i can't believe i did the whole thing

 A pun on the old Alka Seltzer commercial. Like it?

Actually I thought today's arena climb was much easier the the 53 flight straight up. The downs and walking to the next concourse really gave you a nice break.

A couple of weird things. Pat volunteered to ride along. We stopped for lunch in Wilkes Barre before going in. Of all the places to eat (and there was many several who I had coupons for plus they were giving a donation of the sales to the Lung Assoc.) she picked Cracker Barrel. I was kind-of thinking salad. Not today. I went to the rest room, looked down and discovered I still had my Birks on. Shit. This was not an event for Birks.

I don't know why Pat went along. She sat out in the car for the whole thing. It was 70. She was wearing long underwear, l.s. tee shirt, sweatshirt, and winter coat.

I left her in the car and grabbed my camera, gum and 32 ounce aluminum water bottle. When I got to the door the door person wouldn't leave me bring in my water. I had to walk it back to the car. "They have plenty of water inside" he said. But the point was I didn't want to use a plastic bottle. I drank three.

When we arrived there was a hockey game being played. It was still being played at the start of the event. Like it was part of the program.

The fire people started, wearing full gear including air tanks. Then the elite climbers. Then us. The event started at 14:00, I hit the steps at 14:29:47 and finished at 14:49:48. That's pretty dang good if I must say so myself.

When I got back to the car, Pat was still alive. She didn't suffocate in the car. By then it was 75 out.