"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!


Friday, January 31, 2014

14-31


We were blessed with slow steady rain most of the day today.  I bundled up to be ready to walk in it after work, and lucked out and mostly missed the rain.  It started up again a few minutes before I was done.  The walk was 3.75 miles with 154 feet climbed in 1:10:01.  Tortoise rating was 5.3.  Calories burned:  586.

Please click below to continue reading for a map and more pictures ...

Cheerio!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

14-30


Church Rocks.  If you live in Washington County, Utah, you have no idea how many times you have passed within feet of this place but never saw it because it was hidden just behind a ledge as you zipped by on the nearby freeway.  I didn't either until I got looking at a map of the Coral Canyon neighborhood trails and noticed that one seemed to connect with several trails in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.  So for my after work walk today, I went looking to see if I could find what the map was showing me.  It's beautiful!

Today's totals:  2.84 miles with 479 feet climbed in 58:01 minutes.  Tortoise rating on the uphill half of the walk:  2.9.  Calories burned:  496.  For a map and more pictures, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

14-29


So ... I had about an hour and fifteen minutes to get in my walk after finishing work and before heading to my third of three introductory classes at the local family history center, not all of which would be in daylight.  I really enjoyed picking up a little incline along the way yesterday (felt similar afterwards to the way I feel when I eat an especially fine plate of "scrubbers") and wanted to do something like that again today.

The result was 1.29 miles from the Parley P. Pratt memorial at the end of Hurricane Main Street, down to the Virgin River on the Confluence View Trail then looping back up the aptly named Tortoise Path back to my car.  This was followed by driving to the family history center and walking a 2.10 mile round trip on Hurricane State Street.  Totals:  3.39 miles with 367 feet climbed in 1:08:40 hours.  Tortoise rating on the 0.83 mile uphill portion:  1.9.  (Average grade there was 8.4%.  This probably has something to do with the name "Tortoise Path" ha ha)  Calories burned:  576.

It would be fun to see in the comments how many of you can remember walking with me on either of a couple of Confluence Park paths on the La Verkin side of the river that are visible in the picture above ...

Please click below to continue reading for maps and another picture.

Cheerio!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

14-28


Today's version of the walk after work:  3.47 miles with 251 feet climbed in 1:01:34 hours.  Tortoise rating:  4.7.  Calories burned:  539.  Nice view of the Pine Valley mountains behind the new house near the "turnaround point" of my walk.  Please click below to keep reading to see a map and more ...

Cheerio!

Monday, January 27, 2014

14-27


Late evening walk on the well lit main drag after all was done for the day:  2.52 miles with 70 feet climbed in 46:42 minutes.  Tortoise rating:  5.8.  Calories burned:  393.  Please click below to continue reading, for a map and more ...

Cheerio!


Create Maps or search from 80 million at Humana Fit

2014 Stats:

79.34 miles walked, which is 7.93% of my 2014 goal.
25:26:05 hours walked, which is 8.13% of my 2014 goal
  3,170 total feet climbed
12,521 calories burned 
7.35% of the year has passed.
I've walked on 22 of the 23 non-Sundays thus far in 2014, a 95.6% consistency rating.

The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of distance and time walked than of the year. This tells me I am on track. I'm sure this is more numbers than you are interested in, all I can say is I'm really good at setting high goals and having them slip away because I don't do them every, every day.

 The tortoise is smiling!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

14-25


After work and some quality time with little Jack at the hospital (he is wonderful to hold and love, but it breaks your heart to hear him struggle to breathe.), I had about 40 minutes of daylight for walking.  My stomach was feeling a little off, and believe it or not, my solution was to get in some good uphill walking.  So I parked my car at the Hurricane Hill Trailhead and headed up to Rim Trail for just over a mile before turning around and retracing my steps.

After that, I did another mile and a half along well lit Hurricane State Street.  Today's totals:  3.63 miles with 358 feet climbed in 1:09:47 hours.  Tortoise rating on the uphill portions (totalling 1.39 miles):  3.5, reflecting an average grade of 4.9% with some 8% segments.  Calories burned:  570.  And yes! My stomach did feel better when I finished walking.

For maps and more pictures, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Friday, January 24, 2014

14-24


Raise your hands high ... if you knew this park was on Washington Fields Road where it crosses the Virgin River.  I didn't either until today.  The fellow and his child are enjoying fishing.  The gazebo can seat a good crowd on it picnic table, beyond which is a large parking lot where I began my walk, looking for the connection to the Virgin River Trail in St. George.  I found it, pretty much where I expected it, but had been hoping it would stay closer to the river.

Let me explain.  The Virgin River Trail in St. George is part of the Three Rivers Trail system, which is beginning to connect cities along the Virgin River beyond St. George.  Very exciting for someone on the lookout for new places to see and walk.  This section is also called the Millcreek Trail.  It meets 3050 East in St. George (known by most locals as the road to Costco) pretty much at the point it turns and becomes Riverside Drive.  If you want to continue on the Virgin River Trail, the disappointing part to me is you have to follow the sidewalk on Riverside Drive about a half mile (I haven't measured it yet, this is my guess at this point) to Waterfront Drive.  Walk Waterfront Drive around the corner and the Virgin River trailhead is clearly marked on the south side of the street between 2670 and 2700 East.  At that point it becomes a popular, well marked path again.

As for today's walk, it was 3.35 miles with 55 feet climbed in 55:55 minutes.  Tortoise Rating:  6.1.  Calories burned:  538.

For a map and several more pictures, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

14-23


Walked up to Valley Academy and back twice today.  Perhaps you can tell from the flag that it was walking into the wind ... that just makes the exercise better :-)  I added a final segment this evening to and from the signal light near Southern Utah State Bank so that I would pass my 3 1/4 mile daily goal.  Totals for the day:  3.45 miles with 187 feet climbed in 1:03:58 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.0.  Calories burned:  538.

For a map and more, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

14-22


Walked to lunch and to the bank this afternoon.  Finished my walk in the 44 degree cool of a clear evening after week 2 of my 3 week class at the Hurricane Family History Center.  I've agreed with my sweetheart to limit my walking to a couple of well lit streets, Hurricane's State Street being one of them.  Hard to avoid streetlight glare, and this picture of the Southern Utah (Offroad) Adventure Center is the best one I managed ...  Total of all the walk segments was 3.43 miles with 39 feet climbed in 1:10:37 hours.  Tortoise rating:  6.0.  Calories burned:  545.

For a map and another picture attempt, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

14-21


Walked the loop around the elementary school, then continued to the church.  Thought you'd enjoy our new mobile Italian take-out establishment here in La Verkin that I saw along my way.  The walk totalled 2.18 miles with 108 feet climbed in 41:08 minutes.  Tortoise rating:  5.6.  Calories burned:  341.

For a map and more pictures, please click below to keep reading ...

Monday, January 20, 2014

14-20


Here's where today's walk gets a little steeper, just past 600 North and Main in Hurricane ... but no worries, the Scouts still were able to post the flag this fine Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day ...

3.36 miles with 154 feet climbed in 59:58 minutes.  Tortoise rating:  5.4.  Calories burned:  522.

Please click below for a map, another picture, and a little more ...

Cheerio!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

14-18


Doug joined me on my walk today.  He wanted to do the trail along the river towards Walmart, but when we headed over after the Liverpool vs. Aston Villa football match they were just wrapping up a half marathon, so we parked in the Dixie Center lot and walked under the Dixie Drive bridge to get to the park and our starting point.  We instantly had our Kodak moment with all the icy snow still hanging on in the shade.  Pretty amazing given our long run of sunny 55-60 degree days!

My phone battery died at the half way point, so the map will show the first half of the walk ... we retraced our steps for the second half, with slightly more uphill on the return trip.  Totals were 5.14 miles with 99 feet climbed in 2:03:06 hours.  Tortoise rating:  6.1.  Calories burned:  882.

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

Cheerio!

Friday, January 17, 2014

14-17


Today is Jack Henry Beecher's birthday, born to Hilary and Jacob.  I held him for a little over an hour, he is a real joy!

No walk today.

Cheerio!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

14-16


Took the long way home from work tonight, gave me this nice view of my home and my neighbors ...

3.85 miles with 183 feet climbed in 1:06:33 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.2.  Calories burned:  597.

For a dedication to my sweetie of nearly 36 years, plus a few other tidbits, please click below to keep reading ...

Cheerio!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

14-15


Nice remodeling job on this preschool, that was once a Kingdom Hall, made for a nice view on this afternoon's walk:  3.70 miles with 144 feet climbed in 1:05:25 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.7; calories burned:  575.  For a map and more, please click below to keep reading.

Cheerio!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

14-14


Up, up, and away!  Walked to work with a couple extra street turns to add a little length to make the goal.  Stopped to do some work at Valley Academy on my way to the office, so there are two maps for basically one walk.  Total of both:  3.37 miles with 200 feet climbed in 1:00:40 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.5; calories burned:  527.  Please click below for maps and more ...

Cheerio!

Monday, January 13, 2014

14-13



Walked home from work, by way of the credit union.  3.43 miles with 85 feet climbed in 1:03:06 hours ... and that included five minutes waiting in line at the bank, so I feel like I made pretty good time.  Tortoise rating;  5.8; calories burned 534.  Please click below for a map and more ...

Cheerio!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

14-11


Stopped for a walk on a few more Coral Canyon trails on the way to Maude's birthday party.  3.48 miles with 148 feet climbed in 1:03:00 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.7, calories burned:  542.  Please click below for a map and more pictures ...

Cheerio!

Friday, January 10, 2014

14-10


Walked to West Cinder Knoll after work today, it's just above 600 North in Hurricane at about 1400 West.  3.50 miles with 232 feet climbed in 1:22:20 hours.  Tortoise rating:  4.8, Calories burned:  551.  Please click below for a map and more pictures ...

Cheerio!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

14-9



Two walks again today.  This morning I walked to Valley Academy to do some work there.  Later on I did a loop near the office and the Middle School to complete my day's walking goal.  The pictures above are of the city pocket park across the parking lot from the Middle School. Total of the 2 walks was 4.00 miles with 259 feet climbed in 1:15:09 hours.  Average tortoise rating of both walks was 5.5.

For a map and more, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

14-8


Two walks today.  This morning I needed to go to two banks in Hurricane and decided to walk.  Turned out this was just a little short of my daily walking goal, so later I was back Coral Canyon direction and went back to the short steep section of the path I walked a few days ago, and finished my goal.  Total of the 2 walks was 3.74 miles with 226 feet climbed in 1:10:38 hours.  Average tortoise rating of both walks was 5.5, with a boost from the 8% incline on the .38 mile segment this afternoon.

For a map and more, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!


Create Maps or search from 80 million at Humana Fit


Create Maps or search from 80 million at Humana Fit


2014 Stats:

26.95 miles walked, which is 2.70% of my 2014 goal.
8:38:41 hours walked, which is 2.76% of my 2014 goal
1,398 total feet climbed
4,245 calories burned


2.24% of the year has passed.  The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of distance and time walked than of the year.  This tells me I am on track.

I'm sure this is more numbers than you are interested in, all I can say is I'm really good at setting high goals and having them slip away because I don't do them every, every day.

The tortoise is smiling!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

14-7



I left my car at Roadrunner Auto tonight so it would be ready for them to do my yearly safety inspection and a couple other routine maintenance items in the morning.  Next door is The LaVerkin Car Wash, LLC, complete with a working airplane purposely parked on the roof and a fabulous mural on the side.  It's where I started my walk this evening:  3.13 miles with 92 feet climbed in 56:18 minutes.  Tortoise Rating:  5.8.

For a map and more, please click below.

Cheerio!

Monday, January 6, 2014

14-6



Decided to check out what the Coral Canyon trails have to offer on my way back from visiting a bank in Washington, UT.  Little did I know that I would wind up climbing Mount Everest, or at least a trail named for it (and surnamed "Cardiac Arrest" hill).  That segment was .33 miles down and then right back up with 145 feet climbed, an 8% grade.  Sorry, guys, the Brown Point Trail, maybe 10 miles away as the crow flies, deserves the "Cardiac Arrest" label much more.

The full walk was 3.43 miles, with 322 feet climbed, in 1:02:40 hours.  Tortoise rating:  4.4 on the uphill half.  For a map and more pictures, please click below to continue reading.

Cheerio!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

14-4


Walked the St. George Mayor's Loop after celebrating Willyne's birthday (that will be tomorrow) with her, Becca, Josh, Megan, and Floryne at the temple this morning.  The 5.2 mile loop begins at the trailhead at the city's Crosby Family Confluence Park.  I took it counterclockwise, but they have mileposts increasing every half mile whichever direction you choose.  Including a little wandering around to take pictures, I walked 5.51 miles with 135 feet climbed in 1:42:54 hours.  Tortoise rating:  6.0, however because of the distance over five miles it qualifies for a Benjamin category override to a tortoise rating of 5.  For a map and more pictures, please click below to continue reading.

Cheerio!

Friday, January 3, 2014

14-3



Walked to the credit union on a fabulous sunny 60 degree afternoon (even 5 degrees warmer than St. George - how did we luck out on that one?). I then made a loop out of it to see the new high school buildings, football field, and track up close, before heading back to the office.  3.42 miles with 62 feet climbed in 1:02:25 hours.  Tortoise rating:  5.9.  For a map and more pictures, please click below to continue reading.

Cheerio!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

14-2


Walked part of the Cinder Knoll loop in Hurricane this afternoon:  3.53 miles with 164 feet climbed in 1:08:30 hours.  Tortoise rating on the uphill half:  5.2.  For a map and more pictures, please click below to continue reading.

Cheerio!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

14-1



Two fun walks to start the new year!

One with 4 generations to begin the celebration of Willyne's birthday


and one for the tortoise to get his exercise.  Please click below for more pictures, maps, and some tunes to introduce the tortoise's walking plans for the new year.