A Rock-Hard Friendship

Inspiration comes in so many forms. For me, it's mainly people and nature.

Item one of discussion, people.

The Tally Rock gym is the most magically places in Tallahassee. In it's sweaty, powdery establishments is a climbers fantasy- top rope and bouldering routes of all degrees, jammin' music, and of course, shirtless men with extremely strong backs and wonderful manners. Mmm, yummy mountain men.

Before my terrible climbers elbow, I was a complete gym rat. I talked about the gym if I wasn't there, I dreamed up routes that I wanted to send during my classes, and I promoted the tar outta the place. Literally, the tar bits cover my bedroom and bathroom floor.

But besides the amount of finger tearing, body stretching, and endless pursuit to send, send, send, its the people that keep me coming back. I could list them all, each of them and their unique qualities that make them who they are, but it wouldn't even come close to what they mean to me. They are a new family that I will hold onto for as long as possible. My fingers have gotten a lot stronger, so holding on shouldn't be too difficult!

Nature is without a doubt something that connects these people with me. When you go out on a trip, you bring only what you need- a tent, a sleeping bag, your climbing shoes, bag of chalk, clippers, tape, Climb On, food, water, and a change of clothes. It's nature; you rely on it to take care of you.

After packing in a car like sardines and a few hours spent laughing, we finally make it to our gypsy campsite of 20+ tents. Everyone has the firewood going, smoke slowly protruding from the beginnings of a group campfire. There's laughs, drinking, and stories to be told as friendships are being made and deepened. Night climbing consists of head-lights and gentle remarks of encouragement, due to the fact that I am such a baby climber. The most spectacular part, though, is that I'm never scared. My fall would be soften by the reaching hands of several spotters. Most of these people have only known me for a few months, some for only a few weeks. And I trust them with my life.

I even fell 15 feet down Merlin, a beautiful slate in HP40, and landed gracefully on a crash pad due to Gabe's spotting, the coaxing of Caleigh and A.J., and the others watching quietly on the sidelines.

I blame our connection on the rocks.

I blame our friendship on the rocks.

And I thank the rocks for doing so.