i guess you could say that i've reached the half-way point here at hueco tanks. if i were to leave today, i would be completely satisfied with my trip so far. i have seen old friends, met new friends, and climbed with them all. i have climbed high and low, hard and soft; and it was all worth the while. i could be ready for new adventures, new friends, and new climbs. but as it goes (so fortunate am i), i have another month here at hueco. i have more friends from back east visiting in less than a couple weeks: greg and kyle from louisville. i can't wait for kyle to make a return trip and for greg to make his first visit to the bouldering mecca of north america. i have so much more to do here anyway, so there won't be a lack of any motivation to keep climbing. especially with 'fresh blood' so close to being on their way.
with a little less than a month here at the boulders, i've been able to see alot, climb many, and send a few. i've had tendinitis, which i've staved off by many upon many days of push-ups. of course you take the bad with the good. as the last few days have been the worst so far: not being able to get past the warm-ups. but alas, having a cold-of-sorts doesn't come without a price. i've pushed myself too hard, have fallen too deep, and am stepping back for a long couple of days (practically 4) to fully recover. i've learned to embrace forced rests and let them live up to their own potential; it's been rewarding.
today is another nice, quiet, restful day. kicking back and soaking in the blazing sun, sweating out the maladies and shedding weeks of unkempt hair and dirt. if i am to perpetuate this climbing spree with fervor i am required to be deliberate in taking these simple steps (the resting, not the shower) to assure continued success. with as much time as i have left, it's really little to ask. so i take to reflecting what's transpired thus far:
remembering the joy of what i've achieved;
reeling from the seemingly-so-close-to-success failures;smiling in a sigh of contentment all the while. knowing that all is behind, presenting me perfectly to what lies ahead. i am conscious of this moment and aware of its movement. i am ready to face what is to come, presently.
