 This was the first real route I climbed. I was very pleased to be sitting. Ah, I have returned bruised, scratched, sore and satisfied. Obviously, it was a successful bouldering trip to Horse Pens 40.
We made it back this morning at a nice and early 1:30 AM. Though I'm tired beyond all reason, I keep thinking about climbing, improving my technique and new routes to try. Oh silly climbing, you are an addicting friend!!
Well, enough of my babble. If you peak below, I have a nice little photo journey so you can experience a great bouldering trip too. (But you're lucky enough to enjoy it without the bruising and loss of feeling on the fingertips!)
 When we arrived bright and early, we were greeted by these pretty guys who were just waiting for us to climb on them!  With crash pads in tow, it was time to climb!!!  This route here was a doozy. I eventually made it up the boulder with this lovely heel hook. Now, I have the scrapes to prove it!  This wall was nice and fun to climb. Please ignore the peeping tights. It was VERY cold for this Florida gal so layering was imperative.  And here's another shot of me right before I used my brute strength to pull up! YEAH!  After completing routes, a happy thumbs up was ALWAYS encouraged. After topping out on those sloppers, it was a well deserved. Besides, who doesn't like a good thumbs up!  Sometimes when you're a very early riser, you wander to Lookout Point at 5:00 AM to watch the sunrise.  Lookout Point was quite a looker! See that pretty moon? Getting up early does have its benefits.  When you're up at 5:00 AM, taking self portraits can be difficult but very doable.  The sun peaking through made my early mornings well worth it!  After climbing a few routes, on the last day we ran around and explored caves. What a way to end the trip!  I loved climbing this wall!! I'm ready for more. Overall, I had way too much fun. I climbed, camped, hung out with great people, frolicked about the park, played with horses AND had a blasty blast. At the end of the day, I climbed SO much harder than I even imagined. I mean, the first real route I completed was the guy to your right! *Nudges head to right photograph.* Yup, I climbed that guy and even harder routes! My initial plan worked and I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Now I have to wait till my body recovers so I can climb more. Oh, and plan my next trip. Hmm....decisions....decisions..... Where should I go for my next climbing trip?
 It was quite cold BUT I saw colored leaves! It started, business as usual. I woke up early (4am) and headed to the airport. After my expensive nap, I landed in the town of beans. (Boston) Typical vacation protocol, my cohort Brian scooped me up. When he asked,
"Hey, can you type L Street Diner into your GPS?" I immediately thought,
"Ah...how sweet. He understands my complete addiction to divine diners and pancakes."
But, when we arrived to the parking lot at the L Street Diner, my driver and conspirator turned to me and pointed,
"That's the L Street Beach house. Every New Year's Day, the L Street Brownies go swimming there in frigid waters." As I glanced over, cockeyed and pensive, he dropped the bomb,
"Today, we're going swimming in that water."
At this point, I was floored. When I first landed, I went straight to the bathroom and added 2 extra layers of tights and jackets. Remember, I am a native Floridian. 60 is cold. I turned to Brian, scanning to see if he was actually serious. He didn't flinch. I was screwed.
"Well, you're swimming alone Brian. There's no way. Take me to breakfast THEN, I'll watch you swim. I'm from Florida."
When we made our way to the diner, it happened. When our server asked,
"What would you like to drink?"
"Coffee," I normally responded.
"Sam Adams," Brian said, again without flinching. I am so screwed.
"Come on Teeny, you like to adventure right? I thought you were adventurous."
"You jerk. I'll have a Sam Adams."
Needless to say, I was challenged. Adventure, welcome. My name is Teeny.
A beer in, we stripped down to our undergarments and jumped in the frigid waters.
This water was just a hair past FREEZING! 50 degrees to be exact.
This was right before I decided to dive on in. This is a mix between cursing out Brian/laughing at myself.
That's me painfully making my way through the waters!
Can we say cold?
After being in that water, everything else seemed warm.
After our frigid flop near frosty Fort Point, I'd have to say that my vacation started. Walking down the streets of Southie (Think "Good Will Hunting") in only a sweater and boots, getting stared down by mothers, men and mammals alike, it was official. The adventure had begun..
At this point, the rest of our excursions might seem boring. A trip to some pubs, an Irish coffee, movies and shopping might not be as exciting as a chilly swim BUT, they were equally fun. Besides, having the ability to brag, "I swam in Southie. I'm from Florida," made it all worthwhile. When I got funny stares from natives for taking pictures of foliage, I'd state my snowy swim and earned the respect from Native New Englanders.
"Wow. God bless you."
Whenever I found leaves, I may have gotten very excited.
After our epic swim, the next day we took it down a notch and visited the Broadmoor Sanctuary. Can we say waterfalls, leaves, birds and trees to climb? It was just the nature-y excursion I needed. (And a little warmer)
We made it to nature!
And we found gorgeous waters!
I attempted to boulder. I wish the wall was bigger....
But then the cold got to me and we had to head home!
After our day swimming and immersing ourselves in nature, it was time for the main event. One of my favorite things to do AND mild addiction: ROCK CLIMBING!!!!!!!!
On my last day in Boston, Brian, Andy (met from Twitter) and I headed to the Quincy Quarries and made sweet, climbing magic with the rocks. (Also known as rock climbing)
This was our view walking in. Have I mentioned I LOVE climbing?
The second I got there, we started climbing. Like my killer heel hook? That's Andy, assisting in the belay!
The view from the top!
And we left the Quarries the way we found them.
We climbed 3 intense routes, did some bouldering and made some climber friends! Today I'm bruised, achy and sore. I LOVE climbing! I'd definitely hit up Quincy Quarries again!
All in all, it was a full weekend. Daring and exciting feats, firsts, enjoying nature and staying active. That's my idea of a perfect vacation. My trip to Boston was a weekend to rival the best of them. Yay for impromtu visits and great people. Now I wonder, where my next vacation will be?
How was your weekend?
 My beautiful friend, sister and Mother to be. This weekend was filled with to the brim with adventure and excitement. Typically when I say adventure, I'm sure your brain immediately goes to mud, running and sun.
However, this excursion was a quieter one BUT, was more amazing than any of my typical excursions. This Saturday, I drove to Deltona to see my beautiful sister prepare for the biggest adventure of her life: having a little girl.
Seeing the parents to be glow with glee touched my heart in a way that I could not believe. Sometimes, slowing down to take in life's blessings is one of the best adventures we can take. I'm so glad I took the time to breathe in life with people I love so much!
 Our out of focus run this morning!
Active Adventure!
After recovering from the overdose of warm fuzzies and fun, I have to get a little extreme as I embark on my next crazy sojourn: training for my Half Marathon.
It all started this morning! AH! Welcome 6 AM and my new routine:
 Excited feet, ready to run! Our faces..not so much. New Routine- Getting used to waking up at 6 AM, 4 days a week
- Running 3 miles, 4 times a week
- 2 nights of Rock Climbing for strength training
- 1 day of Yoga to stretch it out
- 1 night of fun Swing Dancing!
- Alter my diet- Cut out refined sugars, diet sugars and white carbs!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP! Here we go! "Don't be just another member of society, be a living example of your dreams and goals!"
 Welcome to the beginning of my blog! Since my name is synonymous with crazy, get ready.
I mean, on a scale from 1-ridiculous I am insane...but only in the BEST way possible.
On August 17th, it started. 16 fellow adventurers hopped into a van, drove 11 hours and set up camp for a 4 day, outdoor rock climbing trip in Foster Falls, Tennessee.
 Each morning we'd wake up at the crack of dawn (well, 5:45 am was my average) and take the 45 minute trail hike to our camping destination. Rope and harness in tow, we'd climb and lounge for hours, soaking up the crisp mountain air and summer sun.
When our bodies had enough torture (walking turned into a hobble), we'd hike our worn out selves back to the site and belly flop into the frigid falls. After a good dip (who needs a shower when camping?) we'd head back, sit around the fire, eat, drink and have smores galore. Of course there were the obligatory guitar and drums to round out the camping experience.
 The ULTIMATE highlight of the trip was when 4 particular crazies woke up the morning we were leaving at 5:00 AM (mind you AFTER a night of partying) hiked, climbed, hiked back, swam, packed up and in the car by 9:20 am. To say we were flying on an adrenaline high is an understatement. I mean, one of us said when looking at the wall, "This ball makes my climbs hurt." So yea, we were delirious but it was the well worth it!
I may already be planning my next outdoor trip......maybe. Once the bruises heal.....if I can wait that long.
Now, you need to find your fun active outdoor trip. I worked out for 5 hours a day and I barely even noticed. I earned some bruises, some smores and a stinky car. That's what I call a weekend of success!
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