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Mile 489, June 22.  Tortoise thanks his children for this fine Father's Day present ... his old boots had 2,500 miles on them since November 2013, so these are most appreciated.  Picture was taken across the street from the 600 North trailhead into Confluence Park so as to record them as they were before walking through the rocks and dirt.  The day's walking thought was by Linda Burton ...

Cheerio!

Today's walk was 4.04 miles, done in 1:27:01 hours at an average pace of 21:32 minutes per mile. This route had an average tortoise rating of 4.0, earned by climbing 306 feet in the 1.40 mile uphill portion.  Average elevation was 3134.

Weigh-in: 224.4, a 0.2 pound decrease compared with Lou's last weigh-in on June 13. 

Here are the overall stats so far for 2016:

489.31 miles walked, compared with Lou's goal for this date of 474.52.

34,065 total feet climbed so far in 2016, compared to a year-to-date goal of 29,204.  Lou hopes to climb more than the 61,316 feet he climbed in 2015 -- but in less time each day than his 1:07:04 hour per day average in 2015.  So far in 2016, Tortoise's walks have averaged 57:52 minutes each.

His average pace so far in 2016 has been 17:37 minutes per mile, compared with his 18:25 minute per mile pace in 2015.

Lou has walked 350 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, 2015.  Overall he has walked on 453 of the 462 non-Sundays in 2015-16, a 98.052% consistency rating.

One step at a time can lead to great things!

And now for today's walking thought ...

"An observant husband served in two important ways.  He relates:

"'I was assisting my wife one Sunday with her Primary class full of energetic seven-year-olds.  As Primary sharing time started, I noticed one of the class members huddled on her chair and obviously not feeling well.  The Spirit whispered to me that she needed comfort, so I sat by her and quietly asked what was wrong.  She didn't answer ..., so I began to sing softly to her.

"'The Primary was learning a new song, and when we sang, 'If I listen with my heart I hear the Savior's voice', I began to feel the most incredible light and warmth fill my soul.  ... I received a personal testimony of our Savior's love for her ... and for me. ... I learned that we are [the Savior's] hands when we serve the one.'

"Not only did this Christlike brother notice the need to help his wife with a class full of energetic seven-year-olds; he also gave individual service to a child in need.  He followed the Savior, who taught, 'The works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do.'        (3 Nephi 27:21) "

-- Linda K. Burton, "First Observe, Then Serve", October 2012 LDS General Conference

The tortoise is smiling!