BLUFF TRAIL BRANSON

My travels in Missouri had me overnight in Branson, Missouri.  I scooted into town around 6PM, and quickly set out for a short one mile hike from my hotel to the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area and the Bluff Trail. The Bluff Trail involved climbing down (and then back up again) 315 stonework steps originally built in the late 1930's. My complete hike from hotel and back was six miles.

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
L U N C H
Caseys - Turkey Club Wrap, 1 Wrap	390	42	15	21	1,310	0
	390	42	15	21	1,310	0
D I N N E R
Big Daddy charbroil and cheese , 1 package	780	65	43	32	1,460	11
North Star - Fudge Bar - 100 Calorie, 1 Bar	100	22	0	2	90	17
	880	87	43	34	1,550	28
S N A C K S
Clif - Builder's Protein Bar	540	60	18	40	400	42
	540	60	18	40	400	42
Totals	2,590	351	85	113	4,280	142
Your Daily Goal	2,941	367	98	148	2,300	110
Remaining	351	16	13	35	-1,980	-32
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
BRANSON BLUFF TRAIL HIKE	117	903
Daily Total / Goal	117 / 30	903 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	218 / 210	1,383 / 4,130

form http://www.bransonparksandrecreation.com

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is in the heart of Branson and offers a nature escape with 140 acres of wooded and rugged hill country.  From its inception in 1998, the park was envisioned to be a showcase for nature and beauty in the Ozarks.  With its proximity to Highway 76, it is very accessible to residents and visitors alike.  After the acquisition of the Owen's Homestead in 2010, we have devoted time and energy to improving the park, including a new entrance feature.  A large wooden log archway over an ornamental iron gate with a decorative native stone veneer welcomes visitors to the park.  With sustainable concepts in mind, a plan was developed for a parking lot that will eliminate surface runoff by capturing the storm water in a state-of-the-art underground "water harvesting system".  This water is then pressurized and supplies the water for an adjoining irrigation system.  The 6,000 square foot parking lot made of donated permeable parking lot paver stones is complete, with a walkway made of trail pavers currently under construction, giving the park improved access to walkers from Highway 76.  In the last two years, 1.3 miles of trail have been added, which now totals 4.4 miles of trails.  More trails are planned in the future.

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The Bluff Trail starts through an upland forest where mature trees dominate and the fairly level 3/10 mile trail makes for an easy walk to the steps.  A set of 315 stonework steps lead down toward Lake Taneycomo. Fairly steep in design, this part of the trail takes some agility, along with a good pair of lungs and comfortable walking shoes. Many spots allow passage for only one person. The steps were built from 1937-1938. Inscribed in mortar on a step near the bottom are the building  dates and the names of the workers, along with this testament of their hard work, “Let those who tread here not forget, that these steps were not made of stone and mortar alone, but of sweat, blood, and agony.” While walking the steps, you will see the first of two caves located in the wilderness area.  At the bottom of the steps, the 1/5 mile Bluff Trail will take you by a grotto and waterfall and end at the Old Soldier's Cave.  The total mileage for Trail 1 is 7/10 mile (one way).

 

ACCIDENTAL MOUNTAIN HIKE

My first obligation in Salt Lake City yesterday was at noon for a series of meetings. I decided that I should make use of the free morning by taking an urban hike around downtown Salt Lake City. My hike began by walking one mile east of my hotel and then I started walking north. It didn't take too long for me to see that I was walking uphill. (My recent workouts on the treadmill at various angles of elevation gave me the confidence to continue)  I decided to walk north (and up) as far and as long as I could. I quickly found myself in the foothills of the mountains that surround Salt Lake City. At some point, there was no more neighborhood - but there was an entrance to series of trails that led to the small mountains (big hills?) just north of Salt Lake City. I simply could not believe where I was since the hike was supposed to be a completely urban hike in downtown Salt Lake. I took a couple of 'selfies' of myself at the top of a hill which an elevation app on my phone told me was 5,506 feet. (My hotel where my hike began was at an elevation of 4,263 feet.  My roundtrip ten mile hike did have me climb 1243 feet. This was one of my best day hikes ever.

Just me at an elevation of 5506 feet during my 'accidental' mountain hike

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panoramic view from 5506 feet just north of downtown Salt Lake City

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I met someone walking their pug who was kind enough to take a photo for me.

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I always expect to find some enjoyment when taking a 10 mile hike - yesterday was the best.

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by this time I was back in the city enjoying some of the artwork attached to the street lights.

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, May 19, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Scrambled Eggs - Eggs Hotel	235	5	15	15	390	0
Hatfield - Canadian Brand Ham	175	5	3	25	1,050	5
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal - Original	300	57	6	12	225	0
	710	67	24	52	1,665	5
L U N C H
Banana - Banana, 2 medium banana	248	60	0	2	2	38
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
Planters - Salted Cashews, 1.5 oz	240	13	19	8	140	3
Deli Express - Smoked Ham & Cheese Sandwich on Homestyle White Bread, 1 sandwich	250	28	7	19	1,250	5
	833	126	26	30	1,394	65
D I N N E R
Great Value - Fettuccini Noodles	400	82	2	14	0	4
Lobster Tails	400	10	5	114	601	0
	800	92	7	128	601	4
S N A C K S
Oreos - Minis, 10 cookies	130	21	6	1	140	11
Cliff Bar - Blueberry Crisp, 1 Bars (68g)	250	44	5	10	180	22
	380	65	11	11	320	33
Totals	2,723	350	68	220	3,980	107
Your Daily Goal	3,808	476	127	191	2,300	142
Remaining	1,085	125	59	-29	-1,679	35
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,878 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking	161	1,598
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	280
Daily Total / Goal	162 / 30	1,878 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	466 / 210	5,490 / 4,130

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The MapMyWalk app calculated that I took 19064 steps during this 10 mile hike.  There were two consecutive weeks before my hernia surgery when I was trying to rest myself to health, that I only walked about 20,000 steps during an entire week.

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This day hike yesterday had me climb 1243 feet. I had expected my hike to be completely flat walking around downtown Salt Lake City. Just one more reason that it pays to be 'in shape' and ready to face an unexpected challenge. I do not want to be overly dramatic, it's not like I climbed Mt Everest - but still a climb of 1243 feet is not something that I do every - day before lunch.

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48 HOURS

If you are reading this on Tuesday morning, I am now within 48 hours of making my first steps  up to the top of Half Dome.

Nearly six months of mental and physical preparation are about to be put to the test. I have looked at pictures of the chains used to make the final ascent and I confess that the first time I saw photos of this, I was scared out of my wits. Once I get there, I will either be even more scared or perhaps less scared. If I were a betting man - I'd place my marker on being more scared. No matter what, I will press forward. Our group has now been confirmed at the number six.

Everyone is converging to San Francisco tomorrow.  One guy is coming from Hawaii and another guy is coming from New York.  All of us are connected to our hike leader, my brother, who has made this climb a number of times over 30 years. On Friday morning when we all depart back to our homes, we will have shared quite an experience.  Yesterday, I did what I have done virtually every day since the beginning of January when I started my weight loss program.  I spent time working out.  Today and tomorrow I will not have the opportunity to exercise.  It will be the first time that I have not worked out for two consecutive days this since January 1 and 2. (I started exercising on January 3)   I should be well-rested for the hike on Thursday.  I wonder how I will feel on Friday when I wake up? My travel plans have me leaving San Francisco on Friday and I will not arrive Chicago until 12:30AM Saturday morning.  This will be quite a week....!

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 Monday MENU

breakfast     Macintosh Apples, Steel Cut O at Meal, bacon, ginger      570 calories
lunch           Mariano's Spinach Salad, Dark Chocolate Bar, trail mix 1620 calories
dinner          Beef Stew                                                                           500 calories  
SNACK       GRANOLA                                                                        500 calories      

total calories consumed 3190 calories                                                              

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CALORIES BURNED

YMCA PRECOR EFX ELLIPTICAL MACHINE, 4:3 INTERVAL TRAINING, LEVEL 20:17    1689 CALORIES

Monday net calories 1501 calories

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fitbit day 26

21850 steps

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if you are looking for me today... here is my itinerary (including my return trip back from California)

Air itinerary Air confirmation Passenger(s) MARC JACOBS Date Flight Departure/Arrival Tue Sep 29 A Depart Chicago (Midway) (MDW) on Southwest Airlines at 08:25 AM Arrive in Dallas (Love Field) (DAL) at 10:35 AM B Change planes to Southwest Airlines in Dallas (Love Field) (DAL) at 12:10 PM Arrive in San Francisco (SFO) at 02:00 PM Fri Oct 2 A Depart San Francisco (SFO) on Southwest Airlines at 03:55 PM Arrive in San Diego (SAN) at 05:25 PM B Change planes to Southwest Airlines in San Diego (SAN) at 06:35 PM Arrive in Chicago (Midway) (MDW) at 12:30 AM, Next Day