CLIMB!

We were blessed this past week to enjoy two of the same days off together, and in the middle of the week! So we decided to take advantage of that and go outdoors! Two other girls that work with Tobin as fellows at school were able to join, so we went off together to Joshua Tree. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We arrived mid morning on Wednesday, set up camp where there also happened to be a great area to set up a climb. I don't think I've ever had it so good climbing. Drive in, set up camp, climb, stop, tear down, eat dinner, sleep, then repeat (if you want) ;) Here's the photos of our adventure:

A Small Joshua Tree, crazy things they are! A cross between a cactus and a palm tree

Our Fearless first climber...Nici (this was her first climb ever).

She did great...with a bit of coaching and cheering!

Then Sara, who did an excellent job as well!

Tobin...if you look close he's wearing his new "fivefingers" on his right foot.

He loves them! Nearly went to church in them today!

Here I am at the top of a great climb!

Dinner was a bit of an adventure. Our camping stove decided to go on the fritz. But since my husband has amazing Macgyver Skills, dinner was hot, hot, hot! So we enjoyed good Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup with Garlic Bread! YUMMMMM!!

Here we are cleaning up the mess, over our well crafted sump hole,

utilizing our water preservation skills. With our trusty head lamps!

Now you can see the action!

Then...not to be missed a good game of cards! Hand and Foot!

Sara and I gave Tobin and Nici a run for their money, but in the end, I had to

let Tobin's team win so I'd be allowed to sleep in our tent.

The next day we enjoyed some more climbing! In a new spot.

This time Tobin led trad (using all the cool cams, tri-cams, nuts, etc), rather than being top-roped. And we did a two pitch climb to get to the top of the rock you see behind us in the following photo. It was a great climb, beautiful at the top, but the down climb on the back side was a bit interesting. But thanks to my amazing husband he found a safe way for both of us to get down!

The Geared-up Rummels!