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What a weekend!!!! I went to Las Vegas for what should have been a reunion with some classmates of mine, but Vernie and I ditched the reunion LOL Instead, her other friends Karla and Alex came, and we all hiked Saturday evening and Sunday morning at Red Rock. It was all OK, except I needed hiking shoes and had thought that my cross training shoes would do. Not so. I kept slipping and tripping (of course, I'm just clumsy LOL).
But the best part? Today Vernie took me to Red Rock Indoor Climbing Center and said, "We have an hour before I have to take you to the airport, Jo. Do your best."
Did I not tell you that only two people could influence me enough to keep climbing, and to finally forget my fear of heights? They would be Vernie and Angel. The first time I attempted it, I got tired and dropped down with the auto belay, so Vernie said to watch her do it. I was so jealous.
Climbing is arduous. You need to keep close to the wall, and you have to depend mainly on your legs to climb you up. Your arms need to be strong as well, but many people think that your arms do most of the work -- and this is untrue. Your legs are your best friends, and you better have put on some darn good climbing shoes! LOL
I climbed and climbed. At one poing, that mean girl surfaced and tried to tell me to let go, to let the auto belay just bring me down and give it up. I said, "F**K YOU!" I said it so loud, Vernie said, "Excuse me?" LOL
"No, I wasn't talking to you, Vern. Just talking to myself." I was past halfway up the wall. I had never gone up that far. Before I knew it, I had climbed up two-thirds of the way, and then I heard Vernie going, "Jo, you're almost finished! Touch that last hold, Jo!" And I did!!!
For four years, I have talked about rock climbing. I could never do it. To touch that last hold? It was like reaching Heaven. I tried to climb back down, but I was so tired, and I think I had so much adrenaline in my system by that time, my whole body shook -- especially my hands. "Get out of the way, Vern! I'm going to let go!" And I fell, but just as I reached the cork ground, the auto belayer slowed, and I ended up hitting the wall because truly, I was instruced to hold my legs up against that wall for that very reason. Instead, I just dropped and closed my eyes.
My smile was so big, you would have thought I just did something really illegal or naughty LOL. I finally did it!!!
I REACHED THE TOP OF THAT WALL!!!! HAH!!!! HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW??? LOL Um, I just need to work on coming down more gracefully LOL
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