Plans for the Summer

I know that Audrey's adventures are much more exciting than her parents' but irregardless I decided to give an update on us. As many know, I have an internship in Missoula, MT for the summer. It was a tough decision, as I was was offered a summer research position with the NEES doing earthquake and tsunami research in Reno, NV. In retrospect I should have chosen the latter but Missoula will certainly have its perks. I will be driving to Missoula next week while Shawna takes the long way around through Bozeman, MT to visit my family. Everyone there is anxious to see the incredible Audrey. See post below for some new pictures from the weekend!

The First Road Trip

All babies hit milestones during their development. Audrey, at two months, secured her first 5.10 climbing ascent at the City of Rocks in Southern Idaho. Instead of tending to finals as I should have, Shawna and I traveled with the Keller family down the the climbing mecca for some R&R. It was also Audrey's first venture out of the Boise area. The weather was fickle, almost as much so as Audrey's mood. We were battered by rain, gusted by wind, and forced to layer on the winter clothes to evade the cold. It may sound like misery, but each stage was followed by delightful sunny weather capable of sustaining T shirts and shorts. What did Audrey think about all this? She was wrapped up comfortably in her wool blankets and fed milk warmed to perfection by a jet boil stove. Ahh, the life of a baby. And now, since many are complaining about lack of updates, we present to you our little Sherpa!


Audrey's focused concentration on the climb is insurmountable


Enter the Keller family, where the two females can out climb the male. The male
can certainly gripe more that his counterparts however.


Rocks, rocks, everywhere


Cliffhanger theatrics


Stripe wall paints the background


Approach to the Castle Rocks


Our schmoo


Audrey's famous popeye impression


Daddy.


Mantle Dynamics, a 5.10a led courageously by Cindy Keller.
I would have led, but you know, i had baby duties... :)


En route to the next climbing wall


Someone's having fun


Nice overview of a fraction of climbing options in the park