You Came Walking In With Your Own Set Of Dreams

Went on a short little hike through Eno River State Park. This is Bobbit's Hole.


This is a primative camp site I helped clear out and create while doing community service last summer.


The shadow is in the way but it is still a cool root structure.


On to the batting cages. Hilary won the home run derby.


Wow, is my ass really that small? I'm going to blame it on the pants, they make it look smaller than it really is.


Grey's twin brother was in town for a visit.


The Pump Tunnel is sweet spot underneath a road where someone glued up river rock and concrete pieces. Good place to go and traverse and get a nice little workout.




Ed showing proper spotting form.

There Was A Band Called The Pots and Pans (Sauratown Crag)

This is just a quick update. A small group of us went climbing at Sauratown. This place is ideal for climbing in the winter because the crag is south facing and it is always in the sun.


Brian attacking some Krispy Kreme doughnuts.


I wish I had a lap to take a nap on. We all got up around 6:30am that morning but Mariya was the only one that got to take a nap.


Sauratown crag.


The long hike and stiff sport climbs keep most novice climbers away. The layers started to come off right as we turned this corner. By the time you get to the top you are in a t-shirt and sweating.


Rob is still using his Secret Service costume three weeks after Halloween.


This is known as The Gash of Death. You have about a 30 foot drop to look forward to if you slip.




Brian leading the first climb of the day.


Mariya coming down after cleaning her first route.


I lead this climb called Sour Balls. It was not pretty but I got up it and had a really bloody hand to show for it.

A Kid That Tells On Another Kid Is A Dead Kid (Washington, DC)

My first stop in DC was at Kristin's place to unwind from the 4 hour plus car ride. She introduced me to my favorite new TV show, Weeds. Then we went to Dos Gringos for dinner. Kristin works for the school district and helps kids with their fine motor skills but she really wants a job fitting helmets on babies with misshaped heads. (Thanks for putting me up for the weekend, Kristin!)


Black bean and lentil mash wrap. And yes, the black beans look did look purple.


Kristin likes her caffeinated beverages.


Even though is was too cold to enjoy a Slurpee, it is exciting to be back in the land of 7-11s and Dunkin' Doughnuts.


The next morning we had brunch at Asylum with Jordon, Kevin, and Michelle (not pictured).


Ayslum has a full page vegan brunch menu. On our left is a non-vegan french toast and on our right is a vegan french toast. The only problem is that I am sitting on the left, in front of the non-vegan french toast. No wonder mine tasted so good. Thanks to the server for screwing that one up.


Next, Michelle and I went to Georgetown to track down the elusive Chris Gerloch who is a friend and old employee. We stopped to take this picture on the way.


We found him playing this guitar.


One the way back to meet up with Kevin and Jordon we stopped to see the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool.


Kevin brings his slack lining set up where ever he goes. These guys are good.




I just look like a tool.


Michelle does it with stlye.


Nap at Michelle's before making food.


Off to a puppet show and then to a post Halloween costume party. Six people crammed in Michelle's VW Golf. Michelle got to squeeze into the back truck area.


Bread and Puppets is a puppet troop from VT. The show was free and it was super entertaining.
http://www.breadandpuppet.org/




Our weak, last minute costume idea. A Van Grossbrownelford Family Picture.


The next morning before brunch we walked to the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market. More types of kale than I ever knew possible.

You Don't Want To Know Where That Beard Has Been (Grey's Birthday)

Friday was Grey's 34th Birthday. We sent him on a wild scavenger hunt all over Carrboro and Chapel Hill. At each stop he got something goofy to wear and a clue from a friend that was waiting to greet him. As you can see he loved the attention. (But then again, doesn't everyone?)


Grey saved this monkey from an overdose about 6 months ago. He was on hand to celebrate Grey's birth.


Grey was picking grey hairs out of his mouth all night long. The gross thing is that his tongue was not the only thing to poke through that opening. Go ahead, ask him about it.


We played pass the hat.










Even our server got in on the action.

Happy Birthday Grey!