This was such a fun date!  This morning Mark and I hiked the Gold Strike hot springs out in Boulder City, and I quickly discovered that Mark is one of the best people to have with you on a hike.

I noted how the pods on a tree had a really cool pink color so Mark described why they turn pink, and he pointed out where you could find quartz deposits in the rock and how you might find gold based on rock coloration, and how aquifers seep through the rocks to create springs, (aquifer was the word of the day), and so on including things that had nothing to do with the hike like how REM sleep cycles work, and how our modern civilization is following the patterns of historical civilizations.  He calls it trivial knowledge, I call it totally fascinating conversation.

Not only is he great hiking company with his wealth of knowledge, but he is also super helpful at getting up, over, through, and down all the rocky obstacles in the canyon.  He’s like a survivor man.

Late spring is a beautiful time to be in the canyon because there is so much water, but it also makes for a much more difficult hike since the streams and pools divert the hikers to the more treacherous paths.  There were many times that I would be on a precarious step or be holding onto a thin ledge and would think to myself “I have made a huge mistake”, but Mark had my back, assisting me and sometimes practically lifting me over these obstacles.  What a champ!

The canyon was full of streams, pools and greenery!

The streams from the hot springs empty out into the Colorado river.  At the end of the hike you have a fantastic view of the Hoover Dam bypass bridge, the Colorado River and the canyon.  It is totally worth the work to get down there, plus all the waterfalls and streams in between.

After the hike we went to Sonic and got some refreshing drinks.  Perfect way to finish a fabulous hike!

Some great things to know about Mark.  He’s great with the outdoors and is really familiar with the trails of Southern Nevada.  He is super smart!  He speaks very highly of his family.  He is an exceedingly trustworthy hiking companion and a great conversationalist.  Thanks for being an awesome date, Mark!

Available for the date to Rome: Possibly