Summer was ending, and autumn was right around the corner. Lockdown restrictions were relaxing now that the county was in Red Tier, and kids were back in school, virtually. It was adapting to a new schedule again with a bit more structure.
Furniture re-arranged so kids could have their space. I now worked in my own quiet area away from the kids, which worked out much better.
Ryan started to take the kids out for short, lunch time hikes to local trails around so they could have some new scenery. It gave me a short, needed amount of quiet in the house as well.
Our first family venture out of the compound. We all took a day off from the daily grind, on a weekday, and went for a day hike to a more remote trail in the San Bernadino mountains. We encountered only one other family with kids that were very respectful. Everyone gave good distance on the side of the trails, stopped to let us pass, and put on their masks.
Everyone, except Ryan, was out of shape. Kids huffed and puffed. We hiked pretty slow. Even with a home gym and some outdoor activity in the yard, kids and I had mostly been complacent after the first month of lockdown. It was a good wake up call that we needed to get our fitness back, and we needed the outdoors. Being back out was a tiring, but happy feeling for all of us. Some people go to church, for us, we go to nature. It makes things right again.
Got in one family beach day at the end of summer.
First visitors! I met up with Brian and Naomi for some surf and beach time during their visit. (Masks only off for photo.)
October rolled around.
Autumn Moon/Fall Harvest
There was a better understanding of Covid. Outdoor dining was re-opening. Adhering to the guidelines and going to establishments that implemented good protocols seemed fairly safe.
A brand new climbing gym that has been in the works for the past year opened up early October that has proven to take lengths at establishing protocols for covid-safe environment. It is very spacious. Giant garage style roll up windows with good air flow. Limited number of occupancy at a time, only 10% capacity allowed. And masks are required at all times and enforced. Keyword: enforced! We had our first family climbing night followed by outdoor dining, which felt almost a tad bit return to normalcy. The difference was there was an appeciation for being able to do this family tradition of ours.
So happy for great outdoor dining right next to the gym.
For the two months of county level Red Tier that allowed a little less restrictions on outdoor activities, we started climbing regularly at Mesa Rim on the week days, and outdoors on the weekends. We podded up with Roger, who was covid tested and negative beforehand. And the kids needed some kind of structured physical activity, so we enrolled them into the climbing camp for kids. They were the only two kids enrolled in their session which made the decision easier to make.
Here's a climb that Emilia projected during kids camp.
I had the chance to get lead certified at Mesa Rim. Thanks to Youtube and refreshers from Ryan, I passed the test.
Slowly getting back into shape and was able to do this 5.10a. That's part of the test, to do a clean lead climb with no falls.
Outdoor climbing - Joshua Tree
Igneous Ambiance, v7
Outdoor climbing norms have changed in this time period. People are respectful for the most part. We don't go to areas that others are climbing at. We go to open boulders, and notice others do the same. And it is okay to let another group know that you're not comfortable with additional people on the same climb for covid-safety reasons. They move on or we move on. Climbing outdoors looks like this:
Bishop
We took a long Halloween weekend as a first trip to Bishop. We were pleasantly surprised at the overall emptiness at the boulders. There were a few cars and groups of people, but not the typical crowds.
Night climbing, Birthday Direct, v3
Some highish warm-up climb, v0
Ryan re-sending with ease, The Weekender, v4
My physical has diminished significantly. It was eye opener and disappointing to see myself struggling. Outdoors is always the real test. Always humbling, yet always motivating. For this time period, I had to re-adjust my expectations. Getting off the ground, making 1-2 moves on one of Ryan's projects was an adjusted happy.
Off the ground on Acid Wash, v7
Kids Scrambling on a formation we dubbed, Dragon's Head
Sparseness of cars down at the parking area of the Happy Boulders.
Halloween Candy Scavenger Hunt at the campground
Liam has been getting more interested in climbing and we keep an eye out for boulders for him to climb. Here he is working through the moves which turned out to be a project for him.
Liam on a variation of Anti-Hero, v0
We had time to check out the scenery at our campground before driving home.
Autumn Scenery at Brown Town Campground
Our camper. Always in the works, but good enough to sleep in. Night temps were down to the low/mid 30s. Temps in the camper with the four of us was in the 50s.
It was really great to be back outdoors for several days focusing on nothing but climbing, camping. Being in the moment. Kids were much happier and content, more laughter, a noticably little less squabbling. We couldn't wait to get back out there, and so we did a few weeks later, for a short, weekend before Thanksgiving trip. We bubbled with Roger and his friend, Antoine.
Back-country camping in BLM, no other campers in sight
BLM was pretty empty, but the boulders were different this time. The Happies was crowded. Compare the cars this time versus Halloween weekend.
Even with more people, it is so spacious out there. There was no problem finding empty areas to climb in. Weather was still pretty nice, with sun in the afternoons for warmth, but a bit crisp, chill in the shade.
Working this classic beauty, Atari, v6
Such a seriously beautiful climb and area
Kids exploring the top of the Happies Tableland
Crux finish moves on Every Color You Are, v6
Solarium, v4, perfect for Liam's little hands
Sunset over the Buttermilks, near Ironman
While I'm in no shape to finish any climbs this trip, I did finally put together the beta that works for me on Ironman. This will go... one day.
We did a couple more day climbing trips over the Thanksgiving holiday. Joshua Tree on Thanksgiving day.
Jack in the Box FTW. Thanksgiving Dinner.
Thoroughly tired out.
Culp Valley
Last trip before the start of the 2nd lockdown was to Anza Borrego Desert, Culp Valley.
Solitude is a welcoming sight in these Covid-times.
Liam's been on a roll with climbing. He was always excited for climbing camp sessions and asking us to find climbs for him outside. I found this little section of crimpy, balance for him to try and the kid is doing really well on precision feet placement.
The day has come where Liam has surpassed me on a climb. This slabby line I cannot get past the start moves. Liam with the focus and really good precision hand and feet placement has it solid.
Slab line on "C" boulder
Another fun slab climb, Black Dot, v3
Spotting Roger at high heights
One last beach outing, a calculated risk, where Emilia got a short play session with cousin Anna at the beach.
Bye Bye Red Tier and less restrictions. Back to Purple Tier, and 2nd lockdown.
I grew up as an only child, and my parents taught me that in my culture, cousins are just like brothers and sisters, and family always is fa...
About
Ryan and Connie officially began our journey in life together (wedded bliss) on August 1, 2009. This blog chronicles our journey through whatever life throws at us.
On February 27, 2010, we welcomed a new addition to the family: Emilia Ying-Zhi. She tipped the scales at 7 lbs 2 oz, and measured in at 19-3/4".
Liam Noboru joined the family on October 20, 2011. His fighting weight is 7 lbs 4 oz with a length of 19-1/2".
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