The Advenutres of Rock Climbing

Isn't the valley beautiful?

This post has been sitting in my Draft section on Blogger for...a long time. A really long time. Like, a year.

That's probably due to the fact that... I never thought the rock climbing outings that my family and I went on were worthy of a blog post. (That's just...me, I guess. ;))

However, a few weeks back, we took a trip to Vantage, Washington for one of the longest days I have ever spent hiking and rock climbing. It was pretty crazy. Adventurous. Plain standing-on-the-edge-of-a-cliff. Yeah, that last one...

I finally thought: This day is worthy of that blog post.

This blog post. The one you're reading right now.

This is it.

The story? Here goes:

5:36am on Sunday, January 31st, I woke up. (From this horrid dream about dinosaurs and Star Wars and robots all mixed into one. If you spend enough time with me, you'll probably find out that I do not like dinosaurs and robots. They kind of freak me out.) Anyways. I woke up and just stared at the clock, mostly, until 6:00am, the set time to get up for the soon-to-be-crazy day. I got ready, made sandwiches to take along, and at about 7:00am we marched out the door to drive to my brother's house.

8:30am: On our way to Vantage. It's a two hour drive. But it didn't feel that long. (I don't mind drives so much as I used to. 45 minutes used to be a long time to me. ;))

Random (not so random): I occasionally make notes of funny bits of conversation that happen among my family. This was one on the drive to Vantage:

Passing by a bunch of junkyard-worthy items and a trailer in a field-ish area:

Mom: "What a dump."
Ashley: "What an eyesore!"
Jeremiah (oblivious to our surroundings because he was playing a game on my mom's iPad), head popping up: "What?"
Mom: "All those campers and old trucks."
Ashley: "And a boat!"

Hahaaa!!! I just had to record that. ;) (The Memo app on my phone rocks - at least, to me. I use it quite frequently. You would find bits and pieces of scene ideas for my book on one of the note-pages. And many other random subjects...)

So, we're almost there (we arrived between 10:30am and 11:00am, I think). Most of what we were seeing was rolling hills and snow-capped mountains in the distance. But, THEN, we took a few turns and came upon this huge area that looked like a smaller version of the Grand Canyon. I think everybody was pretty surprised! It was beautiful there. We even passed by a waterfall quite a few hundred yards to the right beyond a wide valley. We were driving on the end of the canyon, a railing and a deep drop between us and the valley floor.

This was Vantage.

Long story short, we parked off to the side of the road, hiked up a short hill and through two rock walls, and did three climbs on the other side of those walls (after checking it out beforehand and using the restroom a little ways down the road. Worst bathroom experience of my life so far. That is all.). ;)

I ended up finishing one route on that wall. But this wasn't really what we came for. There was a rock wall called the Sunshine Wall (thus named because it stays in the sun all day long. Except when it's cloudy. More on that later.), and that was where Jesse had been planning on going before he ever even brought up this excursion. So we packed up, drove about one minute down the road (literally), and parked.

This was where things got crazy.

Since no one in our group had ever been to Vantage to climb or hike before, we didn't know exactly where we were going. Thankfully, a buddy of Jesse's (who also climbs) had a book on Vantage, which included climbing routes and the hiking trails. But, even so, we got lost! Took a wrong turn.We were right by the trail that actually led to the Sunshine Wall, but didn't realize it. (The trail was not incredibly visible from where we paused.) Hence us getting lost. Jesse found a trail in front of us a little ways and thought that was where we were supposed to go.

The cliff-trail. (That's actually me in the distance, followed by Jesse, and then Jeremiah, who's smiling off to the side.)

 But the trail was on the side of a cliff. It was pretty much a foot-and-a-half wide. (Yeah...)  We hiked on for a bit, assuming we would arrive sooner or later. Jesse finally stopped, looked at the book, and told us we had to turn back.

When we had made it back to where we originally were confused, some hikers came down from a trail on a hilly area and told us this was the way to the Sunshine Wall. There would be a tunnel through rock walls that we would climb through, and then five feet of down-climbing out of the tunnel you could 'shimmy' down (that
was the word the hiker used), then another bit of down-climbing.

So on we went, stopping for 20 minutes or so to make and eat oatmeal with my brother's new camping stove he had brought along. Then came the tunnel. (pictured below) Through it we went, having just enough room to make it through with backpacks still on our shoulders. (I got a new hiking/camping/climbing backpack from Jesse for Christmas. I gotta say, it's really cool having my own! And this was the first trip it had ever made. ;)) The down-climbing went all right, even with the fact of having to pass my niece, nephew, and our dog down.

Did I mention we brought our dog? ;)

Through the tunnel.

Around another bend and we had made it to the Sunshine Wall. We were walking along the side of a steep, steep hill with broken shards of rock all the way down. Looking out, what you see is a huge, horseshoe-shaped valley leading out to the snow-capped mountains with slowly moving windmills sitting atop. It was amazing. The climbing routes were all about eighty-feet tall. I attempted one, rated 5.8. I didn't make to the top. I think that was a mixture of the fact of me never having been up that high before, never having climbed a route that tall, and being a bit worn out from the day already. But I made it about halfway. AND THEN...

Jesse, Jackie, Ashley, Travis (the buddy of Jesse's that lent him the book), and I all went back to Vantage this last weekend. And it was fun! Although, it was rather cold... I didn't plan on it being cold - it as the Sunshine Wall, right? But it was cloudy, and windy, and brr-worthy. And I had dressed semi-light. Fortunately, Jackie had pulled out an extra winter coat and we had brought it along. All three of us girls shared two jackets, exchanging them when one of us went to climb. We finally sat next to each other with a rope bag on our legs - a windbreaker, people! ;)

This time I finished two climbs. *happy dance* A 5.6 rated chimney climb that wasn't too bad, and I conquered that 5.8 I hadn't finished before! I was so happy (and really proud of myself) when I got back down from that one. ;) I also cleaned it - my first time - which means I took down the anchor. Granted, it was really easy to do (slip the rope into two clips on the anchor, take the clips we had been using to hold the rope up off, clip those to my harness, and come down), but I was really nervous! I triple-checked it - and I was so nervous that, though I had already checked it probably two times, when I told Ashley, who was belaying me, to lower, I then shouted "Wait!" and checked it again. Yup. 

Climbing the 5.8 (the first time around)!

But I made it down safely.

The funny thing was, that I wasn't nearly as nervous about the height of the climb and the cliff as I had been the first time we went. I was actually pretty relaxed (climbing up to the actual climb - the belay spot - and just sitting when everyone else was climbing), and when I climbed I didn't really think about how high I was getting or even was at the moment. 

Overall, Vantage was an adventure I won't ever forget. 

And the sunset, back at where we parked. Gorgeous, isn't it?

(We came back from the second trip and ate steak and rice at my brother's house with the kids and my younger brother and mom, who babysat, and watched Antman - which, actually, pretty surprisingly, was a lot less dorky and ridiculous as I had at first made it out to be. I mean, a guy who shrinks and can take out people when he's the size of an ant!? But it was...sorta funny, and definitely not as intense as, say, Man of Steel was. Though Man of Steel is by far my favorite superhero movie. I got to watch it in theaters a few years back, and I came away amazed and totally hyper! Hehe...yes. I was soooo hyper. ;)) 

I plan on being back soon with a tag-post... So, be on the lookout for that. ;)

~Micaiah K.~

More tunnel.

The first view you get of the valley after exiting the tunnel.

The climbing walls! The climbs are either on the face of these pillars or in-between them - either in the crack next to it, or literally between two climbs.

My Top Ten Albums of 2015

SURPRISE! I got this post done! (Yes, it was late, and, yes, it took me a few days to get it all pieced together once I started...but it's HERE.)

I love listening to music. And over the past two years I’ve found quite a plethora of Christian artists whose music I’m a fan of. Just in this last year we’ve accumulated quite a few more albums, some of which I really loved, some of which I enjoyed, and some of which have made it on this list of the top ten albums from 2015. 

Hopefully you’ll find some new music from this list that will brighten up your January!

Note: The below ‘ratings’ are semi-accurate. I say ‘semi’ just because I had a bit of trouble really deciding which albums deserved which place. ;) The two that I am absolutely positive on? Places #1 and #2. 

10. Casey Darnell

This album has an almost-country track titled ‘When You Smile’ that became one of my favorite songs from Mr. Darnell. It’s a completely adorable love song. And this CD is full of fun and deep songs about God’s grace.

9. Chris August: The Maker

When I think of Chris August’s The Maker, I remember four songs in particular: Superhero (a hilarious love song with lyrics that remind you of Superman/Lois Lane and Mr. Incredible), I’m in Love with You (THIS SONG is just so cute), Find You to Find Me (a lovely song describing how, in order to find out who we are, we have to find God), and He’s Still Here (depicting how Jesus is still working among us. He’s still as near to us as He was when He lived as a man). 

 

8. Rend Collective: The Art of Celebration

Can we talk about incredibly joyful? Rend Collective has taken praise music to a whole other level. They have this fun, quirky style that is kind of endearing. ;)

7. Unspoken

All the songs on this CD are good. That is all. (Okay, fine. Two favorites? Good Fight and the second rendition of Tomorrow.)

 

6.Francesca Battistelli: Hundred More Years

There are so many tracks on this album that are just fun, upbeat, and touching. Hundred More Years is a particular favorite, as is Trampoline. (And Francesca has a beautiful voice!)

 

5. Among the Thirsty: Who You Say I Am

When I first heard these guys, we were traveling many miles to visit my grandparents’ in Iowa. Sitting in the car, hearing their tracks depicting God’s grace and life’s goodness, I started tearing up some. The whole CD is good. Literally – every. single. song. From slower, very deep songs to a few simply about doing good and life’s beauty, I loved Among the Thirsty’s newest album.

4. Hawk Nelson: Diamonds

There are many lovely songs on this one. When I heard for the first time, I was slightly surprised. Hawk Nelson has never been this good, and I was taken aback. (The lead singer changed…and the difference in the type of music they play is pretty amazing.) Live Like You’re Loved fast became a favorite on the album.
 

 

3. MercyMe: Welcome to the New 

Can we just stop a moment and grin? This was not my first taste of Mercy Me, but it was the first time I really, really liked them. They’ve  grown in their music. I mean, this CD is so fun (many of the songs are impromptu-dancing-material), but the message is so profound. This album is just about grace. That’s the root of every single one of the songs. And it’s beautiful.

 

2. Stars Go Dim

This is one of my current favorite albums (and bands). I love this CD! It has songs with this fun, happy feel that is just so enjoyable to listen to over and over again. I really like so many of the tracks on this album…I’m just not going to pick a favorite! And I love the lead singer’s voice.

 

1. Sidewalk Prophets

So incredibly great. This was the first album from Sidewalk Prophets that I’ve bought. And I was not sorry in the least. Songs on this CD are simply fantastic. Everything in Awe, Prodigal, If You Only Knew, Come to the Table (which reminded me of Narnia), and Impossible are all songs I highly enjoyed, among…well, almost every song on the CD. Just buy it. ;) (So good!!!)

And...that's it! All of these CDs are good and come recommended! Enjoy your newly found music... ;)

Happy reading (and listening, o' course)!

~Micaiah K.~

New Year + Reading Challenge

Hey, all! Can you believe we've just entered 2016? It flew by. But it was a great year, suffice to say.

And in this last year, I read a total of 55 books. (That's over one a week, so I'm kinda proud o' that number.) ;) I completed my GoodReads challenge to read 50, and I completed another reading challenge that I did with one of my friends. It feels so great to accomplish those challenges! Really, it does. (And GoodReads sends you an email to sum up your year in books... Totally fun for someone like me.)

Today, I just challenged myself to read 52 books this year. That's one a week. And, yes, I'll probably get more than that number in, but it's a good goal to aim for! But I was looking online for another reading challenge to do with my friend again this year, and I wasn't liking a lot of the ones I found. SO, I decided to create my own, using parts of the other challenges that I found. And I'm lettin' you all in on this one...

The only rule that applies to this reading challenge is this: you cannot count one book for two categories. Meaning: If you read a book set in, say, Paris, which you badly want to visit, and it's over 400 pages long, it can only go for either "A book set in a place you want to visit" or "A book over 400 pages long", not both. 

1. A book over 400 pages long.

2. A book set in a place you want to visit.

3. A book with royalty in it, real or fantasy.

4. A book that is under 150 pages long.

5. A book that intimidates you. (I think this one is War and Peace for me. I NEED TO FINISH IT.)

6. A nonfictional book. (This could be a biography, a Bear Grylls book on survival...which, yes, is probably going to make it on the list for me. :) I got two Bear Grylls books for Christmas! Already started one, too...)

7. A book set in your favorite time period.

8. A book that has a main character that is your opposite gender.

9. A true story. (Again, this can be a biography, a memoir of sorts, a book on WWII...anything, as long as it's a true story written as a true story.)

10. A fictional book about a historical event. (This is where you get to read a fictional book about a true story. ;))

11. A book by a New York Times bestselling author. (Ted Dekker, anyone?)

12. A book your friend recommends (and loved).

13. A book that you read with/to a sibling or friend. (This can also mean that you and your friend/sibling read one chapter a day, alone, and then discuss it together. It doesn’t have to be a read-aloud!)

14. A book set in a country outside of America.

15. The first book in a series.

16. A mystery.

17. A book (going to be) published this year, 2016.

18. A book you own but have never read.

19. A book you started and never finished.

20. A book you’ve already read once.

21. A book with a beautiful cover.

22. A book that was made into a movie.

23. A book written at least 100 years ago. (A Jane Austen or R.M. Ballantyne novel would work for this one.)

24. A book about/set in the outdoors. (Okay, so this one is totally fun. It can be a book about something in the outdoors – snowflakes, thunderstorms, survival techniques, etc. – or it can be a fictional novel set in the outdoors…such as: the protagonist surviving, lost, in the dense jungle of Peru… I’ve never actually seen a book about that, but I know Bear Grylls wrote a few novels about survivalists!)

And that’s the challenge. Are you up for it? If 24 seems like a lot, feel free to mix and match your favorites! Because…reading is about enjoying yourself.

Let’s get creative with this. Let’s expand our mental bookshelves by inching out of our normal reading habits to grab a book you wouldn’t automatically read. Perhaps. Because maybe that book is the start of a new adventure. And what is life without adventure?

To another year of adventuring…in books and in faith and in life.

Happy reading! And happy New Year...

~Micaiah K.~

P.S. That ‘Top Ten of 2015’ post I mentioned? It’s late, yes, but it’s still on the way. It just takes time…that I haven’t set aside yet. (Lots of links and pictures and things to find online…)

My Top Ten Books of 2015

Christmas is right around the corner. So is New Years. Because of that, I thought maybe I should drop by and give you the best books I read in the year of 2015...

10. Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke

One of the best I've read from Mrs. Oke. This book had little pieces of wisdom I enjoyed stumbling upon. And that Christmas scene with Edward and the scarf? Yeah, that was fun.



9. Secret of the Lost Settlement by John J. Horn

I reread this in August, I think. I was again brought to tears and impressed by the amazing message. It was gritty, adventurous, heart-pounding, and even humorous in rare moments.

 




















8. The Island Queen by R.M. Ballantyne

When three ship-wrecked siblings end up on an island that's deserted, more castaways show up, and a 'government' forms, you're in for a fun ride! I liked this book a lot - it's one of the best of Ballantyne's! It was very humorous and lots of fun! I smiled through almost a whole chapter. Yup. That happened. ;)



7. Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliot

This book was really cool! The main characters were, interestingly enough, brother and sister. They're broken relationship needs mending - little do they think that a horrible accident will become the starting point. I really enjoyed the story and some of the characters. It was funny, touching, and sweet.



6. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Man, this book. I cried multiple times. I saw World War II in a whole new light - it changed my perspective on the time. The Hiding Place was highly interesting, engaging, touching, and had such a great message.



5. The Heart of Arcrea by Nicole Sager

Surprisingly, this one made it on the list. I say surprisingly because as I read each book in the Arcrean Conquest series, the one I had just finished became my favorite Arcrean book. However, after months of not really thinking about the books, I thought about them again and ended up realizing that the first novel in the series, The Heart of Arcrea, was, honestly, the best. We're introduced to fun characters and taken along a sometimes agonizing but interesting and life-changing journey. I loved the way that Druet, the hero of the tale, followed God's leading. Not many books have that in it, and I thought it was really cool. Plus, it's fantasy - a really fun, non-magical fantasy in a land that is seriously unique. You won't forget it.



4. Fighting the Flames: A Tale of the London Fire Brigade by R.M. Ballantyne

A book about the London Fire Brigade in the mid-1800s? How cool is that!? I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the story and Willie Willders, one of the main characters. It was interesting and fun and one of the best by Ballantyne I've read.

 


 
















3. Millie's Steadfast Love by Martha Finley

Granted, I did re-read this one, (okay, okay! And the one below...), but I loved it all over again. The characters and the story are so fun. I adore this book. The Millie Keith series holds a special place on my ever burgeoning bookshelves.



2. Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon by John J. Horn

This book has been one of my favorite novels for a few years now. It still holds a very special place in my heart and is one of the best books I have read to date. Fun, heart-pounding adventure, charming characters, exotic locations... It's incredibly fun, and I'm so looking forward to rereading it AGAIN with my younger brother.



















1. To Get to You by Joanne Bischoff

This book is all about redemption, grace, and second chances. Though the message isn't forced, it seeps into the crevasses of the story (and your heart). I enjoyed it a lot! The characters were fun, and the whole road-trip/broken-son-and-father-relationship story was fantastic and really well done. Intertwined was an adorable romance between the unlikely hero and the homeschooled heroine. (Yes, she's homeschooled.) Super cute.



And theeeeeeeere you have it! The top ten books that I read this year. Totally check 'em all out, and totally let me know if you do. (Or if you've already read any of the above books, and if you liked them as much as I did!) ;)

They all come recommended (and I've reviewed most of them too. Either here, on my blog, or on Goodreads.)

That's all for now, but be on the lookout for another 'Top Ten' post!

Merry Christmas!

~Micaiah K.~