Cornbelly's Corn Maze

Tonight's activity: Find our way out of a corn maze. I have everything ready... shoes, light, good weather and my secret weapon: MiKe WiTT. Yes, I will get out of this maze in good style. Mike is a wonder, he looks at the maze map and knows just which direction to head. It's like he has a sixth sense about it. He orients himself like a compass. It's amazing.
This is the opening night of the corn maze this year. I am hoping it won't be crowded. There are 40 different activities going on at Thanksgiving Point so hopefully the people will be spread out. I bought our tickets online through K-Bull 93 at a big discount, $3.93 each! What a deal!  

Utah’s original corn maze is embarking on an out-of-this-world mission to space this fall and Utahn's are invited to come along! Featuring a new maze design each year, Cornbelly’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Fest at Thanksgiving Point is one of only seven mazes nationwide recently selected to work with NASA to honor the U.S. space program. Participating in a special outreach program titled Space Farm 7, Cornbelly’s will feature the solar system & a space rover in its maze design, offer space-themed food & activities all season long.

Our departure time to pick up Mike tonight was a little delayed but by about 7:15 we were on way to Cedar Hills. All the construction along Timpanogos Highway slowed us down but soon we arrived, picked up Mike and headed back to Thanksgiving Point.

Rest for the weary.

We traded my online receipt for 3 wristbands. We located the maze area and entrance. We got our instructions and decided to play Maize-O-Poly during our maze experience. The maze was separated into parts, Phase 1 and Phase 2. We decided to do Phase 2 first, they said it was longer and more difficult. In this part we would find clues 6-10. We went right in, then I noticed that we had not been given a map like I was use to. So we came back out and looked at the big one they had on a wall. Mike took a picture of it with his mind (well that is what it seemed like when he referenced it while we were winding through the corn). When we began I pushed the start button on my Garmin. I want to see our path and how long it took us.

This was Jan's first time in a corn maze. He prepared himself by working on his feet all day in the yard. Maybe not the best thing. On went the flashlights and we started walking though the corn. They do have some rules as noted in the signs below:

There were a few times, especially in
Phase 1 where we stayed on the path
but still got corn-fused.

We were quite the corn maze team. I was the photographer and game board keeper. Mike was our maze leader. Jan was our clue texter. So here is how we worked. We just started walking through the corn to find the first clue sign. Once we got to the clue sign, Jan sent a text for the clue to keep us from getting lost. We would get a clue hint to help us to choose which way to turn. The answer to the clue is either Left or Right. I'd mark off the squares on our Maize-O-Poly board and we'd go on.

I'd mark off the squares on our Maize-O-Poly board and we'd go on.

Mike kept us right on track through our first maze, Phase 2. We rocked this maze. We took very few wrong turns to dead ends. It was fun to see Mike guide us through like he could see a map. Mazes are always fun because people are always walking the opposite way that you think is the right way. And many times you will see the same people over and over. It is funny because you both can't be right.

Jan on one of the lookout bridges.

It wasn't long before we solved all the clues and we were out of Phase 2. It took us 38:31 minutes to get through. We walked .87 miles. We went and bought a drink before we went to tackle Phase 1, the shorter one.

Marsha and Mike on bridge in the corn maze.

Mike studied the map again outside the corn field. Ready, set , go. And we were off again. It was funny we got a little confused at the beginning and did a loop. Hmmm. We started again. And then started finding the signs. We did a lot more looping and got corn-fused a few times. We met a lot of young couples pulling kids through this one in little corn wagons or in strollers. It made it harder for us to move around. Eventually, we found all the clues. But then we couldn't find the way out. We made a couple of attempts. It is interesting to see our Garmin path afterwards. Finally, because Jan was tired and it was late, we backtracked and went out the in. It was still great fun.

Yeah!!!

There had to be a punishment for coming out the in on Phase 1. Our stats for the shorter maze: 1.16 miles in 52:06.

Jan and Mike

WMC Ghost Falls Hike

Hike destination.

Tonight it was very warm out so our hike leader changed her hike plans to match the weather. Instead of starting from the Orson Smith Trailhead we all got in our cars and drove over behind the Draper Temple to the Coyote Hollow Trailhead where the hike is more shaded.
There were more hikers tonight, but the same dogs as last week. Julie led the hike, the other hikers were Ieta, Julie (2), Rick, John, Valeta and me. I am thinking they are all club members except me.

Julie Kilgore is pointing out on the map where we
were hiking to today.

We started up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) and shortly we took the Silica Pit cut off and headed for the Canyon Hollow Trail. Nice and shady, we were hiking at a moderate pace. Since we needed the dogs to be on leash for this hike I tried something new and put harnesses on Chip and Tinkerbell so the leash would come off their backs instead of necks. Neither seemed very thrilled with this idea but once we were hiking they acted like they always wore a harness - or at least it wasn't bugging them. Then, since I didn't have a coupler for two dogs I used two shorter fleece leashes and then hooked those on to my flexie lead. It really didn't work well because the leashes were too heavy for the flexie. I ended up holding the two leashes most of the hike. But  since they were attached to the harnesses it still gave me enough room to walk.

Water break for the Shelties. 

The hike was nice. We had mountain bikers coming at us from in front and behind all evening. We encountered no other hikers.

Ghost Falls

Our destination, Ghost Falls, was very beautiful. It is located in a protected water shed area where no dogs are allowed. So Julie tied up her dog Cee Cee, Valeta put Sadie (Yorkie) in her backpack and the group did the short 5 minute hike over to the waterfall to see it. I waited with Chip and Tinkerbell at the start of the trail branch.

In a few minutes the group hiked back and then I left my dogs with Julie (2) and Ieta and I hiked over to Ghost Falls so that I could see the falls too. I took a few pictures and enjoyed a few minutes there.

Just being near Ghost Falls has given Tinkerbell
and Chip haunted eyes.

With the lateness of the hour, and with it getting darker sooner, Julie felt it best that we return the way we'd come up instead of making the loop. We were doing so much stopping and starting because of all the bikers that we would have had to hike at a really fast pace and then probably still finish in the dark and she didn't want that.
Hike stats:
Distance: 3.09 miles
Elevation gain: 561 feet
Moving time: 57:47

Run Pretty Far

There is a blog post that is very appropriate for me, maybe it can help you too if life seems like a big ball of stress. I found it when I was purchasing some very pretty gaiters to wear on on trail runs or hiking to keep those pesky rocks and stickers out of my shoes. They have really cute armwarmers and other items too. Check them out.
This quoted text comes from the blog off the runprettyfar website. It was posted by Jenn. Here is some of what she had to say. To see the whole post go to: http://www.runprettyfar.com/uncategorized/patience-perspective-pleasure/

"One of the main reasons I go back to running again and again is it helps me get slow very quickly. What? My body gets to move fast, but my mind and heart finally slow down. I think many people use yoga to find this inner calm, but I’m the gal in the yoga class fidgeting through the breathing exercises wondering when we will get to the ‘real workout’.  Patience is not my virtue. Got an idea, let’s do it. Sounds great, let’s go. Need to think about it, what’s your problem? Looking backward? C’mon Sally –the future is now. Let’s run, let’s hurry, let’s make the world spin our way.

And often, if you have a kind heart and a captivating smile and beg and say please and meet just the right people, the world does cooperate. But, sometimes it simply does not. You do everything short of stomp your foot (and sometimes even that), but life simply says no. There have been a lot of those ‘no’ moments lately with RPF. Patience, patience, patience.

Another reason I run is perspective. Good Lord, what is it with these P words this today.

This morning as Greg and I ran Juneau (our new dog), I started my tirade:  I can’t run, the long sleeves are late, what if no one likes them, I am not a fashion designer, what am I doing?!, we need to work out more – we’re getting flabby, oh and the trees need to be cut back.

Yes, I know how petty the above list sounds. The sad thing is this was only about half of it. Greg gently reminded me that we also need to fix the Palestinian situation today….I laughed and of course that broke my rant. It always does. Perspective.

It wasn’t the run itself this morning that gave me much needed perspective, but the trappings of the run. Being so blessed to be out on a Monday morning in the cool fall air, walking with someone who patiently waits for me when I am slow and catches up to me when I am fast, watching the dog take such great joy playing in the grass, and having that sacred time to re-connect. Gratitude and perspective on how extremely lucky I am.

As long as I am on a ‘P’ kick… I want to share one more little vignette with you. Pleasure.

This summer I ran an informal 50K called the 12 Summits with some acquaintances who needed nighttime training for an upcoming 100miler. We started at 8pm and wrapped up around 6am. Through the night we ran 31 miles and 8,500 feet of elevation with shared flashlights , sandwiches, and stories. One of the woman in the group was about my age, is a real whipper snapper financial analyst by day, and chews up 100 milers on the weekend like most women run 5k’s. It would be super easy to be intimated by her, or jealous of her successes, or make all kinds of excuses for why she can do these things and I can’t. But instead I took a beautiful lesson from her….

Sometime around 3 in the morning as we headed up one of many gravel fire roads, I watched Sara running ahead of me…she trotted easily up the hill, not seeming to notice the incline, and I heard her humming sweetly to herself with her hand outstretched to feel her skin brush through the wild grasses that grew tall next to the road. Pure, tactile, childlike pleasure.

So often we push too hard and put grown up expectations on the run… Faster, longer, more calories burned!  Run like a child (through the night if it pleases you) and your joy will come right back. I know this, I preach this….but oh! to practice it is not always as easy. Thank you Sara for this visual that I can draw on when I need a reminder…

Patience, Perspective, Pleasure…Here’s hoping your day includes at least one."

Xoxo, Jenn

Wow. Jenn has some great thoughts. Lately I have missed running with Cyndie. I've had no one to do my personal "tirade" with to get it out. LOL. Is this a girl thing? I am impressed that Alicia can find some of her peace doing the yoga with Jerrie. I haven't been able to slow down enough to even try to do the yoga I learned.

Run Warm - Practice For Las Vegas Ragnar

Tonight I could not seem to keep my big mouth shut about eating healthy and losing weight so I got myself out of the house and on the road running. Sometimes I just can't keep quiet.
Before I left I looked at the temperature and it was 79. Good for me to have some time running when it is warmer since it is possible it will be warm when I am running Ragnar Las Vegas.
Distance: 4.35 miles
Time: 1:00:32
Mile1: 13:14.2 Mile2 13:55.8 Mile3 13:52.4 Mile4 14:14.1 

RunningFree Report September 19

RunningFree report for 19 September 2011

Last week you completed: Sport # Distance Time Run 1 11.0 mi 2:32:39 Walk 1 4.7 mi 2:57:03 Total 2 15.7 mi 5:29:42

Good things come slow - especially in distance running.  Bill Dellinger


RunningFree report for 26 September 2011

Last week you completed: Sport # Distance Time Run 3 13.5 mi 3:07:15 Bike 3 30.3 mi 3:04:04 Walk 4 3.0 mi 2:15:00 Total 10 48.5 mi 8:26:19

Somewhere someone in the world is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win. Tom Flemming

Long Run Now Done

Well I am going to try to squeak by with this 10 miler instead of 16 miles. I ran out of time (ha ha) before church and I procrastinated and didn't go yesterday because I didn't have Cyndie to run and talk with. (Boo hoo) Yeah I know I had the time, but when I got dressed for exercise Saturday morning I had on biking clothes rather than running clothes so I went riding. Yes I love having wheels. That must have been what happened. So I had to do something today. I got up late 6am, went to look at the temperature 55 - wow way warm. Hopefully this weekend Bike 30 + Run 10 = Long Run 16. Does that work for you legs???
Stats: Fastest mile was the first one 13:05.5 Elevation gain 105. Moving Time 2:19:49

Bike Adventure on the Jordon River Parkway

One of the parks along the ride.

Today, since my long run with Cyndie was cancelled I decided to go bike riding. I wanted to ride to Salt Lake on the Jordan River Parkway. I decided to go down to the Winchester Park in Murray to start from. We run there for our long runs because of all the restrooms along the trail. I slept in, so I didn't arrive at the park until 8:30am.
Lots of activity at this trailhead. The Sojourners Running Club was there with an aide station, they were supporting running practice. There were also a lot of bikers and others. It was one big party by the time I arrived. Got the bike off the rack and off I went.

Golf course with the water park in the background.

As I rode the familiar parts of the trail I spent some time looking at the "green" areas, thinking maybe it would be fun to walk with Jan and the dogs off the paved path sometime. It was fun as I got further to see new areas, many less busy than that trailhead. Saw a volunteer crew out working and cleaning up one of the trailheads. It looked really nice. The trail takes you through a golf course, by several parks, by a horseback riding stable, near the Trax home base, by a couple of schools and a several lower income neighborhoods where I kept seeing lots of gang tags all over stuff. 

This is a house right at the end of the trail in Salt Lake.
From here I couldn't figure where to pick it up again.

I rode all the way to West Temple, but the trail actually ended before then. I was trying to find where to pick it up but decided that it was getting late and that I should head back for my work party in Lehi. 
Wildlife and animals today: ducks, cats, dogs, birds, horses and two snakes. 
Stats for the ride:
Distance 30.26 miles
Moving time 2:49:14
Average moving speed 10.7 mph

WMC Cherry Canyon Hike

In the lead, Julie, Ieta and Liz. Valeta and
I are below them, quite a ways behind. Yeah, hard.

All week I have been looking forward to going on this hike with Julie Kilgore, one of the hike directors from the Wasatch Mountain Club, after listening to her fall hiking lecture at REI. To prepare I did a lot of research on daypacks. Why? Because the pack I'd bought a couple fo years ago and hadn't used for hiking was a pain in the back and shoulders for my hike with Jan last Friday afternoon.

First, I went to REI and tried on all the ones they had. I came home and read all the reviews online on the daypacks I was interested in. Then I went back to REI and tried them all on again. This time looking for the correct size and putting the sandbags (I didn't know they had the first time) in them to get a correct fit and see how it really felt. Then I came home, a little more research and I made the decision that yes, I would use it if I spent the money. Today, on my way home from a visit to the Salt Lake Bicycle Company, I stopped at REI in Sandy to purchase the daypack I'd decided on. No one in the valley had the purple one in.

Osprey Sirrus 24

So I could either wait or pick a different color. I could have bought it online and saved some money and gotten purple, but if I end up not liking it, even if I've used it I can return this one to REI.

On to the hike. This hike started from a point off of Highland Dr. called Orson Smith Trailhead, near 12601 South 2000 East - elevation 4,788. Well marked and easy to find, although the GPS would not take the address. I will mark it with the coordinates (N 40.31.297, W 111.50.32) after I get there so the GPS can find it next time. LOL. This trailhead has nice restrooms, a big plus before the hike.

Chip and Tinkerbell hiking.

Tonight 5 women and 4 dogs showed up to take this hike, this includes Julie and her dog CC.  It wasn't too hot and we had clear skies. Julie had labeled this hike NTD+ (Not Too Difficult) at a "moderate" pace. She explained it would be straight up but that we should hike at a pace that was comfortable for us. I was glad for my marathon training, hill training and just darn near all my training. Period. I don't think I've ever walked up something so steep. Maybe at Camp Wintaka when I was a kid once for a short distance but nothing like this. She said we would get a good workout. Did I come for a workout?

Julie got out a "hike form" and we all signed in for the hike and released the club of any liability. She then put the paper under the windshield wiper of her truck. Then I understood. This lets rescuers know you are on the trail in case you don't come back. Oh good, I didn't want to be lost tonight.

I was anxious to give my new daypack a try. I loaded all my 10 E's from my old grocery store $9.99 leaky hydration pack into the new one quickly because I was running a little late. Then I added all the stuff to the outside like dog bowl, poop bags, camera, fuel, water, phone, chapstick, etc. Let's go. 5:45pm. We took to the trail. Julie took the lead, followed by Ieta a 70 year old hiker. Yeah, no way I could keep up with the 70 year old. Because of the trail we were going on, Julie let us have the dogs off leash. Next in our hike line on this single track was Liz, I think her name was, she is living in Utah temporarily for business. She is from New York. She was an excellent hiker too. (She actually quit hiking early because she wanted to return to where she was staying while it was still light and she could find it. So when she got back down to the truck she signed herself out.)

Next was me and Chip and Tinkerbell followed by Valeta and her little Yorkie. That little dog could hike. Velita walks a lot so her legs were not sore but she was having a hard time with the cardio that was going on with this steep hike at the moderate pace. I was sucking wind too, although not quite as bad. And Chip and Tinkerbell, well they kept wanting to wait for Jan (who stayed home) so they could have a break from this uphill fun. I kept feeding them Zukes Power Bones to keep them going, their little pink tongues were hanging out. I also stopped to give them water two times on the way up. And me, well I was drinking water with Prolytes and eating Shot Bloks for my energy.

After a few minutes we crossed the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Then we came to the sign for the trail we were taking up the mountain, the Cherry Creek Logging Trail. This is where the real fun begins. This trail is steep switchbacks through scrub oak and sagebrush. Along this trail you can see some of the burned scrub oak limbs from a fire in 2008.

When the trail got really steep Julie explained how to hike a steep incline. You take a step, lock your knee. Then take another step and lock the other knee. This transfers your weight on your skeleton and helps distribute the load. It seemed to work. Took my mind off the grade because I had to think about the knee locking since I don't normally hike that way. The views of the valley, well we could see everywhere pretty quickly at our rate of acent. I was very disappointed that in rushing to get over to Draper I'd forgotten my Garmin. Julie said the climb was about a mile and a half, 1500 feet of climbing. Hill work!

Julie and Valeta.

Valeta coming up the trail.

The rock. At goal of hike, me and Julie.

Our goal for the evening was a rock formation up on the mountain, and we reached it after an hour and ten minutes of hiking. Wow. It was a great view of the valley and the sun was getting close to setting. We spent a few minutes relaxing and visiting at the top and then it was time to head down the mountain before dark. Down was faster than up. Duh. But down is NOT easy. Much of the trail is loose gravel-sand-dirt and it is easy to slip and fall. Luckily none of us did, but their was some sliding. We moved at a very fast pace. When we were about half way down CC and Chip decided they wanted to play and have the zoomies. CC is a lab, greyhound and something mix. So she is bigger. Well, that riled up too much dust and made it hard for us to hike because they were running around crazy like so we had to put a stop to that. It was fun to see even the dogs made new friends.

Well on our way down the sun eventually set and we got a pretty pink sky and then it began to get darker. I eventually took off my sunglasses, although not until the very end. I like them for dust and bugs too. And they lighten as it gets darker, so I could still see. Done with the hike at 8pm.

Marathon Musings

Well I am in training to achieve the status of Marathon Maniac. I have been a little nervous about the whole adventure, wondering if my legs and body would hold out for everything I have planned because I'd signed myself up for Ragnar Las Vegas before any of the marathon craziness was dreamed up.

So anyway, then I missed a critical long run when I was on vacation. The 18 miler. It is all about working up to the distance in increments. This principle works and it worked for me for the Ogden Marathon.

My marathon schedule is as follows: SoJo Oct 15 - Mesquite Nov 19 - CIM Dec 4.

CIM

When Liz texted me a couple of days ago that she might sign up for CIM in Sacramento I was very excited. Someone to run with. She also has a sister there that she can visit. CIM was the last marathon I am running to complete the criteria "2. 3 Marathons within a 90 day time frame " to qualify for Bronze Level at the very bottom of marathon mania scale. (BTW Liz has moved up a level to SILVER (2 Stars) and could be on her way to GOLD at the rate she is going. Way to go Liz, my inspiration for even doing this at all!)

So back to the texts from Liz. Then she asks if I am going to do a long run between Mesquite and CIM. I cannot remember but suggest that she check my blog where I have my training schedule.

Fast forward a day. I think I should check my training schedule and see if I have a long run between those two marathons and realize after reviewing it that it hasn't been completed beyond the Mesquite Marathon. So I do some copy and paste to add the needed weeks between the two. Funny, I think to myself, why do I only need copy two weeks and I am already at December 4? Yikes! Two weeks??? There must be something wrong. I thought I had at least 3 weeks between marathons! But then I have something I need to do and have to leave those thoughts for a few hours. (But keeping them in pondering position....)
Fast forward again to late last night when I get home at 9pm (late for me) and go back to investigating my situation. First, I work on a little fire that cropped up earlier in the day. Ragnar. My van, Van 1 looses a runner. Had a call from Mark this afternoon that Brittiany broke her foot. To be a little more accurate I read on FB later she has a hairline fracture. No running 4 1/2 months. Bummer. I will need to step up to help if we don't get a replacement runner and some of us have to run an extra leg.... Well anyway - that really isn't what I want to think about. After I did some calling and posting on FB on that situation I came back to my marathon plan.

First, I looked at the calendar. Sure enough, 2 weeks. One of marathons was on Saturday. One on Sunday. But no matter how I looked at it - basically 2 weeks. Even without my glasses on I could still see enough and count. So then I went to the internet to http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/criteria.html to look up criteria for MM:

To become a member of the Marathon Maniacs you need to complete one of the following Criteria within the LEVEL. Depending upon which streak you have completed will determine your placement LEVEL.

---

BRONZE LEVEL 
1. 2 Marathons within a 16 day time frame.

2. 3 Marathons within a 90 day time frame.

So here is the critical information I needed. My first plan, the three planned marathons (2) had to be in 90 days. No problem, I easily make that. In fact they are within a 51 day time frame. Wow.
So then I take a closer look at (1) which is 2 in 16 days. I go to the calendar and count the days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. And then I count again to be sure. I come back to the computer. Then I get up one more time to count. Sure enough, 16 days! YES! It is within the time frame. I only need to do Mesquite and CIM to be a maniac!

Why is this so great? Because this works soooooo much better for Ragnar, my first running commitment. And, for the SoJo I have dropped down to the half marathon, so I am still running. But, before I changed I called Cyndie to make sure she wouldn't be mad at me for not running with her. She was nice and very cool about it. We don't run to be by ourselves. It is a social activity when you are slower.
So the new plan, which goes in effect today is Mesquite Nov 19 - CIM Dec 4. I will be revising my long runs to make sure I get them all in before Mesquite.
Here I come MM.

Hiking Class at REI

I took some notes at Julie Kilgore's lecture.


I learned a lot about our area and what is available and one thing that makes the hiking on the Wasatch Front so unique. We have three wilderness areas in the county. Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, and Lone Peak. Very cool. Whatever your interest, Julie said Salt Lake county has hikes for family, friends, adventure, nature and history.
I learned how to figure pace from an old formula created by the 1960's Appalachian Mountain Club. A moderate pace is calculated as follows: 2 mph + 1/2 - hr. for each 1000 feet gain of elevation.


Hiking Trail Etiquette
1. Stay on the trail.
2. Downhill yields to uphill.
3. Bikers always yield to hikers - but don't count on it. :-)
4. Don't pick flowers.
5. Pack it in, pack it out - and more.
6. Use Mother Nature's restroom - 200 feet from water.
7. Adhere to dog restriction areas and leash laws.
8. Silence cell phones.
9. Enjoy the day and other outdoor enthusiasts.


She also talked about the Ten E's and what she adds to this list. One of my favorites was duct tape which she carries wrapped on a stick. Some extra caribeneers, hand wipes, trekking poles, toilet tissue with a baggie to pack it out!
What to watch for in the wilderness: poison ivy, rattle snakes (be still and they will go away), animals (keep your distance) and weather.


Some favorite books: Hiking the Wasatch, John Veranth; Best Easy Day Hikes, Falcon Guide; Lady in the Ore Bucket, Charles Keller.


She suggested many nice "fall hikes" in all the difficulty ranges. Now I just need to ......


"Make a date with nature"

Wonder Woman Metric Century

Ready to conquer Wonder Woman 100K.

Today I rode in the Wonder Woman bike ride with Cyndie. I didn't really feel "prepared" physically, but I was able to ride the whole way - even the steep hill. We started out as a larger group, with Liz and Shalauna and a couple of other girls. At the five mile point, the others opted to ride only 30 miles and Cyndie and I went on together. We are a great team. Cyndie is a stronger rider, so she rides slower with me or goes ahead and then waits for me to catch up to her. That works well for me, it makes me a better rider trying to keep up. I did have one time towards the end of the ride that I asked her to open up, I think we had the wind at our back and I'd just had one of my energy snacks. We were cranking.

I wanted so much to take lots of pictures of things I saw, but that involves stopping and it is too hard when bike riding to start and stop as much as I'd like too. I took a couple of pictures while riding, but I didn't want to risk dropping my camera. So not tons of pictures.
We saw some very quaint and pretty communities, lots of road kill (Cyndie points it out so I don't miss it), cows, horses, llama's, goats, a totem pole, lots of statues in yards like a big lion and a gigantic green frog. Cyndie was startled by a big live snake along the side of the road that she almost ran over. We saw many beautiful orchards, corn fields, and a really cool canyon which we rode downhill. We saw the Mona Reservoir, lilac fields, and four antelope ran across the road in front of us. Then there were a couple of obnoxious dogs that were being held off by a WW volunteer squirting a water bottle. We were able to ride safely up a short steep hill because of him.

Wonder Woman lunch on the road.

The support on the ride was good. At most of the aide stations there was plenty to eat and drink. What a great lunch we had in Goshen. Sandwich, Cheetos, strawberries and some Hershey kisses.
The vehicle traffic treated us very well on this ride, no mad drivers at us biker girls. It was a great day and a safe one. It is always in the back of my mind the danger when we are riding on so many highways, it helps when the cars look out for us.

This is what we look like after riding 62 miles.
We are awesome. We are not having a good hair day.

Here are the stats for my metric 100K ride (62 miles):


Elevation Gain: 1,645 ft.
Moving Time: 5:24:06
Average Speed: 10.2 MPH
Maximum Speed: 33.7 MPH
Fastest mile: Mile 49 2:50.0
Calories: 3,607

Cyndie took this of me.
This is one fun bike outfit. Now we are styling.

Corner Canyon Hike w/Jan, Chip & Tinkerbell

Today we went on a hike in Utah! Yes, we have trails here. Pretty ones too. After my hiking class last night I was anxious to try out an area close to home for hiking. Well, I got my opportunity when I came to work today and my computer wouldn't work. Yes, not at all. Second one in about 6 weeks. Well my new one is at the office, and when our IT guys get it configured I will be up and running again. In the meantime, I came home and put together my hiking pack with the Ten E's, got Jan and the doggies and off we went.

We couldn't get the GPS to take the address we had for the trail head, so we did a little wandering around in the van in Draper trying to locate it. Jan took a closer look at the trail map and was able to direct me up by the Draper Temple and foothills where we located the Coyote Hollow Trailhead.
Hike directions from the Corner Canyon Trails map: Clark's Trail/Canyon Hollow Trail Loop (4.30 mile loop) This trail loop is mostly shaded single track trail and is a great hiking loop with great views of the valley, canyon, and Lone Peak. Leaving from Coyote Hollow Trail Head, follow the trail signs up Clark's Trail to Peak View Trail Head at the top of the canyon. Continue across the trail head and descend Brocks Point Trail to Canyon Hollow Trail. Turn left down the Canyon Hollow Trail, down the canyon to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Turn left on the Bonneville Shoreline trail and back up to Coyote Hollow Trail Head.

Draper Temple from Clark's Trail.

When we left for the hike the weather was looking a little iffy. But I was prepared and so was Jan so we decided to go on the hike. The hike ascends slowly, and we were hiking at a leisurely pace. It takes just a few minutes for some beautiful views of the temple.

So many rock formations on our Lake Tahoe hikes, when we found a couple on our hike today we decided they were worthy of pictures. This part of the hike was shaded just like the description said, and our shade was from scrub oak. Well all of the shade on the hike is from scrub oak.

We were sharing the trails today with several mountain bikers, they were all very courteous and careful around us. We hiked with Jan leading the way, then Tinkerbell and Chip, and I brought up the rear. We kept the two dogs in between us - did a little directing of Sheltie butts with my hiking stick. They both did excellent. But what else would you expect from Sandy's experience dog hikers.

The valley below, a storm is a brewing.

When we got here we were excited, that meant we had
made the right turns and were going the right way.

We were glad to see this Peak View Trailhead, that meant we had made the right trail choice. What had confused us I later figured out was the "proposed Draper Rim Trail." Our map 2010, when we came to this point the trail was now in - or at least at that point and for some way it was done. 

My cute hiking buddies. 

We got a few raindrops on our hike, some clouds, but the weather held for us. We enjoyed the time hiking together. After the Peak View Trailhead we headed down Brock's Point Trail, then down the Canyon Hollow Trail. This trail goes right by the watershed area where you can't hike with dogs. Being so close did allow us one view of Ghost Falls, and also we were able to hear it for quite awhile.

Towards the end of the hike, when we were coming to the end of the Canyon Hollow Trail it was not well marked. There was a dirt road and it was very confusing. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail probably includes that road, but coming from the other way we weren't sure. Fortunately, later down the road we found some signs, and we were going the right way. And we came out right where the van was. Happy day!

End of the trail. Successful hike.

Stats for the hike: 4.68 miles
Elevation gain: 852 feet
Time: 2:57:03.2
About 30 minutes per mile.