MOVED -> jrmywllms.wordpress.com

WHY I LOVE SATURDAYS, co-starring Brad Chatterley

First thing Saturday morning: Community Action 5k for the Food Bank of Utah.

Since I have been running a lot more in my training routine, I have wanted to test myself to see if I could run a 5k. Considering I have never ran that far before, my goal was to finish without needing to stop or walk. I felt great accomplishing it.

Breakfast: Guru's.

In the afternoon: BBQ and skate sesh @ Stevenson's.

After Stevenson's I headed to Throwdown to support my little buddy Spencer in his first fight. He did great, submitting his opponent with a rear guillotine choke in under a minute.

I have been trying to find a good pair of vintage brown wingtips to wear with jeans so I headed over to DI after the fight. They didn't have what I was looking for, but I was able to score this pair of Salvatore Ferragamo oxfords. They are in fantastic condition. It's always nice getting a $400 pair of shoes for $12. Plus, I was able to grab a new Ogio golf bag. Overall it was the best $17 I have ever spent.

End of the night: The Prestige

TORREY'S ATTEMPT, co-starring Michael Gross

We woke up with every intention to conquer a mountain. The plan was simple: drive up 70W, get off on Silver Valley Rd., drive 4 miles up Stephen's Gulch Rd., and park at the trail head. Immediately after exiting the interstate we knew that the plan had changed. The trail was packed, and the suits who were manning the lookout tower informed us that Gross' Honda Accord would not make it up the road. Besides, the parking lot at the trail head was full. We figured we were a couple tough guys, 4 extra miles was no big deal. We parked at the interstate and destined for the trail head (indicated by the green hikers below).

We ran across this old cabin on our way up to the trail . It was one of a few landmarks we saw that had been a mining work site. Inside people had etched their names in the walls over the decades.

We finally reached the trail head, which was a longer hike to the trail than the hike itself. However, it was beautiful to see such a well preserved national forest. At this point we realized we had made a few mistakes. The geniuses that we were, we failed to pack more than one water bottle a piece. In addition, the snacks we packed to subdue our hunger was beef jerky (dehydrated meat), fiber granola bars (which absorb your body's water supply), and salty peanuts (ditto). Still, we thought we were a couple tough guys who had already done 4 miles, what's 3.5 more?

About 1.5 miles into the trail, we were completely out of water. Plus who ever built the trail, built it with steep steps all the way up. What's wrong with that? Nothing if you are Gross' height. However, since I am just shy of 60" tall, it was like jumping up the mountain. We were exhausted and dehydrated. We decided to play it on the safe side; yet, felt humiliated watching families with strollers, and the average couch fried potato pass us by. We vowed to return.

The look on our faces said it all, "I want to go home."

Descent of shame. Feeling like the biggest wuss. Good thing we could justify it. My manhood lays at Torrey's Peak, waiting for me to pick it up.

On our hike back down from the trail head, we had been passed by numerous cars, but eventually a young couple offered to pick us up. They gave us snacks and drinks, and I got the impression they would've given us their shirts off their backs. It was one of those moments that restored a little faith in humanity. I don't remember their names, but I definitely remember their example.

THE MT. TIMPANOGOS HIKE, co-starring Matt and Brad Chatterley

Ascent

We took a mile detour off of the trail to look for the remains of a B-25 crash site. This is one of the engines. Up towards the ridge, there is a pack of about sixty mountain goats resting in the shade.

We hiked up to the ridge to get a closer view of the mountain goats. While resting on a rock, we realized there were six huge goats camouflaged into a snow patch about thirty yards from us.

Thankfully they just wanted to rest; however, I had my pocket knife in case drama was about to go down.

About to conquer a mountain.

Signing off on my hike. The hike from the saddle to the summit was treacherous.

Looking at the different signatures, I was hoping that I did the hike better than the guy who drew a pot leaf and signed, "Hell Yeah!"

Summit

Descent

One of the few pictures I took that captures how breathtaking the view at 11749'was.