"The Blog Almost Too Boring To Be The Most Boring Blog in America ... for Over 5 Years!"

until it got too many red cards from Wounded Duck and the Boredom Enforcement Committee ... now the tortoise's goal is to get to 10 red cards so he can get Big Dog to drive down and take a good long walk with the tortoise

P. S. This blog listens to its readers. We have the Benjamin Category Override for 5+ mile walks and now, it humbles Tortoise to say he has been named "Lou", by Doug Jr, in memory of Mr. Consistency himself, Lou Gehrig. Tortoise can hardly type the words to think he is in any way comparable to the noble Iron Horse. Thank you!


Tuesday, December 31, 2013

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Didn't get in a walk in the daylight, so this is a short one up the hill as far as the street lights go.  1.38 miles with 112 feet climbed in 25:24 minutes.  Tortoise rating on the uphill half of the walk:  4.5.  Calories burned:  215.

Please click below for a map ... and see you next year!

Cheerio!

Monday, December 30, 2013

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It was clear, calm, and 44 degrees at sundown as I walked by the Hurricane city offices, pictured above, and prepared to walk up the hill before picking up a potassium prescription on the way back.  Got in a little bonus in the store parking lot when a phone call came in just I arrived. Always glad for little bonuses.

Stats:  2.34 miles walked with 151 feet climbed in 43:13 minutes.  Tortoise rating on the uphill first mile:  4.6.  Calories burned:  364.  For a map, please click below to continue reading.

Cheerio!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

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I walked 0.85 miles to a friend's house this sunny, calm, 48 degree afternoon, climbing 46 feet in 18:43 minutes on the way.  Tortoise rating:  5.6.

Please click below to see a map ...

Cheerio!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

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In a recent change of high council assignments, I now oversee stake sports and cultural activities.  First up is basketball.  I have been assembling a team of people to run the games, making sure equipment is in place, and arranging times and buildings for the games.  I know, you didn't see this coming in my life ... I didn't either, but it does make things exciting.

I met Kris Gubler at the stake center at 2 pm, and got in my walk to visit with him.  Afterwards, I took a meandering path home to get my hour of walking in.  Just makes me feel better.

3.23 miles today with 95 feet climbed in 1:04:14 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.8.

Please click below for a map and more ...

Friday, December 27, 2013

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Walked from Phillip and Pamela Despain's house in Woods Cross to the nearby LDS Church where some of Willyne's family gathered for a lunch, singing, games, and general conversation.  Clear, crisp, 22 degree weather.  0.64 miles with 10 feet climbed in 13:46 minutes.  Tortoise rating:  5.6.

Please click below for a map and more pictures ...

Saturday, December 21, 2013

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Had a little time this afternoon, so I called a friend, Mike Arlen (pictured to below with his wife Phebe), and he was kind enough to head to the nearest beach (Venice) with me for a 2.46 mile walk with 52 feet climbed in 53:41 minutes.  Then I continued to the LAX airport to enjoy the long holiday security line and head home.  (Tortoise rating:  6.8)

Mike humorously captured pictures of me attempting to join a pickup basketball game at the beach, complete with my festive reindeer tie.  If you'd like to see more of his pictures, a map, etc., please click below.

Cheerio!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

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2.16 miles, 147 feet climbed, in 38:37 minutes to the post office, the school, and a little more.  Snow's mostly gone now, but here's a little for you ... Tortoise rating on the uphill portion:  4.8: HumanaFit rates it category 5.  Please click below for a map and eating details ...

Cheerio!

Monday, December 16, 2013

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Walked 1.41 miles round trip, with 112 feet climbed in 26:28 minutes to help Bruce at Valley Academy this afternoon.  Snow is slooooowly melting.  Tortoise rating on the uphill portion:  4.7.

Please click below for a map and food detail ...

Cheerio!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

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I walked to pretty much every home in the La Verkin 1st Ward today, hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer.  Interestingly, I have done a couple Winterfest 5k walks in the past, and was considering doing the new Winterfest 10k walk last Saturday ... then we got the 37 year record snowfall and I talked myself out of it.  Well, it was 37 degrees when I started my walk today and 45 degrees when I finished ... sunny and gorgeous throughout, but as you can see, after a week there is still more snow than not.  And I did my 10k, plus about 0.3k extra.  Or 6.40 miles, if you prefer that measurement system.  I averaged 28 minutes per mile while walking and stopping at doors.  Including conversations along the way, it took me 3:58 hours to do the whole thing.  Tortoise rating:  5.5, including a half point for the snow and ice I walked through about half of the time.

Please click below for a map, an overhead view with the many twists and turns of my path, a 34 second video, and food info for today:

Cheerio!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

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I went to Washington to run some errands after work, and then went on a quick walk on the east end of the Virgin River Trail -- 1.71 miles with 30 feet climbed in 28:11 minutes. Tortoise rating:  6.1. There was snow everywhere, and the pond I passed was totally frozen over. I saw a deer at much lower elevation than usual trying to find something to eat near the river. The amazing part is that even though it has been hard to clear many of the streets, the trail was completely cleared! Please click below for a map, several more pictures, and food detail for today ...

Cheerio!

Monday, December 9, 2013

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Walked to the bank plus a little extra in the snow shortly after 5 pm today.  Clear, brisk, 19 degree weather.  1.08 miles with 30 feet climbed in 27:33 minutes.  Tortoise rating:  4.8, based on a point for the extra effort of walking in snow and ice.  HumanaFit did not rate this walk.  I thought this little 34 second video would capture it better than individual pictures, enjoy!

Please click below for a map along with food info for today ...

Cheerio!

Monday, December 2, 2013

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Walked at sunset under partly cloudy, 53 degree conditions, to pick up a grilled chicken salad for dinner and take it back to the office.  Yes, I really walked to DQ and left with just the salad and some raspberry vinaigrette dressing, which I took back to work and ate with a cool glass of Crystal Springs water from the office cooler.  Round trip 0.93 miles with 52 feet climbed in 18:31.  Tortoise rating: 5.5; HumanaFit passed on this one.

By the way, the salad is very satisfying, however, I must caution you that in my humble opinion, the Hurricane Dairy Queen does an unusually generous job of packing in quality scrubber ingredients.  I've tried the same salad at other DQ locations and it just isn't the same.  Thanks, Brandon Adams!

Please click below for a map and more ...

Cheerio!