DAY 137

DAY 137
08.19.07
TREE 54

I headed out to climb this tree in the daylight this time. I really wanted to improve on my previous height because last time with the dark and the creepy-crawlies I didn’t get too far. I walked up to the trunk and saw a large tree with vines choking it and dead limbs all over. I grabbed a hold, jumped up, got my feet on the trunk for leverage and twisted my body up onto the first large limb. The next few feet were pretty simple but I started to notice a lot of ants. Three different kinds: little tiny black ones, large black ones, and large red ones. Those red ones are fast too, running around in crazy directions all frantic. There were so many it was hard to avoid them. I reached my blue ribbon and yanked it off. Then I studied the tree for routes upwards. Things looked bleak, dying and unstable. I glanced towards the outskirts and saw that on one wide branch was a possible path. So I went down a few feet and over then made my way back up. It had its difficulties but nothing major. Some seemingly dead limbs still had some strength in them. I was just worried about an ant getting on me and me taking my hand offand important hold and falling. I really have to steady my fears and prepare myself for possible uncomfortable situations. But I continued upwards to a nice little collection of strong limbs that made for a relaxing seat. I leaned back, gazed at the sky, then studied the ants. There were just too many to relax so I got up and headed down. Much easier than the up, and I was quickly on the ground with a nice swinging dismount. Damn ants!

8-19-08: You know, with all the these competing ants in trees, it would be awesome to climb into one and come upon an all out ant war. World War A. And then I could make little high pitched voices for the little ants and big bassie deep voices for the big one. I could imagine them with guns and cannons shooting their buddies into groups of enemy strongholds and then devouring them. Then imagining the ants coming together to form an ant tank and then shooting larvi at the enemy. That would be fun for a little while, I guess.

MaryLiz sent me a link to this site that has pictures of the ten most magnificent trees. Obviously subjective but arguably a top notch list. I will link it now, but if does not just come up with a simple click, please take time to copy and paste the link into the address bar as it is worth a look. I need to do some traveling.  http://www.neatorama.com/2007/03/21/10-most-magnificent-trees-in-the-world/

There are a few on that list I would love to climb.  Some would be impossible, especially free climbing, and some even with my current method of climbing with gear.  Also, permission to climb might be an issue as well.  Something I could add to my list of things to do before I die… visit these.  Climbing them could be a bonus.

And, after a long break from making videos I was inspired yesterday to make one.  I went to a new park right off River Road right about where the two lane road become a 4 lane road.  There are some soccer fields and then a little path back into the woods just on the edge of the river.  It was a great place to sit and think.  It was also a great spot for transferring from little tree to little tree.  I broke my record and went through seven trees without touching the ground.  Enjoy (in 5x speed).