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| Gus-Gus and Maliki will be missed for this new Adventure! |
As of right now, Julie and I are in Vail CO. The last few days in Vail have been amazing, but it's hard saying good bye. We are starting our trek back east to Ohio to spend our remaining weeks with family and friends before we fly over to Germany for the next 12 to 18 months! Germany is going to be an experience, one that I can't wait to enjoy. We are definitely looking forward to the history, museums, climbing, and the all-around culture.
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| Annika in Shelf, climbing team trip |
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| Adam and Annika at Shelf Rd |
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Spending the last few days in Vail has been wonderful! It's hard knowing that we will not be back this way for quite some time. During the last 18 months of living in Vail I have met a lot of great people that I will miss tremendously. Living here I was able to pick up a few small jobs here and there, mainly painting and coaching. Painting is painting; the thing about painting in Vail is that you get to see and work on the nicest, most beautiful homes in the area! There is an absurd amount of money here-too bad I'll never be a billionaire! Coaching, the other job I picked up here, was one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever had. These kids were like little sponges, absorbing the advice the coaches gave them. In the year that I was working with them I noticed a huge jump in ability, skill level and confidence on the walls in the gym. A lot of the younger kids were really into exploring the competition scene. This is a scene I have never really enjoyed for myself, but for these kids I could see they loved competing. This year we had one kid (Ethan) make it all the way to nationals! It's pretty impressive to me when the kids from Vail make it that far in the competitions. The gym these kids train in is not the greatest facility as far as climbing goes (it's pretty tiny), but the coaching these kids receive and the desire to do well is what makes them the climbers they have become. The climbing community in Vail is amazing and I am going to miss everyone more than they can imagine.
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| Aiden chillin on my shoulders |
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| Amalia Crushing in Shelf Rd |
I wish I could have spent time with all the kids outside on real rock, my true passion. There were a few of the older kids who spent the summer going to Rifle 3 to 4 and even 5 days a week. Their confidence on the rock the first time out was kind of what I expected--tentative, holding back a bit. But, by the end of the summer these two were crushing! Logan, who turned 16 this summer, excelled on the rock in Rifle after learning how to move his body on that style of climbing. He went from sending 5.12+ a few years ago to doing his first 13a and then a month later doing his first 14a! The kid is a monster on the rock and it will not surprise me if we see him grace the covers of all the mags and web sites in the future! Annika, who just turned 15, absolutely loves being out on the rock. The first days out in Rifle were huge learning days for her. She would hold back and not go for moves when the bolt would be at her waist. After a few weeks of talking with her and giving her advice she was doing the 11s on the Project Wall (which we all know those things are HARD!). The progress of these two was just astounding and I am super proud of their efforts in every aspects of their lives.
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| Logan trying Finger Hut in Joe's Valley |
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| Logan sending Resident Evil in Joe's Valley |
The drive back to Ohio is going to be a long one this time. Julie and I are driving both of our cars there, so that means no switching up driving time and napping. It will all be worth it though to spend some time with the family and all of our friends that we haven't been able to see for a while. One of the first things I want to do when we pull into Columbus is head to the climbing gym, Vertical Adventures. If it was not for this facility I would not be in the position I am today. The owners, Alexis and Carrie Roccos, gave me the opportunity to set routes and boulder problems in the gym at an early age. Doing this gave me a membership to the gym and I spent 5 to 6 days a week there setting and climbing. Over the years Vertical Adventures has been expanding and trying to fulfill every member's needs. I have to say thank you to Alexis and Carrie for everything they have done for me. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Vertical Adventures! |
The other thing I am looking forward to is visiting my best friend Jeremy Petrovich. Jeremy is an amazing guy! I first met him when I was 15. He was this little Asian crusher who just popped up out of nowhere. We spent just about every day in the gym climbing, and spent our weekends in the Red River Gorge (RRG). Jeremy excelled quickly on the rock and was soon sending every route he touched. In 2005 Jeremy was in an unfortunate car accident leaving him in a coma. He is still living with his mother in Columbus and I make sure to see him every time I am there.
Germany!!!! Julie received a job offer as a contract worker with the military in Landshtul, Germany. This is a one year contract with possible extension. We have a few friends who live in Germany and after talking with them this past fall it seemed like something Julie and I would consider if the right opportunity popped up. This job opportunity arose and we couldn't turn it down-well, Julie couldn't turn it down :) I'm excited to try and learn a new language, something I have always wanted to do but have honestly been too lazy to pursue. German isn't the first language I thought I would learn but living there I feel I should make an effort. As far as climbing in and around Germany, we will be semi-close to a lot of different areas. Fontainebleau will be around a four hour drive. This is an area I have dreamed of visiting-I never considered it would be possible to live near such a climbing destination. There is so much within a 4 hours drive. I can't wait to talk about all the different areas in the future, so stay tuned! :)
