15-275

Mile 802.  Tortoise thinks this is a pretty special look at the Virgin River flowing through the east part of Confluence Park and of La Verkin sitting just above it.  Nice getting them both in the same picture on such a clear fall afternoon.  Lou actually had a hard time deciding whether to feature this picture or another one taken from the same spot at the same time in a different direction.  Please click below and let him know what you think ...

Cheerio!

In the foreground is the confluence of the Virgin River with La Verkin and
Ash Creeks.  Beyond that the Pine Valley mountains on the left
and the Hurricane Ridge on the right meet in the distance.

Today's walk was 4.59 miles, with a 4.8 tortoise rating earned by climbing 302
feet in the 2.30 mile uphill portion, at an average elevation of 3291.
The walk burned 677 calories in 1:23:22 hours

Here are the overall stats so far for 2015:

802.10 miles walked, which is 80.05% of Lou's 2015 goal. On this day in 2014, Tortoise had walked 779.44 year-to-date miles.   

245:36:07 hours walked, which is 78.47% of the 2015 goal (which is to walk 1 hour a day on the 313 days other than Sunday in the year)

42,102 total feet climbed, compared with 36,889 feet on this day in 2014.  

120,241 calories burned.

75.40% of the year has passed.

Lou has walked 124 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11. Overall he has walked on 227 of the 236 non-Sundays in 2015, a 96.19% consistency rating.  This compares with 222 days walked in the same period in 2014 (a 94.49% 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.  (If you doubt this, compare Tortoise's walking record up until 2013 with 2014 or 2015 ... for him, it is what it takes to be consistent. And Tortoise feels much more vibrant when he is consistent.  He hopes you find what works for you)

And now for today's walking thought:

" ... we must put aside our pride, see beyond our vanity, and in humility ask, 'Lord, is it I?' 

"And if the Lord's answer happens to be 'Yes, my son, there are things you must improve, things I can help you to overcome,' I pray that we will accept this answer, humbly acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, and then change our ways by becoming better husbands, better fathers, better sons.  May we from this time forward seek with all our might to walk steadfastly in the Savior's blessed way -- for seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom.

"As we do so, our bountiful God will lead us by the hand; we will 'be made strong, and blessed from on high.' (D&C 1:28)"

-- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Lord, Is It I", October 2014 LDS General Conference

The tortoise is smiling!