Day 34: Vacation Adventures, Pt. 2

I'm back, back at home in NY, back to some semblance of a routine, and missing vacation somethin' terrible! I always seem to get the post-vacay blues. Instead of adventures, I've got big piles of *stuff* to deal with here at home - blah de blah blah blah. Oh well - perfect time to post about our exciting last day in CO!

Here's my day on Saturday:
1) PCP workout
2)Breakfast
3)4.5 mile hike with all 10 of us, up to the top of a moutain with 360 degree views of surrounding moutains and valleys. Not a long hike, but one that required the major parenting effort of encouraging, cajoling, and - in the end - carrying my 5 year old son to the top. Thank god I'm in good enough shape for that last part! Here's me and my offspring at the summit:
4)Quick snack and change of clothes
5)First time rock climbing on REAL ROCKS!!!

So, I've climbed up some of those fake rock walls only a handful of times. But I've recently become enamored of the idea of trying the real thing - in part because of how strong I feel in my body, thanks to the PCP. I figured, now is as good a time as ever to represent TEAM BADASSSS by attempting this feat of strength, grit and athleticism. One of the first things I asked my dad when we got to Estes Park last week was, know anyone who might want to take me rock climbing??

Turns out he did! So on Saturday afternoon, the two of us met his friend Matt (the nicest 70-something retiree, a super experienced climber/hiker/outdoorsy guy AND a master teacher of climbing) who got all the ropes/anchors/gear set up for climbing on these crazy rocks:
That's me, hanging on by a thread!! Seriously, climbing on rock (as opposed to those lovely walls with all the nice hand-holds and foot-holds) is f*$#ing HARD. Matt, being a smart man, had me try a pretty hard route to begin with and, once I went swinging away from the rock, switched me over to a slightly easier route so that I felt like I accomplished something. After that, he lowered me only part-way to the most difficult section so that I could practice some of the very helpful pointers he was giving me while getting used to the feel of shoe on rock. Then, I was able to do the more difficult route from bottom to top in a much more confident manner. Though it was still f*$#ing HARD. But also! SUPER FUN. Here's me in the hardest area above the overhang:
I mean, there's just not a lot to hang on to right there! But I did it - and then rode an adrenaline high for the rest of the day.
Awesome. Thanks, Matt! I totally owe you one. Oh, and my dad, who mostly took pictures of me sweating, straining and cursing, also got a turn on the rock. Go Dad!
Now I need to find some folks here in NY who are willing to take a newbie climber out for some fun. I'm going to make it a personal goal to go climbing at least one more time before the PCP ends. :)

And now, a preview of coming attractions! Next up will be my INDULGENCE post. Stay tuned!!

XOXO