More months than I'd like to speak of have passed since I've touched real rock. Until this past weekend.
On Saturday I made a very rare (and probably once in a lifetime!) decision to day trip down to the Gunks in southern NY. Mind you, one way is 3 hours 45 minutes...with no traffic and minimal pee breaks. Needless to say, Jake (who is forever psyched even at 5:30 in the morning) kept me awake and amped the whole ride down talking a lot of game about climbing, his bad choices in arena rock bands from the '80s, and some general teenage angst thrown in for good measure. We got there before most locals had arisen for the day, which leaves me--in hindsight--feeling a bit knackered just thinking about what we packed into one day. Barrelling down the NY Thruway, our trip was punctuated by the sweet sight of snow quickly dissipating into nothingness along the shoulder of the road, and the choral swell of spring song birds jubilantly welcoming the longer and warmer days ahead.
We finally found Dave in the parking lot below the dreaded "stairmaster" and managed to dispatch of 6 routes in just a few short hours. Amidst this I heard a man yelp like an injured puppy, (apparently the result of a massive leader fall), and Dave finally ticked a route that had left a very sharp thorn in his side from the previous year. Fast work for a couple of guys who hadn't placed gear in the past couple months.
To boot, on our way out of town, we almost scored a free salmon burrito from some irritated shop employees at a local Mexicali joint in New Paltz, and we were cheered by the local crunchies for bullying our way into a parking spot that was rightfully ours.
Not much to report for Sunday, although, in talking with Lindsay, I realized how much a simple, happy inflection in her voice can carry me all day long...I love that girl.
--C
On Saturday I made a very rare (and probably once in a lifetime!) decision to day trip down to the Gunks in southern NY. Mind you, one way is 3 hours 45 minutes...with no traffic and minimal pee breaks. Needless to say, Jake (who is forever psyched even at 5:30 in the morning) kept me awake and amped the whole ride down talking a lot of game about climbing, his bad choices in arena rock bands from the '80s, and some general teenage angst thrown in for good measure. We got there before most locals had arisen for the day, which leaves me--in hindsight--feeling a bit knackered just thinking about what we packed into one day. Barrelling down the NY Thruway, our trip was punctuated by the sweet sight of snow quickly dissipating into nothingness along the shoulder of the road, and the choral swell of spring song birds jubilantly welcoming the longer and warmer days ahead.
We finally found Dave in the parking lot below the dreaded "stairmaster" and managed to dispatch of 6 routes in just a few short hours. Amidst this I heard a man yelp like an injured puppy, (apparently the result of a massive leader fall), and Dave finally ticked a route that had left a very sharp thorn in his side from the previous year. Fast work for a couple of guys who hadn't placed gear in the past couple months.
To boot, on our way out of town, we almost scored a free salmon burrito from some irritated shop employees at a local Mexicali joint in New Paltz, and we were cheered by the local crunchies for bullying our way into a parking spot that was rightfully ours.
Not much to report for Sunday, although, in talking with Lindsay, I realized how much a simple, happy inflection in her voice can carry me all day long...I love that girl.
--C
1 comment:
"This blog is designed to document Chris and Lindsay's travels across the country and back again. Just two East Coasters on the road for work, adventure, good food, and opportunities."
Start those travels already.
And if you're coming through Chicago, I'm gone June 8-14th, but you're welcome to crash at our place still. If you can arrange it for a time while I'm here, even better. Safe travels. -JN
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