On Saturday, Rachel & I climbed Birdland (5.7), a nouveau classic multipitch wonder. I had been researching climbs all week. When I suggested the list of possibilities, she immediately responded positively at the utterance of the word “Birdland”. She had done it last October and was certain that I would enjoy the climb. (more…)
On Saturday, I woke up to cold & wet weather. Not a great combination for climbing. It was 38 dF at my house, and I grumpily called Jen. We had a short 10 minute conversation which resulted in no immediate decision. I was still coughing up aliens from a recent cold, and she was dead tired after a poor nights sleep. (more…)
On Friday, I hiked to the top of Mt. Sanitas (6,863 ft) along with Jen (carrying Soren) and Liz. The hike is a beautiful loop with 1,343 ft of elevation gain and 3.3 miles long, according to protrails.
In 1993, I won the US Speedskating National Championship in the Women’s (15-16) Division. I set a record, in the 1000 meter distance, which held for 6 years. I skated at the national level for 4 years, before “retiring” to finish the last & hardest year at University.
Thus, the entirety of my teen years were spent in & out of rinks, skating very fast on my trusty companions…(the black skates on top!). The white skates are an early birthday present (from Dennis), a highly anticipated acquiring, years & years overdue!
With my old skates, there were numerous times where I skated around all day, skated home, then skated into bed-only to wake-up with them still on! I will dearly miss them, but I can no longer use them as they have become a safety hazard… (more…)
