15-289

Mile 839.  Lou started out with the intent to explore the Church Rocks Trail today.  He parked his car at the Grapevine trailhead just north of exit 13 on Interstate 15 and headed up the Grapevine trail with the intent of then accessing the Church Rocks trail by way of the Prospector trail.  Tortoise got a phone call with an opportunity he was interested in about a half mile into the walk, so he turned around and left this planned walk for another day.  Later he took his brolly and did a LaVerkin walk in beckoning clouds that became intermittent rain.  With two walks in one day, you can be sure Lou had fun with his camera, come have a look ...

Cheerio!

This sign, located about a third of a mile up from the Grapevine trailhead,
gives information on about 50 trails in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.  Nice!

Lou's original intent was to save his picture taking for the Church
Rocks trail.  When his plans changed, he took pictures in every
direction from the above mentioned sign.

The Grapevine trail is a two track dirt road, with a couple gates to limit
access to hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and service trucks.

The weather made for some sunny breaks in the clouds
on the LaVerkin segment of the walk.

Map of the first part of the walk ...

and the second

Today's walks totalled 4.02 miles, with a 5.0 tortoise rating earned by climbing 229 feet in the 2.01 mile uphill portions.  Average elevation was 3175.  These walks burned 608 calories.

Here are the overall stats so far for 2015:

839.95 miles walked, which is 83.83% of Lou's 2015 goal.  On this day in 2014, Tortoise had walked 822.40 year-to-date miles.

257:28:17 hours walked, which is 82.26% of the 2015 goal (which is to walk 1 hour a day on the 313 days other than Sunday in the year).

44,427 total feet climbed, compared with 39,780 feet on this day in 2014.

125,925 calories burned.

79.23% of the year has passed.

Lou has walked 136 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11.  Overall he has walked on 239 of the 248 non-Sundays in 2015, a 96.37% consistency rating.  This compares with 234 days walked in the same period in 2014 (a 94.76% consistency rating).

The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of both distance and of 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 ...

"The pleasing word of God fills us with hope, because we know that those who are faithful in tribulation will have the greater reward in the kingdom of heaven and that 'after much tribulation come the blessings.' (see D&C 58:3-4)."

-- Francisco J. Vinas, "The Pleasing Word of God", October 2015 LDS General Conference

The tortoise is smiling!