What more fitting than an off-trail hike in the Nature Preserve amongst the wondrous trees, rock cliffs, and amazing vistas. Frightenings included steep, rocky slopes with cacti waiting to greet unwary footholds, a small rattlesnake (3 years old or so, judging by the number of rattles) that scurried under a rock ledge upon our approach and peered out anxiously, and a rock scramble to the top of the mesa.

We had the entire area to ourselves, and the stillness added to the immensity of the natural world.