A Fun Way To Spend A Day

I was talking to someone at work today about my youngest son Matt's plans for this weekend. He will be camping and rock climbing. She said, "At least you don't have to worry about him being in an avalanche for a while." How true. That is my "winter worry". In the spring, summer and fall, I only have to worry about him falling off the side of a mountain!

Actually, Matt is very careful when he is enjoying the great out of doors. He isn't reckless, and he doesn't goof around. He knows that one little mistake could cost him his life, and he values his life too much for that.

This weekend, Matt and his friends are headed to Independence Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado. According to the web, they will hike 40-60 minutes to get to the site where they will climb. The ascent takes anywhere from 3 to 5 hours depending on your skill level. Then after celebrating on the top of the big "rock", it takes another 2 hours to descend and then the 40-60 minutes to hike back to your car. The height of the "rock" is 350 feet.

The red line on the second photo shows the route most people use.

You can get an idea of the height if you look at the last picture and you realize that these climbers are at the very end of the climb....that little part of the rock on the top that kind of juts out. Then you look at what they already climbed and you get a better idea of just how big that "rock" really is!

Matt is so excited. Sunday is his 26th birthday and he can't think of a better way to celebrate.

(Have fun, be safe and take some awesome pictures Matti. I love you!