Interesting Tan line!

So, it has just occurred to me.  That, at some point in the future when I shave my beard, I am going to have a reverse goggle tan.  It is sunny on the west coast.  I have a thick beard.  I am getting tan.  The sun light doesn't penetrate my beard.  Therefore, I am going to have a fascinating tan line after I shave. 

The time spent in Bishop went too fast.  Was I having that much fun?  Must have been.  It seemed like Chad and I were only there for a week.  In fact, we had been there for three weeks.  Most notable sends in Bishop:  Flash of Solarium V4, Flash of Mister Witty V6, The Hulk V6, High Plains Drifter V7, and Soul Slinger Right V8.   

It can be said, that we left NH, a state that borders the Atlantic Ocean, and drove all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  Chad and I gave his girlfriend Jenny a ride to Ventura, California.  She is visiting a family that she used to nanny for.  They are a nice couple.  The mother Dianne just began a job working for Patagonia and Sacha is an independent graphic designer.  Their son Amato, is an over energetic smart 3 1/2 year old.  I wanted to steel their dog Emma!  She was the sweetest dog (next to Josh Cooper's dog Layla (Shes my girl)). 



Amato and Emma enjoying my sleeping corridors

Diane and Sacha were great hosts.  They kept apologizing for the lack of furniture.  They had just moved  from Boulder, CO.  It was quite alright and it was nice to sleep indoors for once!  Their house was the first place I had slept indoors for weeks.  We spent some time checking out Ventura.  It is a beach community for sure.  Tattoo parlors, board shops and blonds!  We walked the beach and had some tacos!  If you are ever in Ventura and you want cheap Patagonia clothing, go to Really Cheap Sports.  They sell Patagonia gear cheap!  It's still expensive but not as much. 

Vegas is Vegas.  The climbing is really fun. But, to have fun in Vegas you need to have money to spend.  It is still fun to walk around and see the sights and sounds.  The other night, while walking around, I met a real hooker.  She began to yell and Tim and I from across the street.  She came over to me and introduced herself.  I can't remember her name.  She put out two fingers and asked me my name.  Upon telling her, she motioned for me to shake her hand.  With her two fingers in my hand she did a curtsy and said, "pleasure to meet you Emile.  Where are we going to do this thing?"  At that point I informed her that I was looking for a place to eat and that was all.  She instantly started to tell me all of her favorite places to eat.  She was nice, but a real life hooker. 

We've sport climbed the past few days and went bouldering today.  The bouldering is really fun, but I wouldn't commit an entire trip here to it.  We plan on doing a day in the canyons, climbing the bigger stuff.  We won't be able to do anything super classic and long because of the temperatures.  It is warm at the crags, but cold up in the canyons. 

There is a strong chance that Chad and I will stop in Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. It is in Arkansa.  We have herd a lot of good things about it, and it is on our way back.  We plan on driving I-40.  If we take that route. I will have driven I-80, I-90, I-70, and I-40 across the country. 

I find this trip to be surreal.  In the fact that, I haven't worked in almost two months and I was able to pack up and leave my life behind.  Or is this my life?  It is a hard thing to determine.  I would like to be able to do this again next year.  At the same time, the thought of working in a restaurant in NH or anywhere for that matter is depressing.  However, that is the only industry that affords me the luxury of travel.  I hope, one day to be able to determine what I want to do.  I hope I am not destined to be perpetually perplexed. 

At the present moment, I don't see myself doing anything different.  All I know is this:  I have an epic beard, I am enjoying a Mammoth Brewing Company's Epic IPA, I am about to make some dinner, and I would like to travel some more this winter.  Maybe I will go to Spain or France, or maybe visit my friends in Asheville.  At this point, there is nothing stopping me from anything. I like that feeling.  I wish I could find a "real" job that would afford me this.




The view from Dianne and Sacha's place in Ventura.  You can't see it, but the ocean is down there.




 

Morning Coffee!

Chad and I are in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!  Call me corny, but I love this town.  I am not a gambler, nor am I usually attracted to flashy things.  However, I get a kick out of Vegas!  Our friend Tim Greene flew in from Boston and rented a gorgeous house for the week!  Once again, he is letting us stay with him for next to nothing!  It is crazy! 

Good friends are both rare and cherished.  It is a great feeling.  I value the people in my life.  Granted Tim has the means to rent a house like this, but it is extremely nice of him to let Chad and I stay.   

I will post more later.  We are excited to go climbing and everyone is giving me the hairy eyeball!   

33 Days...

I have been on this trip for 33 days.  What an experience it has been.  Is it sad that there is an end date?  Chad needs to be back for a job, and I would like to be home for friends birthdays.  Between December 20-22, Chad and I will return to the Northeast!  Yes, those dates are still far, and there is plenty that can be done and experienced in that time.  However, today was the first day that we talked about a termination date. 

I haven't found my calling in life.  It was an unreal "dream" of mine to accomplish on this trip.  Though the trip isn't over, it does not feel like I will find it.  What I have found, is a greater appreciation for life and what is around me.  My mornings are lazy, which I love.  I get out of my tent around 8, once the sun has heated it to a point that I feel the outside world is bearable.  I have coffee with Chad.  Either French Press of Espresso!  After which, breakfast is had, and depending on the day (rest day or climbing), I embark upon it.  It is a freeing and amazing feeling.  I do know this, and it is not a shocker to those that know me...  I am tired of restaurant work!  I hope to not return to the industry.  I still have some money.  More then likely I will travel around the northeast and visit friends for a while.  Depending on what develops in the months to come, i.e., job opportunities, picking up and leaving (moving west), returning home (to Stone Ridge), going to graduate school, or staying in New Hampshire; will determine what I do.  Could I spend another summer waiting tables?  Yes, as long as I have another trip to look forward to. 



The Pit!

The vagabond/dirt bag way of life is accepted here.  Maybe accepted is the wrong word, but there is a larger presence of it.  Bishop (from what I have seen) is home to many passerby.  Yes, there is world class climbing and fly fishing here, and climbing more so then fly fishing attracts people who choose to live out of there vehicles.  Coming from the east, you don't see it as much.  Of course, it is not uncommon to see a few vehicles at Rumney that people live in.  But, its different here.  There are more of them and they are more elaborate.  There is free camping on BLM land, or two dollar a night per car at the Pit.  The two coffee shops in town are receptive of the climbers.  There are brilliant gear stores in town, great laundry facilities, a place where you can shower with natural, hot spring water for only a dollar!  Where are these things on the east coast?  There are expensive camp grounds, that not always supply wonderful showers.  Some people I meet, who are living out of their vehicles own their own business.  They have found a way to make a living and still have time to travel and climb.  Others, are people my age, older and younger, who, don't know what they want to do.  Some appear to be trust fund babies and others are like me.  They work, save and travel.  It is a great culture, one that those who participate in appreciate.  There is an unspoken bond between us all.  None of us have a lot to spare but would help the other out.

The climbing keeps getting better.  I am becoming more familiar with the style and have been climbing a lot of great problems.  I haven't been able to return to High Plains Drifter.  The top of the boulder is still covered in snow.  Hopefully it will be dry and free of snow tomorrow!  Chad and I are leaving Bishop on the 8th.  We are giving his girlfriend a ride to Ventura, CA.  She flew in a few days ago.  Chad is extremely excited to see her, and now and again I feel like a third wheel.  It was to be expected. 



Drinking water in the Happies!

From Ventura we hope to meet with Tim Greene in Red Rocks!  After that, if there is time we might hit the Southeast for a bit.  Who knows!  That is the beauty of it all!



Me Flashing Mister Witty V6