Summer Gnome, Aldi. (Micah Speak for "Summer No More, All Done.")
The long and drawn out summer is finally over, which means the family can finally climb inside Moby, the big white whale, and head out of Missouri on some more adventures. This week we headed down to Southern Illinois to climb at one of our favorite crags, J-Falls. Micah had an absolute blast, laughing and smiling the whole weekend as we hiked, climbed, and read stories around the campfire.
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| "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" |
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| M enjoying breakfast at the campsite |
On Saturday, we met up with Sophie and Tony and were quickly humbled by the likes of Wrecking Ball (5.12c), Viking Blood (5.12c), and Bursting Out (5.12c). Upon returning to camp, we dined on bowl after bowl of delicious beef stew and homemade beer bread. Micah helped us gather firewood and soon it was set ablaze and toasty warm. We read numerous books by the campfire and watched the sparks dance into the cold, crisp, night air. I'm super excited that Micah, so far, loves the outdoors. He's giddy the whole time he's outside and I love it!
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| Learning the art of balancing on a log |
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Showing off how to climb a tree
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CH on "Shorty the Pimp"
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On Sunday, we climbed with Calvin and Angie at the Beaver Wall, where we were humbled by Shorty the Pimp (5.13a), Frizzle Fry (5.12b), and Red Corvette (5.13a). Calvin was so close on Shorty that I think we all cried invisible tears when he fell at the last bolt. He has been working so hard on this climb and truly deserves the send.
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| Y on "Frizzle Fry" |
Yoli and Angie tried time and again to piece together Frizzle Fry. Angie is making great progress and Yoli, who has been working this climb since last season, has got it down to one fall again.
Everyone is really pushing their limits and the season has only begun.
It's so exciting when everyone is so psyched to be back outside and I'm anxious to see what this Fall season has in store for us all!
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| M and his buddy, "An-ni" |
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| Our little family! |
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