Semper Paratus

It was a cool (51 degree) fall day. At about noon we were traveling by this tourist attraction.
"Wanna climb the rock?" DH tossed out the question I usually throw at him. He usually says no. I said, "Yes! What a great day to climb the rock--much better than those hot summer days when we usually do it."
He surprised me and turned right in. Their sign replacates the rock. See where there is nothing but a few poles holding up that middle section? Everytime I get to that part it scares the beejeebees out of me.

I wasn't exactly dressed for rock climbing. In my earlier life I was a Coast Guard wife. The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus, meaning "Always Ready". I must have taken that motto to heart because I always carry a pair of walking shoes in the trunk--just in case. DH went to the trunk and brought out the shoes.


As you can see they are much better for climbing than the ones I had on!

When you go inside, you pay the .50 to the cashier (yes, it's only .50 each!) and you follow the footprints to get to the door to the rock area. I imagine years ago someone got tired of giving directions, so they had the good idea to paint shoe prints on the floor.

And then you climb, and climb and climb...................................... at 138 steps they have this battered old shelter where you can rest if you need to. Did I need to?

Oh, my..............I thought I was about to die...........................................my legs were pure jelly and I was breathing hard...............................................

In 2006 I remember it was a tough climb, but it was much harder this time.

After a little break it was pretty easy to climb the remaining 20 steps. This green section is where the area that just hangs in mid air with those skinny poles for support. I walked up, got almost to the flag and had a bit of a panic attack. There was no way I was going any further. I spun around and walked back down as fast as I could.
This thing is probably 60 years old. I always wonder if it's not about time for some of that rock to break away.

Even though I didn't make it quite to the end (I probably had 10 feet to go), I still feel like I earned the paper badge they give you when you leave.

I wore it with pride.............until I got to our next spur-of-the-moment adventure when I switched to a heavier jacket. But I will save that for tomorrow.