Time ran out on us and Jtree

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We left Joshua Tree this afternoon. It was hard, but it was time. The ranger said so (so did our water). You're only "allowed" 14 days of camping in Joshua Tree. This is monitored by a ranger based on license plate. If you have no car or no license plate, I guess you can stay as long as you like. Luckily, when we woke up this morning and saw that it was snowing, we had already decided that it was time. So there!
Our 17 day stay in the park was amazing! We are both getting stronger and I feel that maybe, sometime in the future the fear of busting my face will dwindle...I didn't climb at Joshua Tree. I'd say it was my only regret...but its just HALF of a regret. With strength, I'll build confidence. Plus! I tried one day at an area called 'Echo Cove' and I couldn't even get off the ground. On two different climbs!! Of course, thats the hardest part. No pun intended. The rock was slippery and the hands and feet started at head level. I tried. Even in bouldering, I do much better if the boulder doesn't go more than 15 ft high.

One day, while at Echo Cove Adam and I heard this LOUD buzzing noise that grew louder and louder by the second. We turned around at the same time to see that the blue sky was hindered by a cloud of bees! The swarm was so massive you could follow its path for what seemed forever. You'd just have to look for the cloud of grey. It was CREEPY!!! I don't know where they were going, I'm just glad they didn't decide to hang with us!

We made it back to Gunsmoke only once or twice since the last update. We tried to go today, but it was over crowded. Someday, I'll be back. I'll be stronger and ready to tackle Gunsmoke...and win!

We are in Poway, CA in a church parking lot. We hope to stay the night here and boulder at Mt. Woodson tomorrow. If its as good as we hear, we'll stay a few days. Then we head to San Diego. We're only about a half hour away right now anyway. Its weird. We left Joshua Tree. Its sad. It became a good friend. Its not going anywhere. We'll return for our next "14 days."

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Photos

Joshua Tree
We couldn't stay...but this is what we saw. It was a fair deal, I guess.

Joshua Tree
Adam on a boulder problem in the Echo Cove area.

OUCH!
My hands. I kinda feel like the Rock guy from "The Never Ending Story," except I never had strong hands...just danty. Now, they are dry and callused.

You go boy
Adam. 'Topping out' at Turtle Rock

You go boy
Adam. On a V3(boulder problem) at Turtle Rock .

The Real Hidden Valley
Adam. Workin a boulder problem at Turtle Rock .

Get It!!
This is getting fun!

So proud...
This is getting fun!

My boulder PROBLEM
Going

My boulder PROBLEM
It spit me off, sending me to my butt

My boulder PROBLEM
Ah ha!!! YES!

My boulder PROBLEM
AND I MADE IT! Felt good too!

Looks easy, doesn't it!
Adam at orbits. Jtree

Comments

[Megan]

Hey guys, sounds like you're having a blast. You're pictures are amazing. Can't wait to see them all. Talk to you soon. :)

[Melissa]

Hey! It figures we would go to North Carolina while you're out enjoying life but that's ok. Hailey and I still find ourselves checking out the blog to see where you are and what you're up to. Hailey thinks you guys are amazing. I hope we can get together in the future.

[Danny Baci]

hey leah it your bro , i just wanna say im very proud of you for having the ballz 2 take on this adventure . I wish I could be there to exp. it with you but my life calls for other things right now . anyways i'll talk 2 u lataz , i love ya and miss ya , BE CAREFULL ! Danny Baci p.s. tell Adam i said hello...

[dad and karen]

more pix!!!!
great photos....we want more...especially at the cal. coast...proud and jealous...show everyone i can your web blog...anxious for more...love ya