The new normal?

Mid-October, late afternoon, 9500 feet - still warm enough to go topless

We've only lived in Utah for five years, so maybe I'm not drawing on enough data to make this statement, but it sure feels like every Fall gets warmer and longer. Maybe this is the new normal for our climate? As long as it snows (a lot) eventually, we love the "extended summer" season. In an ideal world, it would be 80 degrees every day until Thanksgiving, then snow 10 feet in a week while we're back East visiting family (to setup a base), then we can ski until the following summer after a 700" winter/spring. Fingers crossed! :-)

The start of the climb to Mt Superior. We did this again, but can't post the pictures for a while... you'll see why.

A warm October evening at Alta

Glenwild Loop - Mountain Biking in Park City

Fall colors still hanging around near Guardsman Pass

Protein bars that actually taste good!

Earlier this year I spent an afternoon in the PowerBar booth at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. Among other products, we were giving out samples of  the ProteinPlus bars. It doesn't take long before you realize that people have a certain preconceived notion about protein bars - "they taste like protein bars (aka cardboard!)."

I used to think the same thing until I ordered my first case of the ProteinPlus 20g bars, and honestly I was a bit shocked at first that they not only didn't taste bad, but they actually tasted pretty good! Yeah, its not the same as a Milky Way or Snickers, but these are packing much more of a nutritional punch. And if you don't eat a lot of candy, then these bars can fill that gap in your life... with 20 grams of protein (and that is definitely good for you).

Over the past two years the 20g ProteinPlus bars have become my favorite PowerBar product. I've gotten in the habit of eating them after long runs or really hard/long workouts, which helps with recovery. I also have found them to be a great snack during long days of backcountry skiing. I like that they pack an appropriate amount of protein without too much added sugar. For long, low-intensity activities they are a great fuel source. For more intense workouts, they are best served after you are finished.

Check out the PowerBar website for more information, including the new 30g protein bars.

There are 6 flavors in the 20g bar. I like the Cookies and Cream, and these three:

Temple Mountain, Stairway to Heaven, Ding, and Dang

Temple Mountain from our campsite

Last Fall we "discovered" the Temple Mountain Road near Goblin Valley. We fell in love with the camping, dirt roads, abundance of fun slot canyons... the list goes on and on.

We were itching for another weekend in the desert after that somewhat memorable trip to Dead Horse, so it was a no-brainer to head back down to the San Rafael Swell for a couple days of fun.

We had an excellent weekend - 3 runs on the Temple Mountain Road (a rave run if there ever was one), a canyoneering trip down Stairway to Heaven Canyon, a non-technical but skin abrading hike/scramble through Ding and Ding Canyons, a pair of relaxing nights by the campfire, and perfect weather. 

When can we head south again?

Photos...

Car camping can be tough! :-)

Stairway to Heaven Canyon

Running in the Temple Mountain area

Ding / Dang Canyons