list, we started driving to Shady Lady Bed & Breakfast, the place we were staying for the night. It was about an hour away from Death Valley, and it still was the closest hotel we could find that was not booked. We drove till about 4:30 when we came across Beatty, the closest town to Death Valley. From there, we had to eat dinner but we did not have many choices, only Denny's and Subway. Since it was still early and none of us were hungry, we took Subway to go and decided we were going to eat it at our hotel. We drove for about 35 more minutes before we came across the place, and it was truly in the middle of nowhere. It was 1/4th of a mile away from the highway, and the closest neighbor lived more than 1 mile away. We were met with a guy who called himself the owner's son and let us in. He said that the owner was shopping and would be back in about 30 minutes, so we took the opportunity to eat our subway. When he came, he and his daughter checked us in and showed us into our room, a nice place.When we got into our room, I started by checking all my texts and going to play my games for a little, and then my family and I played Imploding Kittens for about 2 hours. When we finished, it was about 9:00 and I played a little bit more on my phone, and then I slept at 10:00.

The next day, I woke up at about 6:45 and got up and took a shower. After taking a shower and playing a little on my phone, my family and I went out to go get some breakfast. I ate scrambled eggs, toast with jam, sausage, and bacon. It tasted great! Immediately after we finished breakfast, we left and drove for 2 hours till we got to Dante's Ridge, which I thought was my favorite point because when you looked down from the ridge(it was over 5000 ft up) you could see all the people and cars, but they looked liked tiny dots.

 After that, we went to the 20-mule canyon, which was basically a really cool canyon in which there was a narrow path that got you on top of a small hill. Although I didn't go all the way, it still looked pretty cool from my vantage point about 100 ft above the place where we started.Then, we went to Zabriskie Point, and by that time it was about 12:00. We were all hungry so we made the turkey sandwich with the supplies we had brought. After that, we looked at Zabriskie Point and the view was phenomenal because you could see all the way across the valley.After that, we went from being almost a mile above sea level to 280 feet under it: the Badwater Basin. This was basically a dried up salt lake, and it had so much salt that when I took a picture to send to a friend, they actually thought that the salt was snow.

After that, we went to Devil's Golf Course which was just a place with salt roughs everywhere and a place where it would be hell to play golf at.To finish the day, right after the sun was setting we went to artists palette and there were some beautiful views of multicolored rocks.We drove back to Beatty where we decided to eat at Denny's. I had a sandwich and then we went back to the hotel. Once again, we played some more Imploding Kittens, and then I played on my phone. Finally, we went to sleep.

On Sunday, we got up at like 7:00 A.M. and I showered and then went to go eat breakfast. I had an omelet instead of the scrambled eggs, and everything else stayed the same. It was one of the best omelets I ever tasted, and I was stuffed after eating it. We started on our drive to borax works, which was just an abandoned mining facility. It had a really cool looking wagon that towered above us and was pulled by a 20-mule team. After that, we went to the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail where we learned about the fish that actually live in the hottest place in the world. It was a short hike with lots of picture spots and great views.

After the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, we went to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center where we decided where to go next. We decided to go to the golden canyon hike, which was a long hike that had 4 different routes to go. We went to the shortest one and ended up on top of a large rock that allowed you to see the whole trail we just walked. Following that, we decided we wanted to actually see the sunset at Artist's Palette, so we went there again and we saw a beautiful sunset. After that, we drove to Denny's to eat, where I had a burger. Then, we went to eat Ice Cream at Eddy's World, and then we went back to Shady Lady Bed And Breakfast. We played some more Imploding Kittens, I played some more on my phone and then I went to sleep.

On Monday, the day we were heading home, and also New Years' Day, we got up at 7:15 and quickly took our showers. We all wanted to get home, but we still had some sightseeing to do. We ate at around 8:00(I had another Omelet) and then we packed up all our stuff. We left the hotel by 9:30 A.M. and started driving. We went to Rhyolite Ghost Town first, and it was an old gold mining town. It had a jail, and a crumbling school, and a lot more and it was really cool to see a place that was over 100 years old. Then we drove for a couple more hours before stopping at Keane Wonder Mine. We hiked for about 2 hours before realizing that there was a very long hike left, and it was a colossal waste of our time. We did see the mine, but not from inside, unfortunately. Since none of us were that hungry, we skipped lunch and started the long drive home. We arrived home at about 7:00, and after the 4 day trip, we were all exhausted. I really enjoyed it and it gave my eyes a rest from all the stress I've been giving them over winter break.

Summer Camp FLSR Part 1

    We started leaving for FLSR at about 9:30. We drove for 1 and a half hours, or so, and then we went to eat lunch at McDonald's. I had a buttermilk chicken burger w/o fries or a drink. I ate and then waited because we left at about 12:30. We drove up for another hour and then arrived at the check-in place at 1:30. We waited in line for 30 minutes, then went inside, handed our forms to helpers, and got a health check-up. Then, we were given totems that were used as our ID's for the camp. We left there at about 2:30 and then drove to our campsite. We camped at Upper Amarillo. We unpacked quickly and picked tents. I got a pretty good tent, with very little noise or holes. My tent buddy was Ethan Park. Then, we changed into swimsuits and went for our swim check. I passed with swimmer rank, which meant I could swim anywhere in the pool. That's right, they had a POOL! We went for dinner and evening flags at 6:30. Then, we went back to camp, and at 8:30, had the opening campfire. It was pretty cool, with counselors performing cool skits. I enjoyed it A LOT. We then went back to camp and to sleep at 10:00.

    On Monday, we woke up at 6:00. We brushed, and then we went to breakfast. Breakfast on Monday was pancakes, hash browns, sausage links, fruits, cereal, and milk. Following breakfast, we had free time from 8:30-12:30. During that time, I did my Scoutmaster conference with Chris, and I was helping younger scouts with requirements. At 12:45, we had lunch. For lunch, there was a corn dog, some chips, and some pork and beans. After that, at 2, our first class started. During the first period, I had life-saving. We learned the basics about what we were going to learn for the rest of the week, and then we did some brick dives. Basically, we dived in the pool, picked up a 10-pound brick, and swam it back to shore. That class ended at 2:50, and I went to my next class- First Aid. During first aid, we learned the basics of what we were going to learn. At 3:50, after that class ended, I headed up the Wyandot Trail to the horse corral, where my 3rd and 4th period were. There, we learned how to catch a horse and the horsemanship basics. After that, we headed down for dinner. For dinner, we had chicken fajitas, red beans, Spanish rice, and churros. After dinner, we headed back to camp. Those with homework(Everyone in the horsemanship class) started their homework and those who didn't have homework headed down to the commissioner games. After I finished my homework, I went and took a shower. Then we had lights out at 10, and I went to sleep.

    On Tuesday, we woke up at 6:00. I brushed, and then I went to breakfast. Breakfast was biscuits and gravy. After breakfast, we had our classes. I had life-saving first. At life-saving, we learned CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Then, for the second period, I had first aid. During first aid, we learned CPR again, and we practiced it on a dummy. Then we had horsemanship. Again, I had to go up the treacherous Wyandot Trail to the horse corral, where we practiced catching a horse and rode the horse. Then, I headed down for lunch. Lunch was a chicken patty sandwich, chips, salad bar, cookie, and punch. After lunch, we had free time for 30 minutes, then I started my open time merit badges. For the open time, I did art, and I did sculpture. Then, I went to the pool. After free time was dinner. At dinner, we had spaghetti, green beans, bread sticks, salad bar, milk, punch, and an Italian Icy. Then, I did my service project. We picked up trash around the trail to first class area. Then we went to sleep at 10.

On Wednesday, it was exploration day. In other words, we went hiking all day, and we had no classes.
We hiked up a mountain and it was a relatively easy hike. We ate lunch on the mountain. After the hike, we had free time till dinner. Dinner was hamburgers, french fries, ice cream and more. Then we had campfire in which I did a skit. Then, I took a shower and then I went to sleep.

On Thursday, I woke up at 5:30 am because we had the polar bear swim. We did the polar bear swim, and then I quickly changed because I had to do the flag ceremony, That went well, and we had breakfast after it was done. For breakfast, there were breakfast burritos. After breakfast, we had lifesaving. During lifesaving, there was makeup work and I had already done everything so I had nothing to do. After lifesaving, I had first aid where I did carries. Then I went up to the horse corral, and I practiced riding, saddling, grooming, and finally, catching. Then we had lunch which was a pizza. After that, I did pulp and paper during open time. Following that, I just chilled at camp and rested. We had dinner after that, and we had chicken cordon blue rice pilaf, and more. Then, we had the logger camp wide games and the honor trail. I went to sleep at 10.

  On Friday, I woke up at 6:00, my normal time. This was a scary day because I knew I would have to take the horsemanship test today. But first, I had breakfast, and my other classes. For breakfast, I had French Toast. Then, I went to lifesaving where we did spinals. Then I got a free period during first aid because I already finished that class. Then, I hiked up the Wyandot Trail for my last time, or so I thought. I took my test and I successfully passed everything, but it turned out I still needed to do one homework requirement, so I went back up after lunch, which was sloppy joes, and then I finished that requirement. For the rest of free time, I went in the pool. Then, we had dinner which was steak, so I had salad. Then we had closing campfire, which was really cool. I packed up everything except my sleeping bag in the evening, then went to sleep.

  On Saturday, we quickly packed up and left. We ate breakfast at McDonalds, and then we drove back home.

My visit to the getty

Gupta 1

Gupta, Achintya

Museum History

2/19/17

Mr. Gupta

My trip to the Getty Museum

The getty Museum is a fascinating place to go, especially if you love art. It holds intricate paintings dating way back all the way to the renaissance. It also holds sculptures and other fascinating pieces to look at. As of 2/19/17, It has 2 limited time exhibits, “breaking News: Using photos to show you media” and “Bouchard: one of the greatest artists of the 18th Century, yet he is also one of the most underrated artists in the world.

Gupta 2

The breaking news exhibit shows how artists use media to make their own art. It is a fascinating subject, and i easily spent 30 minutes in there, and could have spent more. THe Bouchard

Exhibit shows lots of his art, and the pictures(very few) and sculptures (lots) are great. I can’t believe that he is underrated, because he has great art.

If you Get a chance to go to the getty museum, you should definitely try out the garden tour. It shows the intricacy of their gardens, and shows they put a lot of time and effort, and money into it. They explain that they first put the garden into the architect's hands, and when they had had enough, they just gave it to an artist and said, here, your canvas is the ground, and your materials are the flowers and trees and rocks. He actually made it look really, really nice.

The getty museum is a great place to visit, and if you get a chance to, take it.  

Thanks for reading :)

Achintya                                                                                                                  

Porter ranch gas leak

Hello, my name is Achintya Gupta and I have just discovered a fascinating topic to write a research paper about. It involves millions of dollars in lawsuits, as well as an estimated total of over a billion dollars for just one mistake. It is the porter ranch gas leak. The gas leak occurred from October of 2015 to February of 2016 when the leak was first discovered. This was the nation's largest methane gas leak. They have been sued over 100 times, and one of them, the state lawsuit was settled for 4 million dollars.

For my paper, I am looking deep into the effects of the gas leak, and what has come of it. For this, I have decided to interview a few people from the porter ranch community, one of which is my friend, Sumeet Kapoor. He was not affected that badly, though, and I am currently looking into interviewing another resident who had to be relocated. Much of the Aliso canyon area had to be evacuated and sent to live in hotels for a month or two.

Some of the effects will just not go away. For example, even now, many of the residents I have contacted have complained of nosebleeds and headaches, which have been identified as side effects of the gas leak. As soon as the company, Southern California Gas Company decided it would be safe to reopen, there was another gas leak, although this one was minor. Many of the residents want it closed down permanently, and I will look into these many protests.

First day of winter

The first day of winter is December 21 every year. The first day of winter has the shortest day, and the longest night. This occurs when the sun is at the southernmost point of its orbit. The first day of meteorologist winter is on December 1st. Did you know that the winter solstice was known long ago, and can be dated back before the Stonehenge? Many early civilizations including the Mayans celebrated the Dec. 21. And a myth busted... the earliest sunset and latest sunrise don't fall on December.

Non-Fiction Book Report 10/23

Illustrated

History Of

INDIA

By: Wilco Picture Library

Report Written by Achintya Gupta

Chapters 3-4

Chapter 3: The Vedic Age

The Aryans, who had conquered the Harappans were typically nomads, so rather than occupy the beautiful cities, they settled on riverbanks in small villages, or Gramas, becoming semi-agriculturists. Each of the Gramas was headed by a Gramani. The Gramas were surrounded by Fences made of wood and Bamboo to protect them from wild animals.

Soon, the demand for land grew and villages started to make alliances with other villages. They were called Vis, or small cities. A group of Vis’ united to make a Jana or a clan, and the Rajan, or the king was their leader. He had many helpers including the priest(purohit), the commandant(Sevani), and the administration(Sabha and Samiti). These cities were divided into 4 quadrants w/ 2 main residential roads. Each quadrant housed a citadel(their holy place), the residential area, the merchants and the traders. The Aryan’s single largest contribution to Indian religion was Sanskrit.With that, Aryans created the Vedas, which formed the foundation of the Hindu religion. Also introduced during this time were the two epics, The Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Also, during the Vedic age, the Caste System Emerged. Due to work specializations, different classes formed. The 4 main classes were the Brahmins(priests), Kshatriyas(warriors), Vaishyas(merchants), Shudras(outcasts).

Chapter 4: A time for Reform - Buddha

The Buddha was actually born as Prince Siddhartha. An astrologer predicted that Prince Siddhartha would actually give up his right to the throne and all worldly pleasures to be a sage. They tried to keep him away from the outside world, but by the time he was 16, he became very curious. He once asked his  charioteer to go to the outside world and he immediately came upon a frail person. His charioteer explained that when you get older, you die. He then came up to a person who looked pale. His charioteer explained that people can get sick sometimes. He came to the third group of people all dressed in black carrying a coffin. His charioteer now explained that when people die, they cremate them. One day, he left to try and find the true meaning of life, but being a sage didn’t help him. He then, when he was 29, went to meditate under a large fig tree. He learned that the key principles of Buddhism were called the Noble Truths. He spread Buddhism not just to India, but out to Burma, China, Japan and several other countries.

Ronald Reagan Museum

    I went with my 5th grade class to the Ronald Reagan museum on the 5th of February. It is a library dedicated to our president, Ronald Reagan. It displays his achievements in life and the gifts he got after he died. It was an epic field trip with many sites.

    As we arrived at the Ronald Reagan Museum, everyone stopped talking because they were too busy staring at the large Air Force One. The air force one was larger than any plane you have probably seen before, and the tour guides had just arrived. They split us up into groups and we started the tour. First we went to the Berlin wall and saw the two sides. Then we went inside the museum to see him get shot. Then we saw that he was a football player. Then we ate lunch in the cafeteria.

    The simulation started in the directory room. There, we started by learning why we are here and how we can help. Then we followed up by going into our separate rooms in our separate groups. For example, I am in the Oval Office. We discussed our problem and made 4 decisions. We made all of the correct answers. Then we got sold out by the press and we had to quickly decide against aborting, for they had given out our secret plan.

    Then we went into the press room to confront the press, and the president made a speech in front of the whole military, cabinet, and press(aka. our whole class.)  After that we went into an air force one and watched a quick video, followed by going onto the real air force one. It was cool and we actually saw a lot. Then we left the museum.

    In conclusion, I had a wonderful time in the Ronald Reagan museum. It was really fun and everyone in my class had tons of fun. It was my favorite trip to a museum!