15-293

Mile 852.  On this fine day, Tortoise went to a continuing education seminar in St. George, and was hosting a youth gathering at his home, at his usual walking time, to watch a live "Face to Face" internet broadcast with The Piano Guys.  What a treat!  So, Lou went on a rare and glorious midweek midafternoon walk when the seminar ended.  He started at the Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park in Washington and headed southwest on the Virgin River trail until its break at Riverside Drive.  He continued on Riverside Drive to Waterfront Drive, which is the picture you see above, shortly before the Virgin River trail resumes.  Tortoise got pictures of the trailhead, then looped back to Riverside Drive and returned to his starting point.

This was another day that Lou had a hard time choosing the lead picture, so you'll want to continue reading to see those, plus the day's walking thought by Robert Hales, and a couple Piano Guys tunes.  (It was hard to choose those too, but Tortoise thinks his choices will bring a smile to your face) ...

Cheerio!

The walk began by passing the duck pond in the park.  So nice!

Then crosses a cute bridge over a feeder stream just up from joining the river.

Then through some trees with just the slightest hint that it is fall.

Here's the trailhead mentioned earlier where

the Virgin River trail resumes.  So if you're wondering how to make one walk
out of the two segments of the Virgin River trail, Lou is pleased to be of service!

Here's a visual, taken from the intersection of Riverside and Waterfront Drives.
If you look up Riverside about a half mile you will see where it turns to become
3050 East Street.  That is where the trail resumes headed northeast.

Another nice view just about back to the point of origin.

And here's today's route.

Today's walk was 4.49 miles, with a 5.9 tortoise rating earned by climbing 79 feet in the 2.25 mile uphill portion.  Average elevation was 2625.  This walk burned 666 calories in 1:16:15 hours.

Here are the overall stats so far for 2015:

852.37 miles walked which is 85.07% of Lou's 2015 goal.  On this day in 2014, Tortoise had walked 837.51 miles.

261:20:31 hours walked which is 83.50% of the 2015 goal (which is to walk 1 hour a day on the 313 days other than Sunday in the year).

45,108 total feet climbed, compared with 40,518 feet on this day in 2014.

127,790 calories burned.

80.19% of the year has passed.

Lou has walked 139 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11.  Overall he has walked on 242 of the 251 non-Sundays in 2015, a 96.41% consistency rating.  This compares with 238 days walked in the same period in 2014 (a 94.82% 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.  He hopes you find what works for you).

And now for today's walking thought ...

"If you don't have abundant resources, don't worry.  A wonderful Church member recently told me, 'I didn't raise my children on money; I raised them on faith.'  There is a great truth to that.  Begin exercising your faith in every area of your life.  If you don't you will suffer what I would call 'faith atrophy.' The very strength needed to exercise your faith will be diminished.  So exercise your faith every day, and you will 'wax stronger and stronger ... and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ.' (Helaman 3:35)"

Robert D. Hales, "Meeting the Challenges of Today's World", October 2015 LDS General Conference

And now for today's musical selections, brought to you by The Piano Guys.  Tortoise would love to know which of these you enjoyed most ...


(If you've enjoyed Lou's continuing photo tour of southern Utah over the years, you'll love this Desert Symphony all the more)


(Tortoise is speechless on this one he is moved so much.  Enjoy!)

The tortoise is smiling (and tapping his toes)!