Well, this might just be my last post as a single man. Ha! We fly to NC tonight at 11:30pm or so on the redeye. Thursday and Friday are going to be full of big meals with family and friends, sandwiched in between last minute frantic planning. As far as I can tell, everything is in place and good to go!
I’ll post up some photos as soon as I can!
Here’s some engagment photos to keep you all at bay.
Wish us luck!
I somehow managed to squeeze in a climbing weekend, just two weeks prior to the big day. Brian Burgess and Brian Frandsen were both in town, and we wanted to head for something away from the crowds, and not so strenuous that we’d be grunting in the springtime Vegas heat. Not yet in the guidebooks, we found a climb on Mountain Project called Bourbon Street, in the easily accessible Black Velvet Canyon.
We arrived at the trailhead around 6am, and were surprised to find two other cars that had beaten us there. Black Velvet is full of super classics, so we weren’t too concerned that they would be on this seldom climbed route. We decided to break the climb up into blocks, with Burgess leading the first two, Frandsen taking the next, and I would wrap up the remaining three short pitches.
The first two pitches were excellent, typically wonderful Redrocks moderate climbing. The second pitch shines with a thin hands splitter crack, that proved to be the crux of the route, at 5.8+. It felt amazing to get some air under my heals again, even though I was feeling a little weak and a lot heavier than last time I was roped in.
On the second pitch we got a little scare. Burgess was about 80′ up when he weighted a foot just a bit more than the last guy up the climb, and cracked off a grapefruit sized chunk of sandstone. I was at the belay ledge with Brian Frandsen directly below, and heard Burgess’ yell “Roooock!!”. I tucked into the rock wall in front of me, and Brian, who was sitting below and outside of me, curled in as much as possible. The rock flew down, making impact with the rock Brian was sitting on, grazing his ankle and removing a bit of skin. If he hadn’t moved in to his left that 10″ or so, I’d be telling a much different story right now! He escaped with just a sore ankle, and we were all a bit spooked and a lot more careful about our footing after that.
The remaining pitches were fun face climbing. Protection was kind of dicey and run-out at times…that’s one way to make 5.6 climbing exciting! The route finding was tough without a clear crack system to follow. Hence my confusion above.
Climbing in a group of 3, with a single leader, and two followers climbing together on the double ropes turned out to be super fun and relatively efficient. It was cool to have some companionship at the belays, and even more fun to be watching your partner climb above/below you without having to worry about belaying them.
Great climb! I’m not sure I’d recommend it above Frogland, which I climbed last summer, but it was something I’d recommend on a busy springtime day in Redrocks.
Thanks for coming out Burgess and Frandsen!
Mollie and I were finishing up a great dinner at the house when we heard a very lonely and persistent bunch of ‘Meow’s’ coming from outside. I headed to the back slider, and Mollie to the front to investigate. I hadn’t hardly opened the back door when I heard a yelp from Mollie.
A very spooky, but very tired and lonely feline had decided that our home was the place to be for the night. After a little inspecting, we decided that it was a ‘She’, and still capable of reproducing, if you get my drift. She was thin, and a little dirty, and a whole lot tired. We left the door open a crack, and let her do as she pleased. She’d go in and out of the door over and over, not quite sure what to make of us. This was not a wild cat by any means, she knew about homes and loving people, and she knew that we (humans) were to be trusted.
After a good long while of darting in and out of the door, we left her alone, and went about our business, keeping an eye on the living room of course. She was very much in need of some food and kindness, and probably more than anything, just a place to rest.
She finally calmed down a bit, and took up residence on the couch. Cute little thing.
Now, we haven’t been looking for a cat. Especially not a long haired, young, previously owned, and likely abandoned cat. We kept her inside for a while and let her be, and she was obviously happy for it. Still, we didn’t know for sure she was abandoned, and I’m not in the buisiness of stealing cats.
With heavy hearts we put her outside, along with something soft to sleep on, and some food if she needed. If she was someone else’s, she’d find her way home. We decided that if she was going to adopt us, she’d stick around.
Mollie says no sign of her this morning.
I hope she found someplace warm and welcome to lay her head.
How’s this sound:
Course One - Hors d’ouevres
1. Skewers: Moroccan spiced salmon
2. Phyllo: Tarragon almond chicken salad
3. Crostini/Bruschetta: Tomato basil
Course Two:
Weathervane Mixed Greens, with basil balsamic vinaigrette
Course Three:
1. Grilled Beef Tenderloin
2. Roasted Stuffed Quail
3. Seared Scallops and Shrip
Dessert:
1. Molasses Pecan Pie
2. Classic Creme Brulee
That’s the menu selected for our rehersal dinner. Pretty exciting!
The location is called The Weathervane, at A Southern Season. A mouthful I know. Its a cool spot close to the Carolina Inn, and will work great for our small party. Friday night, March 30th, we will be doing a quick rehersal, then heading to The Weathervane to dine. We have a private room, and the above meal will be for 14 family and friends.
Saturday March 31 is the big day. We are to be married at 5:30pm, outside in the courtyard of the Carolina Inn. We have a harpist set to provide some ambiance, flowers to decorate with, a cake being made to make a mess of, and an official-sounding-officiant to make it official…all set up for the day. In North Carolina, you must be married by a someone ordained to do so, and Mollie’s folks recommended a very nice Southern woman, who will work wonderfully.
We are super excited to have Derek Pearson making the long trip to NC to photograph the event for us. Below is a shot he took of the Elley’s at Travis’ wedding…cracks me up. Poor Brandon! (Forgive me for stealing the pic Derek!)
We both love his style of wedding photojournalism. His photos have great character and style, and he’s obviously got a great sense of humor. Really looking forward to working with him! You can find more of his stuff here - Derek Pearson Photography.
The date is coming near, and Mollie and I both can’t wait. All of the loose ends are coming together, and hopefully (crossing fingers) everything should go off without a hitch! Our meager party of 21 people all have their plane tickets ready and weekends free, ready to celebrate the big day. Two weeks from tomorrow….
This is massively belated, but we made a trip to NC for a final planning weekend for the wedding not too long back. As I was posting about extra-large tires and whatnot, I realized I hadn’t recorded anything of the trip at all. We spent four days planning and visiting with friends and family.
A bunch of Southern girls came to town to give Mollie her pre-wedding ’shower’, and I headed out with the guys for a night of sushi and pool playing. I don’t have much details about what the girls were up to, (sometimes its best not to ask)!
It was a while ago, but I know that I left NC feeling very loved, and many well wishes were sent our way. Apparently, Mollie isn’t just endearing to me; she’s got a whole bunch of great people on the East Coast who think the world of her as well. I got plenty of razzing from folks young and old about ’stealing’ Mollie away, taking their Southern Girl out West. I’ll be sure to keep y’alls posted on how she’s doing!
I haven’t posted in a while, seems like about time I do. For the time being, all I have is some odd pics that I’ve collected from my driving around Vegas.
Check this guy out. Not only is he riding a recumbent…but he’s also showing his dedication to being a patriot.
Now, I for the life of me, can’t imagine why this guy is covered in a stars and stripes tent. To cut wind resistance? To make a fashion statement? Who knows. The killer is, he’s riding around town on a street full of stop lights and traffic jams. I didn’t get the chance to see how he propped himself up when he had to stop every five minutes, but I’m sure it was entertaining.
Tires anyone?
These are the biggest tires I have ever seen. Eight feet or better across…yikes. He could only fit 5 of them on a full semi trailer, with one ’smaller’ one tied on top.
Everything’s bigger in Vegas!