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Mile 664.  Lou has wanted to walk the Owens Loop trail for probably a year now, since he discovered its existence in the rugged terrain of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, yet within the St. George city limits and the promise of excellent views from its perch 300 or so feet directly above the city.  It did not disappoint!

Pictures and the day's walking thought by Mary Cook await ...

Cheerio!

This is the only "tortoise" Lou has seen in the reserve.
Should he make it the new blog mascot?

The trail was hard to follow in places, but a most enjoyable walk.
Compare the map below with this one and tell Lou how he did at
following the Owens Loop trail.  Thanks!

Today's walk was 3.07 miles, done in 1:20:33 at an average pace of 26:14 minutes per mile. This route had an average tortoise rating of 3.3, earned by climbing 447 feet in the 1.54 mile uphill portion. Average elevation was 3180.    

Here are the overall stats so far for 2016:

664.33 miles walked, compared with Lou's goal for this date of 646.50.

45,921 total feet climbed so far in 2016, compared to a year-to-date goal of 39,788.   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 58:59 minutes each.

His average pace so far in 2016 has been 18:01.3 minutes per mile, compared with his 18:25 minute per mile pace in 2015.

Lou has walked 404 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, 2015. Overall he has walked on 507 of the 516 non-Sundays in 2015-16, a 98.256% consistency rating.

And now for today's walking thought:

"Education ... will open the doors of opportunity.  As you follow the Lord's admonition to 'seek learning, even by study and also by faith, (D & C 88:118)' you gain not only knowledge from your study but added light as you learn by faith."

Mary N. Cook, "Seek Learning:  You Have a Work to Do", LDS General Conference, April 2012

The tortoise is smiling!