DAY 185
10.06.07
TREE 107
I chose Seneca Park to find a tree to climb today. The sun was setting on another hot day. As I walked towards the basketball court and baseball field I saw this one huge tree in the sunlight all by itself in the field.
I thought it was so beautiful I took pictures as I approached and was determined to climb it. I had one option to get up in the tree and that was a large limb pretty high from the ground. I tried running up the trunk to grab the branch. But the bark just kept crumbling under my hands. I tried about 20 times and gave up. I was sweaty and getting exhausted.
I crossed the street and saw another large tree with a more manageable entry. The lowest branch had a tiny offshoot limb growing down. I grabbed it and pulled myself up with some difficulty. Once on top I moved up a couple limbs to where the large trunk split and made the perfect platform for a fort.
From there I looked up to chose my path. Again, finding only one option. I had to wedge my feet between two very large limbs that went almost straight up. I didn’t get much higher, definitely not near the top. But I was at a decent height. I took some pictures of the setting sun through the distant woods then climbed back down to the platform.
I realized I forgot to tie my ribbon so I quickly climbed back to my high point amazed at how much easier it was the second time. Then back down all the way to the ground.
Very hot, very sweaty. I can’t believe this is October weather.
10-8-08: Back from Chicago on a corporate installation trip with Zephyr Gallery. It was an awesome few days with a couple great climbs I can’t wait to share with you… stay tuned.
But first I will comment on the above entry. As everyone around the Louisville area can tell, the weather has quickly started to turn to more typical fall type weather. Last year was not the same. I remember that day running up that trunk and failing to grab the branch over and over. After I climbed the other tree I drove to meet friends at GattiLand for pizza and arcade fun… and I stunk. Yet, it was nice to have such an extended summer. I guess that is what we have to look forward to with global warming.
Also, that tree that I couldn’t climb, I eventually did in February of this year so you’ll get to read all about that in a few months.
On Sunday I had a lot to do before leaving the next day for Chicago. I went to my parents to do laundry and visit and put off climbing until I got back to Butchertown. I finally went out front to climb a tree just by the street at about 10:30pm. It was dark and the street was quiet. I checked for any walking neighbors before shimmying up the trunk. When I reached the first branch I pulled myself up and looked up to see a big power line running through the limbs. I stayed clear of it but only by a few inches. Soon I was past the line and up into the branch I chose to take me to the top. This tree had lost a branch or two in the wind storm but still had enough for me to move with relative ease. At my stopping point there were quite a few limbs strong enough to hold my weight which made for a nice sturdy and comfortable position to take pictures. I started by trying to capture the distant downtown skyline.
Then I focused in on the neighborhood. The church steeple was in sight and I also waited for a car to pass under me to catch their light streak.
When I moved into the house I was lucky to already have existing window shades on the front windows. But as it turns out, if I have my lights on at night, you can see right in.
Even from the tree I could make out my bike and basically everything. Clear as a bell. I got to do something about that.
I also took a few pictures with flash but kept it to a minimum because I didn’t want to worry my new neighbors.
When I climbed back down and came inside Drew said he saw the flashes of light from the side windows of the house. At first he thought it was lightning, then realized it was me. I wonder if anyone else saw that? I know a dog sensed me. It barked for a while until the owner brought it inside. At that point I sat silently and turned off my camera so the lights would be off. I’ve gotten pretty good at staying hidden.
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