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Friends of Red Rock Canyon have the annual honor and pleasure of recognizing our active members with organizational
awards. These volunteer achievements are traditionally acknowledged at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation and Awards
Banquet with the results announced in the Winter Edition of the Rock. We’re a little late with the announcements as
some of the honored individuals could not attend the November banquet but we are very pleased to share the results with
you now.
The Willow Spring Award was presented to Klaus Cobb and Wyatt Mulvey, co-chairs of the Natural
Resource Committee, for their selfless work on the Lost Creek Graffiti Restoration Project. Klaus
and Wyatt spearheaded the volunteer effort to remove the heartbreaking damage at one of Red Rock
Canyon’s Native American cultural sites.
Jerry Barrett, a dedicated Information Desk specialist, was awarded the
Red Spring Award to honor his unwavering support of this critical
volunteer position. Jerry, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, has been providing brief-
ings to thousands of Red Rock Canyon visitors on a weekly basis for over ten years.
Rob and Marilyn Tuvell, recipients of the Grand Circle Award, have made
a huge difference in multiple programs and events during their three years as Friends members. Rob and
Marilyn are mainstays for the Annual Red Rock Canyon Photo Contest. The couple also shares their
time, humor and talents manning recruiting tables, serving as exhibit specialists and working on
the Rock Editorial Staff.
A Natural Resources Team Leader, Larry Dunn, was honored with the Director’s Award for his
unwavering participation in our trails preservation program and for serving as an unofficial organi-
zation Ambassador. Larry, a member since 2004, has been liaising with multiple conservation and
recreation groups as Friends’ organizational voice.
The Best Friend Award was presented to Amelia Savage, BLM Wildlife Biologist. Amelia’s outstand-
ing effort to recreate the Tortoise Habitat Monitoring Team, after the two-year construction related
hiatus, has resulted in having almost 100 trained volunteers for the Tortoise Habitat. Her humor and
patience, as well as her ability to lead and inspire by example, are truly appreciated by her Habitat
Team volunteer coworkers.
by Julia Burke
Puffing and panting I strained to ride up the next hills, begging my slick tires to grip the dirt path. When I finally
reached the top, it was time to head down with speeds that rivaled a landslide; I bounced my way down the
mountain. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t see. I couldn’t focus my eyes as the machine-gun like jarring was threatening
to pop my eyes out of my head.
While I was careening out of control someone yelled, “Don’t forget to change gears on the up.” Change gears? I
had a death grip on to the handle bars. My knuckles were white. My brain was bobbling against my skull. I couldn’t
see through my dusty bifocals. My mind tried to wrap itself around the concept of down shift, down shift, use the
gears. Change gears? Hell! I’ll just hang on and hope to survive. My front tire hit the bank of the next hill before
my back wheel reached the bottom of the wash. A cloud of dust stuck to my sweaty face but I pedaled as hard as I
could to reach the top. My efforts were rewarded with a level path that didn’t last long. Down another steep ravine,
through the wash, I pushed up the next sheer dirt wall.
My bike tire smacked another rock dislodging the chain. The chain was hopelessly jammed around the pedal. Jen
stayed with me as we pushed our bikes a quarter mile through soft sand. When John realized he had lost two riders,
he rode back, fixed the chain and saved the day. It was a relief to ride the sandy path again opposed to pushing the
bike through the shifting ground.
A bullsnake was lying across our narrow path. Apparently, he had swallowed his breakfast in one big gulp and
didn’t want to be disturbed as the egg-shaped lump moved slowly through his body. I think he was taking a siesta.
Although he was not the poisonous variety, we gave the snoozing snake his space and walked the bikes around the
napping reptile.

When the group stopped to catch their breath, I was straddling my bike. Suddenly, despite having both feet on the
ground, I fell like a dead tree and landed in another bush. My legs were finished. The lactic acid build up in the
muscles caused my legs to go numb. They couldn’t hold my weight any longer. The constant pedaling, flying in the
air and diving into scrub bushes had taken its toll. Tony was trying to help me up but the bike and I were one big
knot. After I was untangled from the bike, I laid there, like the bullsnake that was hoping to be left alone. I rolled up
on all fours. That was the best I could do. Even with Tony’s help, standing was going to take a few minutes. He
pulled and yanked on my arms until I was standing. I just stood there, afraid, afraid I would tip over again. About
five minutes passed before my legs started to recover. Another five minutes passed before I could continue the ride.

We pedaled on and I finished my great adventure riding--not walking my bike. At the end of the ride
Tony was sorer than me. I had more visible bruises. My yellow Capri outfit with matching socks
was more of a dusty brown. The adventure was challenging, exhausting and dirty. But
most of all, it was exhilarating. It was the hardest thing I have ever attempted.
Water skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving and rowing are easy compared to
mountain biking. I loved the challenging adventure and so will you.

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