Today we are going to finally climb. Yesterday we were supposed to do a couple of hours of teaching along with climbing but unfortunately we got stuck with mostly driving instead. Not exactly my cup of tea when a four and a half hour drive turns into what feels like another six hour drive. So of course, by the time we got to our destination I was pretty tired and it was already getting a little to dark to do any kind of climbing . 

So of course we are now having some coffee, getting ready for the day and trying to wake up. I feel pretty tired and a little cranky so getting me on the wall to climb will be quite the task in its own way. I honestly don't know how it's going to go with it not only being a little warm but with me also not really knowing what I am doing. I'm pretty sure that my anxiety might get to me before the climb does. 

But I'm down to see what I can do, give it a shot and see if I like it or not. Hopefully I don't die or break anything or hurt my partner in the process. I might need some prayers for the day considering how I think this might go. I'm hopeful but anxious. 

I also hope I dont get hurt since I drive a stick shift and hurting my ankle or foot would be a very bad thing to do. Very bad. So yes I might need a few prayers for today. 

Here we gooooooo. 

Somehow I made it to my first destination in one piece. Yesterday was one of those days where I have no idea how I got through the day. At all. First there was Fiesta Friday which meant margaritas over at pepitos. When the waiter came over to take my order I panicked and ordered a large. Once that was done I went back to my "friends" place and we e des up staying up till at least midnight. From there it was a **** show. I got about 7 hours of sleep but when I woke up I felt like ****. Why? Hangover. 

The next morning I had to work from 11-3 and it was one of those work days where there was always something else. We had Kinder Klimb which meant all kids from 3-7 were there. We got them situated and for about three hours we had kids running everywhere. Somewhere around 1ish the kids left and we slowed for a bit. Then at 2 we picked up and had a birthday party. Lucky it was small so that was all ok. 

Three rolls around and I finally get off the clock which meanttttt, climbing! I'm in a league at my gym so there's some routes every week that I have to do. Sadly it was the last day to do them. So of course I spent about two hours doing that and from there it was party city. We had a third birthday party being set up while I was there but this one I was excited for. I knew the guy and I was really looking forward to partying it up with him. 

Once I got done partying and having one hell of a time I finally got on my car and drive to Tennessee which is where I currently am. It was a six and a half hour drive and I can say, without a doubt, that I was exhausted. Luckily when I arrived I was able to head to bed right away and catch some z's. Now I'm here, recharged and about to get ready to go run before we drive 4 1/2 more hours to go climb. So day 1 here we go. 

Yesterday was such a fun day. Even though we had to be on the road by 5:30 a.m it was still worth the drive. Yesterday me and four other people from my work decided to go to Stone Summit in Atlanta. Originally I was already going to be there but they decided to change the time of the concert. SO instead of already being there and being able to meet them I was stuck with having to do ten to twelve hour drive in one day just like everybody else but that is ok. So we all were on the road at 5:30 a.m and we all were super excited about going to a new gym. This one had top rope and bouldering. 

If you aren't familiar with Climbing then here is the breakdown of the difference between the two. Top rope is with a rope and harness and the walls are between thirty to sixty feet. With Bouldering there is no rope and no harness but the walls are between ten to sixteen feet high. Both are dangerous, accidents can happen but it is still so much fun to do. 

When we all finally arrived at Stone Summit we were blown away. The place was huge and even though we knew where we were going we didn't expect it to be so freaking amazing. Most of the place had lead climbing but they also had some amazing selections for top rope and of course, a tiny section for bouldering. Right away we started with Bouldering. We hoped on the walls and started climbing away. It was so much fun and I really enjoyed every second of being with these guys. We were challenging each other and having fun at the same time. Even though we all are around the same level back home some of us were doing really well on Stone Summit's V3- V5 range. It was just so cool to see everybody having a fun time. Even I ended up trying some of the overhang areas and even though my hands were beaten up I had so much fun giving the routes a try. 

Once we were done bouldering we moved on to top rope. First though we had to pass the test. We practiced for a little bit with everybody so that we all would be able to pass and not take the class. Two people hadn't really don't a lot of top rope so it was pretty important to teach them what to do. So taking our time we all went back through the basics and once we were ready we all took the test. 

Surprisingly, we all passed. Every single one. Honestly we were all so excited and I felt pretty good about it myself. It can be a lot to remember sometimes and even though it was my first time using an ATC instead of a GriGri I felt pretty good. With all us passing we went to the top rope walls and started climbing. I will say that Rock Out has made my endurance and strength much better then when I first tried top rope. I was doing 5.9's and 5.10's and when I first started I could only do 5'8's. I felt so confident and felt like I could do top rope for forever. We spent around five hours total just climbing away and by the time we finished I knew that we all were super satisfied. I honestly wish we had a top rope place near us that was like Stone Summit. There was so much to do, there were so many routes and it was so refreshing to go climb there. It re-lit the climbing candle, which I really needed. 

So thank you Stone Summit for the amazing Climbing experience. We will be back and with more people! 

 

 

Yesterday we went to Ecofina Springs. When I originally planned this trip I thought it would be around twenty to twenty five people that would go with us. The turnout was twelve which not only was still a good turnout but it was better than I expected. See we had threats of a storm coming so a lot of people canceled because of the possibility of being caught out in the rain. Of course I tried to tell people that the storm was going to go more west of New Orleans but nobody really listened to what I was saying. As it turns out, I was right (of course) and because of that all the people who listened got to have a grand time. 

When we got to the springs we all had to sign a paper stating that we were responsible for the Kayaks and to have them back before 6 p.m or there would be a $25 late fee for each kayak, every hour. Now that is a lot of cash right there when you have 6 tandem kayaks. When we got everyone gathered, went over the rules and piled into the van we all got super hyped up. Not only was it fun to just have everyone together but it was also the anticipation of actually having a nice day out after all the rain we had. 

On the ride over to the springs we could tell that our group was one of those groups that the drivers was not a fan of. We were loud, obnoxious, and just ridiculous. I am sure that they were ready to send us out there and to just be rid of us. SO when we got in the kayaks and started paddling away I'm sure that they all were talking about us on the drive back. 

The kayaking to the springs was nice. The sun was out and it honestly was one of those scenarios where I think everyone just wanted to let out some energy and just get there to drink and let loose. So when we got there we all parked our kayaks, started playing music and brought out the drinks. When the drinking started then the rope swing parade started up. The rope swing was almost like a challenge for the guys but of course it was also a lot of fun to just see them go at it. 

After the rope swing we had some people decide to climb a twenty five foot tree and jump out of it. One of the guys (Who I will call T) started climbing up the tree and realized that the boards that were put into the tree were pretty terrible so of course he pulled one OFF of the tree to demonstrate how terribly placed they really were. We were all standing there looking at him as he just dropped this board down into the water. Quickly someone retrieved the board so that someone didn’t land on the nails that were sticking out of it. 

For about ten minutes we were screaming at him to jump out of the tree. He was already all the way up so the only way out was to jump down. Finally he did it and we all cheered as he went along. Honestly it was so fun to watch him and I, of course, got some bomb photos of his jump. 

After a few hours we decided to head out after hearing the thunder storms coming our way. So we began the paddle down the stream. It took us an hour and about half way through we got down poured on but to be honest it was one of those situations that I was ok with. I love the rain and I love being out in nature. Everything was so quiet and it was even more beautiful with it raining. It was one of those scenarios that never really happens and I was glad to just be apart of it. 

All in all the trip was a success and I am so glad that we got to go. I can't wait for the next Rock Out Adventure. 

 

 

Tomorrow a big group of us are going to Ecofina Springs. We have had this planned for about three weeks and I honestly am so excited. We may be getting storms and everything but that doesnt mean we aren't go and party anyway. The group that is going are people that literally do not care if we get a little rain while we are out at a spring. Like, we all know that we are going to get wet anyway, might as well enjoy the little sprinkle with the spring itself. 

The last time I went to the springs they were beautiful and we had clear weather all the way until 2 p.m (which was the time we finished the paddling anyway) which meant we got a little bit of everything. It really was a perfect way to end the day. 

While you guys are waiting to see photos and video footage I do ask that you guys check out my art. I had two new pieces that are up and for sale. They both are on a wood panel and they are both 8*10 size pieces. This month has been so good to me and I am so excited to see who else purchases pieces for their home. 

If you want to see everything I have for sale then click here to go to that page. I really hope you guys will continue to purchase pieces and help me out. I am so close to my goal for Iceland and I am so excited to go. I have two months until this journey begins and I cannot wait to see this beautiful country and experience it myself.