Journeys Stateside: 04.06

Utah

It was like a college reunion given the crew we had together (I hadn't seen some of those guys in years!)... after a crazy weekend of partying down in PB I grabbed a quick nap before loading up the truck and hitting the road. Andy slept soundly while I drove through the night, but I finally had to pull over around 4am somewhere north of Vegas as exhaustion was setting in. Up and on the road by seven thirty for we were going climbing and time was against us... finally the familiar smoke stacks of Castledale could be seen on the distant horizon. It wouldn't be long now! One more brief stop at the Food Ranch for last minute provisions and we were in 'Americas Playground' Joe's Valley. Excellent black and tan streaked sandstone blocks with more than enough variety and quantity to busy ourselves for our short stay. Although a touch on the warm side, the weather was good. With the full moon; sessioning well into the dark wasn't a problem and as evening came on the conditions became prime. Andy was climbing quite well and sending hard (especially given that only a few months prior he had undergone extensive wrist surgery)!. I faired all right myself sending a few old projects and ticking a few new lines too. Much thanks to Jason for showing us what the 'guide' could not. Before we knew it we were driving towards SLC and Andy's flight back to Montana. I was able to get in one more day at Joe's before heading back the twelve hours to San Diego... Easter traffic, head cold, and all.

ps- as Stevie was not able to come down (due to his busy schedule) I still don't have any more Baja photos.. hopefully before long I will be able to post them.

DR midway out the classic riverside rail problem..

photo by Andy O'brien

Baja

I realize that Baja isn't a part of the states, but I felt I would include my travels to our southern neighbors in this blog anyway.. This is only a few of the photos from the trip, but I won't be able to post anymore until I get back from Utah next week. My friend Stevie came down from Montana on his spring break. Originally he was going to be heading back north to Ibex, but to the disappointment of his brother he decided to go to Mexico instead. This worked out nicely for me as I had unexpectedly gotten the week off of work! We went down through Mexicali and spent a few days on the east side of the Sierra Juarez Mtns. Upon arriving at some hot springs in Canyon de Guadalupe (I had been to these springs several years ago!) we set up camp and settled into a very relaxing atmosphere. Perhaps a bit to relaxing though, for Stevie was amped to get to the west coast and try out his new wet suit in the frigid Pacific. Oh well... so a few short cuts (salt flats) and several hundred Km later and we were back on the left coast. It was full on 'spring break' for some and other adventurous youths were down south too. So after a long night of tequila and margaritas it shouldn't have been a surprise when I awoke to see Stevie and his girlfriend sleeping in the dirt.. Apparently Colleen couldn't keep down her fish taco, or maybe it was just all the 'agave' we had been imbibing?. Anyway, the surf wasn't pumping and lacked the force needed for really good waves. Regardless; I think that Stevie enjoyed getting out and the beaches made for a good rest bit from work. A flat tire, Federali checkpoints, and some crooked policia later and we were back in the States.. just in time for Stevie and his posse to load up and drive (19hrs) back to Montana. Good times! I can't wait to go back...