merry christmas

Today is Christmas. Not much of an event at my house. We only have a tree because I'm stubborn. Let's just say my roommate makes the Grinch and Scrooge look like icons of happiness.

Sharon wanted to go to the gym, so I said yes. I remembered from her orientation that they were open 365 days a year. Holidays were weekend hours. And they were open 4th of July when we went. We arrived and the parking lot was empty. The place however was lit up like it was open. Every light on and the televisions were going. The sign on the door said closed. Apparently I was wrong about orientation. It didn't bother me so much that they were closed, but that they were clearly wasting huge amounts of electricity. I realize you need light for security but flat screen televisions are power hogs. It was disgusting and irresponsible from my point of view.

So we went to Bauer's Rock at Big Rock Park. The lot only holds about four cars. I don't think it gets used much except by teens for beer parties.

As we hiked up the hill I don't think Sharon thought we'd ever get there. It was only about 500 feet, but a bit of an incline. Off on the left was the civil defense horn tower (Do they still use those?) and on the right the broadcast towers for Channel 69. The "road" ended at the broadcast towers, and it turned into a path, which led to a giant hole. I think the hole is relatively new, but people, or animals had formed a new path around it. Up ahead we saw a big rock. Sharon and I thought that was it. But it wasn't. Off to the left was a huge rock formation. Clearly the picture does not do it justice. The rocks were covered by graffiti.

Sharon decided to stay at the bottom and take my picture. However, she zoomed in so you can't see how high I went. I didn't go to the top. The rocks were cold and slippery from the paint. There were beer and water bottles thrown about. the rock that has the white "DE" on it, near the apex, is as far as I got. I really feared falling. I have no health insurance. I may be crazy but I am not a fool.

This was a task for someone young, physically fit, and fearless. Not for some old fat woman with no upper body strength. Except maybe my friend Betsy. She could have done it.

This formation is really near Mountain House Girl Scout camp. I wish I had known about it, I would have taken the kids there. They enjoy Jacobs ladder at Mosey Wood so much and this is so much higher. Of course, the other side is a shear drop down!

Before I started climbing I confirmed that Sharon had her cell phone. I told her exactly where we were at: Big Rock Park. When I got back she was relieved she didn't need to call 911. I am too. When I asked her if she remembered where we were she said "a really big rock, up a really big hill, off of another really big hill." Yep, I would have been dead by the time help arrived. Next time we have an adventure, I'm writing it down.