Family Fun

I've heard "If you build it, they will come." But I say "If you brag enough, they will come." All my ranting and raving about how fun Colorado is convinced my parents to spend the first month-long leg of their summer RV trip in CO. It also convinced my aunt and uncle to come for the weekend (though to be honest my uncle was already in CO on business). They all stayed in Longmont last weekend and we had the best time. We suckered Drew into making us shrimp tacos on Friday night, which is always a treat. Then on Saturday we all went to Lily Lake for some hiking, climbing, and amazing mountain views.

That day we finally had the chance to get my parents to try climbing. Ever since I started climbing this spring I've been thinking how much my parents would like to try it. Drew led a moderate slab route and even though it wasn't the best climb for beginners, my parents did great.

We didn't get to climb much that day because the typical afternoon storm rolled in (lightning is much scarier at 9,000+ ft than at sea-level). So instead we napped, walked around the neighborhood, and went to Oskar Blues.

My aunt and uncle left early Sunday morning so Drew and I took Mom and Dad climbing again in St. Vrain Canyon where Drew and I usually climb after work. Drew set up an easier slab route and Mom and Dad were both able to top out. They also both tried a tougher crack climb and really impressed us with their beginner-50+-aged abilities. Now I know where I get my eagerness to try new things and my tendency to climb with my knees instead of my feet. It's so fun to have parents that like to do fun, adventurous things!

That day we also met up with a friend from college, Josh. He is spending the next 6 weeks in Colorado Springs training for his upcoming move to Uganda. He was staying the weekend in Boulder with friends so they came and found us at our climbing spot. It was so great to catch up with an old friend and meet new friends to climb with.

Last night Drew and I and a couple of friends from Drew's work went back to St. Vrain Canyon (instead of staying home and packing for our Alaska trip like we were supposed to). Drew and I bought a new camera this week for our Alaska trip and I was so excited to take it out and take some climbing pictures, but of course we were half there when I realized I left it at home. Crap! Then, I ended up leading my first climb (clipping into bolts on the rock rather than top-roping, more scary and risky) and had no camera to document. I am going to make up for it though by taking a thousand pictures on our Alaska trip that we leave for tomorrow! Speaking of which, maybe I should go pack...

Drew's fun fact: Your feet can produce a pint of sweat per day.