I was not happy when I recently found my favorite, close-to-town hiking area littered with plastic flourescent orange debris from paint ball guns. The target rocks and bushes were dripping with goo from the projectiles. I don't get it; what's so fun about trashing public and private property so others are offended, annoyed, and have to clean up the mess? If this is the human version of marking territory, how about if you idiots just pee on the rocks, then go home and blast paint balls at your own house.

OK, venting done. The place I'm talking about is the Huffaker Hills Trailhead, behind Rattlesnake Mtn. in south Reno. It is a nice stroll after work on long summer days. If you go up Twin Peaks at the far end of the trail system, there is a full panorama of views across the Truckee Meadows and a bench to rest on before heading back down. Lots of people (including myself) busted rocks in the hot sun to build these trails for everyone to enjoy, not for a few selfish morons to abuse. (To learn about more local hiking, visit the Take a Hike page.)