Gray and the Subway

Grayson has had a lot of activities this summer ... hiking, running, biking. Almost all with buddies from work. One buddy had a buddy who had pulled a permit for The Subway in Zions for a group of twelve. So Gray joined. It didn't fit into the schedule that well, Monday, October 7, but you have to take what you can get. Per the info about it ...

The Subway is a classic semi-technical slot canyon hike in Zion National Park. To complete the hike you wade/swim/scramble/climb down the Left Fork of North Creek. The stream is the trail for most of the route. Some of the holes are deep enough that you do have to swim, and the water is cold.

• Trail Head: 37.339954, -113.075776
• Trail Type: Canyoneering
• Length: 9.5 miles, 7 to 9 hours
• Difficulty: Technical

The hike is somewhat like the famous Narrows, only more intense. You climb down waterfalls and scramble over boulders. Serious rappelling is not necessary but ropes come in handy to help get people over cliffs and to lower packs.

Most canyoneers do this canyon from top down - it is very difficult to do it bottom up. A shuttle is required. You must have a permit to hike this canyon; permits can be obtained at any Visitor Center. Get detailed trail information before doing this hike. Only attempt this canyon if you are hiking with an experienced canyoneer.

During the first part of the hike you stay on top of ridges and cross shallow washes, until you reach the of Left Fork Canyon and Russell Creek. That's where you scramble down the steep hillside into the slot. Once in the slot you just hike downstream, finding ways over or around obstacles. The semi-technical part of the route ends at the bottom of the Subway (at a spectacular small waterfall where canyon walls arch overhead and almost close to create a tunnel-effect - a subway). From there you continue hiking downstream past a large boulder covered with dinosaur tracks. Exit the canyon where you see a sign marking the trail up the ridge to the Left Fork Trailhead. It is a steep, hot climb out of the canyon.

In addition to some climbing gear, everyone needed a wetsuit for the water portions. Between Gray's camera, and a couple others, there were a lot of pictures to capture the experience.

Diaper House Built for Bluey

 

Last year, Symphony Homes helped with the supervisory roles of the Diaper House (Diaper Daze). This year, they signed up to build a house. The building blocks? Boxes of diapers. Gray asked for theme suggestions, and got a number of "Bluey's Heeler House" votes. As our boys are grown, we were only vaguely familiar with Bluey. Grayson and I watched a few episodes ... research. 

HomeaidUtah.org

KSL News Article

A little look at some some of the planning and prep ...

This project had Grayson occupied for much of June, July and August!

Friday, August 23 was the big day ... HomeAid had partnered with Ikea this year, and their parking lot was the location for this unique Parade of Homes. It was hot and sunny ... and WINDY. The diaper houses were supposed to be completed by 1:00, and available for the public to come and see until 5:00. The weather just wasn't cooperating though, and the event ended early, as many of the houses and displays were blowing away. Too bad this couldn't have been set up indoors at the Mountain America Expo Center, like the Parade Preview. The unique creations have a similar feel to the fun floats that always draw large crowds. 

Grayson was sunburned - but happy with the completed project, and glad it was complete.

https://youtu.be/z9USGrqanKM

 

Gray forwarded me the email he sent out to the Symphony team afterward, and I thought I'd include it here:

It’s a wrap, folks. The 2024 Diaper House Competition has come and gone. Memories and photos remain. As the cliché goes, photos just won’t do this justice. And you had to be there to experience the wind…..my hell the wind! No relief for hours on end. For those who were robbed of the trip to see our house and the others, I’m so sorry – it’s was a full-blown disappointment to have to pack things away so soon after we were done building. I’d venture to say “maybe next year” but I think it’s very much “too soon”.

Say what you will about how inconvenient, challenging, tiresome, and on and on, something like this might be. But when you get to work side by side with some of your Symphony teammates, you’re reminded of the good things we have here. Everyone, and I mean everyone, had something “better” to be doing both Friday, and the other days, when preparations were being made. So, a general appreciation to all for setting aside your day-to-day to come and make this happen.

• Conrado and Jorge – day in and day out these guys work tirelessly on our homes – and hardly a word is ever spoken to acknowledge what they do. Their pure grit and get-it-done attitude and demeanor were on full display Friday. Loading, unloading, stacking, unstacking, cutting once, cutting twice, driving screws, removing screws, lifting, moving, wind-whipped and drowning in diapers – these guys brought their A- game and I don’t know how we would have got it done without them.  

• Janet – I’m guessing anyone who has attended an event where Janet is involved already knows to expect attention to every detail. When you look at the pics of our completed Heeler House, look at the landscaping, the plants, the planters, the bird baths, the turf….all this pulled together in the final week. And God bless this woman, on Friday, the paint remnants on her beautiful face told the story of her devotion to roll out only the best for her team and the Heelers.

• Jadon, Zac, Cole – these are my three amigos or tres friends. Always able to count on them at a moment’s notice so long as I can accept their banter and commentary, whether appropriate or edgy. They know what I’m talking about. Whether it’s Jadon’s natural MacGyver to work us out of a problem, or Cole’s thinking out of the box, or Zac’s staying power until the job is done, I can always rely on them to see things through. Whether or not they’re cheerful about it by the end is a different story (wink wink).

• Dan – little did Dan know when he sought an internship with Symphony Homes that he had no idea what he was signing up for. No chance did he think he would be slinging diapers, painting mailboxes and measuring plastic panels…even if they were a bit short ;) But he’s been there time and again, taking instruction, getting things done and holding his own against the barrage of wise-A remarks this crew is sure to launch.

• Caroline – I have no words here. (that’s not entirely true – I always have words) But dang, from the moment the Heeler House became a thing, she was all-hands-on-deck. The insanely detailed panels, windows, and doors on the outside, not to mention the down to the wire timeframes that were put on her, she delivered again and again and again. T-shirts, publicity, setting up drop locations, and getting the Bluey cut-outs that were such a hit. And guess who’s inside that Bluey costume….complete with a hydration pack…and overheating by the minute….yep, also Caroline. You should have seen the mob gather when Bluey showed up to the house. Caroline…..I don’t know how else to put it…..YOU SLAY!!!

• Nathan – it ain’t easy making a transition from marketing to construction – but that’s what Nathan has had to do. This guy has been throwing boxes with us from the get-go. Friday was no different. Making sure to help Caroline with anything she needed and doing whatever was tossed his way as we completed each detail, large or small.
  

• Andrea – this shout out might be a tad short but the impact was impressive.
  As the wind gusts were whipping the IKEA parking lot, and pieces-parts of other houses were flying by us, she looked over at our Heeler House, which stood completely unaffected by the gales, and said “This is the Symphony Difference”. Somewhere I could hear a mic drop in the distance. Well said, Andrea, well said.

• Rosalio – while you won’t see his face in the pics, Rosalio’s contribution was…how should I put this… above and beyond all expectations. He indisputably bailed me out of a tough spot – building the roof, the bay window, the porch awning and prepping it for transport and wrapping it all up THE DAY BEFORE the big event. I’m just speechless (again, I’m really not speechless, quite to the contrary unfortunately). Rosalio is another fellow teammate, working in the background, no fanfare, no recognition, constantly getting stuff done and the diaper house was no exception.

• Greg and Ben – as you might imagine a project like this requires….how should I put this….REACH. These two giants literally extended their arms, legs and hands as those of us, vertically challenged, could not rise to the occasion. (that sentence was pretty good, even if I do say so myself). This often put them at the top of ladders, fully outstretched as the gusts from the south pummeled them. OSHA was NOT on site that day, lucky for us. Involved in all parts of the build, when it came time to trim this house out they were found measuring, cutting, and nailing up the details that would give the home is final pop. Craftsmen indeed.

• Rick Hawley – what can I say here. If you’re ever in need of someone to provide a nearly unending streaming of chatter, trash-talk, jokery, stories, encouragement, filtered and unfiltered candor, laughs bordering on tears, well Rick is your man. Not a minute went by without his narration piercing the wind gusts. Aside from all that, once this dude sees the goal, good luck trying to stop or slow him down and he’ll have you laughing the whole way. He’s another one that this event simply would not have happened without. Brian – and last but cer tainly not least, our fearless leader, the big kahuna, the grand poobah….showing up to make sure to bring some semblance of balance and propriety to this rowdy crew and keep Symphony in the best possible light. I’m fairly certain he even put some turf in place, not above getting his hands dirty. You can’t hold this guy back. More to the point – his show of support to the team is an absolute with him. Seemingly small efforts and the big ones, he’s always making sure to acknowledge and give credit where credit is due. And so it was on Friday.

So many people to thank and acknowledge. My apologies to those I’ve missed. In the lead up to the big day Corbin, Jason, Lily, Cassi, Mike, Jared had their hands in this in so many of the tasks that were necessary in putting this together. Your help and contribution has not gone unnoticed. As I mentioned last week, it was basically impossible to involve a larger group of people – the constraints of space and work dictated how many individuals could be productive. I know many of you would have liked to participate at some level – that’s not lost on me. Who knows what the future will hold ;)

As you may already know, we didn’t take home any official prize. Truth be told, there were some very cool and creative entries. It’s always important to remember what the goal was – providing support to and awareness of HomeAid, The Utah Diaper Bank and the homeless parents and children in Utah. Over 60,000 diapers, not including diapers at our drop locations either have been or will be delivered to the diaper bank by Symphony Homes alone. That’s no small number.

And it would be a huge miss on my part not to thank and acknowledge Bruce and Rob’s ongoing support of these efforts of outreach to the community. It speaks to their character and desire that the company they’ve created take a responsible and supportive role in the spaces we occupy. Thank you to you both.

I couldn’t be more proud to be part of and work along side this group of people. In the end, YOU are the Symphony Difference.

Diaper House ... DONE! 

Symphony #KOTH 2024

Last year, in 2023 there was a "Hiking Challenge" at Symphony Homes. Gray got going, and took pictures and did write-ups. Built in blog posts! I had to divide it into three posts, there was so much content. See the first one (with links to the second and third) HERE. This year, there's another challenge, a little more all-around activity. This will be a post in progress ...

The official flyer with the "rules" ... 

One might have think Grayson's work at Symphony was all management and construction stuff, but he does a LOT of team building, outreach, activity organization and party planning too (organizing this competition, the upcoming diaper house, see last year's involvement HERE, a ping pong tournament, Fisher House).    Of course in addition to setting up the #KOTH2024, Gray then "needs" to set the standard, staying active and competitive. His work write ups with recaps, hashtags and plenty of pictures give a little look at what he's up to ...

0511

I give you the Men in Black – Farmington Half Marathon – May 11- 13.1 miles. Bonus photobomb by the one and only Bill Dodd and his banana peel.  #koth202 #doublepoints #thismedaliswood

0517

On Deuel Creek South, where the day was pristine,

Jon, Zac, Jadon, Wyatt, and Grayson convene.

Legs on fleek, in their hike, they excel,

In Lulu, Fabletics, and brands they wear well.

Salomon gripping each rocky ascent,

On Clouds embracing every step's intent.

Crossing the creek, the rapids roared high,

Determined to conquer, eyes on the prize.

With laughter and cheers, they blaze the trail's way,

Gonna win #koth2024, they say.

Nature their stage, as they rise to the peak,

A band of brothers strong, adventurous and sleek.

You. Are. Welcome.

#koth2024 #doublepoints #bestdressedhikers #chafingisreal

05/23

Farmington Creek Hike

In the interest of including as many Symphony teammates as possible and rack up those double points, today, I decided to get JJ out on the trail. He had been feeling very cooped up and cabin fever had set in. Plus, he recently got a new shirt and beanie that he wanted to show off. He was stylin’ indeed. #koth2024  #doublepoints;)  #jjforpresident2024

Trail report from Farmington Creek

• Trail condition: Perfect
• Water levels: High but stream crossings are easy
• Waterfall rating: SPECTACULAR ★★★★★

0530

 Flag Rock and Patsy's Mine Hike

0601

Rockies Half

Let’s go run a half marathon, they said. It will be fun, they said.

#noreallyzacwhyarewedoingthis

#koth2024     #symsquad      #notdoublepoints:(

0606

So as if hiking wasn’t enough, Zac thought, hey, why don’t we just sling a 30 pound backpack over our shoulders, climb a mountain and see what happens…..thanks, Zac! #toruckornottoruck  #rubberlegs

#koth2024 #symsquad #notdoublepoints:(

0608 

Hiking, Biking & Making Friends

It says it right in the subject line – Hiking, Biking and Making Friends. Supposedly, hiking and biking would be separate activities. Not so much on Saturday as we got to do both at the same time. There’s no way to convey the reality of our adventure. And snapping pictures of some of the key moments just wasn’t feasible.

Word to the wise - If, per chance, you consider riding or walking or running on the Legacy Trail northward to Jordan River Trail – you should probs figure out a bypass from about 700 North to North Temple. As we pushed through this area I’m not sure we were Making Friends with the locals along the trail. We were just relieved to live to tell the tale.

Lots of stop and go – lots of off-the-bike, back-on-the-bike - lots of wondering about the life choices that brought us to this moment. #teamsaddlesores  #howlongislotoja  #closecall

0614

 

It’s a tale of two AI’s – ChatGPT and Gemini

Both were given the same prompt: Please write a short limerick about the Sym Squad's Friday morning hike to Ensign Peak, where we rucked, overlook Salt Lake City, had proper symphony homes branding, missed Jon Olson and Brandon Wright, and had a great time.

Gemini:

The Sym Squad on Ensign, quite bold,

Rucked up with their city unrolled.

With shirts proudly bright,

A Symphony sight,

Though Jon and Brandon, the view couldn't hold.

ChatGPT:

The Sym Squad hiked up Ensign Peak,

With rucks on their backs, so to speak,

Salt Lake spread below,

Symphony's branding did show,

But missed Jon and Brandon all week.

0621

Parade of Homes

0622

101 miles clocked. Much respect for those who have clocked so many more miles than this….I’m saluting you BWright. Between numerous peanut butter sandwiches, Pedialyte, and Zac and Collin dragging me kicking and screaming to the finish line…we made it. Another step in the right direction. Trigger warning for the image below: the reptilian, fossil-like imprint is nothing other than the dried sweat outline down my spinal cord left in my jersey. Personally, I think it’s pretty cool – but opinions will vary. TMI, you say? Probably.

0627

Some take-aways from Davis Creek Trail in Farmington:

• Don’t bother hiking this trail unless you subscribe to self-punishment
• No need to hike this trail
• Skip this trail
• Choose a different trail – like ANY other trail
• Do you like nice, flowy trails….then don’t go anywhere near this trail
• Do you like your knees? Then it’s a pass on this trail
• Pretty sure if you trace the meaning of “Davis” back far enough, it means “dumb trail” but I’m no professor
• Who’s idea was this anyway? Way to choose ‘em, Zac!
• True to form, Farmington does not want doggie poopoo on them trail  #keepourtrailspoopless
  
• What did we do to make you mad, Jon? We miss you #whereforeartthoujon

There you have it. Do with it what you will.

0711

Stopping for a little hikey hikey on the way to Seattle ...

0713

Seattle to Portland – here are the takeaways, just 6 of them:

1. A 200 mile bike ride is ill-advised for a 54 year old man, emphasis on OLD man. This one DID NOT consult his physician before embarking on a regimen leading him to this….
2. Brandon is a cycling beast. And while he didn’t do this particular ride – he did do it last year – and I have no earthly idea how he does it when his training rides are from Kaysville to Symphony HQ – How, Brandon, HOW?
3. Have you ever set a goal and been all starry-eyed about accomplishing said goal, only to find out, much too late of course, how misguided your intentions were? Yeah… that resonates with me.
4. It’s a sublime experience when the mind says to the body “Hey, let’s go just a little further” and the body says to the mind “Why don’t you go ********”. I think you get the picture.
5. Shout out to Jadon. He spent the entirety of 16 hours in a Sprinter van as our support vehicle. He drove us TO SEATTLE and back home FROM PORTLAND. He deserves his own medal for this one.
6. At roughly mile 188, I was waiting at the aid station for Zac to roll in for his last refuel before the push to the finish line. I saw him come into the frame, off to my left. He was pedaling strong. I watched for him to turn in to get that last bit of hydration and food. But he didn’t stop. We met eyes for a brief 5 seconds. He tipped his hand to his bike helmet in one last salute, somehow saying – “I can’t stop now, dude. It’s now or never. I’ll see you at the finish line or the funeral home. At this point it doesn’t matter.” And off he went.

The rest is history.

#koth2024  #teamsaddlesores  #whosideawasthis

0714

<Hey ChatGPT: Please write a rap lyric about Zac, Jadon, Collin and Grayson's hike to Multnomah Falls with 11 switchbacks and ice cream cones on July 14>   (Tip: you need to read this one with a beat box playing in the back of your mind)

Yo, check it

Zac, Jadon, Collin, Grayson, crew's insane

Hit the trail to Multnomah, feelin' no pain

Eleven switchbacks, climbin' higher and higher

Sweat drippin', heart pumpin', reachin' our desire

Falls crashin', nature's beauty, can't deny

Picnic spot, chillin', under that sky

July 14th, ice cream cones, sweet reward

Memories made, forever stored, word!

We out.

#koth2024 #symsquad #micdrop

0721

Let’s do a Spartan Race, they said. It will be fun, they said.  It seemed like such good idea at the time. One cracked rib and one strained disc later and at least we got a medal. #pleasedontmakemelaugh

I actually have to say that the Spartan Race was GRAYSON'S idea, not Zach's ...

Landon did it last year ...

5k - Coop and Gray

 

Gray had run a race or two with work buddies, and had more planned. I encouraged him to find something a little more local and get Coop out. Cooper has been getting in a lot of running on the treadmill in the basement gym. He'd done a few 5ks before and was definitely in shape. Gray found a race in Sandy. It was a trail run, so a little more challenging than a standard 5k.  But on Saturday, April 13, Grayson and Cooper headed out to hit the trail.  They both took 1st place in their age divisions.

Because they had both placed, they stuck around for their awards and pictures. 

Interesting to see all the stats!

Not sure how long the Google album will stay active  ... it was nice that there was a photographer there to get some shots before, during and after. I snagged the ones I wanted to keep, you can see the rest HERE. 

Off-Road Reality

Off-Roading ... in the RZRs and side-by-sides. Rock crawling. Getting into some sticky spots! Back in December when Gray and Jon hit St. George for some fun, then ended up being featured on a YouTuber's channel: Matt's Off-Road Recovery. When you break down out in the red rocks and sand, you are stuck! You can see the "rescue" HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vta1JRLAgY&t=2s). There are two stories, Jon's rig is the first one. 

Grayson got a NEW toy in February ... he and some buddies took it out on it's maiden voyage on March 3. It would be its only time out. It was insured, although payment didn't cover the full cost of the machine.

From this (above) ... to this (below)

Luckily everyone was okay for the most part. Grayson got a cut on his head and bunged up his shoulder. It was just a fluke accident. They weren't even going very fast, just hit a slick spot, slid, and when the machine hit a spot with some traction, it grabbed and momentum took it over onto its side. There was even a little video going (during, and after. See it HERE).  They had a bit of a cold walk back to the truck, and they were able to get the  machine back up and onto the trailer. Grayson had hoped it might be repairable ... but it was totaled. 

Gray and Jon were back to the red rocks just a few weeks later ...

March 22, 2024

... and oops!

Boys and their toys!

It's been a rough year for the RZRs ... and it's not over yet!

Canyonlands Half Marathon & Moab Adventures

 

The first Canyonlands Half Marathon was run on May 1, 1976 had just 22 finishers, including a dog. It's been a popular race ... downhill grade, lovely surroundings. Grayson ran this race back in 2009 and decided to try it again in 2024, 15 years later. This time he was joined by a number of Symphony peeps ... they work and play  together (if running 13.1 miles can be considered "fun"). 

In the listed course information ... "Lucky runners will start at Sandy Beach, a boat launching site located next to the Colorado River. Pre-race jitters are replaced the excitement as runners take in awe inspiring views of towering red rock canyon walls and the red reflections of the rising sun. The course will travel east for a half mile before turning around and heading down river toward the Moab Valley. After traveling down post-card alley for the entirety of the race, runners will finish at the ever beautiful Lions Park, adjacent to Arches National Park."   Lowest Point 3961'   Highest Point 4088'  Elevation Gain 443'  Elevation Loss 531'  

Here's some stats ...

... and a live peek at the finish line

 

https://youtu.be/TxG2VgMhrfc

While in Moab, GB and buddies also hit the trails, on foot, and on the machines.

Grayson has three more half-marathons planned for 2024.

More Hikes!

The EMI/Symphony Hiking Challenge started in April and ran through the end of September. Here's a look at Hub's Hikes for August and September.  The first one was a doozy! Climbing Timpanogos in the dark, and waiting to watch the sunrise from the summit.  Landon went along with this hike too. 

With the work challenge, Grayson's been good at taking pictures and doing write-ups, which I've really appreciated! Here's the collage he created and his write-up below ...

Date - August 4th and 5th
Location - Timpooneke Trailhead to Mount Timpanogos Summit

First entry - 11:56 pm -
What the heck are we thinking?

Various take-aways from Mount Timpanogos -

1. I think one-and-done is just fine for this trail.
2. Sometimes bucket list items are for masochists.
3. Microspikes are the bomb-diggity for crossing ice fields.
4. "Sketchy" becomes a very common word.
5. As usual Zac's hiking outfit is on point. Very chic indeed.
6. Headlamps only last about 2-3 hours which is fine if your hike is 2-3 hours.
7. The last mile from saddle to summit is worse by far than the 6 or 7 that preceded it.
8. How in the living heck did people do this without GPS???
9. Shack graffiti includes some familiar first names. You were with us in spirit and Sharpie.
10. Space blankets save the day as body temps plummet waiting for the sunrise. We consider emergency hypothermia treatment.
11. Teens and 20-somethings arrive at the summit after a seemingly leisurely stroll to the top....sheesh...show-offs.
12. On the way down I count 321 hikers on their way up......Ha! suckerzzz....

And scene! Fade to black. Time to nap.

Grayson was in London/Paris for a couple weeks in August. He and Zach had debated an out-of-country hike, but had plenty of other sites to see. September started with SanDiego (which is where Gray and Landon did one of the first hikes back in April, this time with Coop and Keaton -no hike), then some final hikes to wrap up the challenge.

Monday, September 7, 2023 - Flag Rock

Grayson's write-up is below

My Symphony peeps, if you look yonder, directly east of our office, you see Deuel Creek Canyon. On the south side of the canyon is a flowy, beautiful hike that is ultra-popular - yes, I know you already know ;)  On the north side there is another hiking trail (or two or three). This trail is short, steep, cantankerous, inexplicably cruel and forsaken...kind of like a middle child (sorry if this is triggering). However, at the end of this trail, some dedicated soul or souls have hoisted a flag pole and of course an American Flag. No small effort here. My hats off to those who made this happen.

Now.... What if, just maybe, possibly a Symphony flag could accompany Old Glory, if only for a minute. Thanks to the ever-resourceful Caroline working with Zac to orchestrate (see what I did there) just one such flag. The pictures tell the tale....with one exception. The wind, which would normally accompany any morning in any canyon in the state, was completely silent. Like no wind. Our hope for flags unfurled and waving in the morning breeze was not to be. Alas.... Perhaps we return. Perhaps we don't. Either way, this one's in the books.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

No official write up of this hike, but Gray included a link to info about it. Click the link for a brief read - one of the cathartic benefits of the hike. 

Saturday, September 16

This new trail system is out by us, near Kennecott (err Rio Tinto).

I went and checked it out this last weekend. They've done a good job with it.

Saturday, September 16 was a big hiking day for Landon too. He hit Mount Olympus again, this time on his own - he didn't take pictures. These are a few photos from the first/June trip (Hikes~June/July) that I didn't have when I made the collage about that hike ... so I'm going to put them here anyway! 

Saturday - September 23 - Donut Falls

Wednesday, September 27 

When recapping his morning to me in an email the next day  Gray wrote "I'm dealing with some real residual fatigue from my hike. It wasn't particularly strenuous though Mueller is a bit longer than some of the usuals - 7 miles in total. It was a gorgeous day and the colors were well worth the jaunt." I love the shadow selfie ;) 

Friday, September 29

Lake Mary, Lake Martha, Lake Catherine ... Gray got off work a little early and Zach and Landon joined for a Friday afternoon hike.  The official Symphony Hiking challenge has ended ... much to the relief of Janet in the office, who had to handle the photos and write ups. It's a little hard to see in the photos, but Gray and Zach got matching "King of the Hill" sweatshirts for all their outdoor activities!

In the original post about the Symphony Hiking Challenge, there was a picture showing the progress. This timeline ended up taking over the room! A simple photo couldn't capture everything by the end (and Gray didn't even include several of his hikes). You can see it HERE. There were a few BIKE (not HIKE) alternate activities too!

Bike Boy

 

Grayson has been doing a LOT of hiking ... but he pulled out his wheels and added in a little bit of biking recently too. He bought a new e-bike and scooter, but stuck with the standard (no power except from his pedals) for these outdoor activities. 

My brother Scott invited Gray out biking (Scott has an e-bike) - they hit Corner Canyon and had a good ride on Wednesday, August 30 ...

Gray and Zach hit up Legacy for a ride on Wednesday, September 6th ...

... and again on Friday, September 15.

Gray did a little writeup of that ride.

Perhaps you've heard of LOTOJA....truth be told when I first heard speak of this I thought it was a brand of sunglasses....heh heh. I know now.

But I bet you've never heard of CENTONOR!!! A grueling ride of epic elevation gain and treacherous terrain and boardwalks through duck-infested wetlands, extending all the way from Centerville, Utah to North Salt Lake, also Utah! Can you feel the adrenaline? It was touch and go at times but our camaraderie, spandex and fabulous headgear helped us through!