DAY 144

DAY 144
08.26.07
TREE 61

I walked past all the boy scouts cleaning up the picnic towards the ropes course area just off the stone path. Lost in thought, I almost walked right past my tree. But I looked up and I quickly remembered what I had walked out here for. To reclimb this tree which I had previously debated whether it was one or two trees. I firmly believe it is one tree… definitely connected at the base. I hopped up onto the tree on the trunk furthest from the field. I climbed up with ease for 15 to 20 feet then transferred over to the other trunk. From there it was also an easy climb up to my blue ribbon. I took it down, got a few branches higher, and like all the others, took some pictures. I tried swaying a little and looked for possible tree transfers, anything to make it more exciting. Something to improve on from the first climb. Not that it was boring or uneventful, but I have just come to really enjoy pushing the limits and creating scary moments that become so memorable and satisfying upon accomplishing those feats. Anyway, I climbed down trying to vary my path and transfer back to the other trunk at a higher point than when I came up. I did, which made the climb a tad more challenging but really not that much. I love climbing trees everyday, but this one was not too exciting. Actually this one was a little sad. When I pulled my ribbon off there was a caterpillar on it. I flicked it off and in the process squished it. Then I noticed there was an old cocoon in it. It must have just recently emerged and I killed it. I felt pretty bad.

8-26-08:  Well that was a sad ending to the entry.  I also am surprised that I took so few pictures on this climb.  The recent entries have had so many pictures I’ve been editing some out.  What you see today is all I had.  I guess I wasn’t in the shooting mood.  Also, I forgot to mention the Mount St. Francis picnic in yesterday’s entry.  I was going to explain my comment about manning the Kerplunk! booth.  I took kids’ money and they dropped wooden pucks down a board with nails in it.  It bobbled down while the kids hoped and wished it would drop in one certain spot for a chance to win a prize.  There were 3 boards and one never had a winner.  I think it was rigged.  If a kid just seemed really upset and distraught at not ever winning, I’d lead them to the board that won more often.  But even then there were no guarantees.  It was just fun interacting with all the people… I had a good time.  I wonder if the picnic already happened this year?  Since Father Paul left, I have no real close tie to the Friary anymore. 

Back update, it feels better… still in some pain, but better.  I’ve been taking a natural anti-inflammatory tincture, contrasting hot and cold packs on the area, and I did something yesterday during my tree climb that really seemed to help and I have Shaman to thank for that.  Shaman, aka NJ aka manager of Amazing Grace aka fellow traceur (traceur= person who practices parkour), suggested I hang upsidedown on a limb to loosen my back.  So I biked right back to Dog Hill in Cherokee Park, just feet from yesterdays maple tree to another maple tree I had spotted.  I leaned my bike against the trunk and noticed a nice low branch that was horizontal and perfect for hanging.  I lifted up my legs and hooked them, then let myself dangle.  It felt kinda good.  But I didn’t stay there very long, I wanted to get climbing.  I righted myself up onto the branch and began my movement up.  Immediately I could tell I felt better.  My movement caused me little to no pain but I took it easy just to be safe.  There were plenty of branches and I quickly made it up, choosing a limb to focus on to get to the top.  I got up there and didn’t have much of a view. 

I wanted to see more and move around in this tree.  The limbs spread out and were close enough for me to reach and transfer from limb to limb without having to move back to the center.  Soon I realized I was doing movements that were difficult and strenuous and my back was giving me no problems.  It was great.  I kept climbing all over the branches stopping here and there to take pictures.





The whole time I kept thinking about how perfect these past two maples have been for easy climbing.  If you are interesting in getting out there to climb a tree, I’d recommend a maple.  They have numerous limbs that are strong, close together, and will provide and very enjoyable climbing experience. 

I had almost made a complete circle around the tree when I heard I branch crack.  It wasn’t under me so I knew there was something in this tree.  I was busy shooting a picture looking out so when I looked towards the trunk I was surprised to see a squirrel coming right towards me.  I guess since I had been still and quiet it didn’t know I was there, or perhaps was just so curious, but once I moved to get a picture of him, he bolted up the tree out of sight.  I went climbing after him because I didn’t get a shot and wanted one, but it was too late, he was gone.  Close calls with nature are always good times. 

I was ready to start climbing down but I felt so great from that hanging upsidedown that I decided I would do it again once I reached that bottom branch.  When I got there and was hanging I looked out and saw how cool the landscape looked upsidedown.  I got out my camera and took a few pictures I will now share with you in the same orientation that I saw them.





That is me looking up at my hooked legs… then I looked down to where I had thrown my hat and glasses on my first hang.

When I finally came down I felt so good.  My back injury is unfortunate but I know it will get better and that there is something I can do to make it feel better.  And it involves tree.  Lucky for me I climb one every day.