The trail on the Red Hill...my backyard haven

This morning I just had to desert the treadmill for the trail on the Red Hill. I had already finished my scriptures (I usually read them on the treadmill), so there was no reason not to. The treadmill is great when it's just too blasted hot to get outside, but it's no substitute for the real thing on a morning as cool as today. I am so lucky to have a trail like this right in my own backyard. The distant views are breathtaking...Zion, Pine Valley,the Arizona Strip, Utah Hill. The close up views of the crazily shaped red rocks, the desert plants and occasional critters; lizards, birds, foxes, Gila monsters, deer herds, hawks, condors, ducks, desert tortoises, to name those that we've seen, are worth the effort too. It's so cool to be able to escape to an out of town type environment without even leaving town. I have noticed of late that someone has been doing a lot of upkeep on the trail. Today I came across the good Samaritan in the act. It's our own Bob Owens who has been making new cairns, closing off short cuts and putting in steps on the steep parts. He said he does it to help old people like himself have an easier time of it. I told him I was certainly benefiting from his work along with my grand kids. I guess I'm old, but they aren't! What a haven we have to enjoy right in our own backyard! I guess I have the desert tortoise to thank for not having any other backyard neighbors. Thanks be to the desert tortoise!