So the other day I drop the tot off at daycare, and I start heading home. As I am pulling up to my apartment complex, "Everybody Dance Now" by C+C Music Factory comes on the radio. This is not a song you sit still to.... so I decided to go on a drive.

I end up going down a road that I was curious about where it lead... and it came up to a T intersection. One direction was a wide paved street. In the other, a gravel lane that is obviously the road less traveled.

Thus, I turned off the paved road.

As I traveled up the road, the homes in the surrounding lands started becoming more and more scattered. Soon, there were none. After 10 minutes, I was surrounded by desert brush, cactus, and rock. It was absolutely beautiful. All the while, I was driving towards the mountains...

And passing parked cars. If you know what I am sayin....

Eventually, I come to the end of the road There I see two guys in a beat up car, and two very large guns... joy....

I park and get out. I ask about the area, and they explain that this is state land, and people can do pretty much anything they want. I asked what people could hunt here... and I was suprised to hear that the area I live in has bobcats, deer, quail, and other animals. I wish the hunters a nice day, and they go on their way.

A reminder as to why the Gnome doesn't hike.

I turn and look around. The area is absolutely stunning. In front of me is the mountains. Behind me is the valley and the red rock cliffs across the valley. I made a note to myself to come back again and bring a camera.

I also made note once again that I love going off the paved road.