On Wednesday evening, as soon as Val got back from work we headed out to The Incline again. I have set myself a personal challenge of beating 40 minutes before I leave Colorado. Feeling good, we started our climb at around 5.30pm, and both did very well. Val almost made it in less than 30 minutes, his personal target for this summer, and I was very proud to gain the top in less than 37 minutes. I think we are both getting a lot fitter!
After two long days on Wednesday and Thursday preparing all of the things that needed to be ready to list fifty different pix on eBay, and preparing a press release too, I was ready for a bit of a break.
Val had taken Friday off work, and we headed south to Royal Gorge, site of the amazing Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest bridge in the world from 1929 to 2001. China now has a higher bridge.
It is an incredible 1000 feet above the Arkansas River far below, and I saw the bridge from below as we whitewater rafted below it last year. I also saw it from the air at that time, when the skydive plane flew us over it.
But walking across is quite an experience. After a short hike through some rough desert to the south rim of the gorge, we returned and took the cable car across the gorge, and the cliff railway down to the river, all very impressive.
In the afternoon we went to try out some rock climbing at Shelf Road Rocks. It is a long time since I last did any serious climbing, and we started with a reasonably easy climb for me to lead, appropriately called Ian’s Climb.
We tried a few others, and had a great afternoon, but I was a little frustrated with the lack of strength in my arms. I used to have much better climbing strength when I climbed a lot more regularly during my college years.
Last night we met up with Eric, who was one of our companions on the “7 Peaks in 7 Days” challenge last year, as well as Eric’s wife Jackie, and their son Dylan. They were staying with friends Kevin and Delena. Val insisted that I get my harmonica out as we sat around the small backyard bonfire, but I’m still not quite ready to claim that goal as achieved. The four guys slept in Eric and Jackie’s pop-up caravan. Somehow, everybody but me had heated mattresses, and I had a pretty chilly night!
After a leisurely breakfast in the morning, we made our way into Salida, where there was a big river festival, with all sorts of kayak races happening. Eventually we had to say our goodbyes though, and Val and I headed home, where a BBQ and goal attempt is planned for the evening!
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Accountability Progress Report:-
Wednesday 16th June
Learn to ride a unicycle – 15 mins practice
Develop a six-pack stomach – The Incline – 37 mins (personal best), plus gym
Learn the harmonica – 10 minutes practice
Learn how to lucid dream – a couple of dreams remembered
Set up the “BlindsidedNetwork” support forum – no progress
Raise $50,000 for charity – eBay going ahead, prepared for auction listings all day
Night skydive – nothing
Book deal for 100goals – more self-publishing research, reading excellent guide book
Thursday 17th June
Learn to ride a unicycle – 15 minutes practice, almost got figure-of-8s
Develop a six-pack stomach – workout with Val at gym
Learn the harmonica – 10 minutes practice
Learn how to lucid dream – no dreams remembered
Set up the “BlindsidedNetwork” support forum – several entries, even though it’s not yet finished
Raise $50,000 for charity – sold 3 pix, prepared eBay press release most of the day
Night skydive – no progress
Book deal for 100goals – no time today
Friday 18th June
Learn to ride a unicycle – nothing today, but reasonably confident for tomorrow night
Develop a six-pack stomach – short hike near royal Gorge, some rock climbing
Learn the harmonica – played at bonfire Friday night
Learn how to lucid dream – don’t remember any dreams from last night
Set up the “BlindsidedNetwork” support forum – nothing
Raise $50,000 for charity – sold 1 pic
Night skydive – nothing
Book deal for 100goals – nothing