It doesn’t seem like 31 August. Really. Okay, maybe it’s 95 degrees out there (and will stay 95 degrees for a number of days) but other than that it hardly seems like the summer — what I think of the summer, of July and August — is over.
We’ve been busy, on something of an internet and actual vacation these last few days (so I apologize for the silence here!), but I’m pretty sure we needed a break from the city. We took a trip down to Baltimore this past weekend and had a fantastic weekend with friends. There were adorable pugs, seafood, beer brewing (with much sighing from me), a stroll through the Inner Harbor, wedding talk galore, and — best of all — climbing. Indoor rock climbing. The husband and I had never been — well, he had done some as a kid, but I’d never been — and we came away genuinely surprised by how much we enjoyed it.
Our friends have been addicted for years and gave us a casual introduction this weekend. The moment it was over, the husband started looking into climbing gyms in New York City, so we could continue climbing when we returned home. He was so excited at the idea of getting out of the house while simultaneously spending time with me and working out that he insisted we buy gear under our friends’ guidance before we even left Baltimore.
Yesterday, two hours after our bus dropped us off in New York, we were at Brooklyn Boulders taking our first official belay lesson. After we were given the okay, we started climbing in Brooklyn. It was challenging, fun, and it’s something to do together that’s more engaging than going to the movies and cheaper per visit than going out to most restaurants. Before we were even done for the afternoon we agreed we had to return as soon as possible.
So I think climbing is our new official hobby. While we can only ski a week or a weekend here or there in the winter (and we’ll always be doing that), we can climb year-round. Even though summer is over in some senses, the fun will most definitely continue.
Simon
/ 31 August 2010make sure you check out the rocks in central park, I hear there’s some great bouldering there:
http://www.climbnyc.com/climb
erin
/ 31 August 2010Thanks for the link! When we’re no longer the novice-est of the novices, we’ll have to check it out. :D
Shari
/ 31 August 2010Isn’t Baltimore such a wonderful area? The Inner Harbor just has a magic all its own. So glad you had a great time and that you’ve found a new hobby to love!! :)
From Shari’s [type]: Vacation What’s that
erin
/ 1 September 2010I love Baltimore and the Inner Harbor! It was exactly the kind of escape we needed. :)
Kristan
/ 31 August 2010Wowza, haha. (a) Is that you? You’re so leggy! Jealous. (b) You didn’t, um, want to die the next day? That’s what I remember most about going rock climbing, lol. The fact that I could barely move the next day when I tried to wake up.
Well, I guess y’all aren’t pansies like me. I’m glad you enjoyed your (well deserved) break, and found a fun new hobby, but I’m even more glad you’re back!
From Kristan’s [type]: Chronically optimistic
erin
/ 1 September 2010That’s me but I think the picture is deceptive!
Other than a tightness in the forearms and in my triceps (especially after the two times we’ve been climbing in Brooklyn since the weekend), I’m okay. Just need to stretch. Like with any new sport, I’m trying not to push myself too hard too quickly. I’m actually reigning in the husband’s eagerness a little so he doesn’t get hurt, either. Neither of us has had a serious sport-related injury and we’re planning to keep it that way!