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Mile 879.  Today's walk took Tortoise 3.64 miles along the Virgin River Trail starting from Waterfront Drive in 1:04:56 hours.  There was 156 feet climbed in 1.00 mile along the way, giving that section a 4.8 tortoise rating.  The rest of the path was flat or downhill.  Lou burned 534 calories doing this.

Please click below for a map, several more pictures, and today's walking thought ("Never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up") ...

Cheerio!

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After the first half mile, the trail passes under the new bridge
 carrying Mall Drive over the Virgin River 

At three-quarters of a mile, Lou turned right and headed up the
Middleton Wash Trail and was quickly greeted with this view
of the Pine Valley Mountains towering over the nearby Maverik Market.

Words of encouragement as the trail passes under Riverside Drive

You can wash more than your car at this fine establishment!

The desert yields to the woods, at least for this turn in the trail
(At this point, Tortoise had retraced his steps to the Virgin River Trail.
This view is near his turnaround point on that path)

Dramatic view of West Temple in Zion Park bathed with the sun's setting rays
as seen approaching the Mall Drive bridge on the return trip

2014 Stats:

879.15 miles walked, which is 87.83% of my 2014 goal.

277:23:41 hours walked, which is 88.62% of my 2014 goal

43,394 total feet climbed 

140,014 calories burned
84.03% of the year has passed

I've walked 37 consecutive non-Sundays since my last missed day on September 20, and overall have walked on 250 of the 263 non-Sundays thus far in 2014, a 95.06% consistency rating.

The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of distance and time walked than of the year. This tells Tortoise that he is on track. Yes, this is more numbers than you are likely interested in, all Tortoise can say is he's really good at setting high goals and having them slip away because he doesn't do them every, every day.

And now for more of today's walking thought, from an October 1992 address by Dallas Archibald, 

"It is impossible to emphasize the good in others if negative words or phrases are readily available on the tips of our tongues or expressed through our gestures.

"The plea behind the words “Walk beside me, Help me find the way” is this: “Lift me. Strengthen my feeble knees. Let me know that I am important and capable.” (See D&C 81:5.)

"When correction and discipline must take place, it is essential to continue lifting and strengthening, ensuring that the feelings of being important and capable are not lost. Again, in section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord explains how: “Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved.” (D&C 121:43.)

"As Elder Maxwell has observed, the word betimes is casually assumed to mean “from time to time,” or “occasionally,” when actually it means “early on.” Therefore, correction must take place early on with the direction of the Holy Ghost and not in anger. One hundred and thirty-two years ago, in a discourse in this tabernacle, Brigham Young counseled, “Never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up.” (Journal of Discourses, 9:124–25.) The Lord said, “… showing forth afterwards an increase of love.” (D&C 121:43.)

"The instructions on how to correct are clear and simple: early on, with the peace of the Holy Ghost, and with enough of the healing power within us to make sure that self-esteem is never wounded, ensuring always that the individual feels important and capable.

To watch, listen to, or read the rest of this message, please visit https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/born-of-goodly-parents?lang=eng #ShareGoodness

The tortoise is smiling!