Day 303 - You Call That a Costume?

With Jenna working all day and night, I took the opportunity to explore and see the best and the worst that Madison had to offer. Being Halloween weekend was a bonus, providing great people watching activities. Double bonus for drunk and affluent college kids handing me free shots like candy.

Day 302 - University Of Wisconsin Madison

Picnic point is very nice

Jenna gave me a tour of the campus and downtown Madison. Really nice campus with a lot to offer. The city is really cool too.

Day 301 - The Holy Boulders

Working the top section of Daisy Dukes (V4)

Praise Odin, the rain has finally stopped! Well, at least enough to justify a trip to the Holy Boulders in Illinois. Some fun problems on decent rock. Nice and exciting topouts given the morning rain. Packed up in the afternoon and made the drive to Madison to see Jenna and Emily! A hot shower and a warm bed feel pretty great right now. Looking forward to spending the next however many days with Jenna catching up and getting a tour of her home away from home.

Day 300 - Deep Water So Cold

Despite it being late October and dealing with rain all day, I couldn't help but check out Kinkaid Lake since I was so close. The rock was beyond incredible, but between the half hour paddle out there and my lack of sport climbing lately, I barely made it half way up. One fall into that cold water was enough for me. The wet paddle back in the rain was quite the task. So psyched to have finally deep water soloed but also very glad it's over with and I'm warm and dry again. Maybe Austin will have better conditions when I'm there in a month. 

Day 299 - It Ain't a Road Trip Unless You're Constantly Repairing Your Car

Sean and I headed to the hardware store to pick up a nut and bolt to replace the standard pin on my trailer hitch. Based on a trick he used on his own cargo carrier, bolting the carrier on helped reduce the amount of rocking and bouncing it would do while driving. We also brainstormed how to add some caster wheels to the bottom so rather than bottoming out and grinding down the bolt, it would hopefully just roll on the wheels. I then said my thanks and farewells and took off west. Currently sitting in a cafe in Hendersonville trying to catch up on the blog and plot my next few days before getting to Wisconsin on Thursday. Hmmmm... where to camp tonight.

Day 298 - Highball Day

The Crescent Crack V2

Fantastic climb! V3 (Forgot the name) 

For Justin's last day on the trip, we went star chasing and went for quantity, rather than projecting only a few problems. Did a few easier tall problems which were a ton of fun. I then drove him the to Charlotte airport for his flight home. Sean and Jenn were super gracious and offered for me to crash at their place so I headed back towards the Bald. We spent the night talking about one of their epic roadtrips and going through photos. It made me very excited to check out all of the places they visited and climbed. I love unhesitant willingness to take in a stranger for the night and offer food, shower and a warm bed without question. Makes me excited to hopefully help out other travelers in the future.

Day 297 - Trad Day!

Today was the day we finally jumped on some ropes. Sean met up with Justin and I. A climber by the name of David ended up joining us as well. We hit up 4 4-star crack climbs and they were all fantastic. The last one was a 10+ which started as an offwidth and ended as a fist crack. It wrecked me physically and mentally to the point of needing to take. Felt really good. Justin and I finished the day on some boulders and put down the very fun V5 Helicopter.

Day 296 - Bat Cave and Chimney Rock

So majestic 

Credit: Justin
Working the bat hang move on Terminator (V6). Came real close, hoping to send before we head out

Despite many cars coming and going, the Saturn survived the night! Hit the road to Rumbling Bald. Without a guidebook, we were struggling to identify where to climb. Fortunately, similar to Rock Town, we were able to meet up with another group of climbers and follow them around all day. It's even more helpful since we only have one crash pad. Rumbling Bald also has some really awesome boulders. We met Sean and Jenn who had recently moved down here from Massachusetts. They were incredibly friendly and even offered a shower and place to crash if we wanted to. Great first day at the Bald. 

Day 295 - Sore Finger Tips

Today was a much needed rest day. Normally on trips like this, we climb every day, but a day off was a good choice. Thanks to Aiden, we located a cool little watering hole to finally wash off the sweat and stench. Then we headed off towards Rumbling Bald. We stopped in Knoxville for some food. Cool little city with a lot going on. Next stop was Asheville. We checked out a brewery called Wicked Weed Funkatorium. They specialize in brewing sours. Justin and I each got a flight and everything was super tasty. Then we attempted to find some free camping south of Asheville. There was a locked gate across the road where the camping was. We ended up parking alongside an overlook where many sketchy people were hanging around their cars in the dark. We setup our hammocks in the woods and prayed the Saturn would be left alone. 

Day 294 - Rock Town

Justin working the very hard Campus Punks (V5)

Philann working through the heinous arete on Blue (V6)

Last problem of the night, a very fun problem by the name of Scoop (V2)

Found a campsite near Rock Town and met a guy by the name of Aiden. He had already been camping and climbing at Rock Town for 3 weeks. Today he was our tour guide of Rock Town and helped show us all of the classics. We also met up with a group of climbers who were there for a few days. Had some really great sessions. Managed to get another V6 under my belt!

Day 293 - From Massachusetts to Georgia

Guest photographer Justin Wright

Lots of driving today! Thanks to the Saturn bed, Justin and I were able to drive straight to Rock Town in Georgia. We only stopped for the essentials: gas and waffle house. We got there in time to peruse the boulders and try some of the easier problems near the parking lot. The cargo carrier has been bottoming out a lot and the bolt underneath is almost completely worn down. A little parachord is helping keep the carrier a few more inches off the ground. A more permanent solution will be sought out sometime later. So far rock town is awesome. 

Day 292 - On The Road!

First off, my apologies for 5 days of silence. Free time and free wifi have been hard to come by. Today I parted ways with the family and headed off to wherever. Goodbyes were tough and many will be sorely missed, but the open road must be travelled, at least for a little while. I picked up Justin in Randolph and we began our journey, with a very hazy idea of where we were going.

Day 291 - First Snow and the Last Supper

After a long drive back from NH and through scattered flurries, Christian sacrificed his Sunday afternoon to help me with some last minute adjustments and customizations to the Saturn. Finally ready to hit the road! Parting ways was tough, but I'll be seeing him and Keira in Austin in a little over a month. Then Pops put together a fantastic dinner to fatten me up before I begin my PB&J diet. 

Day 290 - Pawtuckaway

Jake crushing it on the Atlas Boulder

First trip to Pawtuckaway and I'm sad I didn't go sooner. So many amazing boulders. Psyched to be able to spend my last weekend with so many awesome friends. 

Day 289 - My Living Will

My awesome friends Justin and Christian have put together an 18 page last will and testament for me as a bit of last minute prep for my trip. Equal parts hilarious and frightening, I can now rest easy knowing that those 2 get all of my valuables (including any potential future children) in the event of my death. 

Day 288 - See You When I See You

Quick visit to Boston to see a few people before I head out. Took Matt and Sam to Lincoln Woods. Here's Matt on Heart of Glass. Got to see Kevin and my Uncle Mark as well, which was great. 

Day 287 - Even The Saturn Needs Some Extra Cargo Room

Cargo box building night. So much to do, so little time.

Day 286 - Lightroom Overload

Whatchu know about dem ferns?

Day 285 - Smile Jude!

Had the perfect weather and even more perfect foliage at Quabbin today for Patrick and Kate's maternity shoot. 

Day 284 - Solar Panels and Napalm

In the cookies of life, friends are the white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts

I'm going to miss these hangouts oh so very much.

Day 283 - Cranberry Kisses

Congrats Tiff and Steve! Have an awesome time in Hawaii!

Day 282 - Spike It For Life

The 6th annual Spike it For Life, which is organized and led by Dad, was a huge success. The turnout was incredible and the support was even more amazing. 

Day 277 - What Day Is It?

I'm getting really good at skipping/forgetting days...

Day 281 - The Middle East

Checked out the new Randolph gym with Justin, Alie and Zoe then had a delicious dinner at Scott and Jay's place with Justin, Alie, Christian and Aaron. Then quickly shot over to the Middle East to enjoy a fantastic performance by The Wild Waiting. A celebratory bon fire followed to end the night.

Day 280 - Barrett Park

Headed to Barrett Park in Leominster to shoot 2 gazebos that Christian's company framed. Beautiful works of art.

Day 279 - Hospital For The Mind

What the library lacks in books, it makes up for in its aesthetics. Hope you're resting easy old friend.

Day 278 - Heublein Tower

Hiked to the Heublein Tower with Jacquie to further confirm that CT ain't too shabby after all. Fall is officially upon us! Dropped Jacquie off at the airport for her return to Colorado. I'll be there soon enough.

Day 276 - The Wedding of Sarah and Miguel

Had a fantastic time photographing Sarah and Miguel's wedding. Plenty of precious moments with family and friends and great dancing all night!

Day 275 - The Super Linkup

This adorable crag dog has a nicer coat than me!

Day 274 - Fresh Arancini, Son!

Bonjovi! (It's italian for something)

Sorry for the food post, but it's tough to be active with this gloomy weather.  Either way, I decided to make my own arancini (rice balls) and an arrabiata sauce (minus the spice). Papa Duke helped with the frying. I don't plan on visiting Italy any time soon, but if I do, this will probably be the staple of my diet.