May 2008 – Page 28 – Daily Climb

DAY 30
05.04.07
TREE 36

The more trees I climb the easier it is to find a tree to climb. So many more trees become a possibility the more I know my own limits and capabilities. I chose a tree right across the path from the very first tree I climbed here. It was smaller but a good climb. I also wasn’t as high as I’ve been in other, bigger trees but I got to the top of this one and the branches were really bendy. My own body weight made them sway a lot. Once at the top and ready come down I leaned toward the other big branch and it bent so that I could reach it. The vines growing in the branches tied me up a little but tree climbing is helping my flexibility. I also collected a new leaf, which on this type of tree starts out a brilliant red then gradually turns green.

5-4-08: I like the fuzzy red leaf…. When I started this project I had this idea in my head of what a good climbing tree looks like. That has completely changed. As I continued to look for new trees day after day I started to try to climb different species, different shapes, and just see what the new experiences could offer. It helped me to get so much better so quickly.

Derby was fun yesterday. James and I did not end up going to the infield at Churchill Downs, but we had a nice cook out at Maryliz’s. We drank mint juleps and had a horse pool. I lost with my three horses but none finished as badly as the horse I was rooting for. Manba finished 20th out of 20 horses. But before I had too many mint juleps I climbed a tree right out back of Maryliz’s building. I had Will video it from the second floor deck which we were hanging out on. I think it provides a nice angle for the climb.