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Mile 85.  Tortoise returned to the North Etiwanda Preserve this clear, warm, windy morning before beginning his appointments.  Almost a year ago to the day, Lou discovered this fine place.  The wind blew away most of the smog in the valley, so Lou was treated to especially nice views.  The snow dusted mountain at the top of the picture is Cucamonga Peak, which is a little over 8,800 feet and a couple peaks over from Mt. Baldy, where, sadly, a hiker fell to his death a few days ago on the Devil's Backbone portion of that trail.  One can't be too careful when treading one icy, slippery ground.  Thankfully, today's path, though nearby, is more than 6,000 feet lower and dry.  Just in case you, dear reader, was worried about our friend Lou venturing nearby.

There's the day's walking thought by Jeffrey Holland and some more pictures waiting for you when you click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

The trail was popular this morning with folks headed to Etiwanda Falls.
It took Lou 25 minutes to walk the 1.1 miles to this turnaround point,
 for him the Falls will wait for another day.

There's another path beckoning to the left here ...

The view back down at turnaround point.

The straight line headed into the distance near the white water tank in the
middle of the picture is Etiwanda Avenue.  Tortoise's car is waiting
 for him just below that tank.

North Etiwanda Preserve.  Recommended as a nice way to start your day!

And if you want a hill to climb, this is for you.  Average 8% grade,
with sections reaching 12%.

Today's walk was 2.16 miles and had a 1.8 tortoise rating earned by climbing 462 feet in the 1.08 mile uphill portion, with a half tortoise notation for the rocky trail.  Average elevation was 2295.  This walk burned 332 calories in 45:47 minutes, a pace of 21:12 minutes per mile.  Or if you prefer, it was a pace of 24:13 minutes per mile going up and 18:09 minutes per mile going down.

Here are the overall stats so far for 2016:

85.01 miles walked which is 12.45% of Lou's 2016 goal of 683 miles.  His goal for this date is 67.43 total miles.

22:56:55 hours walked which is 10.96% of the 2016 goal (which is to walk 40 minutes a day on the 314 days other than Sunday in the year).  

7,033 total feet climbed in 2016. Wounded Duck has challenged Tortoise to climb more than the 61,316 feet climbed in 2015 -- but in 40 minutes, rather than an hour daily.  To accomplish this, Tortoise needs to climb an average of 196 feet on each of the 314 walking days in 2016  ... assuming he misses no days at 6 days per week all 52 weeks (definitely quite an assumption!).  But playing along with Wounded Duck, this would mean climbing 6,076 feet in the 31 walking days so far in 2016.  So far, so good, but stay tuned.  This is a tough goal, and Tortoise is taking nothing for granted.

13,715 calories burned.

9.87% of the year has passed.

Lou has walked 232 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, Overall he has walked on 335 of the 344 non-Sundays in 2015-16, a 97.38% 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.  And of course, he also wants to keep the Boredom Committee supplied with plenty of boring numbers so those good folks will be happy ...

And now for today's walking thought ...

" ... Believe in miracles.  I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost.  Hope is never lost.  If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior's own anguished example:  if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.

"In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help.  As with your automobile, be alert to rising temperatures, excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel.  When you face 'depletion depression,' make the requisite adjustments.  Fatigue is the common enemy of us all -- so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill.  Physicians promise us that if we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill.

"If things continue to be debilitating, seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values.  Be honest with them about your history and your struggles.  Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they give and the solutions they prescribe.  If you had appendicitis, God would expect you to see a priesthood blessing and get the best medical care available.  So too with emotional disorders."

-- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Like A Broken Vessel", October 2013 LDS General Conference

The tortoise is smiling!