DAY 125

DAY 125
08.07.07
TREE 39

This tree climb almost escaped me. I did some work at the house and on my project and then went down to the kiln pad to help Norman load the soda kiln. That took a few hours and Father Paul ended up joining us. Norman’s class started so Paul and I finished loading the kiln. Then we went on a wild goose chase for cold beer and picked up some food on the way. Back at the kiln pad we started to drink and eat. Norman’s class finally ended a little after 9 pm and that’s when I realized I hadn’t climbed yet and it was getting dark. Slightly drunk I trudged over to the house to get my camera then back over, past the studio and the hermitage to the field by the lake. As I walked I spoke with Rachel who had just finished her boards and she was very relieved. I knew the tree when I saw it in the dim fading light. I climbed up the rough, growth covered limbs. Getting hot and sweaty, I grabbed limbs close to the trunk then would jump, maybe take a step on the trunk, then place my foot on a good foothold. I would step up straight, then start over the process. As I got towards the top I couldn’t see my tag but I was 100% positive this tree was it. A little higher and I saw it. I stopped there, satisfied, and didn’t look to go higher. I didn’t want to risk it in my state or on these dying branches. The view of silhouetted leaves, branches, and distant woods was amazing. The cool blue light reflected off the nearby lake and I took pictures and basked in the night’s outgoing beauty. I went down, maybe a little more fluid than usual, very happy with the climbing experience.

8-7-08:  I believe this entry deserves some clarifications.  First, Indiana has this stupid law that no stores except liquor stores can sell cold beer.  Paul and I were not aware of that and hit a few gas stations before going miles out of our way to find a liquor store.  Second, Rachel is in Naturopathic Medical school.  Half way through she had to take a bunch of certification tests on the major sciences.  Those were the boards and it was a big deal to be over with them.  She stresses herself out when it comes to little tests, so you can imagine how relieved she was to be done.  And lastly, the images above give a nice sense of the darkening of the sky over time.  Just in a matter of minutes the sky went from the light blue to almost black.  The other pictures are with flash which just ruins any natural blue light and makes it seem darker than it is. 

There were some funny moments that night when I went back to hang out with Norman and Paul.  The best was when Norman asked Paul what pot he liked that was on a shelf.  Paul thought carefully and picked one of Norman’s nice pitchers.  Norman picked it up and asked, “this one?” and then suddenly threw it to the floor sending pieces flying.  Paul was shocked and I would have been too if Norman had not done that to me in June.  He likes to do that to people.  That was a good night. 

Yesterday, after leaving my shift at Zephyr Gallery I was walking down the sidewalk on Market St. and saw a blue tailed skink.  I walked up to it and it freaked out but didn’t know which way to run so I put my hands around it.  It tried to burrow under my hand but couldn’t.  I nudged it onto my finger and then stood up.  I figured the little guy would jump but he just froze there.  So I took him home and put him in a glass.

Then I figured I shouldn’t keep him and scare him to death so I went back to the spot I found him and let him go.  First we said out goodbyes.

Then I set him free.  I figured if he came back it was true love.

He hasn’t come back….

Ok, to tree climbing.  I went to Parkour at U of L at 8:30.  It was a good meet-up with a good group of guys but we got kicked off this one area and I was paranoid the rest of the night.  So we moved around a lot and anytime we thought we saw security we left the area.  Then by 10:20 people started to leave one by one and the rest of us just started to walk around and talk.  Before I knew it it was past 11 and I needed to find a ride home.  Thankfully Josh obliged and we headed towards his car.  Then I realized, CRAP! I haven’t climbed a tree yet.  I told Josh I had to and he understood, which was cool.  So hastily I just picked the closest tree on the part of campus we were on.  It was not a big tree but looked climbable.  It had some nice large bumps on the trunk that helped me get to the first branch.  Then it was easy to the very top… maybe 25 or 30 feet up.  I rushed and took some pictures but then began to feel some uncomfortable stinging in my arms.  I think it was the leaves.  The edges were like sharp teeth and they must have some stinging agent on them because the itch and sting was getting worse.  But it was the kind of thing you can’t see, nor can you rub it off, it only rubs in and gets worse.  So I quickly put my camera away and climbed down.  I don’t know what kind of tree that was, but I don’t think I’ll climb one again… well… maybe in the winter.