Day 94 - Thursday, September 2

I learned again that taking a day off is easy but running the next day is really, really hard. Today I was back into machine mode and felt back to normal the first step I took at 5:15am. I was also really happy to be back in remote country and today promised to be an epic route - first 12 miles on road and the last 20 miles off road, remote and traversing mountain passes into an historical mining town.

Right off I almost got clipped - running against traffic and in the dark I heard 2 motorcycles coming up behind me on the other side of the road of a double line roadway with no shoulder. Before the 2 motorcycles passed me, a big pickup stormed by, passing the motorcycles over the double line and almost hitting me before I knew what was happening. I literally dove off the road but it would not have mattered if they hit the mark…I’m sure I used up one of my lives in that instant.

Leaving Talon Springs Golf Club I ran by the lake and beautiful communities. I noticed that I was having trouble breathing as I ran into a gentle wind. For miles my lungs were irritated and I thought it must be smoke but it was far worse. Around 5 miles later I realized that there was a massive mining operation pumping dirt particles into the air that was the cause. It was right by the lake and upwind from the town where families live. I can’t believe the community doesn’t shut the mining operation down as it cannot be a healthy situation for the population.

Finally, before I left the road to trail I had a situation that I’ve never had on this trip - there were bugs swarming along the road near the lake and I’m not talking about a swarm in one place but they were swarming over miles and miles along the roadway attacking me under a loud buzz that drowned out the music I was listening to. I ran faster than any other day because I wanted to get by this place so fast!

We are staying the night in Eureka which was originally known as Ruby Hollow before it developed into a bustling mining town. Incorporated as a city in 1892, Eureka became the financial center for theTintic Mining District, a wealthy gold and silver mining area in Utah and Juab counties. The district was organized in 1869 and by 1899 became one of the top mineral-producing areas in Utah. The Eureka Micropolitan Statistical Area housed the "Big Four" mines—Bullion Beck and Champion, Centennial Eureka, Eureka Hill, and Gemini-and later the Chief Consolidated Mining Company.

Eureka's role as the central financial point for the district ensured its survival. It housed business establishments, including the second-ever JCPenney store (then called the Golden Rule Store), financial institutions, local and county governmental buildings including Eureka City Hall (1899) and a Juab County Courthouse (1892), various churches, and the meeting places for numerous labor, social, and fraternal organizations. Mining entrepreneurs such as John Q. Packard, John Beck, Jesse Knight, and Walter Fitch Sr. were important figures in Eureka and Tintic history. In 1979, Eureka was placed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Tintic Mining District Multiple Resource Area, recognizing the importance of remaining buildings and sites.

All for today - thank you for your ongoing support.

Cheers,

Davi.d

The mining operation that was pumping dust for miles into the town. My lungs are still raw.

Five miles of swarming bugs - like out of a movie.

Finally cleared the bugs and the mines!

And treated to a crisp sunrise over the mountains.

The mountains in the distance are the target…

I found a good dirt road which cut through the mountain passes to Eureka

Up high, a trail marker appeared and I knew this would not be a bushwhacking expedition

In the middle of no where I run into my Trail Angels who provide me w much needed cool water

Reaching the top!

Finally arriving in Eureka, a small old mining town with population of 600.

Tintic District in Eureka 1911, a major mining center