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!
My plucky, mass-transit-riding Mississippians. We got on the 12 after we'd been to The Circuit so that they two of them could get the general idea of bouldering by watching Lamont and Leland for a few minutes.
Being the doting Mama that I am, I cannot ignore the opportunity to post a few bouldering photos.
Concentration seems an appropriate term, don't you agree?
Determination fits this one.
We three said, "Happy bouldering, boys!" and left The Circuit for the bus stop. Not too many minutes later we got off and walked to the Farmers Market in the South Park Blocks, in the midst of Portland State University. Kay saved us a seat on a bench in the sunshine while Milton and I waited in a not-too-bad line at Pine State Biscuits.
Once again, hunger overtook my desire to take any photographs. However, here are two photos that I took on April 8 when I went the the Farmers Market.
The menu--see The Reggie? That's what Milton ate. Kay and I got biscuits, butter and strawberry jam.
A pan of biscuits.
I know how hard these flower vendors work, Saturday after Saturday. It did my heart good to see several of them getting to take a break for a bite to eat.
We shopped a bit, stopping at Draper Girls for cherries, Sweet Heart and Rainier to be exact. For me, Raineiers rule! Delphina's Bakery for the my all-time favorite muffin--chocolate cheesecake! Cherry Country for a box of milk chocolate and dark chocolate-covered cherries--scrumptious bits of Royal Ann cherries. You who frequent the blog might be wondering why I wasn't shopping for and buying lots of fresh veggies--Milton and Kay had come to Portland with the goal of my not having to cook at all while they were in town! Isn't that sweet?
Come back tomorrow to see some of the Hot Rods and Custom Cars we viewed just a few blocks away, in front of the Portland Art Museum.
