If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much

     There has been great struggle with writing this particular blog for the last few months. Having started it numerous times only to come back later and laugh at attempts at sounding deep or poetic, the realization came that a new angle must be taken. Instead of droning on about "first I went here, and then I went there, followed by.... etc", the executive decision has been made to reflect upon these places traveled and delve deeper into the most outstanding memories from the experience. May these words and antics be to your enjoyment! 

Fleeting warmth in the German winter

Germany: Its the night before half the crew will be flying out. This is cause for celebration (though those Boston boys dont need much of an excuse). After a month of virtually no sun, lots of rain and some snow, return flights in hand boost everyones morale. It is a short walk to the tavern. The schnitzle is greasy and delicious. The beer flows freely, and god damn its good. Shots of jeagermeister and "good friends" (shots of schnapps) set the tone for the rest of the evening. 

Fast forward about 6 beers. We are getting rowdy. We stagger to another bar and before ya know it we have two big flights of beers before us. "Oh jesus...." The 6 of us begin an arm wrestling competition. It doesn't take long for us to get noticed and it doesn't take long before we are being challenged by the locals. Most go down easy to the champion amongst our group. We hoot and holler, "America! America!" But the unlikely 17 year old, German baby Huey steps up and crushes all of our pride. The next morning is rough. I dont know what hurts worse... my head or my elbows. Wont be doing that again. 

Downtown Amsterdam

Amsterdam: A last minute change of plans affords us enough free time to justify a quick trip to Amsterdam. Four of us pile into the car and we're hauling ass (its the autobahn after all). We make it at about 11pm and our night is only just beginning. We walk for miles and miles and miles. Not surprisingly, the night is fueled by drinking (damn those Boston boys!) as we try and experience all that Amsterdam has to offer in a very short amount of time. Its 6 am before we make it back to the hotel room, which was truly a sight to behold. We were too cheap to get a bigger room, so two are sleeping on the mattress and two are sleeping on the box springs. Four big boys in a very very (I mean VERY) small room after a night of drinking.... the odor escaping our room was enough to knock the buzzards off a shit wagon.

Cathedral in Amsterdam

We wake surprisingly early in decent condition and realize that we need to make the most of the day. We wrestle with the idea of going to a museum or something cultured so we dont feel like complete slobs. But after a few bloody marys... well I think you know where this is going.

Overlooking remote parts around Sedona

Sedona, Arizona: Im sitting on a ledge about 300 feet up. Colin is working his way up the next section of the route. He sounds scared. Upon following up the route behind him, I understand why. The amount of loose rock was scary enough to climb on, let alone having to worry about dropping any on his partner (me). The rest of the climbing is amazing. Its a beautiful warm day; theres a soft breeze. We're 600 feet off the ground climbing. To look down would offer a view with a lot of air beneath you. Such exposure makes even easy climbing seem a bit tougher and courage slightly harder to muster. The reputation of the sandstone in the area does little to add to my confidence as I grab holds that seem to flex under my weight. A fall from here wouldn't hurt, but it sure would be scary. We make it to the top, safe and unscathed. We celebrate our victory silently; in awe of the beauty that surrounds us. The warmth of the sun penetrates and relaxes my soul. Im so alive in this moment.

Plaza in Curacao

Curacao (Dutch island in the Caribbean): It's sometime after 5 in the morning. I have been working by headlamp all through the night sealing panels. Beneath me is a giant fiberglass dome (picture a giant white soccer ball) which is used to protect the airports radar from weather. The constant barking of stray dogs is easing with the horizon getting lighter.

Downtown Curacao

I climb my ropes to the top of the dome. I want to get a good seat for sunrise. All around me is the Caribbean. The most perfectly mood-fitting song flows into my ears from my headphones. I am becoming incredibly sentimental. A warm breeze wraps around me. The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I sit silently on top the dome. I watch the waves roll in and lap carelessly on the shore and the city begins to bustle on the other end of the island; both unaware and indifferent to my experience. I feel so small, and yet oh so big.

Sunrise on the dome

Zion National Park, UT: Change is in the air. The days are growing hot in my winter nesting grounds (Phoenix). The closet on the balcony has been a fine home for the last few months, but life calls me forth. This is the last hoorah for the season. Colin and I want it to go out with a bang. Subtle hints of an ending era inspire us to go big. We've picked out a route to prove that our efforts over the last few months have taken us to a new level in climbing. We are halfway up the route. Im in a wide crack (known as a chimney) with my feet against one wall and my back against the other. There is nowhere to place any gear to protect a fall. I try to ignore the mountains giant gullet begging for a misstep so that it may gobble me up. I shut out thoughts of obliging the beast; I keep worming my way up. The next belay ledge is reached and Colin joins me soon after. We soak up the warm spring sun, surrounded by +1000ft vertical sandstone walls made up of every color in the rainbow.

Zion

I give the gear to Colin and he takes off. He climbs past an overhanging roof, looking like a hero to the tourist far below unloading off the park bus, and I can no longer see him. After climbing together so much and for so long, we communicate without words. He's taking longer than usual.... somethings wrong. I shout up to him but words flutter further down canyon, carried by the stiff breeze on this exposed ledge. Too much longer and this may be serious. To great relief the rope starts pulling up and forward progress is being made. Upon climbing up to where he is, he informed me as to what the delay was... he had pulled on what appeared to be solid rock but proved to be a mini fridge size block with an itchy trigger finger and the thought to catch flight and take him with. Thank the good lord the rock stayed put cause if it wouldn't have killed him, it probably would have the guys climbing far below us.

Red River Gorge, KY: I'm in a canoe by myself on this river. I have been on this river for quite a while and it has been a pretty wild adventure for the last good bit. The white knuckled, cant-pry-the-smile-off-my-face moments are matched in value by the serene, pensive calm waters.

Brian on The Underling

Bug

There have been a lot of interesting characters met on this trip. Some were but brief encounters with people standing on shore, shouting a quick dialogue before moving on. Others have been fellow paddlers doing their best navigate the river too. Many had advice, some had wisdom. As is par for the course.... I'd figure out my own way.

Box turtle

Rainbow Trout

There is a fork in the river ahead and with no map or guide a quick decision must be made. To stay on the same river or plow through rough waters leading to a new branch? I grip the paddle tight and give it everything Ive got. My will and my skill are put to the test through some rapids by the likes of which I have never seen.  I make it through to calmer waters where the river opens up. I round a corner and see someone on the bank of this new river. "Where does this go?" I shout. They shrug. Truly another cut from the same cloth. "Wanna paddle together?" I ask. With a smile as a reply, their kayaks back in the water. Further down the river we go.

So there! After many many months, this blog has come to an end. Thank god. But I have a request for all those who are reading this... in exchange for all the stories I have shared with you over the years, tell me of an adventure you have had lately. Seriously. For a long time now I have spewed forth tales of travels and rocks climbed.  I suspect most of you will close this window and write my request off, but I am hoping that at least some will oblige me. Big or small, wild or tame. Embellish. Lie! I dont care. Tell me of that 100 pound trout you almost reeled in. Tell me of a close call or the last time your heart was in your throat. Tell me about the last time you felt so alive or lost in the moment or when the hair stood up on the back of your neck. I need to hear of your wild times so I dont just shout into the void and hear my own echo. 

And for those of you who feel as though you might not have a story worth sharing... make one. Go get lost. Go get scared. Go have fun. 

Always,

Danjerous