Stewart Falls with a couple of my buds

My grandson, Jack had been itching to go hiking with me for several weeks. It had been tough scheduling it though, because they were in the process of moving out of our house and into an apartment and just balancing everything was killer.
Finally they moved out and a few weeks later, I was able to schedule a hike. I invited Jack and his older brother Taggart to go with me. Their two sisters had just got back from camp the previous week, and I thought it was about time the boys got a chance to get out in the wilds.
They are not experienced hikers. Their family situation has left them precious little time to experience the outdoors. With that in mind, I wanted to challenge them a bit, but not make it too tough. I decided to take them to something cool like a waterfall, and after thinking about it a while, I chose Stewart Falls as our destination. It had been decades since I had gone there myself, and I knew that I would enjoy it just as much as the kids.
Steward Cascades or Falls (as everyone calls them) plummet on the eastern side of Mt. Timpanogos high in the Wasatch Mountains. The Aspen Grove trail to the top of Timp also begins nearby, so make sure you are looking at a sign that says "Stewart Cascades".
Online, I found that it was a 3.4 to 3.6 mile round trip. The sign at the trailhead said it was 2 miles to the falls, so a 4 mile trip. Either way was okay with me, but I knew I may have to urge the boys on with encouragement.

We started up the trail around 8:30. It was a Beautiful morning--blue skies, a few clouds to break the sun now and then. Taggart and Jack began to talk, pretty much non-stop. They both had to tell me things, often both speaking at the same time. I had to say "one at a time or I can't understand what you're saying".
About halfway in, Taggart said he was having trouble with his feet. He wore some beat up old tennis shoes, and I think that's all he had to wear. I'm going to have to check into that. Anyway, I'm thinking he was feeling a hot spot on the bottom of his foot. I worried that we might need to turn around, but threw that worry off to the side of the trail and encouraged them onward.

I'm not sure why kids have to strike these interesting poses.

Along the way I showed them evidence of avalanches that had come through, and explained that the white-trunked trees were not birches, but were quakies--and told them the real name of them as well--quaking aspen. I explained a few more things to them as we went.
Finally we were at the falls and they loved the spectacular cascade. We stayed there for maybe 15-20 minutes, then headed back.

They hiked even faster heading back, and Jack, who a little while after Taggart had complained of his feet complained about his as well, even took off running. Of course later on, after he stopped running he had to tell everyone we passed who were on their way up how tired his feet were.
I told him to hold off on doing that stuff or people were going to begin thinking of him as a whiner.
All in all, it was a great little adventure--the kind I need to do much more frequently with my grandkids.

It really must've been tiring. The ride home.

Desolation Lake in the Wasatch

Scenery near the road caught in the early morning sunlight.

This past Saturday, I had the great opportunity to get out with some of my friends from church--Robert and Luke--and hit the hiking trail. Actually, it was my first time going hiking with these guys and it was fun. They are both part of our church hiking group and Robert is the head of it. I will definitely think of them as friends from now on. I had already been thinking of them as my brothers in Christ.

Our destination was going to be Desolation Lake in the Wasatch Mountains. It was a trail I had been up a couple of times before, at least to the lake. I had been on the trail several more times, but they were shorter hikes for whatever reason--one being a snowshoeing expedition in which there were time constraints and a point where we just needed to head back down. That however, is a story all its own.

Looking up the canyon that is part of the Desolation trail.

This time our hike began at 8 am. The weather was a bit cooler than normal for the time of year it was, and when we began I was wearing a jacket. I got to lead for a while. I was actually the oldest on this trip, though Robert who I think said he was 51, had only recently donated a kidney (within the past month). Still, I felt a little like I was the most out of shape of the lot. I'm in good shape though and I'm going to be 60 in just a couple of weeks, so the way I look at it, it's just great that I'm still out there doing it. Luke, who appeared to be in his thirties was having no trouble.

View to the south east.

After a couple of miles, we passed a fork in the trail, the one to the left leading to Dog Lake.
Before long it got to be too hot from the exertion to continue wearing my jacket. I took it off. Somewhere around that point, Robert took the lead and I took the rear. Robert's pace was a little too stiff for me and I fell back a bit, still hiking, but at a pace that I could keep going. Every so often Robert and Luke would stop and let me catch up.
A mile or so later, we got to another detour to Dog Lake and discussed perhaps taking that on the way down.
We got to the lake in about two hours and took a selfie.

From L to R: Luke, Robert, and Shane

The lake was Beautiful and we stood and gazed at it and the surrounding terrain for a few moments, Robert describing other trails in the area. Across the lake what looked like some kind of Scout group or something was fishing. When we met up with them later, we didn't have the heart to tell them that there's no fish in that lake. Kind of like the days when I was in Scouts and they took me on a snipe hunt.

Desolation Lake

The guys fishing can be seen to the right on the bare portion of the shoreline.

The clouds had begun gathering as we had neared the lake and as we stood there, the sky darkened and a cold breeze cut like a knife. We all ended up adding another layer and Robert put on his gloves. We headed back down the trail.
As we headed down, it began snowing. At first, just one or two flakes every five seconds or so, but soon it was coming down pretty good. It lessened up a bit as we descended, and I have no idea if there was any kind of accumulation. From my vantage point, it was a short squall that would end soon. Still it was amazing to see on the second day of summer.

Snow coming down in late June up here is a rarity.

We passed the detour to Dog Lake and decided with the weather the way it was, we maybe should just head down.
Talking about other possible adventures in the future, including climbing Kessler Peak, we reached the bottom less than four hours from when our hike began.

Kessler Peak

Good hikes with good people are some of the finest moments in life.

Grandeur Peak this week: Trip Report

The selfie to prove I was there.

The morning began well. After several weeks of rainy weather, the Wasatch Front was finally calming down. I don't mind rain, but I hadn't wanted to hike in the mud. I had hiked a couple of times already this spring, just to get out. However, they were short hikes and I was ready to do something a bit more substantial. Since a lot of the high country hikes that I haven't done yet are still covered in snow, I decided that I would do Grandeur Peak--I had been up to the ridge once before, but had to turn around because I had time commitments that day and hadn't made it to the top.
Grandeur Peak, if you live in the Salt Lake Valley, is the peak just to the left of Mt. Olympus as you face the Wasatch Front. To get to the trailhead, enter Millcreek Canyon and go up a few miles, past the Boy Scout owned area on the right, to the picnic area called "Church Fork". If you get there after 8 am, you can drive through the picnic area to the trailhead. I got there early, so I parked on the canyon road and walked up the paved drive to the trailhead, adding maybe another half mile total to the hike.

The morning sky was Beautiful!

The scenery amazing!

Looking toward Mt. Olympus to the south.

The weather was great, although it was going to get warm. I had to make the choice of wearing a short-sleeve shirt, or a long-sleeve shirt to protect more of my skin from the sun. I chose the long-sleeve--a polo shirt with a little thicker material thinking that it might be a little cooler up there.
A mile or so into the hike, I was wanting the short-sleeve, lighter shirt as after the first part of the hike, which is rather pleasantly shaded and following the stream, it opens up and there is very little shade. I got hot.

Wildflowers in bloom!

But down at the beginning of the trail, it was nice and shady. Much of the lower forest is filled with deciduous trees--Cottonwoods and others of which I am not well-versed in their names. Not a lot of conifers though. Higher up it turns into scrub oak, dogwood, maple, and mountain mahogany. It was in those reaches I began to see little tent caterpillars--in some spots hundreds of them. These voracious insects can do immense damage to trees. I was hoping there weren't too many of them and that the National Forest Service was aware that they were there. I think the USU Extension Service puts out information on them periodically. I took a few close-ups of the beasts.

After that segment of the trail,  the sun had broken over the nearby peaks and was lighting up the mountains. It was Beautiful!

The timber thinned out and scrub oak and lower growing shrubs predominated. Not that the sun was out, it was HOT!

The openness meant the Sun was beating down!

Before long I reached the ridge, which was the furthest I had ever gone on that trail. From there it looks like it's just a short distance to the top, but looks are deceiving. it ended up being quite a bit further than I had thought. But right then, I looked down the other side of the ridge into Parley's Canyon. The gravel pit that is at the lower end of Parley's was quite visible from there.

Gravel pit at the lower end of Parley's Canyon.

It's probably another half mile or so to the top from there, and some pretty steep stuff with a few very minor scrambles.

Though Grandeur is a shorter peak in relation to others nearby, like Olympus, Mt. Raymond, etc., there is a nice 360 degree view once on top.

Views of the Salt Lake Valley predominated to the west.

The upper reaches of Parley's and views of Mountain Dell and Little Dell Reservoirs

A group of hikers had gathered on top and they were discussing the two snakes in the trail below. Evidently the snakes had arrived on the trail after I had passed because I never saw them, however apparently they were caught in the act of making baby snakes. On the way back down I was hoping to see them so I could tell them to "get a room". Each person I passed on the way down mentioned the snake until one didn't. "Did you see any snakes?" I asked. "No," she said, "but a lot of people have mentioned it." Since there were no snakes on the trail from the top to where I was, and since this hiker hadn't seen them either, I figured both of them had finally managed to either leave the trail of they actually found a room. Who knows?

The rest of the way back down was uneventful. At the bottom, I took a pic of the waterfall that's just above the picnic area.

Not a bad day at all and a great hike for my first lengthy one of the year. Another great adventure!

Short hike to the Living Room

Ben and I at the Living Room with the valley behind us.

If you live and hike around the Salt Lake area, one place you've likely heard of, even if you've never done the hike is the Living Room. Situated in the Wasatch Mountains above the University of Utah, the Living Room is a sunset lover's must-do photography spot.

Nice views of the Salt Lake Valley on the way up.

The view from the Living Room.

My son Ben and I did the short hike up to the Living Room in the morning though, so taking sunset pics was out of the question. I suppose we could have hung out up there for 14-15 hours, until the sun went down, but since he had to be to work and I had some other things I needed to get done on my day off, we headed back down after taking a few pics, and after taking a side trail up toward Mt. Wire.

When we got back to the parking lot, the sun was just peaking over the top.

It had been a while since I'd been able to get out hiking and just the anticipation as I drove toward the Museum of Natural History parking lot where we would meet, just that drive from West Valley to there, started my heart to leap with joyousness. I was amazed at how fondly I was looking forward to just getting out.

Everything is nice and green because of all the moisture we've had.

Needed my lens hood here, but didn't bring it.

I'm looking forward to some longer hikes and more adventures in the coming months, but I don't think any will be met with more anticipation than this short hike was on an early week in May.

Conspiracies--what are the chances of them being true?

I am inherently skeptical of conspiracies. Not that I doubt there are people out there trying to manipulate governments, societies, nature, and many other things for personal gain. There undoubtedly are. For the rest of this post I will provide evidence as to why nearly all conspiracy theories are bunk.
In order for a conspiracy to exist, there first of all must be a motive or reason for whatever the alleged conspirators are trying to do. For example, there is a certain group of conspiracy theorists who say that folks way back when wanted it to look like Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of prophecy, so they conspired to make it look like after he died, that he rose again. After all, his body was never found. Those who promote this theory state that either followers of Christ hid the body after he was placed in the cave tomb, or he wasn't really dead when they took him down from the cross, and either went on living somewhere else, or died sometime after he appeared to people. That's the commonly called "Swoon Theory". What would be the motive in such a case? To make it appear that Jesus was resurrected in order to control people?
Later, in this case, Jesus' former disciples died because they promoted the idea that he had risen again. People will die for what they believe is the truth, but not very many people are willing to die for what they know to be a lie. The best possible solution to this dilemma is that those writing about Jesus' death and resurrection, and those who gave their lives for it, actually believed it had happened.
Another thing to consider when examining conspiracy theories is how many people would need to be in on it to pull it off. For example, if there had been a conspiracy within the U.S. government to cause the attacks on 9/11 to happen, there would have needed to be many people involved in pulling it off. Whenever it is necessary to involve large numbers of people in a secret plot, it's wise to consider how many people in the past have kept secrets well. Obviously the larger the number of people involved in such a plot, the more likely it is that at least one will "spill the beans".
There are people out there with motives, money, and time to plan things. However, the human element of being willing to talk for a price comes into it. I was a first hand witness of this many years ago when my friend's vehicle got broken into and things stolen. Later than night, I just happened to walk into a 7-11 where the clerk in the store was talking to another kid who had just walked in about a vehicle that the other kid had broken into. Loose lips sink ships, as they say and those fervently in favor of doing something about a cause are often anxious to brag about it. Conspiracies, therefore, are often revealed, even in the cases where very few people are required to pull them off.

RepresentUs...a Review

There's a short video starring Jennifer Lawrence going around that seems to be suggesting a minor revolt in controlling corrupt government. While there's a lot to like about the short advertisement for the movement, excuse me if I'm a bit skeptical of the motives of the people involved. I think a little skepticism is healthy and we should be watchdogs, not only on our government, but on those who claim to be trying to change it. So, I'm taking it with a grain of salt, and in the process of investigating the folks apparently involved.

I would like to suggest that Ms Lawrence and her co-promoters of represent.us get a few facts straight in their video. First of all, we have never been a democracy, but instead a democratic republic. There is a vast difference in that the former is ruled by majority, and the latter, by representative government, who have been elected by a majority of votes.
Secondly, as such, laws governing the United States are not subject to a vote of the majority. The Founders designed it as such so that laws would be difficult to be passed. Our system of checks and balances assures that laws cannot be passed as part of a whim or passing emotional rage or euphoria rolling across the country. Frankly, Congress passes far too many laws already.
If laws were  decided by the majority of U.S. voters, just like ridding ourselves of the Electoral College, folks on both east and west coasts would have all the say, as that is where the highest populations occur. Most laws should be decided by states anyway, so complaining that the majority of Americans don't get their wishes is essentially moot.
Yes, we should get rid of gerrymandering and how much money potential lawmakers need to earn in order to even run. Term limits should be in place for Congress, just as they are for the Presidency. An entire cornucopia of things can and should change. I'm all about that. But just which laws do Ms Lawrence and the others think should have passed because the "majority" were in favor of them? That's one question I'd like answered before I start slinging my support behind this organization. If the objective is to streamline laws that may or may not be good ones, well, my skepticism remains. I think we could all use a little sit back and analyze time before jumping on this bandwagon, good though some parts of it appear. Here's the link to the video: Press me

Writing, routines, and solving the problems of life

When I was younger, there were large chunks of time in which I was able (although not always willing) to write. My habits included a warming up time when I just messed around. I usually had to sit at the keyboard or typewriter for a good long time before I would be in the frame of mind to write.
But that worked then. I had those chunks of time. I had the ability to organize my thoughts prior to putting any words down. These days are different. It seems that just as I get ready to write, something comes up. Either I'm needed by my wife who as a disabled person is often bored and lonely, or I just have so much work around the house to keep up with that it seems that I can't sit down for any kind of stretch that will allow me to gather my thoughts in my customary way.
In short, I have become at best, a blurb writer. I found that out all too convincingly when I sat down the other day to write out an article on the cost of religious belief or no religious belief. Just when I had the flow going and had put out a few paragraphs, my mind clearly focused on the topic, I had to quit.
Subsequently, I've had a hard time finding the time to reread what I've written and to add to it.
I'm thinking I need to find a solution to this dilemma, because the personal issues that have caused it don't seem like they will be going away any time soon.
Either that, or I could just bag writing. At least, until I'm much older, retired, and trying to fill my time.
That's not me, however. I'm thinking one way to solve this is to print out what I've written and then read through it, making notes. That may be easier than trying to do the same on a screen. Then I can go back to the screen and do some judicious editing.
I don't have the time to "warm up" any longer, but I can probably find solutions, and if I don't, well, that just means I won't get any writing done, and I can live with that.

A Thanksgiving Story

Last night, as I exited the restaurant where I had gone to pick up some takeout food for my wife and me, a man walked around my car from the parking lot, his eyes lowered, a grocery bag of clothing in one hand. "I've been homeless for a couple of days," he said. "Could you help me out with a hot meal?"
He looked up briefly as he asked, and there was something in those eyes that spoke of real need. "I sure could," I said. I dug in my wallet, the same wallet that moments before I had rummaged through without a thought to pay for the night's dinner for Ann and me. I handed him two fives. "That ought to do it," I said.
He thanked me quickly and darted off. I watched him, wondering where he was headed. My normal thought process when someone asks for money or stands on the corner with a sign is to not give because I don't want to be feeding a drug habit or helping an alcoholic get more booze. Part of me was worried that I had just done that with this guy.
Instead, I watched as he made is way across six lanes of traffic in a beeline for KFC. I knew then that I had truly helped someone who actually needed it, my hand began to move around my body to pat myself on the back.

And then one of the wolves in me began to whimper. This man needed more than food. Where was he going to go? How was he going to stay warm that night when the temperature got down in the 20s? I thought about going over there and giving him my coat, but I didn't do it. I thought about maybe offering him a ride to the homeless shelter, but I didn't do that either. Needing to make it home to relieve my wife who had had a tough day, burning a couple of pies and such, I did nothing else
Later last night, the wolf within began to howl.

Trending healthy

Finding Time to Work Out

Getting out hiking is just one way to improve health and life.

I consider myself a gym rat. That is, if I had the time and fewer responsibilities, I would be spending maybe a couple of hours a day working out. That would include a good 35-45 minutes of aerobic work and then some strength training exercises. As it is, I manage to get to the gym 3-5 times a week for roughly an hour.
Things get complicated though when work decides to change starting times. Prior to last week, I was working out after work. This was affected by things such as having to work overtime. I could work up to a half hour of overtime and still do much of my workout. However, they changed our work schedule and now I go in an hour later. No working out after work. Now I have to get up at 5:00 and basically head straight to the gym. I'm not used to getting my body awake and moving at that time of day.
Ultimately it's a better fit if I can do it, because it tends to regiment me. They have been talking though about changing time again to coming in a half hour earlier. This would make it tough to get to the gym either before work or after.
The thing is, making time or finding time is the key to any ultimate success, and no matter what happens, I will get to the gym somehow.

Diet and Longevity

I recently had a conversation with a friend about the relative healthiness of white bread as opposed to whole grain breads. Her thought was that it that there wasn't much difference to the relative nutritional content of both breads. After researching that, I found that most "experts" agree. It appears that with the fortified flours that are used in white bread these days, there isn't much nutritional difference. The main difference appears to be in fiber content, and of course, you can get enough fiber elsewhere, and maybe we shouldn't be eating all that much bread in the first place. But what if we do? What kind of bread is best?

I like to look at real world examples for my healthy choices and one of the best examples of a healthy lifestyle was Jack Lalanne. Lalanne was prominent health guru of the 20th century. He is known for his feats of strength and vigor well into his old age. One of his favorite sayings was "if man made it, don't eat it", emphasizing eating food that were as close to nature as you could get them.

If we apply this to bread, then whole grain breads are healthier, and grains themselves, even better.

That kind of thing is emphasized over and over again in studies of the longest-lived peoples on earth. Simple foods, no preservatives or additives, lots of veggies and fruits. It's that simple.

Exercise as a Longevity Factor

Most people are aware that exercise prolongs life, or at least, prolongs how long you will live in good health. It doesn't need to be going to the gym. I recently read about a 105 year old man who spent much of his time dancing. Hiking, walking, jumping around in your yard, chasing your spouse around the room--all of these things add up to a long and healthy life, provided you don't catch some dreadful illness. However, eating right and exercise help even in the case of cancers and some other diseases. They give your body a chance to fight back. We know that not all illnesses can be helped by good nutrition and exercise, but in many cases, they can.

One Final Thought

Good relationships such as friendships and marriage are also key to longevity. Try to find good associations and get together frequently. Not only will you increase your likelihood of living longer, it will be a blessing in your life.

Fall photos in Utah

Looking down at Silver Lake from the trail to Twin Lakes

For the past several weeks, Ann and I have been making forays into our local mountains to try and see the fall colors. It has been dry this year, and there was a marked effect on those trees and shrubs that usually turn red--they were quickly turning brown and dropping their leaves. Still, here and there, were pockets of extreme beauty. The quakies, as usual, were awesome. Thursday (October 4) was likely our last day to get up there before the snow falls and leaves cascade to the ground to make a smell that only wet leaves can make. Branches will then be bare until spring's newness once again refreshes them with spectacular greens. Our first drive was up Provo Canyon, but as early in the season as we went, there was little color to speak of. We didn't even take a picture.

Looking down Big Cottonwood Canyon from the Guardmans Pass Road

Our next drive took us up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Guardsmans Pass. We followed the spectacular scenery down the other side into Midway.

Looking out toward Heber and the smoke that was coming from
several fires, including the one near Spanish Fork Canyon

Our third trip was up the Alpine Loop Road in American Fork Canyon, where again the quakies were amazing. On this trip we saw a small herd of deer and a flock of turkeys--and again, some incredible scenery.

The scenic beauty of Utah's peaks changes almost daily. In fact, daily there are more reasons to go up and see the changes, more reasons to have adventures. As we continued driving around, we realized that without all the duties and responsibilities we had in our lives, we would likely stay up there much longer.

Near the back side of Mt. Timpanogos and looking in the general
direction of Sundance ski resort.

A gorgeous landscape looking toward Deer Creek.

We caught these turkeys on the road in front of us. I got out to
take the pic and followed them.

After a while they got skittish and headed off the road.

And headed for the hills.

I hadn't gotten out for much hiking at all this past spring and summer, so on Sunday I got out for a few hours and hiked up to Twin Lakes, up Big Cottonwood Canyon near Brighton.

Silver Lake near Brighton, Utah.

Twin Lakes area

Looking down on Silver Lake and Brighton lodges

It was a short, but steep hike, and breathtaking in its beauty. I looked around for good spots to picnic, but without company and since there was a lot of people around, I just headed back down the trail after pausing a few moments to take in the scenery.

Someone pointed out this big boy along the trail on the way down.

Last Thursday, October 4, we made it up Little Cottonwood, and again, we were amazed by how picturesque it was.

The following pictures were all taken in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Absolutely stunning. Now there is snow up there and the leaves will be dropping off. But it was an adventure while it lasted, and with winter coming, there will be more and different things to see. It's always Beautiful.