Grand Circle Trail

Thursday July 21, 2005

Just another perfect day. Got a break in the weather today with overcast skies so I headed out to Red Rock this morning in search of the elusive Grand Circle Trail. This is to me what the Northwest Passage was to Columbus, Cook and Lewis & Clark. I've sought to complete it many times but never accomplished it.

The Grand Circle Trail is an 11.6-mile trail that traverses Red Rock Canyon. There are so many secondary trails that interconnect with it, it's hard to follow all the way around. Plus it's very difficult and challenging. But today I thought I might attempt it. Well, I made it about 1/3 of the way before I realized there was no way I had enough stamina or water to complete the loop. The skies cleared and the temperatures soared past 100. So I turned back but still got about a 9-mile run in. I was out on the trail for 2 hours but I stopped so many times to take pictures and admire the scenery it was impossible to figure a pace per mile.

Then needing carbs, I went to my favorite restaurant - Sweet Tomatoes - to fill the void. It was perfect.

To cap the day I took in Cypress' yoga class at the Yoga Sanctuary. Except Cypress was on vacation and Stacy took her place. Stacy was good but I miss Cypress.

Caught an amazing lightning show on the ride home.