On-the-job Hazards

I think a lot of people don't know that my daily forays into the desert involve my employment at Desert Cliffs Fitness Spa as a Hiking Guide.

Let me explain some of the 'hazards' of my luxurious vocation.

In the last 3 weeks, I've seen 4 snakes.  Yep, snakes are a part of my job site.  They are only hazardous to my health due to the spiked heart rate they cause when I nearly step on them.  And then there was the little guy, laid across the trail this morning, basking in the sun...who wasn't budging.  Not even a toss of a pinecone his way would persuade him to allow us to pass.  Those are the fellas that we give a wide berth to and go on our merry way. For the most part, they are non-poisoness, like this Gopher Snake, but I would be lying if I said I hadn't startled or been startled by a few Rattlesnakes too.

Then there is this issue of heights.  Try as I might, some fears simply cannot be overcome.  1,000 foot cliffs are not my friends, I find them rather hazardous to my health.

Hiking can be hazardous to my toes.  I've lost two toenails in the last few months.  Not a pretty sight but something that happens occasionally.

Speaking of feet...I'm constantly having to watch where I put my feet. One wrong placed hand or foot can land you in the Dr.'s office to have barbs removed from even the tiniest of cactus, agave or yucca plants. Random rocks have been known to suddenly appear to twist ankles and knees.  The rule is:  while moving, keep your eyes on the trail.

And when I stop and take a moment to look up from the ground, the most hazardous of all conditions occurs...my breath is taken away.

Come to think of it...feeling breathless is my favorite on-the-job hazard.