Break the wrists

A month ago,  we drove at 5 in the morning to climb for three days. Joshua tree always promises a refreshing retreat. All I wanted was the dirt, the rocks, the sun, the fresh air, and the silence. Complete silence that inspires the silence in my mind. 

Once that door opened and allowed the hot air in, I ran out and kissed the first boulder I saw. My little pup ran with me. He walked behind me and studied the boulder I hung up on.

"There are a few routes here that we can do from the book," he mentioned. I smiled at him and yelled out, "All of them!" 

I jumped in his arms and asked him to promise me that we will try to climb all of them. He laughed and agreed. We go back to the van with me on his back to join the rest to set up camp. 

Together, we set our six person tent. We prepped our equipment and our snacks. We were the first two out to figure out routes while the others took time to unwind from the three hour ride and smoke.

I chat on about contemplating of purchasing my own quick draws at Nomad Adventures before we leave and he admits that he'd like to do a bit of lead during this trip. Snicks ran around us sniffing and marking new spots, feeding off our excitement.

We get to the first route and our head turns sideways because we have no idea where to set up or how we will set up the rope. As enthusiastic climbers do, we began bouldering the 30 meter rock, step by step. 

"This is either really stupid or really crazy," he yelled out at me. "Shut up for a second, I'm trying to figure out how to not die here," was my only response as I realized that we are past the halfway point of no return.

This is me and him. We just go. No thinking twice, no hesitation, just action. 

Luckily, we made it to the top safe. Once we realized that, we began boasting our invincibility.

Two stupid birds on a rock trying to learn to fly, not realizing they have wings.

Our heart racing. I picked up the cordelettes and he unravelled the rope. We set up the anchor.

As we finished we did a 360 scan  of Joshua Tree. This place is so beautiful. We yelled out each other's names because this is how you send good vibrations out. I turned around to start putting my harness and I was met with a kiss on my lips.

He became my best friend these past few months since you left, not ever looking at him twice, but his lips fit perfectly with mine. He caught me in mid breath and I held the rest in.

His strong arms and hands let go of my waist as his lips separated from mine. My mouth still in mid breath. 

He turned around to grab the Gri gri and prepared the good ol' double figure eight knot.

I said nothing. I noticed how smooth his movements have become. I smiled.