Second was on the third day, when Rusty Rich led us along Cassidy Trail. After a series of climbs through desert red sand and craggy rocks, we entered a small grove of trees. It was amazing to see how much green could grow out of the dusty red stand. There were even rocks streaked with minerals peeking out of the green covering most of the ground.

Rich is used to people gasping and gaping as he leads them along the trails.

"I love being out here," he said. "Most people are taken with how red it is. It got its name for a reason. That and the blue skies. These views are beautiful."

Rusty led us out on a ledge that allowed us to see Highway 12 and the valley beyond it. Crows circled and dove into the trees around us and on the opposite the rolling hills of the valley stood the Red Rocks, a seemingly incompatible and odd pairing. It was spectacular and the perfect finish to a trip that reinforced just what a diverse and stunning place Utah really is.

E-MAIL: adonaldson@desnews.com