My two sons, why I am a proud, happy mama.

On Saturday mornings, each son boulders at the newer location of The Circuit Bouldering Gym, 410 NE 17th Avenue. I walked over yesterday and took photos so that I could share them with y'all on Mother's Day. I won't pretend to understand the thought process and decision making that goes along with the strength, flexibility, and determination necessary for bouldering. I shall instead appreciate it.

I took lots of photos of both of them. Leland, my younger son, climbed first.

Looking up.


Heading up the wall.


Changing direction.


Hanging. Thinking.


This way?


Back to hanging.


Left it is.


Steady.


And ...


...up!


He's a good-lookin', strong man. I am so proud.


What is he looking for so intently?


Where will this motion take him?


Now we know. And he's already getting ready for his next move.


Concentration.


Looking to make sure his toe is placed correctly. He is climbing the problem/route with the blue tabs.


Reaching.


Precarious?


Left hand heading for the top. I expected him to crawl on up and go down some stairs that I couldn't see. Little did I know that this particular portion has no such way down.


You touch the top, of course, and begin to think about getting down.


Swiveling to place his right foot on the left side of his body. Gosh.


There's the hold for his foot! It's not on the blue tab, but I suppose it doesn't matter on the way down.


Inching his way down.


What a stretch!


Where is his foot going so quickly?


Getting closer.


Looks sort of like ballet on the wall to me. I doubt Leland would agree with my opinion.


A split-second change of position.


Let me assure you, he is not about to jump the rest of the way.


I wonder if looking down so much makes his neck hurt. I'll have to remember to ask him.


The last step?


Yes. He's down. Others are talking and pointing. Leland looks back up the wall where he's just climbed. Cool.


Now for Lamont, my older son. He started to the right of where Leland had climbed.


He's climbing the green tab route.


Heading up the wall.


Grabbing hold.


Stretching for the next foot hold.


Still stretching.


There it is, the foot hold he wanted to reach!


Where will he go next?


Ah. There he goes.


About this moment, I remember thinking, "I gave birth to a couple of Spider Men!"


Lamont reaches for the top with his right hand and moves his left foot off the hold.


He's a good lookin' strong man. I am so proud.


Heading down now?


Yep, heading down the wall.


He's a long-legged guy, this older son of mine. Long period. Takes after my Daddy's Daddy.


Not there yet.


He's made a decision on where to put his left foot.


He'snot holding on with his right knee, just his hands and feet!


Moving according to plan.


Still working on getting down the wall.


See what I mean about Spider Man?


Another deceptively small looking step.


He's close now.


And...


...he's down!