Walking Trail to Bloomington Hills

One day I needed to be at J&C's house to help Mary with watching the children. I had the bright idea that riding my bike would save gas, and after all, it was only about six miles, mostly down hill. The time I had allotted myself was 45 minutes so Mary could go do a pickup  after school. Plenty of time, right? I did make it in time, ended up learning it is more up hill than thought, and also learned from J&C that there is a shorter route. Being directionally dysfunctional, it was determined that Mary would take me over to the beginning of the trail and we would walk the trail, so the next time I would not get lost and ride off into the desert. Below are some pictures of that walk.

At the start of the trail, you are able to see the Virgin River, the St. George Temple, and across to the Pine Mountains. It also shows that you have to go up to get on the trail.

The trail is cut into the ridge line and allows one to be part of the beauty of the area.

As you come to a fork in the trail, you can follow the city streets or take a left down hill to follow the river bed.

Coming down to the river bed view with the blue sky and white clouds needed to be recorded that day.

In places the City likes to remind the bike riders that entering a curve too quickly could be a mistake.

Along the trail between the river and some of the homes built along the way, different rock formations jump out at you. The next few pictures are taken at arms length.

Sandstone as washed by river water through the years.

Some of the sandstone looks as if we are looking down from heaven at the earth.

Adding the grass into this picture allows you to understand the many ways the sandstone in this area changes so greatly.

Sage brush, sand, grass, and sandstone could be framed and hung in any art show as an award winning entry.

A little hillside rock garden furnished free of charge if you are willing to walk a few miles along the river bed.

Not every eye catching scene has eye popping colors. Sometimes simpler and subdued is just as important.

Taking a few steps more and the view changes.

What nature provides is hard to understand when you realize these layers are hundreds of years old.

Round the bend and the quality of the rock changes  as do the colors.

This is to show you just how close the river can be to the trail and the sandstone in the pictures above.

We were on the Mayors Loop trail for part of this hike. We were on three different trails for that two and half hours.  I came to conclude that distance, slope or steepness, time of day, and required arrival time will play a part in the decision on which route I take the next time I ride over to J&C home. If riding the trails, I will have to watch out for Old & Gray folks getting in the way. If riding the roads, cars and stop lights will a factors to be concerned. Riding my bike I will be doing again in the near future. Where I end up is yet to be seen.