Ensign Peak: 5.3.14 ~This was my first time on this hike, so I didn't know what to expect. A
couple of people were coming back down the trail as I made my way
up...when I say "up" I mean straight up until you reach the top. It is
only a half mile or so up, but it is good I brought my camera so I could
have several rest/photo stops. I always think of myself as the "little
engine that could". I am never first up the hill, but I make it
eventually...after a bit of huffing and puffing. As I ascended I was
amazed at the fields of yellow flowers blanketing the hillside. Some
people zoomed pass me and jogged back down and I wonder if they even
noticed just how beautiful the morning was. Once the sun broke free from
behind the mountains, the colors brightened up and almost glowed in the
light. Amazing! I had the top of the hill to myself for a while and
enjoyed the breezy solitude. As with most difficult things, once the
hard climb is over the rest is "all down hill". I am sure my knees will
have something to say about that in the morning...
Battle Creek: 5.17.14 ~With spring in full bloom and the temps
reaching 80, I decided to take a hike a little closer to home... I had
been up Battle Creek about 15 years ago so enough time had passed for me
to forget the tough bits. Now known as Pleasant Grove, Battle Creek was
the sight of the first battle between Mormon militia and Native
American Ute Indians. I saw neither militia nor Indian on the trail today,
just a constant stream of high school kids on "group dates" and young
couples backpacking their babies up to the falls. Turns out a lot of
people head up there to repel down the falls and it was packed that
afternoon. I was just happy to make it up and back without heat stroke
or sunburn. 
Red Butte: 6.28.14 ~ By June the summer is in full swing. I have never actually visited Red Butte Gardens, a famous spot for enjoying nature and an open air concert, but I did find the trails just behind them. Most of the wildflowers have long since faded and all that is left is amber waves of grain. Unlike my previous hikes that took me all the way up then all the way back down, this one was a bit more rambling. Below me was the familiar UofU campus where I spent the better part of 2 weeks in February 2002 working nonstop for the Olympics. I turned around just as I came upon the UofU Hospital. It was a perfect way to enjoy the morning sun and sweeping views of Salt Lake City.
Bonneville Shoreline Trail: 7.4.14 ~ If you turn right at the "Y" trail head you not only bypass the hoards of holiday hikers. but you also see a different side of Provo. I started out early to avoid the promised 4th of July heat and to catch a glimpse of the hot air balloons racing across the valley. I ended up spending almost 2 hours, hiking, daydreaming and snapping photos of summer in full swing. Happy 4th of July!
Provo River Trail: 8.2.14 ~ Geneva Road to Provo Lake...well
almost. I was loving the hazy sky which held back the August heat.
Unlike my ride up Provo Canyon last week, I was able to stay in 3rd gear
almost the entire time. Sustained by apricots from Anya's "orchard" and
a VERY old granola bar (I thought those things would last until the
next century,) I was in a perfect summer daze as I biked along the river
trail.Once I reached Provo Lake State Park I was sadly turned away...they now charge for all forms of fun
on the harbor (bike riding and sunbathing included.) Oh, well, I decided I was in it for
the journey, not the destination today. 
Provo Canyon 2: 8.23.14 ~ Fortified
by CupBop Korean BBQ from the food truck at the farmer's market, I
headed up Provo Canyon to once again bike the trail from Glen Canyon
Park to Vivian
Park. The Heber Creeper was heading back up the canyon just as I arrived
at Vivian Park. Cool temps for August - even had snow on Timp - it was a
perfect
day to break a sweat.
