November 2nd 2009 – I got my final prints for the show and hung them in this week. It was a hectic finish but I felt the show came out great. The members of Zephyr really gave me great responses.
Again it made for some brief entries. I have again added my memories in italics.
I also noticed that I climbed a lot of trees that I had climbed in the past. I think I was just not in the mood to spend time searching for a new tree. I would just think of one I knew was nearby and get to it. It was nice to revisit them.
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DAY 902 09.22.09 – Wet and rainy barefoot climb in Holly tree out front.
This was a goodbye climb to one of my favorite trees… the Holly in the front of the 1309 E. Washington Street house. I was moving at the end of the month and this was the tree I had climbed for a whole week as an experiment of climbing one over and over. It had been damaged at the top from the ice storm which created an open view at the top. There was a nice seat up there too. Just so peaceful and I had some serious deep thoughts up there. It was the first tree I wrote in my journal while actually in a tree. And the first tree I brought food up into. I am going to miss having that just outside my room.
Let me explain… that night of the torrential down pour and Day 900 from the week before, I was driving home and got to lower Frankfort Ave and could still barely see in the night rain. I suddenly came to a very deep puddle that seemed to go up all the way to my headlights on the truck. I immediately slammed on the breaks, put it in reverse and backed out of the water. My truck continued to run and I U-turned back to River Road. The next day my truck wouldn’t start. My dad suggested that maybe I just ran out of gas. So I strapped the tank to my bike and went to the gas station. That was not the problem. I ended up having to get the truck towed to a shop and the get dried out.
DAY 903 09.23.09 – Beautiful Oak next to Blind School just before midnight.
The branches were thick and strong in this Maple. The movement inside the tree was fluid and silent. It felt great.
DAY 904 09.24.09 – Catalpa tree next to interstate by Slugger Field after BBC. Thought the cops found me but really they just caught someone going the wrong way on Main.
I had climbed this Catalpa twice in 2007 & 2008. It is up the hill from the fence to the Interstate. A no man zone. It is completely alone and exposed, not to mention well lit from all the lights from the stadium and stadium parking lot. So naturally I was hyperparanoidabout being seen. When the lights started flashing I freaked. But not for long.
DAY 905 09.25.09 – Walked down Payne and climbed a Maple by the Distillery Commons. It was small but I found the most comfortable seat. Sat there for probably 20 minutes trying to nap. A nearby street light kept turning off and on. Plus I had a nice twig hook for my cell phone.
That was one of the most comfortable seats I have found in a tree. I still have yet to actually fall completely asleep in a tree, but this was close. If it hadn’t been for that light coming on and off and on and off I just may have. When I dropped down there was a group of young teenagers walking down the sidewalk. I think I totally freaked them out. I love messing with teenagers. I have no concern at all about scaring them. Adults is a whole other issue.
DAY 906 09.26.09 – The two maples in Norm’s woods at dusk. I heard people walking by on the path. I made owl sounds but heard no comment.
Norm and Jennifer’s Sicnic with the nearly 200ft slip and slide. I walked out to the woods just as it was getting dark and was practically black by the time I reached the top. I had climbed these two trees months earlier and some how intuitively found them off the path to his parents’ place. It I love those two trees, it’s a fun two tree climb to about a 60 or so foot height. I believe the people on the trail were Hope and a friend of hers, and Ben Felker just behind them. They were completely unaware of my near presence and were surprised to see me pop up at the top of the berm right behind them. Fun party too.
DAY 907 09.27.09 – Barret Middle School.
Maple, Squirrel just inches from me. Women walking dog didn’t see me when I dropped down.
Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the squirrel who I scared out of his nest. He bolt just a foot from my face and freaked me out. It stupidly went up the tree and I followed right after him. He jumped all over the limbs to try and get away from me. He finally made it down a limb below and me and took off the rest of the way out of that tree. Sorry dude.
Also hung my show at Zephyr. All kinds of friend came to help and support. Thank you all so much, Natalie, Drew, Natalie, Morgan and Morgan. And thanks to the Zephyr Installation crew who helped, Joel, Joel and Stephen. (what’s up with all the repetitive names here?) And to Patrick for lighting it later. Really looks great and couldn’t have done it without your help.
DAY 908 09.28.09 – Crab Apple tree to Hackberry tree. Corner of River Road and Witherspoon. Night, cool, after meeting at Zephyr with my show.
This is yet another tree I had climbed in the past. But climbing so late with so much going on I took little effort to find new trees. Sometimes I long for a familiar tree and it is often very satisfying to feel the familiar.
DAY 909 09.29.09 – Tree in front of Lincoln Elem. I went up higher than previous climb. I felt fluid and had a great jump and roll off the low the limb. First cold fall night of the year!
Also climbed this tree the year before. Norm was with me then and took a video of it. This time I was alone and I felt much quicker within the limbs. I know I mentioned it above, but the drop and roll off the lowest limb was so fluid and fun I still look at that tree whenever I walk down Main Street and think of that roll.
DAY 910 09.30.09 – Climbed tree in my new backyard. Went up, went fast and took one picture of the light coming through the skylights.
Again I was in a rush to get the climb done with so I picked the closest one. Usually I try to keep some that are nearby for rainy or sick days. But I have thrown that responsible practice to the wayside. My new trees are all climbed. Oh well. Hope I don’t get sick.