Your story is very insightful! We just moved onto our homestead and I am discovering that my FloJos (flip flops) are probably not going to cut it :( I'm a flip flop girl as I grew up at the beach and have lived in the desert for over 30 years. Our new place is in the mountains of NW AZ at 5000 ft. My husband keeps telling me to put some shoes on when we are out and about on the property. Think I will take your advise starting today :) Thanks much for the post!