Sorry. I’ve been busy prancing, dancing, dipping, climbing and frolicking in the woods of West Virginia the past 8 days. I guess that’s a good thing, right? Right! I have been adventures to express and I know that I hate reading big, long articles so I’m going to break my escapades into a few different sections—Part One: I climb.

I was invited to join the crazy fun climbers of the New River Rendezvous in Fayetteville, WV (if you ever get the chance to go, please do!) I went out a day early to meet up with some [now] friends and climb some rock and camp out. Alan and his buddies were more than welcoming, all week I hung out with Lauren, Josh, Adam and Steve (not the Adam and Steve from Parker Posey’s sorta comedic gay comedy Adam and Steve, these guys were totally straight and not as crazy as the movie.) Later more friends joined us and cooked some fabulous meals, I’m convinced I eat better when camping out than I do when I’m actually home to cook for myself.

Again, I have to state that climbers are probably the most welcoming group of athletes I have ever met. As the festival kicked off and more and more people began to pitch tents we got to know our neighbors and I had the joy of climbing with a guy I soon nick named Balloo, (only because he was as big as a bear and I caught him scratching his back on a tree halfway through our approach to the rock,) and two other dudes from Florida that were making their way north and thought they’d check out The New, (that’s what people from WV call The New River Gorge…I’m basically a local now.) Our climb was short lived because the rock was wet and a bit slick, but I made it about half way up, the entire way getting tips and encouragement from those guys below me—it’s truly a great feeling when people you hardly know are just as stoked as you are when you get over a hard part.

After a few top roping attempts (and successes thanks to my supportive new friends that wouldn’t let me quit!) my climbing fix was satisfied and I’ve caught the bug. I’m not sure when I’ll be back out, but between my previous trip to Oregon and this trip to West Virginia I’m super excited to get back out, grow stronger and see where this new sport can take me. I want to be a part of this great community that is so willing to share the awesomeness of the rock. With such support and enthusiasm it’s impossible to not be excited about being in nature, harnessed in with a friend below keeping you safe and shouting tips and tricks so that you can reach your goal!

More to come about West Virginia soon! Yeeeehawwww!