50.19 Utah: Dog Lake Hike without a dog, blindingly colorful and of course, beautiful. (Instead of allowing politics to color one's outlook, rather have nature perform the coloring.)

After playing at their lake, this is how the dogs leave it. Just like naughty children.

This is not a tough hike but it does have some steep sections. We might not have undertaken it had we not needed a less strenuous day. Having mentioned it, it certainly wasn't a walk in the park. We both wish to repeat the hike. In fact, there is another approach to it. Talking of parks, we thought the foliage was spectacular. I keep falling into a trap of trying to rate each area against another. I know it's silly but then...

Perhaps we should write instead that the freshness of the colors, the mix and distinctiveness knocked our socks off. It became rather tiresome, not seeing incredible colors repeatedly, but rather, having to stop frequently, not to only absorb the beauty but to keep putting our socks back on our feet. Some hikes can be tough. We 'believe' the movie 'Barefoot in the Park' was filmed in this...well, 'park'. 

A major reason we've spent so much time in the Salt Lake City region can be read at the end. 

Something about this picture drives me wild...well, in a manner of speaking. We find it's the 'reds' of October that are the key. (Not to be confused with the Red October revolution.)

Perhaps the greens provide the contrast that makes this distinctive, at least, for one of us.
The initial part of the hike is very steep. Jen is beginning the levelling part of the incline. Perhaps that's why she looks so excited. 

Compare with one from Bulgaria at the end.

There's a freshness, a carefree happiness, somewhere in there. It shouts out that after all, "The world is a great place".
The favorite again.
'Double Trouble'.

Gone to the dogs? We don't think so. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

“What will it take to get the two of you out of the Salt Lake district? Don’t be smart and tell me a desalination solution will help.” 

  ‘Okay, we’ll let you know. The answer is quite simple—ice cream.’

 “What are you talking about?” We can hear people muttering—those that may even bother to wonder. The answer is a little more than a few words. It’s the emotion mixed up with solid logic that will provide insight into our thinking. Some may decline to go further but for those who prefer to live dangerously, here’s our reasoning.

 

 We just extended what is probably our last segment making it our longest stay outside San Diego in near on 12 years. The length of the visit should reach 53 days soon.

 Jen and I have a joint weakness—a passion for ice-cream, but practically, those on a stick. More specifically, a coconut-creamy vanilla delight that melts in the mouth. We purchase them in a box of 6 units, giving us three days worth of pleasure per shot. (We each hope the other might forego their ice-cream rights after dinner but that hardly ever happens.) 

Here’s the issue. When the days remaining at the hotel suites we are occupying does not correspond with the inventory of ice-creams remaining in the freezer, we are left with two choices. We either buy more boxes and/or extend our stay. The other day, it appeared that we would be left with two ice-cream lollies on the day of departure. What a waste. We always leave food and other items for the service people but not ice-cream treats. Another option, practical and delicious, is to eat two each in a night. Our discipline dictates that’s not acceptable.

 Therefore, the only option available was to extend our stay. However, what’s the use of only one more day in Salt Lake City? 

 As we typically renew for 4-5 days or longer, it allowed us to eat the remaining ice-creams and then of course, purchase another box to fill the gap. As an additional stay of five days would not be covered by the two remaining and an extra box, we would have to buy at least two boxes giving us a further 6 days of treats plus the couple in the freezer. This would lead to a need for a further day’s stay. But as we mentioned, who extends for only one day. So the process repeats itself. 

 It’s not easy to juggle the number of balls, ice-creams, hikes, mountains, lakes etc. easily. When in doubt, be bold and pull something out of a hat...no, a freezer.

 This article should not be read by the said persons: Our children, grandchildren or dear mother.

A couple of shots plus one from Bulgaria—October 2019 to compare with Utah. I'm not as convinced as I was that the Bulgarian foliage differs much. Conclusion: Heck, it's a beautiful world.