Hiking When its HOT!!

Every summer, ill-prepared hikers head into the heat without understanding the effects of heat-related illnesses, including dehydration, heat cramps, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat rash. Don't ignore what your body may be telling you!! Listen...in order to avoid long-term health complications, and in the worst cases, death.

Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include:

• Red, hot, dry skin, no sweating (sign of heat stroke)
• Heavy sweating (sign of heat exhaustion)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Fainting

Ive said it before, and I'll say it again and again....

Drink Water Throughout the Hike!!

A 16-ounce water bottle won’t cut it. Hikers need to hydrate before, during and after the hike. It's important to drink water before becoming thirsty. Thirst is a sign of dehydration.

I LOVE my Camelbak. These are ideal for hikers who don’t want to carry a water bottle, and they have other pockets for other small items like keys, snacks or a cell phone and the always popular IPod!!! These types of backpacks typically hold 20 to 100 ounces of water.

Eat Caloric Foods for Energy

Hikers should eat before and after they hike. Depending upon the length and difficulty of the trek, it may be necessary to snack while on the trail. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats can provide short and long-term bursts of energy. Suggestions include: granola, dried fruit, oranges and apples, protein bars, and trail mix.

Just like hydrating the body, it’s important to eat before getting hungry. This ensures the body is not losing vital carbs and proteins, which are essential to sustaining cardio and strength. Additionally, a salty snack will help the body retain water needed during long hikes.

Never Hike Alone!!

Despite adequate preparation and experience, heat-related illnesses can strike unexpectedly. Hiking buddies not only provide companionship and encouragement; they can be crucial in an emergency situation. If a fellow hiker is sickened by the heat, cool him or her off with a wet shirt, find shade and hydrate. Carry a cell phone in case medical attention is necessary. In you choose to be a rebel and hike alone, be sure to tell someone where you going and when you plan to return.

Its gunna get hot again!!!
I just know it is!!!
I have faith!!!
So why not have some fun recalling what it takes to enjoy a hike in the heat.

What is it that hikers should do and think about while hiking when its really hot outside?

First- Protect your skin against those pesky UV rays of sun. Its recommended to be sure and cover up as much of your skin as possible. "They" say that light colored, flowing clothing is actually more cooling that bare skin or our sexy tank tops. How about that?! Cotton is good, or even better is the new fangled sweat wicking fabrics that are out there now. And did you know that you can still get a sun burn through white clothing??!! Try beige or gray or other light colored clothes instead.

Second- wearing a hat is a great idea. Sunbeams beating on the ol noggin cant be good. Hats with brims all around; hats which can be dampened are even better.

Third- Sunglasses. I need sunglasses!!! My baby blues are hyper sensitive to sunlight. I must have sunglasses to cut down on the desert glare and to portect the retnias.

Fourth- Sunscreen is a must as well. Dont forget the back of your neck and ears and knees and under your chinny-chin-chin!! Get the sports brand variety- it wont sweat off as readily. Be sure to slather on the lipblock as well!!

Lastly- but definitley not least, drink lots and lots of water. Full hydration helps our bodies function more efficently!!*

Of course use good judgment!! I hike in the early morning hours before it gets too blazing hot!! And sometimes I got out later in the afternoon. Take breaks in the shade- take time to smell the creosote!!

Hot sand between the toes is great therapy too!!


(*Thirst is NOT an indicator of hydration levels, by the way. Outward Bound Schools warn that once your body sends you a message of thirst, you are already dehydrated. Have a Camelbak water bladder easily accessible throughout your day, and don't forget to use it. The water won't do you any good inside the container. Drink it up and look for more.)

Alternative to Hiking Sandals?

Vabram Five Finger Classic

At first glance, I was convinced that this strange footwear had to be a joke!!!
But now...I've seen them on actual hiking feet!
If I could bring myself to put up my Keens...maybe I should try them on our trails?
How could I gather coral dust between my toes with these strange boys??!!
Could these be better than hiking sandals?
Leave a comment if you've ever worn them, or have an opinion.

Hiking, Walking, Moving

Want to lose weight for free? No supplements needed, no drugs required, take a walk or a hike. With the economy deteriorating fast we are all looking for things to do that are free. Unemployment is up, prices are up, about the only thing going down are our home values and retirement funds.

The weather is perfect for walking. Start the walking regime that works for you. If you are in reasonably good shape, just open your door step outside and start walking. If you have any health problems at all, check with your doctor before you start any exercise program. You should walk fast enough to get your heart rate up but not so fast that you cannot speak comfortably. Try to increase your intensity or distance every few days. To increase your weight loss and conditioning try to jog for short spurts.

Grab the dog, call a friend, bribe a child, do whatever it takes to get moving. You will feel better after taking your walk or tackling a trail, and you may just lose weight in the process.

I got to strap on my beloved Keens a week ago and hike the beaches of San Diego!! They were glorious!! The hiking shoes and the beach!! I gathered real 'coral' dust between my toes!!
ahhh!!!
I broke down and bought myself a pair of hiking shoes from Keen this month as well. They are marvelous!!! They're light and airy and come with plenty of traction and style!!
LOVE, LOVE, Love my Keens!!!

Day Hike Anyone?

Billed as a backpack that is stocked and packed and ready to go for your pleasure on a day hike...they would be happy to take your $500 for the chance.
There's lots of good stuff in there though, including a first aid kit, poop trowel, space blanket, multi-tool, headlamp -- but alas, no duct tape. Alas, every well equipped backpack MUST come with duct tape!!
Doesnt it kind of make you wonder who would spend this much for a day pack...sure its a nice idea, but dont you envision the person purchasing such a thing as this, as being the one who would immediately get lost on a trail and need rescuing and find themselves on the news?
God bless the good intentioned hikers and God bless capitalism!!!
If you'd like- go HERE to find out more.

10 Most Dangerous Hikes in America

(I know, I know...this isnt America...but still....)

From a slippery Sierra catwalk to a treacherous Hawaiian paradise, Kelly Bastone in Backpacker posted this list in 2008, naming the country’s 10 most hazardous hikes.

The Maze, UT

Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon, AZ

Barr Trail, Pikes Peak, CO

Mt. Washington, NH

Muir Snowfield, Mt. Rainier, WA

Huckleberry Mtn., Apgar Range, MT

Kalalau Trail, Kauai, HI

Buckskin Gulch, UT

Abrams Falls, Great Smoky Mtns., TN

Mist Trail, Half Dome, CA
( I wonder where Angels Land ranks on the list?)

Click here for details on each.

One of Ten Top Adventures

Im re-visiting a book that may be one of my all time favorite books I've ever read. At least as far as being inspire and motivated by a true and unique story.
You may be wondering what it has to do with hiking?

First, learn a bit about Greg Mortinson.

"A dazed climber descending from a failed attempt on K2, got lost, stumbling into a remote village."


Greg Mortenson is the co-founder of nonprofit Central Asia Institute www.ikat.org , founder of Pennies For Peace www.penniesforpeace.org , and co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea www.threecupsoftea.com , and author of the bestsellerStones into Schools www.stonesintoschools.com.

In 2009, Mortenson received Pakistan’s
highest civil award, Sitara-e-Pakistan
(“Star of Pakistan”) for his dedicated
and humanitarian effort to promote
education and literacy in rural
areas for fifteen years.

This guy has done more by himself to help Pakistan than all the hundreds of millions spent by the U.S. government. I love the title of this article: He Fights Terror With Books I highly recommend his first book.

"Never has the failure to climb a mountain
led to such success. After Greg Mortenson
failed to climb K2 in 1993 to honor his
dead sister, he picked a new mountain. He
raised enough money so a small village in
Pakistan could build their own school.

In 2006 he published Three Cups of Tea, a
book chronicling his journey. By 2009 he
had supported more than 131 schools in
Pakistan and Afghanistan. At a time when
U.S. foreign policy is governed by military
might that includes Shock and Awe and a
flock of high-altitude drones, Greg Mortenson
took a simpler, gentler approach. He traveled
on rugged roads to small villages—in the same
remote regions where the United States
dropped bombs from unseen and unheard planes
high in the sky—to deliver cash so locals could
build schools from stones and have basic
supplies for their children. He took the war
against violence out of the sky and put it in
the hands of young girls on the ground. "




Outside – The Top 10 Adventure Stories of the Decade

Can I Have That....Please!!!!????

are you tempted to purchase one for you and every member of your hiking family!!??

Hoverwhat?? Hoverflies!!!

(image from wikimedia)

They like landing on sweaty skin, sampling the salt.

"Flies in the Diptera family Syrphidae are commonly known as hoverflies, flower flies, or Syrphid flies. …

Many Syrphids mimic bees or wasps in appearance. It is thought that this mimicry protects hover flies from falling prey to birds and other insectivores which avoid eating true wasps because of their sting. …

Hover flies get their name from their characteristic flight pattern of hovering nearly still, then darting a short distance very rapidly only to start hovering again, a pattern not seen in the wasps and bees they mimic."

Wikipedia

They can be found at altitude on trails most everywhere around the world.


"About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described.
Hoverflies are common throughout the world and can be
found on every continent except Antarctica. Hoverflies
are harmless to most other animals despite their mimicry
of the black and yellow stripes of wasps, which serves
to ward off predators. …"

wikipedia

How about that!!??

All sorrows are less with bread.
from: Don Quixote
by: Cervantes 1602

I was fortunate enough to spot a pair of foxes out and about on the Paradise Rim hike, early one morning. Every once in a while I am treated to such a rare event. I am always grateful!!!
Enjoy!!!

Principles of Leave No Trace

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors


Plan Ahead and Prepare

1. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
2. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
3. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
4. Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
5. Repackage food to minimize waste.
6. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.


Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

1. Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
2. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
3. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
4. In popular areas:


1. Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.

2. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.

3. Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

5. In pristine areas:

1. Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.

2. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.


Dispose of Waste Properly

1. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
2. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
3. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
4. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.


Leave What You Find

1. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
2. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
3. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
4. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.


Minimize Campfire Impacts

1. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
2. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
3. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
4. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.


Respect Wildlife

1. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
2. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
3. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
4. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
5. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.


Be Considerate of Other Visitors
1. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
2. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
3. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
4. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
5. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

link here

Merril Mens Hiking Sandal

Built with open-air breathability of a sandal, but the comfort of a shoe, this sandal features a waterproof leather upper for support, and Aegis® treatment in the spandex neoprene lining and EVA footbed adds the best in antimicrobial protection. The nylon-injected arch shank provides excellent arch support and stability. Protect your foot with each step you take with the help of a rubber toe bumper, Vibram® siped outsole and stretchable mesh tongue.

Features & Benefits of Merrell Men’s Saugatuck Multi-Sport Fisherman Sandals:
Waterproof leather upper with an elastic lace and lock system provides a customized fit.
Aegis antimicrobial treatment in the neoprene lining and footbed fights odor and bacteria.
Nylon injection molded arch shank supports the arch for added comfort and stability.
Rubber toe bumper protects the forefoot from bumps and scrapes on rocky terrain.
Vibram siped rubber outsole provides excellent grip on wet surfaces, keeping you steady.
Compression molded EVA foot frame enhances walking comfort and stability.
Other Important Information About Merrell Men’s Saugatuck Multi-Sport Fisherman Sandals:
Material Content: waterproof leather upper, spandex neoprene upper lining treated with Aegis, compression molded EVA insole, Vibram rubber outsole.
Care: Buff with a leather cleaner. Wipe off with a dry cloth.
Imported.

Mens Teva Hiking Sandal

Coupling the freedom of a flip-flop with the security of an ankle strap, the "Original" Teva was an instant hit and quickly became the shoe of choice within the Grand Canyon River Guide community. As a commitment to our heritage on the Grand Canyon, you can still find styles like the Original, the Ultimate Thong and the Universal Buckle within the Teva® collection today.
From this beginning a culture of passion for the outdoors has defined the Teva® lifestyle. The name Teva®, pronounced "teh'-vah", comes from a Hebrew word meaning nature. The hand in our logo is derived from the symbolic language of the Hopi people. When translated, the hand is a symbol for friendship and the spiral a symbol for water giving us our creed: "friendship with water".
Moving into the next 25 years, Teva® remains committed to both the innovation in footwear suited for the outdoor lifestyle and the protection of the earth's waterways.
(description from Teva official site)

Its Been Snowing Outside!!!

Question of the day: are snowshoes getting better because their popularity is booming, or is their popularity booming because snowshoes are getting better?

Snowshoe questions and answers Here.

If you like snow, (crazy people) you may be in luck. Right here in Southern Utah you can find plenty of the white stuff,(hopefully for only a short time) to lure you out and give snowshoeing a try!! Remember all you really need to bring are your best waterproof boots and trekking poles! And have fun!!!

Give Pine Valley a try
or Brian Head Resort
and surprisingly even Red Mountain Trail!!

Chaco Hiking Sandals

Chacos sandals' straps are incredibly adjustable for the perfect fit. Toe straps hold your big toe snugly in place. The polyurethane footbed, with its sculpted heel cup and sturdy arch, provides excellent support. In fact, the American Podiatric Medical Association approves Chaco shoes for your feet's health.

Chaco's anatomical pull-through strap system; the single strap is completely connected through the sole, so you'll have maximum adjustability with a fit that will conform to any foot. The biocentric footbed offers premium support for your adventurous feet, while the durable rubber outsole consistently works hard to provide traction on most any surface.

Product Features

• Material: Polyurethane, nylon, rubber

• Sole: Vibram Unaweep rubber

• Adjustability: Adjustable strap (instructions included on box)

• Recommended Use: Hiking, wading, fly fishing, camping, traveling, casual

• Warranty: Lifetime (manufacturer defect)

(amazon description)

Chacos advantages-

*Aggresive arch support which controls pronation

*Sculpted heel cup centers the foot's natural shock absorbing pad.

*Heel risers increase lateral stabillity

*Multiple widths ensure proper fit.

These Hiking Sandals are Really Keen!!

The web sight for Keen Footwear, www.keenfootwear.com asks people to “follow their dreams.”
In my opinion, Keen hiking sandals ARE a dream!!
And the story of their development is a dream come true as well.
Martin Keen, a footwear designer from Rhode Island, was trying to attract attention with his new sandal at a trade show in Las Vegas in 2003.. Keen, 38, a veteran shoe designer as well as an international sailing champion, loved to wear sandals while sailing, but had grown tired of bashing his toes on the cleats and winches and deck fittings. So he designed a hybrid sandal with a closed toe that offered the protection of a shoe and the comfort of a waterproof sandal. Then along came Angel Martiniz a former executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Reebok Ltd. and the former chief executive officer of Rockport Co. shoes, Martinez was a legend in the footwear industry, a 25-year veteran with a stellar track record for building brands. Angel with the business and marketing experience and Martin with the creativity, turned a novel idea into an international success!


"It's an amazing little company," said Mark Sullivan, group editor and publisher of Sporting Goods Business, a publication that tracks the outdoor market from New York City. "It's incredible how quickly they've become a legitimate footwear company. Teva, everyone's funky sandal company, has tried and tried to break out of the sandal business and become a footwear company without success. But Angel has already done in a year what Teva couldn't do in 15 years."

Keen Footwear is now located in Portland Ore, after having its start in Alamdea Ca. It turns out that Portand is home to more than 20 footwear companies and 20 outdoor apparel companies. Genius abounds in Portland!! Smart move for Keen!!
Oh how I love to hike in Keens!!!

Hiking Red Mountain Trail

When I was young in the mountain,
I never wanted to go to the ocean,
I never wanted to go to the desert.
I never wanted to go anywhere else
in the world, for I was in the
mountains. And that was always enough.
from: When I Was Young In the Mountains
by: Cynthia Rylant

While Utah is a dry climate (ha!!!), the weather can change often. Plus there can be dramatic temperature variations with the elevation changes. The elevation in southern Utah can go from 3,000 feet above sea level (St George/Zion area) to over 10,000 feet (Cedar Breaks area).
The climate in St. George is semi-arid with two separate rainfall seasons in the early spring and late summer which average about 3 inches of annual precipitation. Although average maximum temperatures for the summer months are between 95 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit, the low humidity makes these temperatures agreeable. Oh so agreeable!!!!
The Southern Utah climate features bright sunshine, small annual precipitation, clean air and a wide daily temperature range. Another attractive feature is mild winters with infrequent traces of snowfall which rarely stays on the ground more than a day. (says who!!??)

St. George's climate is an attraction in its own right. It has become a green oasis in the desert, (do you see any green!?) and the combination of the warm, dry winter climate and natural beauty is always to be counted upon! (Ha!!)
Generally speaking, winters in southern Utah enjoy low humidity and clear, blue skies. At lower elevations the weather is milder, with occasional light snowfall.....
The record high temperature in Utah was 118 °F (47 °C), recorded south of St. George on July 4, 2007, and the record low was -69 °F (-56 °C), recorded in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah on February 1, 1985.
Bring on the Heat!!!!

I have lived my life by faith, choosing to
believe that life has to make sense, choosing
to believe there is Spirit behind matter,
choosing to believe consciousness survives
death, choosing to believe there is a God
and that God is Good.
from: Consider the Butterfly
by: Carol Lynn Pearson

Something unexpected rose from the desert washes in Snow Canyon park 5 years ago this month. Something rare and wondrous and humbling. We were receiving rain- lots and lots and lots of rain. Rain fell from the sunless sky for 5 days straight, without letting up. It was a warm, thawing downpour. Snow in the nearby mountains began to melt in vast quantities, and with alarming speed!! There was hardly time to think or speculate. All this surplus water, all this runoff had nowhere go! The sand and stone were as saturated as a sea sponge and so the deluge began its run to the lakes. Rivers, streams, and gully washes formed in places that hadnt seen water in a hundred years. Trails closed or were washed completely away. Roads and paved paths were swept away in the ferocious currents, as well as 21 beautiful homes!!! And the sound...the unprecedented noise of rushing, tumbling , crashing water, making its way to Vegas, was a din of proportions unheard of in these parts. This desert is normally a thing of serene quite, hardly a bird peeps. But, for a few days we were treated to the disturbing, though at the same time mesmerizing sounds of water madly foaming and raging as it pounded its way over paths unaccustomed to such treatment. It was a tumult not soon forgotten. And a show of mother nature awesome power that we hope wont soon be repeated!!

Johnsons Arch

Right at the west entrance of Snow Canyon State Park there is a parking lot! If you park there and cross over the road you'll find a small wood fence with a swinging gate. If you would like a very mild, easy hike, head south on that well trod path and you will find an impressive arch tucked back in a delightful canyon. The "hike" is only 2 miles round trip, and very easy to do. I The locals call this hike Johnsons Arch. Tucked back in this beautiful canyon are glens of cottonwood trees as well as willows which get their water from a natural spring. Johnsons Arch was named after Maude Johnson who was a Mormon pioneer who settled here eons ago! This trail is closed from March 15th-Oct 31st because there is a nesting pair of Peregrine falcons which nest back in there every year.

If you'd like a very talented artists perspective on this amazing natural arch gohere to see Roland Lees rendition of the arch.

sand angels...me on the right!!

Happiness
A state you dare not enter
with hopes of staying,
quicksand in the marshes, and all

the roads leading to a castle
that doesn’t exist.
But there it is, as promised,

with its perfect bridge above
the crocodiles,
and its doors forever open.

Stephen Dunn

MOKE MARBLES

MOQUI MARBLES

SHAMAN STONES

MOKO BALLS

NAVAJO CHERRIES





There seems to be quite a few names for these very unusual geological formations found here in Southern Utah and Arizona. I find myself hiking across 'pools' of these rock about 2-3 times a week. (more on that in a moment)
American Indians that lived in the area are said to have used these strange geological anomalies for games, and in their slings for hunting and to absorb bad spirits and to even reduce pain. (more on this in another moment)
Break one of these stones open and you will find that they are filled with sandstone. The dark outside shell has iron, phosphorus and lime in its make-up. Nobody seems to know for sure how these fascinating rocks were formed...but there sure a a lot of interesting theories. Astroid hits, volcanic actions and mostly mystery are the hypothesizes I have read about. But all agree, they are old, old, old. 120-199 million years old!!!
Some folks in these parts believe that the stones hold mystical powers. Hold one in your hand and it may absorb negativity and replace it with useful energy. (Im all about useful energy!!) Maybe...just maybe I had better appreciate the fact that I can and do hike over beautiful 'puddles' of this stone, and that I do gain more from the experience than I realize. All I know is that these marbles have been in the Navajo Sandstone for millions of years and that its a safe bet that they were in there before the dunes were turned into stone by oceans of water those millions of years ago!!!
How about that!!??

Hiking Red Cliffs Extreme!

My pallid words cant begin to describe a day like today! Or more specifically, a hike like todays!! The delightful ladies from California wanted something a little extra special and a little more challenging today...to cap off their week (they have no idea yet about how special tomorrow will be for them when we take them to Zion!)
So...we drove to Red Cliffs to do the 'extreme' hike out past the ropes! These pictures tell it all!!
It was a superb hike with superb company!! Plus this time there was water!! Rushing streams and waterfalls!!
There was frosty coatings on the plants in the shade.
There were puddles of sunshine!
There was fun!!



And no good hike comes with out challenges!!



It was an amazing, glorious morning, and now I can finally say that I have my feet back under me...after what felt to be a long winters nap. Im hiking with confidence once again! Wish you could join us!!
Click here to see pics of our hike on Thursday to the cinder cone!!

Awesome Chasim Revisited

Earth Your Dancing Place

Beneath heaven's vault
remember always walking
through halls of cloud
down aisles of sunlight
or through high hedges
of the green rain
walk in the world
highheeled with swirl of cape
hand at the swordhilt
of your pride
Keep a tall throat
Remain aghast at life

Enter each day
as upon a stage
lighted and waiting
for your step
Crave upward as flame
have keenness in the nostril
Give your eyes
to agony or rapture

Train your hands
as birds to be
brooding or nimble
Move your body
as the horses
sweeping on slender hooves
over crag and prairie
with fleeing manes
and aloofness of their limbs

Take earth for your own large room
and the floor of earth
carpeted with sunlight
and hung round with silver wind
for your dancing place
by: May Swenson


Would you like a weather report for January in Southern Utah? I dont mean to rub it in...but here it goes anyway. For the last two days our hiking temperatures have been in the 50's!! Which is all the sweeter knowing that just a few hundred miles north it's SNOWING as we hike and slather on the sunscreen!!! SWEET!!!

No wind, only warming sun to stop and bask in while taking a break for lunch!! Desert Cliffs' turkey wraps are to die for!!! Dont you wish you could join us for a bite?
Sand, sand, everywhere sand....taking time to dump it out one last time!! ha, tricked you!!...there is never a last time for accumulating coral dust between the piggies!!!
Jackets are hardly needed, and are quickly stripped off and tucked away in our trusty camelbacks for possible future days of inclimate weather. Shorts and shirt sleeves are certainly justified.
Even the equines and their riders reveled in such a day as this!!! And there monsterous grey dog too!! They sweat, we sweat as we joyfully trod the high desert of paradise!!

"Tish-ah!" said the Grass. "Tish-ah, tish-ah!"
Never had it said anything else-never would it
say anything else. It had bent resiliently under
the trampling feet; it did not break, but it
complained aloud every time- for nothing like
this had ever happened to it before.
from: Giants of the Earth
by: O. E. Rolvaag 1926

Yes!!! Most assuredly the sky is indeed this blue!!
The hiking cairns were even magnificent today!!!

The smiles are that genuine!
The vistas are that perfect!!
The sand truly is that sparkling white!!
The ice is the only reminder that it is winter time.
We spent another glorious day in the desert today-hiking with delightful new guests from So. California- who have never visited this part of the country before!!
It just doesnt get better than this!!!
I love the opportunity to see what I have in my own back yard through the eyes of newcomers!!
Hiking every single day this week is seriously going to challenge me. After my 2 week hiatus in December...Im feeling the repercussions!!! I know Im in for some painful moments. Today was proof positive of this fact. But at the same time, Im confident that I'll get my legs and lungs back pretty quickly. Today was also proof of this. We made good time on our 4 1/2 mile hike to the top of Snow Canyon State Park!! And it was fun!!!
Im the luckiest hik'in grandma on the planet!!!