I flew to St. Louis, MO, and didn’t get to see the Arch!

My vacation was awesome! I had a great time climbing Red Rock Canyon and surrounding areas out near Las Vegas. During the day we would climb, at night we would eat and see some sights. I didn’t drop one penny into a casino (other than to buy food at various buffets and restaurants). No gambling with money for me, only with my life….good thing my climbing partners new what they were doing.

The day we got there we climbed on “Magic Bus”. Lots of good routes, and I even led one. Lot of sunscreen was required, for the whole week, but especially day one, as the sun is very hot in the desert. Day two we hiked a rather long time to get to a climb (missing the turn a few times), but then climbed in the afternoon. I had to rest for a while, because the heat was too much for me after the hike – though it was fun to just hike around. Reminded me of the adventures I’ve had with Rachel…except in heat instead of rain and cold. I did climb a 5.9 or a 5.9+ in my old old climbing shoes. The next day we did a multi-pitch 5.8- with 400 or 450 feet of vertical height. First ever multipitch, was a great experience, but my head and my body were warring over who was correct. My body thought I was going to fall to death, and was having applicable reactions. My head knew I was just fine. After a day of multi-pitch climbing, the girls (two girls and four boys on this trip) decided to let the boys do a 7 pitch 5.8 while we shopped and played by the pool. I needed the rest day. The next two days we went to Calico Basin to climb. The first of those I only bouldered about, and the second was our last day there, and I did manage to climb - even with sun burned feet. (One day of forgetting sunscreen + sandals = very interesting tan lines, likely for the rest of the season.)

In the evenings we watched the Fountains of Bellagio, we saw the Pirates vs. the Sirens show at Treasure Island, we walked about, and we slept.

On the way back, we spent an extra night in Denver as our plane had mechanical problems, so I had not much sleep Tuesday night and flew from Denver to St. Louis to Minneapolis to get home. Now I’m jet lagged, but happy, and will post pictures when I get the chance.

Don't Follow the Lights!...

It's 2AM CDT and I'm sitting at the rental car place at the Las Vegas Airport. They have free wi-fi here, so I figured I'd make a post. I am on vacation for 6 days. 6 days of climbing! Woot! Also, I hope to take in a show, maybe...maybe pull on a slot machine or two, eat yummy food, and relax. Saw the lights on the Strip as we flew in. Impressive, most impressive.

Oh dear, I'm mixing and maching my Movie quotes. I must be tired.

Have a good Memorial Day everyone.

Bright new colors, pretty new furniture.

Finally. Am I done? No. But I have finished the painting and the moving about of the major furniture. Now all that's left are the hard things. The organizing of the things that are still in boxes. Things I don't use everyday, because they are still in boxes, and I am not so very keen on taking them out again. Oh, I'll do it. I'll hate it, but I'll do it.

This weekend my parents brought over the piano, a couch, a loveseat, and a table, and a chair. We moved those into the house, and then we spent the weekend doing various odd jobs about the house and doing yard work. LOTS of yard work. I think I pulled weeds and did garden bits for a total of 9 hours over 2 days. I am a sore self. Oof.

So, what's on the agenda for this coming weekend then? Will I be planting my garden, or will I be unpacking the dreaded boxes? Nope. This weekend I will be off climbing at Red Rocks. Whee. I'm excited and nervous. I don't do well in heat, and I just bought two pairs of capri pants and am wondering if I should have bought long pants. Oof. Oh well. Wish me good climbs, and a safe return (and no encounters with scorpions or large, furry spiders).

Already a whirlwind weekend!

It's 10:30 on a Saturday night. What are you doing? I'm sitting at the desk in my office, posting to Craig's List the apartment I just moved out of, and blogging. How cool am I? Not very, apparently.

This weekend has been a whirlwind already! Friday right after work Trevor and I drove to visit my cousins in the Madison area. I have a 9 month old baby cousin, and was able to play with him all this morning. Whee! Baby fix! Then this afternoon we drove to Wollersheim Winery for the spring case club tasting, and bought a case of wine. We then drove back here. Now it's even later, and I'm almost ready for bed.

Tomorrow we're going to check out some bedroom furniture, unpack some more, and perhaps install the dishwasher! Slowly, the house comes together.