Bonneville Shoreline Trail - a great ride any time

It's 5:30 p.m. on August 4th in Salt Lake City. 10 times out of 10, it's hot. Well, OK, in 1980 it was only a high of 84. Today was 96. In any case, most people wouldn't consider a blazing ride on the west-facing Bonneville Shoreline Trail as their first choice for escaping the heat.

But, I work in research park at the U, and after a LONG day dealing with issues, let me tell you that jumping out my work door and blowing off some steam on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a good thing, hot or not. It's actually been a while since I've ridden the Red Butte-Dry Creek-Bobsled-aves-Red Butte loop, and let me tell you, it's still as fun as can be. Not only that, when you dip down into Dry Creek, it's downright gorgeous--green and cool. I even got to ride through some water! It was easily 15 degrees cooler and made the steady but easy climb enjoyable.

The foothills right above the U have great beauty. Today, I noticed the black beetles, quick little lizards, squirrels, magpies, one garter snake and lots of dried grasses whipping by my legs. Even the 4-foot tall dried thistle has its beauty. The seatpost-to-shoulder height hillside of green scrub oak coming out of Dry Creek was particularly appealing. Perhaps most amazing was the scent in the air right around 6:45 p.m. I don't know what was blooming up there, but it smelled of jasmine and was just perfect. Nice way to end the day.

That's me after the 1 hr. & 20 minute ride. Time to get back to Chester!