In case anyone is reading this...

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I will admit, at times, it feels like I have.  Some big changes have happened.  Me and the Mrs. have moved from the "greater-Seattle-area" down south to the "greater-Portland-area".  We have an offer in on a house and are less-than patiently awaiting a response.  Seriously, any day now we should receive word of an acceptance or counter-offer.  With all that extra stress on our backs, we are living (temporarily) with my in-laws.  It is a full house.  Sandy has been given her same job back where she worked before and is travelling ALL the time.  She hasn't had a full week at home since she started.  Don't fret about me. 
I'm filling my hours with Massage School.  Without exaggerating my own performance, I believe I'm doing quite well in school.  So far this term, I have taken swedish massage and spa therapies.  Swedish, for those who aren't aware, is generally accepted as a lighter massage.  Emphasis is on circulation and lymphatic drainage.  However, we touch (no pun intended) on deeper concepts and approaches in this modality.  So far I have written my own 1 hour routine (and executed multiple times) and even was able to perform said massage completely blindfolded.  This does include the delicate situation of proper/modest draping while blindfolded.  My pragmatic side came out and I somewhat aggressively insisted upon the 1/2 body drape with leaves either the left or right half of the posterior of the client uncovered.  My reasoning is that awkward and time-consuming draping cuts into my massage routine.  It is to the clients benefit because I can transition between regions of the body quickly and it doesn't break up the fluidity of my massage.  In spa therapies class we snail along and sample various spa treatments.  I am amazed at the value of certain treatments that really do have a relaxing affect on the body.  The tea towel applied in the same way the old barber shops used to do is a fantastic way to sooth and relax. 
Next term, I'll be taking; anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, and spa therapies II.  Most all of the students around school complain about this line-up of classes.  A&P and Kines' are difficult and fast paced.  Most college level classes are spread out over a year.  Even then it is a tough load to handle.  I'm trying to get a drop on things with my muscle quiz app on my iPhone and using (anytime I can) the true name of the muscle or muscles I work on.  Surprisingly, aknowledging them when I work on them is the most affective since it forces me to file them in my mind with the practical location and function.  I'd like to have a fantastic grasp on A&P and Kines'.  I think it will go a long way towards my goal of applying my massage therapy to injury recovery and improving my clients' quality of life.  Knock on wood...

Frenchman Coulee

Finally, a post about climbing!!!

With our friend Carlos in town, we headed out to Frenchman Coulee.  From our house it's about a 3 hour drive over the Cascade mountains to Vantage, which is the nearest town to the Coulee.  Shown here on this map What is Frenchman Coulee?  It's an amazing climbing area.  For most Washington residents, it's just about the best the state has to offer.  While it may not hold the destination climbing appeal of Yosemite or Moab, the 600+ routes of quality basalt column climbing are amazing and worth the drive.

We couldn't have had better weather.  The skies were nearly cloud free and it was warmer than forecasted.  For an early spring day, it was amazing.  In this picture, Carlos is climbing "Ride 'Em Cowboy", a 5.9 **** star route.  It's considered an area classic.  The list of reasons why it's so great include but are not limited to: the 60+ feet of climbing, the sustained grade, and the exposure.  I brought my 70 meter though a 60 would have sufficed.  It's great climbing in three's at a crag.  With Sandy or Carlos belaying one another, I was free to run around and snap good photos.  I'm surprised how much time I can spend composing a shot.  We just got a new Canon Rebel Eos T1i.  It takes a 15 megapixels photo.  I'm eager to get a telephoto lens and a macro lens. $$$$ for such things.  All in due time.  For now, we are very happy learning how to use this feature loaded behemoth.

When we first arrived, we drove straight to the Feathers climbing area.  In this shot, I'm preparing to climb "Jesus Saves", a 5.8 ***.  The Feathers is a nice place to bring either a new climber or a new-to-the-area climber.  With short route and dense bolts, a visitor will get a feel for the basalt climbing style without getting too far out of earshot.  Also, the 100 foot walk-in is convenient and quick.  The downside is that you'll be next to all the other newbies, and that can be a put off.

From many of the photos, people in the know are led to believe the area is similar to Devil's Tower, WY.  While Frenchman Coulee does offer some stemming routes and the majority is octagonal and hexagonal columns, it should immediately be noted that these are only about 100 feet tall.  Devil's Tower is in places some 600-800 feet tall, with many unbroken lines.  It's nice to think that the Coulee has the same route space, just spread out laterally, but I would venture a guess that it doesn't.  Devils Tower National Monument has 150 routes and rises 1200+ feet over the surrounding hills.  It's just not a fair comparison.  On the bright side, there is very little oversight by rangers.  Enjoy your beers and brats at your own leisure, responsibly.

We finished the day on "Clip 'Em or Skip 'Em", 5.8 ***.  My guidebook says that this is a perfect route for beginners at the grade.  It's a straightforward face/arete route with all the clips to the right.  Incidently, it is a nice follow up from "Ride 'Em Cowboy" that clips all left.  "Clip 'em".. is next to several other very good routes.  One in particular, directly behind me in this shot, is called "Air Guitar", 5.10a ***.  Bolted to the top of the route is a commemorative placard for the life and death of Goran Kropp.  He zippered off the route and fell to his death.  Although I never met him, I'm saddened by the loss.

Circa late 2001 or early 2002, Dusty and I would camp out and have the entire Coulee to ourselves.  Oh the memories.