OMG, my friend Misty Murphy has the most hysterical site ever. I can’t tell if it’s because I know her and can hear her voice as I read, but I almost always end up in a fit of hysterics by the end. Besides being “make your sides hurt” funny, she’s a kick ass climber and incredible musician, oh yeah and she looks better in black leather pants then you ever will . Anyways for those that don’t know her that know me check it…
mistymurphy.blogspot.com
Yeah I know, what’s up with all the freakin babies?? But come on, they are real cute! Especially when they aren’t coming home with you or to the bad ass NIN concert you’re going to tonight! This little cutie is Oliver, Whitney’s cousin’s spawn. Hum, pretty detached from me, but I love this photo.
Once again here are some backed up photos from our trip prior where I actually am as I write. We always have these grand plans souped up in our minds before we head to areas. When we left for the east coast we were gonna buy a new van, build the sickest rig anybody had ever seen, go to chicago and be the best uncle and sudo-aunt possible, then get to Rumney and crush every route we touched. Luckily I’m only type A during a 20 minute caffeine induced moment of my morning. In reality it took us twice as long as we thought to build up our ghetto ride, we saw baby Tess for like a day which felt like nothing, then got to Rumney and got our (mY) asses kicked. When it was all over we had spent obnoxious amounts of money on gas, didn’t climb for two weeks and just wanted to get to the Red. Luckily we got some sick shots along the way… enjoy.
Don’t get it twisted my motherly instincts are still on hold for a LONG time, but you can’t help but get sucked into this little cutie. Our first stop on the east coast excursion was to Chi-town to visit Joe’s sister, brother in law and their little one, Tess. We babysat for a few hours one morning and it just reinstated the fact that Joe and I are in no hurry to give up our selfish life for another.
My present cold showed up right on time for our Red River Gorge arrival. This should probably be expected as I binge drank for the two nights previous and smoked as many cigarettes as I’ve had in the past two years in two nights. But really I can’t blame any of this on NYC. It’s a city that has become iconic to me. It can do no wrong. I know the city has its faults I remember being VERY aware of them when I lived there four years ago. But now when I visit it’s only rainbows and butterflies and every time I leave I wonder why I choose to go.
As we arrived late night to the Red, I joked how we couldn’t be farther from the city. The streets were black, only bushels of trees canopied over the roads. Dilapidated homes and run down corner stores blurred past our van windows. We pulled into Miguel’s snuggling ourselves between an array of camper vans just as ours. I slept hard that night tired from the big city and anticipating the little cliffs of tomorrow. Sadly, I just don’t know if you can have both.
We have thought about buying a van for a while, but eventually decided to botch it and decided if we wanted to get a van to do it in Europe, where they know how to make a good camper van. After Europe kicked the shit out of our wallets we knew we’d be on this continent for the next year. The recent decision to head out east for a three month stint was the finally decider. We took two days to search Denver for the perfect Van. The entire experience was exhausting. The dealerships just hustle you until you give up. At the end you just pick something and go with out of desperation. We decided to build a bed in the back but neither of us are much of carpenters. I searched online for a while trying to get ideas or blueprints for the rig but there wasn’t much to be found. In the end we sort of took some measurements had an idea of a simple lay out and went for it. It never turns out exactly as you thought but we’re really happy with the furnished product. The first day out a big storm was rolling into the mountain we got rain all the way through Nebraska and the Astro handled great! We slept in the back for the first time that night. Besides being sketched at the trucker stop it was a comfy night sleep. It was a rad feeling being able to pile in the back after driving ten plus hours and not having to think about a hotel or tent set up, VIVA Astro!
Ok, yeah I know Joe posted some of these pics a week ago. Hey I’m a little slower sometimes ok! And for the few peeps that look at my blog and not Joe’s (yeah nobody) here are few extras from our day out at the Fortress with Brian Solano and Dave Clifford. I hiked my hungover ass all the way up there to belay for pics and video; I know another nominations for best girlfriend of the year! No, obviously I don’t mind doing that stuff. I’d rather belay any day then work 9-5. Doing media stuff like this is how Joe keeps his sponsors happy and contributes products for all the climbing junkies out there. Photog Cliffy recently got an extreme top-rope shot of mu-aww at Independence Pass published in the new R&I. I don’t top-rope that often, but I wasn’t willing to brave the chilly water, so there it is. Plus I was looking HAWT! It’s incredible what a mag will do for t&a!
Joe and I delayed our Carbondale departure for a few reasons, the most important being Female Arm Wrestling Tournament. I was urged many times I just could not miss this outing. Two thoughts were swarming around in my mind prior to the event, one being “Aww aren’t these little locals cute with there funny competitions and what not”, the other was “Holy shit I hope I don’t get my arm ripped off!” Neither prepared me for what it was actually like. The event ended up being hysterical and a huge party. People really got amped for the whole thing and I even got into the spirit and dressed up dikish figuring it would fit the stereotypical arm wrestler. There ended up being many other costumes, real lesbians and I got my ass kicked. My arm actually still kinda hurts four days later. Local Climber Wendy tore it up and took home that lovely trophy. Seriously though, she beat some scary bitches!! Props Wendy!! It’s definitely a recommended fest. You know we’ll be making the trek next year.
Up until the last week we were in Rifle the weather was bomber. When Joe left for the Nor’easter I was a little bummed to stay behind, but it turned out to be the right move. (They ended up having an actually Nor’easter in Rumney during the event, NO thank you.) I had a chance to climb with all the ridiculously strong chica climbers that reside in these parts like Olivia, Lauren, Whitney, Wendy and Jen. I got tons of climbing in and once it was all said and done I ended up completing a bunch of routes I was super proud of. Not to mention I watched some sick sends go down Rifle style. This combines try really hard mentality with a not trying too hard or ever taking yourself too seriously aura. I mean if you can’t climb at the Arsenal a couple beers deep or at least heckle the shit out of someone who refuses to drink and climb, you really should find somewhere more serious to hang, like the Rock Club or something.
While leaving I experienced the climber-life’s bittersweetness. I’m stoked to check out other areas and move on, but bummed to leave the rad community in C-Dale. There’s a tight crew here, and for such a little place there’s a lot kickass going around. Luckily I’m about 99% sure I’ll end up living in or super close to CO after my van days are done. Plus I love Rifle way too much to stay away for long, so really no reason to get too mushy-mushy. Here’s some pics of climbing and chilling in Rifle to keep the eyes dry.
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