The drive was not too long- 40 minutes to 70 minutes- to the Chimney Rock area. Again, gorgeous trees and mountains all the way. It ’s not just the scenery that one notices, but also the architecture. There are many old buildings, small communities, old cars, bridges, lakes, ponds, barns… It definitely looks different than Miami/LA/Chicago. We got to the area that we wanted, parked the Honda Element (a neat car for adventuring!), and started hiking through the woods.

There were gaps in the woods where you could see off in the distance- yeah.. more of the same, woods, mountains, construction, and communities. The view went on for a long distance though. We climbed up, and up. I picked up a few stray beer cans to dispose of later. It’s a shame that people would ruin such nice areas with their garbage. The hike involved a few small climbs and jumps, but finally we got to our rock-face.

Miah expertly let out the rope, checked his field guide, and if I’m not mistaken, our climb was a 5.7 which makes it difficult, but not to the point where you need picks, and a machete to clear up it. Miah set up the ropes where I would belay him (let out rope so he can climb, but lock it in every time he stops, and be prepared to swiftly lock and hold the rope if Miah falls). He then went up this vertical rock-face like Spiderman! I have no idea how he did it!

I went on the same climb shortly after, and it blew my mind. If I didn’t have that rope holding me up, I’d be dead. I made it up a chunk of the rock without too much difficulty, but there was this one area, I had to let go of the rock-face (scary’ish) grab the rope that’s going back down, and pull myself up on that. After that one section though I was able to do the rest based on pulling up, and trying to push off the rocks with my feet. The thing is that I had my New Balance (brand of choice!) running shoes on… which do not work nearly as Magically as Miah’s rock-climbing shoes! I did try on a pair that someone had left at his house… and I thought I was going to get my toes broken, just based on having my feet in there. Rock climbing shoes are very sticky, and cut like a ballerina shoe, to provide additional support and power. I can try to describe it, but realistically, nothing explains it better than watching a rock-climber climb up a straight rock-face! Those shoes were so sticky, that Miah climbed off of small nubs that looked like nothing more than a bread-crumb!

I made it to the top, and then back down… making sure to hang upside down for a photo. We hiked around some more, looking for a second climb-spot, but could not find that 2nd rock we wanted. So… it was back to the cabin. We stopped off at a Longhorn Steakhouse! Let me tell you… after a day of hard physical exertion… a good steak tastes heavenly! The baked sweet potato with marshmallow and butter required restraint… That’s how good it was! I wanted to just dig my face right into it! Mmmmm… I actually am starving right now– not only is my laptop in Q’s room (Couch 60 is where I’m writing this section from), but so are my shoes. Typing about that meal makes me hungrier. The whole time at dinner, and after dinner, we were bouncing marketing ideas for Miah’s business. Miah is Dr. Downspout, and specializes in Downspout / gutter cleaning. He has some amazing products which can keep your gutter/spout systems clean for extremely lengthy periods. It was now Wednesday the 17th, and I was planning on leaving that day, or getting to Maryland the next day. Since the stars were so gorgeous the night before, I had decided to stay in Fairview, and try to catch another glimpse of the clear night sky. There were clouds this time, so that didn’t happen. I got more work done, and then went to sleep.

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