Back to Something More Familiar

So it has been a VERY long time since Chris and I have gotten to do something we really love.  Before we ever even dated, when we were just friends and I was dating his roommate (hee hee hee), we loved to go rock climbing together.  Chris even proposed to me by attaching a ring to the carabiner at the top of a climb.  But, unfortunately right after he proposed my shoulder doctors told me I was not allowed to rock climb because of the damage in my shoulder.  3 years, 2 shoulder surgeries, a back surgery and a move to a mountainless city, we went to a rock climbing gym to see how my shoulder would hold up.  I was totally awful because I have no strength in my shoulder still, but it sure felt good to try.  I only top roped some very easy climbs, because I was a little nervous on how it would go.  I had a great time, and I am pretty sure we are going to keep going so that we can get into a little bit better shape since there is not much of the usual activities here in Houston, Texas that we have grown up loving.  You do what you can right?

Chris right after he got finished with the rigorous test the gym put him through so he could lead climbs in the gym.  It was pretty intense actually.  I only had to take the belaying test because I do not want to lead climbs yet with my shoulder so weak.  I passed, thanks Casey for the hours of Belaying you and your friends!  Ha ha ha!

As you can tell I am doing a very easy climb, and not breaking much of a sweat, but believe me, my shoulder was feeling it!

Chris doing the same climb.  It was a lot easier for him.  He sped up it.

And just for fun, and for purposes of my memories, here is a glimpse at our climbing past and how we would like to be again:

Idyllwild, CA

This is our first climbing adventure together.  Here he is belaying his friend Paul, and realized that there were knots in the rope so I am hurrying to take them out before he gets to that point in the rope.  It was very bad, and we had a close call when Paul fell!!  ALWAYS PUT YOUR ROPE AWAY CORRECTLY!!   :)

This is after as we are doing a 3 pitch climb.  I am belaying Chris.

Joshua Tree, CA

This was a fun trip!!!  This was a few months before we actually started dating.  We took a friend that was visiting from France to Joshua Tree, and had a great time!

Me belaying once again!

Chris tired after belaying me for once :)

This was one of my favorite climbs in Joshua tree.  It was a little bit hard for me, and it took me awhile, but I finally did it, even after my fingers were frozen because the sun was going down.  It could have been because Chris wouldn't let me down until I finished!

Mission Gorge, CA.

Last but not least, this is when Chris proposed to me.  We actually didn't take these pictures.  There was a guy there that was taking pictures for the website of this area of climbing, and he took the pictures.  So not only is the climb recorded for us, but it is on the official website for these climbs!  Perfect.  Chris led this climb, and then wanted me to do the same one.  When I got to the top there was a HUGE GAUDY "Diamond" ring attached to the carabiner.  I almost fell off the rock in shock!  It took me awhile to get my bearings, then on my way down, he stopped me half way down, hanging from the rope and proposed with the real ring.  He let me down when I said yes.  :)

This is after the proposal when Chris is climbing again.

Sorry if this post was boring, but it was fun for me to go down memory lane!