DAY 207
10.28.07
TREE 131
I knew I was going to be going to Norm’s place for my going away party this evening, but I went much earlier then I expected. I drove with Norman around 3 or so to help him put up drywall at his house. We did that for a little till Father Paul showed up. We were all ready to head to Norm’s parents and I decided to walk while they drove. As I walked the trail I eyed the many pine trees and after yesterday’s climb was much more willing to consider them for climbing. But so many were little with lots of dead limbs. I got all the way to the edge of the woods by the house and nothing really hit me. I did see another poplar that seemed like a possibility but no low branches. I walked a little then heard a splash. In the water I saw a head. It splashed again, went under, then the head emerged once again. I think it was a beaver. A pretty cool sighting. The light was fading so I tore myself away from the swimming animal and walked back to that poplar. It was doable. I hugged tight with my arms then raised both legs and squeezed. Then I inched my arms up, held tight, then raised my knees slightly higher. I squeezed with my legs again and raised my body up by extending my legs. It was only inches at a time but I made it up the trunk to the first small limb. I held it close to the trunk and reached up for the next one with my other arm. Then one more and I was finally on a sturdy limb. The rest of the climb was typical and I got to the top. This tree has a nice straight trunk. I took some pictures of the beautiful fall colors and the lake, tied my ribbon, grabbed a leaf, and then climbed back down.
This tree was a good climb with a koala crawl at the beginning. I always like it when I utilize a new climbing technique that I didn’t even know I could do. Tree climbing just so intuitive and I have improved so much these past 207 days. Lucky for me there are so many trees out there. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being challenged by them.
10-28-08: Finally, caught up. Man, I still regret not eating the dessert at my going away party. That was one whole year ago and I still think about it. Norm’s sister Ada made this pumpkin dessert that just looked so good but I stuffed myself silly with Wick’s pizza and beer that I just couldn’t. I know from now on, when I go to the Silva’s, to always eat everything, but make sure to leave plenty of room for dessert. I could use some of that dessert right now.
As for the beaver, and it was a beaver, it took out some of their nice trees so they trapped it and had him removed. The beaver somehow found it’s way down a creek to their lake.
Yesterday, after cleaning the gutters and wasting a lot of time in front of the tube I went out for to return the ladder to the gallery. When I got back I went for a walk in the neighborhood. I headed down the alley next to the flood wall and found a corner lot with a large empty house. It had a for sale sign in front and no lights so I figured it was safe to climb a tree that caught my eye with out hassle.
Plus it is cold and windy and no one was out and about anyway. I pulled myself up on the low branch and up into the large limbs. I chose my path and went up as high as I could. But it wasn’t the highest. I looked towards the house and there was one other limb that went higher. I figured a way to climb over through the limbs and got to that branch. I climbed up to the top and along the way passed some shingles that must have blown off and got stuck during the Ike wind storm. I got a nice seat and cleared any broken twigs that were in way then took some pictures.
It seemed every time I needed to be still to take a picture the wind would pick up. But it would only blow when I was shooting.
I’d stop and it would be calm. Nature was against me last night. The picture I got over the roof of the downtown skyline looks so wavy and blurry it’s like looking through glass.
I finished my shots, took a moment to take it in without worrying about taking a picture of it, then climbed back down. It was a good morale booster… just what I needed.
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