Fred,
Several people here have covered theirs with gravel, but I also have that upper lot. Grass won't grow hardly at all in this block once the Summer heat hits no matter what you do. I have even had some of the nusery people come out and look and they can't figure out what is wrong with this ground. But it happens in all the lawns in this whole block. Only think that will grow in the Summer is weeds, burrs, and star thistle. I even priced having artificial turff put in once but it would have cost more than I spent when I built the house. So I won'thave to mow to many more times.
Ron