Happiegrrrl Climbing

Guess Where Swanky Will Break Down(First)? Or – A Pool to Fund Repairs

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:32:00 +0000

Update: 11/3/11 - ALREADY, we have a winner... :( What makes a breakdown? hearing a sound that *doesn't sound good* and deciding to have it looked at? maybe not. But then, after nursing the vehicle to a place to hold until the appointment next day, and then upon starting it, smelling a smell that *doesn't smell good* and deciding to tow the few miles - yeah.... that counts.

Our pool winner is Lauren P., who chose Morgantown, WV. Swanky's getting looked at in Sheppensburg, PA, 169.89 miles for Morgantown. What will be the diagnosis...?

Stay tuned for Pool Round Two: Where Will Swanky Break Down(the SECOND time)? Any donations/guess received as of now will be applied to that pool.

NOTE: For Updated List of *Official* Pool Entries, click this link, which will take you to a page on the ClimbAddict Designs website

Last year, Swanky the van was brand new, to me. I bought it from a cop, and my mother(who was a nurse) once told me “Eye doctors can't see; ear doctors are deaf, and psychiatrists are crazy.” Well, I figure that line of thinking probably goes beyond the boundaries of the medical field, if you know what I mean. Now I know there are plenty of optometrists with 20/20 vision, just like most police are law-abiding citizens, but if the lies this guy told me about that van weren't a crime, I don't know what is!

Not that Swanky(which he became named due to his luxe interior of blue and cream-colored velour upholstery) broke down RIGHT AWAY, but within 20 miles after driving away as new owner, the Service Engine Soon light came on.

Then, two days later, when I was parked at the Trapps for a day of climbing, and I was showing my partner the carriage that would convey me out west for the winter, I noticed a drip... Coming from the rear side of the van, I hoped it was just condensation, but the sniff test resulted in an undeniable fact – Swanky had an ulcer that was eating away at his gas tank badly enough that I could time the drips. I was parked at an uphill incline, so turned him around with his rear tilted skyward and went climbing. Upon return, there was no gas puddle, or smell, which meant the hole was at least not too low.... Little consolation that was.

Of course, since I was traveling cross-country, I made an appointment with Beek's, the local car doctor(I don't know if the people at Beek's can drive well, but they sure doesn't fit with my mom's diagnosis of medical personae; they are really great, and honest, at auto mechanics and service). I was informed of worse than just a gas tank - poor Swanky was too sick to even pass inspection in his current state. The van this policeman told me had been babied apparently had a rather neglectful parent.

Yes – I should have had the van looked at by a competent person before considering buying it. You win no prize for that. But, we are headed back west again, and you CAN win something by guessing the nearest town where Swanky breaks down at first!

Last year, once on the road, we went all the way to Wisconsin, before losing the Serpentine Belt on the highway near Mossinee, WI.. Then, on to Sedona, AZ where a gash in the tire wall had me replacing it(but the guy assured me the slit wasn't bad and he'd personally drive on it. “That tire has MILES of tread left on it” he said. But I didn't want to risk having a blow out at 70mph on a highway in the middle of nowhere, on a hot desert day. So, that wouldn't count for a breakdown. Nor would the fact that I mentioned that the oil gauge seemed to be acting wonky, and the diagnostic they performed told them the oil sender unit was about to go. Breakdown averted, as was Swanky's appointment with the Reaper....

We got to Joshua Tree and one night, parked in the Pit, I smelled gasoline. In denial, since the tank and several lines HAD been replaced less than two months previous, I did what most women would do....ignored it.

Until the day the van wouldn't start.

Long story short, it was in Tucson, AZ where that occurred, and I had a pirate mechanic drop his drawers and gas tank, and replace the dead pump. That DEFINITELY qualified as a breakdown...

Not bad, for a 1988 rusted to hell and back van previously owned by a lying cop(he told me it didn't use or burn a drop of oil; that I could go to California and upon arrival top it off, and that he had just had the oil and filter replaced. Not true. Swanky was more than a quart low when checked a day later, and goes through a quart every tank. It turns out that was why the Service Engine Soon light went on. I was so conflicted between the words that man had told me and what the dipstick was saying that I didn't know what to do about oil, and nursed that poor van all the way to Jtree on sips and nips off the oil can the entire way.

So – two breakdowns in a trip from New York to California, and back, and no problems since. Something's BOUND to happen sooner or later, obviously. Which begs the question of how I am going to pay for that repair when it does occur.

And THAT is why I have devised this contest! Now I KNOW that in most pools, the money goes to the person who makes the correct guess. But for this purpose, that would be – well, stupid. The winner of this pool is going to be the mechanic who gets the luck of the draw when Swanky stumbles.

What will YOU get? Well, you'll be able to say you were right, for whatever that's worth, Hey – some people really get a buzz off being able to say “I told you so.” In fact, this year the trail crew I work with has nicknamed me “I Told You So Terrie.” I know what I'm talking about! But you'll ALSO get your choice of prizes: You can choose a chalkbag from the ClimbAddict inventory, or $25 worth of hair accessories from Talisman Studios, or $25 in goods from the ClimbAddict shop on Cafepress.

Seriously – the truth is that I am doing this trip on maybe a little less than a wing and a prayer. This is maybe an idea that some will find offensive – ridicule away! I can take it. But it is MY idea, and I think that it is not only mildly humorous, but displays ingenuity.

Here's How to Play:

Make a Donation of $5 to my PayPal account - click the Donations Button Below
Include in the note with that transaction, the city and state you believe Swanky will break down in for the first time on this adventure. Get creative and be more specific if you like... "Outside the NoTellUm Motel in Naughtyville, Nebraska," or "at the 3rd traffic light in dowtown Amarillo, Texas" or what have you!
Include your email address so you may be contacted if you are the winner. I WILL NOT use your email for any purpose other than to contact the winner, and will NOT share the information with anyone. You can rest assured you won't get added to my business emailing lists or anyone else's on my account.
You may make multiple guesses, with additional donations of $5 per guess.

Here's the approximate route I intend to take(most likely I will be varying from this trajectory at times, as I go with smaller roads, get lost on those smaller roads, and pull off into towns and such, but this is the general idea):

I will be updating this blog post as often as possible to include a list of people's first name/last initial and the town they guess. You can also post your guess to the comments section below, but if you don't put in funds to the pool, I am going to either not include the comment or make some snide remark about you trying to get over or something.

When Swanky breaks down(and you know he will), the person who guesses the city, town, milepost marker on a highway or correct Yucca Tree in the desert, nearest in miles to the place where Swanky ends up at a mechanic, will be the winner.

In the event that more than one person chooses the nearest locale, the one who submitted their choice first will win, so long as that first entry has been updated in the blog post. If more than one wins and they didn't have the benefit of viewing the previous once via updated post, both will win(hopefully it won't be more than two...yikes!)

How to know the status? You can keep up with Happiegrrrl's travels and travails by watching the ClimbAddict Facebook Page. I'll post frequently there, so long as my computer doesn't break down...(that happened already about a month ago, and the motherboard was replaced, so we should be okay on that front – at least for a while.

And – one final note: I can REALLY use all the help I can get. Why not throw me a bone and link this blog pots to your own Facebook, Twitter or blog? I know it's not likely but if the thing goes viral and massive money comes in I promise to....buy a spanking brand new, fully-rigged, Sportsmobi....ummm, no. Just kidding. Excess funds will be equally divided as donations to the Mohonk Preserve, the Access Fund, and the 401C(3) registered charitable organization of choice of the winning guesser(s).

So – this really COULD be a pretty cool way to raise funds for some very worthy organizations, on top of the much less than worthy, me. Please DO help get the word out!

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Happiegrrrl's Hairgoods - A New Development On Etsy

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:09:00 +0000

Most of you know I am an addicted rock climber. I happen to think my vintage button hair accessories are the perfect accessory for pony-tailed climbers, and if you see me at the cliffs, you can bet I'll be sporting one of my own hair goods!

Recently I was invited to join a "team" on Etsy - a group of rock climbers who have shops, or who are buyers on Etsy who may be interested in rock climbing good(or goods made BY climbers!) If YOU fall into that category.... why not join the Etsy Climbers Team? As I said - you needn't be a seller on Etsy to do so - just an Etsy member, who is a climber.

Or - if you don't care to do that - you can still keep up with what's new from the Team on the Etsy Climbers Facebook Page. We can use all the Likers we can get!

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Happie Doesn't Have Enough to Do Already...

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:55:00 +0000

...and so I have added - not one - but TWO new projects to my repertoire. That's on top of the recently launched line of chalkbags under ClimbAddict Designs.

The new ventures are similar, and came about when I was invited to join a team of sellers on the Etsy.com platform called Etsy Climbers. This is a group of people on Etsy who rock climb and either have shops on the site, or use the site to shop. The Team Page provides a place for you to join, if you are interested.

At any rate, I was excited to join this newly-formed team and immediately started presenting ideas for team promotion and activities. I guess I did not really notice that the team did not have very much activity. Oops. The ball had been sent rolling and the team Captain was very interested in my help.

The problem was, it soon became clear that she had a lot on her plate, and wouldn't be able to help me with any of the ideas for a while. She told me to go for it on my own, and so I began by builinding a Facebook Page for the team, Etsy Climbers on Facebook, which you can find here.

Unfortunately, it also became clear pretty quickly that I would need to be making decisions on behalf of the team, and as I came to her for approval, she felt it would be best dealt with by having me take on the Captain position.

Well - I felt a bit uncomfortable, worrying I might have pressured her, but I also felt she was sincere. As so - I am captain of this team. To that end - I hope you might consider Liking their Facebook page, which I linked to above. There are many talented climbers in the team, and together we make jewelry, greeting cards, chalkbags, prints, herbal teas, lip balms and climbing salves and more.

That said - when I first gave the group my list of ideas, and was met with excitement from the team captains, I wondered who there seemed to be no other feedback, except from one person who feared I was going to use the opportunity to self-promote at their expense. And as I waited for the captain to return my emails about the ideas - and wait4ed.... - I thought "Okay, these people don't really have interest here. But my ideas are good, and there are a lot of climbers who would be interested in acting as a collective, and they don't all have shops on Etsy...."

I waited as long as I could stand it - but eventually I said "Okay - I am going to begin development on that group" And thus began Creative Climbers.

The platform will be a network for climbers who are artists and entrepreneurs, and will work to collectively promote the various ventures of it's members, It will also be a place where people who want to support and work with climbers can easily find them.

And here I am... a month away from getting in my van to drive cross-country for the winter, broke, and with two very time-consuming projects to work on, which will probably pay very little dividends, and none for a while.

WHY do I DO these things to myself???

Nonetheless, I am excited about the projects. The Etsy one is further along, as I feel an obligation to the team, whereas nobody really knows that Creative Climbers exists yet. I do have a Creative Climbers FaceBook Page, as well as one at Twitter, but so far that's it.(Click the Facbook Link if you want to get updated or become a member). That will change on October 8th, as ClimbAddict is sponsoring the New Paltz Climbing Film Festival with donations of chalkbags. I will have a table in the lobby as well, to show the chalkbags line, and Creative Climbers will also get some representation, since Climbddict is a member(the one member) of Creative Climbers...

So - if you are attending the film fest. come by and say hello. I will be holding a drawing for one of my chalkbags at the table as well(winner will be able to choose from any in the line), and who couldn't use a fabulous hand-sewn chalkbag! I know I sure could, since I still have the very first prototype dangling from my harness...hahahah

I have been spending nearly all my time either sewing up bags or working online. Barely getting any climbing in. And as I said, I'll be hitting the road some time between October 15th and 30th - time is flying! But I am sure I will get a few days in, and look forward to those stellar Shawangunks views in technicolor.,

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

The Saga of the Stove

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:53:00 +0000

It all started, I believe, when I decided to buy a twenty-pound propane cylinder to use for a Mr. Heater unit in the cabin and for cooking fuel while on this southwest tour. Back in October, I went to the Agway in New Paltz and they had only one unit left. I bought it, slightly upset at the price, which was something like $25. Unfilled.

When I got the cylinder home, the first night I hooked it up to the Mr. Heater and could not make it work. Not a good omen. A few days later I called the company, assuming there was something wrong with the heater or way I had hooked it up. The service agent explained that the new cyclinders have a 'vacuum purge' system, apparently to insure the consumer does not get shorted when having the cylinder filled, which has an unintended side effect. The slightest amount of pressure, when first connecting the hoses and opening the valves, somehow tells...something...inside the hose mechanism that there is a problem, and the gas flow is shut down.

Great....

I stand witness to the fact that the defect works just fine. I've had troubles every single time I had to reconnect the hose and use the thing. But after a few false starts, I understood how to cajole the set up for my Mr. Heater.

Then I hit the road.

Traveling in a van, I felt it would be a little cumbersome, if not unsafe, to keep the cylinder/hose/stove connected, but as of today I refuse to disconnect the thing unless absolutely necessary. It's just too ridiculous, trying to get the gas to flow with each fresh connection.

But all this is really just back-story. The saga really started the first time I stopped along the highway for dinner, back on November 15^th, 2010. I pulled into a rest stop area somewhere in western New York, anticipating my first meal on the road. Having been cooking on a camp stove daily since May, I was used to that; it would not be a novelty of any sort. Nor would the gathering of each and every item needed for the meal preparation beforehand. Cooking out of a cooler/camp stove, outside, IS different that in the convenience of a modern kitchen, as anyone who has gone camping is aware, but again, I had been living that way in the cabin. I was used to it. The new twist would be that I had to remove the various food/gear bins from the storage areas within the van. Cooler, spices, water, vegetables, pasta, etc.; each stored in a different location, some easily accessed, and some needing more effort, especially in the beginning, when I couldn't remember where I had put many of the items.

After patiently, and with some annoyance with my bad organization, I gathered everything needed to make my favorite meal – bean burritos in a pot. I hooked up the stove, turned on the valve, clicked the Pietzo lighter and....nothing. Trying again – a few times – I realized there wasn't the familiar hissing of flowing gas.

“Oh crap,” I thought. “The stupid cylinder.”

Disconnecting everything, I set it back up and....couldn't get gas flow. I found a thin stick to manually purge the back-up of gas that had accumulated at the valve, as the guy from Mr. Heater had explained in his tutorial on getting the damned thing to work. Technology....

Still nothing.

I must have taken down/set back up/turned valves for the assembly in every possible combination. Three times. FINALLY the set up must have decided to stop resisting, and worked. Fifteen rather frustrating minutes had passed; it seemed like longer, and though it wasn't really that cold outside, I imagined how untenable this would be when it WAS cold. Or windy. Or I was tired. Or running behind whatever sort of a schedule I was one. Or just expecting an item I had paid good money for to work properly.....

And so the saga began.

Each – and every – time I went to cook so much as a cup of tea; if I had disconnected the hose, I found myself in an epic reprisal. And some of those times it WAS cold. Or windy. Or cold and windy, and I was tired.... Never found myself tethered with any real sort of a schedule but that's beside the point. It was REALLY annoying.

I called the cylinder manufacturer and spoke to a very nice man who couldn't help me. The best he came up with – because he has the exact same problem with HIS cylinder, which he uses on his home grill – is to hook it up and let the thing sit five minutes before attempting to use the thing.

“Oh, for crying out loud” I thought. But this was the best advice I was going to get, FROM a representative of a company who has very likely had a fair number of similar calls since the new “vacuum purge” regulations went into effect, and so I resigned myself to do it.

It didn't work.

And so, for the next several days, I fidgeted and fussed with the stove connections, eventually hitting on some quirk of combinations that would get it to light. And then the hissing started....

It was a cold, rainy night, and I was squatting in front of the stove while camped at the Pit, hoping to heat up a serving of soup, both to warm myself and have dinner. At first I thought it was the regular gas flow, but I hadn't yet turned the knob. As I wasn't ready to light the stove yet, I went to turn off the stove valve, assuming it had bumped something during the day, leaving it open. Both knobs were turned to the off position.

And still, the hissing continued.

It was definitely gas; I could smell it, and it was coming from a tiny hole(part of the design) on the regulator. Leaking gas, eight inches from the stove burners....I wouldn't be cooking tonight.

The next morning I tried again, thinking the previous nights issue was just one of those stupid “rough day” events. Nope. The hiss was still there.

How annoying.

I went into Joshua Tree and had coffee at the Park Rock Cafe, part of the park's Visitor Center. Then I was off, checking every sporting/camping store in the area, in hopes of finding a replacement hose, though in my heart I knew it was fruitless.

It was.

Finally I decided I'd need to buy a damned replacement stove. The problem was that they all come fit for one pound disposable cylinders, and no stores carry the extension hose adapter to fit on a twenty pounder. As well, I knew the chances of finding the brand of stove I had(since I already also had the adapter hose to connect to the larger cylinder) was unlikely. And so I tried to see if any of the stoves could be hooked up to my adapter hose. They couldn't.

I then called the manufacture of the stove, wondering if I could have them send me a replacement hose for the section that was leaking. After all, the stove itself was fine. Calling the Customer Service number, a person answered who obviously had no technical knowledge of their products. When I explained my predicament, and asked if there was anyone who could help me, she said “This is Customer Service; we can't help you.”

Oh...kay.

I thought perhaps I just wasn't stating the case clearly, and tried again. To the lady's credit, she, too, tried to help. But the best she could suggest was that I return the stove to the store I had purchased it from. They apparently don't have the ability to pull a hose from the warehouse inventory and send it to a customer.

Now I was angry. I know that our world has become a culture of planned obsolescence. We don't fix things anymore; we replace them. Even when it's just one small part of the system that is broken.

Maybe some people would say my stove had worked for a decent time frame – I'd used it daily from September 1^st, 2009 through November of that year, and then again daily from May 1^st, 2010 until that fateful day in mid December when it sprang it's leak. I probably would have thought so myself, less than a year ago. After all, it wasn't really an expensive item, as far as products go... At $70, it was the standard cost for a two-burner propane camp stove, but people spend $70 now days on a ticket to a show and call it a bargain. Spending $70 on dinner and a movie for two would put you in the cheapskate category in a lot of people's minds.

But living in the cabin this year, and losing more than half my income in the past year, I had a different perspective. It wasn't that I didn't have enough money to live on that made me think the stove should not have died so quickly; it's that I realized PLENTY of people DO live on the money I was living on, and it's just NOT acceptable to say “too bad” when products they pay a good portion of their money for don't work for any length of time. I know people who still have camp stoves from the 1960's that still work just fine and frankly, it pisses me off that we no longer make products that last.

And so I called Campmor, where I bought the stove, seeking help.

All I wanted was the hose replaced, but when I described my predicament to the service rep, he asked for the information in order to look up the purchase. Finding it, his response was “Well....the stove is slightly past the warranty period(it was a year and three months old).” Then he paused and continued in a sort of nudge,nudge/wink,wink tone, “But this sounds like a defect.” He emphasized that word “defect” like a politician trying to rally it's citizens to a just cause. “If you want to send that stove back to us, we'll gladly have it replaced, or refund your money if you don't want to chance a similar thing happening again.”

Now – is that customer service, or what?

Truthfully, I hadn't expected that. What I thought would happen would be that he would tell me, in an understanding “ain't it a shame” tone , that there was nothing he, on behalf of Campmor, could do. I just wanted to be able to say I did my very best, before going out and laying down $70 of the quickly dwindling cache of cash I had in hand.

And so, of I went to locate a box suitable for packaging, and shipped it back to to Campmor. After checking with the post office, and then a mailing service for UPS rates, I chose the least expensive option, Parcel Post, which cost $18, and would take ten business days in transit.

With the turnaround time to get the replacement, I felt a conservative estimate of my time without the stove would be at least twenty days, and three weeks with no stove was obviously not a workable scenario. So, back I went to pick up a stove to use in the interim. This was a bit of an odd situation to find myself in, because...well – wouldn't MOST people, knowing they would be buying a replacement anyway, NOT have gone through the efforts of replacing the original as well? Wouldn't the just have taken the hit, felt indignant about the shoddy workmanship and customer support that our country has become famous for, and brought the story up at campfires every time the word “stove” was mentioned, for years to come? Wouldn't they have used that justified outrage as salve to the dress the wound?

Say what you will; maybe that wouldn't be YOU.... but I have heard enough similar war stories in the last few years to know that in fact, yes, that is what most people would do.

I am not most people. Never followed the flock; why would I? Sheep in the flock are constantly getting either eaten by a wolf or mercilessly slaughtered after having done nothing but trusting and naively following their supposed master's wishes their entire existence.

But still, I faced a conundrum. In my aforementioned search for replacement parts, I went to several camping, outdoor sports stores, and even sunk – much as it irritated me, to the depths of...you know where...

Yes, I went to the WalMart for the first time on this trip other than to sleep in their parking lot and use their bathroom. I had made a pact, when I took off on this trip, that I would NOT spend one penny in a WalMart. Nor any of the other Big Box behemoths which are – no have – ripped the seems out of the fabric of our communities across the country.

I would have bought the replacement stove from a smaller location. But.... First I went to Yellow Mart, a local sporting goods store. The clerk there had greeted me and taken me directly to the camping section of the store, right to where the hoses were stocked. They had a nice selection, and at first it looked promising. Unfortunately, the hoses were all for the Mr. Heater products they also carried, and when I noticed this out loud, the young woman seemed disappointed as she noted “Oh, those probably won't work. I'm sorry.”

I WANTED to buy from them - and I did buy one of those camp stove toasters, which I later saw at WalMart for an entire dollar less – same item – and felt outraged, but not at the mom and pop op struggling to survive, but at WalMart, and their collusive supplier, for taking advantage of the system. But that's another story, and one that may have you scratching your head over, wondering what the hell is wrong with me. I assure you – there are several things wrong with me, but my anger at what corporatism has done to this country is not one of them.

But Yellow Mart had only stoves which could not hook to a twenty pound cylinder, and not of the type with wind shields, which – flimsy and nearly useless as they are – do provide some screen from the elements, and thus are an important feature for someone cooking outside regularly. They also had larger, mess-style, stoves which for a moment I coveted... before quickly stopping myself from purchasing something that wouldn't even fit into my van.

Next I went to Big Something, a regional chain. This, I knew, was dancing on the precipitous ridge of corporate consumerism. Regional chains, as you can guess, are the spawn – well, the mother, in reality, of Big Box Supersize, consuming the plankton that is the base of societies ocean. Not seen as quite as bad as Big Box – they really are, from the moment the sell out of private ownership and the word “stock” does not bring to mind images of shelves laden with quality goods, but the other kind of stock. You know – the one that probably first came to mind for you when you read the word.

They had several styles of stoves. And several employees, many of whom walked past me as I tried to remove boxes from top shelves, and said nothing. Nor did they say anything as I began carefully opening the boxes, to see if the connectors would fit for my twenty pound cylinder's hose. But they certainly WATCHED me as I tried to self-serve. I knew they wouldn't know the answer anyway, but it did annoy me that nobody came to see if I needed assistance.

Finally I realized that none of these would work, except the Coleman style, prices at something like $75. Except it wouldn't work with the hose I had, since my stove is not Coleman. And they didn't stock – there's that word again! - extension hoses. Not their fault, really(or is it) – Nobody stocks items that don't meet whatever number has been crunched to show a proven Return On Investment at a set percentage any more. Who CARES if someone does, occasionally, need such an item, and it wouldn't be THAT much a burden to keep one on the shelves, patiently waiting for a buyer. THIS, my friends, THIS is one small link in the chain which locks us within the cage that is corporate consumption.

Still, I would have bought that stove, if they would have matched the price should I have seen it cheaper elsewhere. I felt it likely that WalMart had that stove, and also felt that if this regional chain wanted to play at the game, they should play by the same rules that make the game of competition what it is. I asked the next clerk who suspiciously eyed me the question: If I see this stove elsewhere, will you match the price?

Off she went to ask the manager – because she had no idea as to the store policy where she worked. Fibe minutes later, she came back with an answer. “No, we won't, and nobody else carries that exact stove.”

Score one for the competition! You don't have to worry about matching prices when you have enough purchasing power to have manufacturers tweek your popular items in just one little way which differentiates them from the same item elsewhere. Oh – and it WAS different, from the similar item at WalMart(which cost $5 less). The knobs were a different shape and color.

Upon seeing that – I was angry, but you knew I would write that. Still, I needed a damned stove! My plan had been to replace the stove, and sell it when I received the return from Campmor, considering the difference in price what I simply had to bear, but the thought now, of buying something from WalMart because they seemed to have won the Battle of Competition, seemed as irritating as the proverbial burr under the bronc's saddle.

“There has to be another option” I thought, “but what could it be?”

Then I saw what I thought was at least a compromising answer, though looking back I could see the the Evil WalMart Market Researching Scientists had already run this comparison brand test thoroughly, and had seen the test rabbits(that would be people, like you and I) come to this particular dead-end in the maze. What did they do? Why they offered a version – similar enough to be recognizable as an alternative, yet different enough to not humiliate the consumer with the victory cry of “Gotcha!” being blasted over the announcement system, and SO much less expensive that the bunny temporarily forgot the dilemma they had originally faced.

Somehow, as if in survival mode, I heard a little voice inside... “Terrie, you've GOT to eat!” And, forsaking my pledge, I submitted. The rabbit had been snared, with a $34.88 price point – almost half the price of the recognized brand - Coleman.

But, you see, Coleman had been tainted; caught in the WalMart snare, they too had capitulated, when they took their shiny, new, obviously updated in style item, and changed out the knobs. This had been done so they had an out with their customers, when customers came in and said “WalMart has it for less.” and asked for a price match. You see – because the smaller chain does not have the same ability to make deals with WalMart for price reductions based on massive quantities(and if you think this ISN'T happening, I can assure you from my previous front row seat as a handbag designer working with ALL the Marts, that it most certainly is happening), they really ARE taking a loss if they have to match prices.

Now back in the day, the price match seemed a smart defensive maneuver to play. Local customers WANTED to buy from the more local business, and the price match worked for a while. Until people realized that they had to go through the effort of asking for price match; dealing with having management called and any other number of delays, each and every time the issue arose. Some gave up immediately, and became WalMart customers; others more slowly. But eventually enough people stopped making the effort that the smaller stores understood what was happening. They couldn't go to Uncle WalMart and complain... but they COULD make the sales reps at their suppliers uncomfortable. After all – hadn't they been customers for years and years? And one day, some person somewhere within the bowels of some company realized they could placate customers by offering an out. The item COULN'T be price -matched, because it wasn't the same item. Viola! Problem solved.

Peeved as I was, I figured I'd use the stove for the tow to three weeks my original was out of commission, and placated myself with thoughts of returning the stove once my good one was back. “I'm not satisfied” would be my reason, and stated with a steadfast Make-My-Day attitude. After all – how COULD I be satisfied, after all this?

At heart I knew a few days would pass; I'd get over it, at least enough to accept returning the stove after using it was beneath my code of ethics. I'd most likely post if for sale at half price, or give it to the first interesting person who said they would like to buy the thing, but couldn't really afford to.

But that's not the way things went down.

The stove truly lived up to the “get what you pay for credo.” Or at least according to what the market feels one should be paying, for a camping stove. In my opinion, a $35 camp stove ought to work – in the operative sense – as well as any more expensive model. The BTU level was lower on the cheaper version, and so I did understand that cooking would go a bit slower, but other than that. The thing appeared to be rather similar to the Coleman version, albeit quite pared down.

The first meal did take longer to cook than usual, as expected. Boiling water for coffee in the morning also took about twice as long. It irked me to be using a one-pound cylinder when I had the more economical bulk gas waiting in the van, but at least it wasn't taking 15 minutes of reconfiguring the hose attachments and lighting process to go! Oh yes – the cheapie did not have a pietzo lighter. Not that striking a kitchen match requires any more effort that pressing the electronic ignition, but I will admit I had become habituated to system, and found it an annoying reminder of my discontent to have to go to the van and get out the box of matches when I went to use the stove and realized I had forgotten the need to light the gas.

I was just about through with processing my anger over the whole stove saga, when I went to make coffee on the third day and the stove wouldn't light. The gas was not coming through at the burner. Why – I couldn't say. The stove construction seemed extraordinarily simple, and as I examined the links in the chain, there seemed no reason for the problem. The cylinder had gas, the regulator was correctly attached and pressurized, yet when I opened the valves to light up – no gas was coming through.

Going over the owner's manual, it was clear I had used the proper sequence in setting up the thing, not that there really was any way to do otherwise. The only possible explanation I could find was a warning note, saying that the propane cylinder must be placed in a manner that the connecting nozzle was upright. Under no circumstance, it warned, should you set up the stove with the cylinder inverted, and to do so would “void the warranty!”

Well! If you ask me – if fast food coffee cups contain a warning explaining that the contents is hot, and if plastic bags caution against letting children put them over their heads -it seemed reasonable to me that if the inverted cylinder set up was that much of a problem, they MIGHT have placed the disclaimer somewhere a bit more prevalently – like IN the Stove Set Up Directions section of the papers, instead of under the warranty information.

Not only that, I was incredulous that this should even be an issue. No other stove rolls over and dies if the cylinder is attached with the nozzle downward. In fact I would say that the majority of camp stoves I have seen on picnic tables over the years have the cylinder attached that way, never the worse for wear.

“What a piece of garbage.” was what came to mind upon reading that disclaimer. I HAD pointed the cylinder downward when I screwed on the regulator, but in use it was in the “required” position. The cylinder was upside down for an entire two rotations as I screwed on the fitting, as I used the weight of the cylinder to aid in seating the attachment. If THAT killed the stove, then that stove was such a shoddy piece of craftsmanship, the company that would intentionally produce it didn't deserve to stay afloat, I thought. And Walmart should be ashamed as well, for putting out products that are truly crap and not worth a dollar, much less almost thirty-five of them.

I hauled that stove back to Walmart and asked for a refund without the slightest qualm.

The woman at the Customer Service counter gave me my money back without even asking what was wrong. No wonder people fall into their tangled web...

In the time between the cheap stove purchase and getting it returned to the store, I was without means to cook. This sucked, obviously. I dined the first night on a meal of cheese and crackers and felt it was fine, but I knew that, come morning, I would be jonesing for java. I had attempted the stove, even though I knew it was a lost cause, and with plenty of sighs, irritated hisses and no doubt swearing, I realized my camping neighbors didn't give a damn. They ignored me in the way one does an ant circling near their picnic – let them be but keep an eye out in case you have to save the food. I knew that if such people weren't about to offer any assistance, or even ask what the problem was, that the next morning would be no better. Should this ant come crawling to their kitchen asking if I might heat some water on their stove, the answer would be no.

I went to bed worried....

The next morning, the neighbors silently prepared their own breakfast. Hell – they didn't even speak with each other; I could almost feel the animosity. They KNEW I had no stove, and their eyes never – not once – came across the imaginary picket fence between us. Thank the universe there was a neighbor on the other side!

He was a European man, camping alone, and had begun taking down his tent while he boiled a cup of water on a small butane-powered single burner. I waited, figuring that when his water was ready, I would humbly ask for assistance.

It took a long time. A really long time. I wondered if that water wasn't boiling down to nothing in the time I waited.

Eventually he poured some powdered coffee into the mug and took a sip. I made my move, ambling over and saying “Morning!” as I crossed that imaginary picket fence into his yard.

A friendly guy. He smiled and raised his cup. I knew I would not be denied.

Explaining mys situation, he said “Sure you can use it. Would you like to have it?” He explained that he was departing today, on his way to the airport, and due to baggage weight, would not be taking the stove with him. He had bought it for the trip only.

Well, what a lucky day for me! I thankfully accepted his offer and couldn't believe it when he added a second canister which he'd not needed. Then he said “I also have this tent. Can you use a tent?”

Well, I didn't need that tent, but I did tell him I would either find a home for it or take it to the thrift store. For his kindness, I gave him my ClimbAddict Designs business card and told him to pick out any item from the shop. Upon hearing my designs are climbing related, he told me his daughter was a climber, and he would pass the card to her, but as of yet, I haven't heard from either of them.

I sat and talked with him for a while, and when I happily went back to camp, I set up the stove, filled a pot with water, lit the thing and patiently waited.

And waited. And waited. And, with impatience brewing stronger than any coffee I ever drank, waited longer. It was Walmart backpacker stove, by Coleman. A word of warning to anyone who actually needs a stove to survive on a backpacking trek – this model will not do the job. You will use two to three times the amount of fuel as normal, and still have lukewarm food.

Alas, it was all I had, and for the next several days I limped along, taking half an hour to brew coffee in the morning and a lot longer if I wanted a hot meal at night.

Soon enough, the canister of fuel was used. It would be at least another week before my replacement from Campmor arrived and I was faced with the dilemma of continuing on or buying a better stove. I decided to look at Nomads for a real backpacker stove, figuring it would be a sound investment which could be used in lieu of the bigger stove at times. But after scanning the price tags – not a one under $90, I declined. I would just have to make do.

And I did make do, but it did not feel good. Meals were a struggle, and cheese and crackers were more palatable than even heating soup, just because of the time factor involved.

Oh well...

Eventually it became time for my stove to arrive. I was anxiously awaiting word from my friend receiving it here in Joshua Tree when I got an email from Lauren in New Paltz. The had sent the stove to her place! How, one might wonder, would that happen? It was because her address had been the one I used for shipping on an earlier order; it was in their computer system. I had included a letter with the stove I'd sent back, clearly stating that I was traveling, and provided the Joshua Tree address. They didn't take note, for some reason.

Oh no.....

I needed that stove and asked her to send it as quickly as possible at a reasonable shipping charge and suggested it would cost at least $20. When she got back to me with a $38 fee and 3-5 days travel, I felt I had no option but to do it. I told her to go for it and waited.

And waited.... as she couldn't get back to the post office for a few days.

Eventually the stove did come. Halleluja!

I was still peeved though. I had gone nearly a month with no decent stove, and it had ended up costing me as much to get this replacement as I had spent on the stove in the first place. If this were a game of strategy, I had played poorly.

Deciding to call Campmor and let them know what had happened, I never expected them to make good on the shipping. Yet that is exactly what they did. The man listened to my story, looked up the record in the computer and said “How much did you say you spent in the shipping?” When I gave him the cost, he replied “And what address should I send the check to?” No questions asked, no documentation. Let's see Walmart match THAT kind of customer service!

I was quite pleasantly surprised, expecting only an ear to cry into for a minute or two and an apology. But, I didn't want to bother my friend with another bit of mail coming to him, and so I asked if they could credit the account and I'd use it at another time. “It's done” he told me.

So. Perhaps I played the Saga of the Stove poorly, but it does seem I came away with consolation prizes. Not only has Campmor provided great customer service even after a mix-up on their part, but I did not succumb to the Big Box Bullshit. It was a struggle, mind you, but in the end, it is with a feeling of satisfaction that I stayed true.

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

ClimbAddict Has a New Promotion

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:52:00 +0000

My alternate personna, ClimbAddict Designs, is running an end of year promotion. Giving away $50 in product - you can find information on the Moments In Climbing - 2010promotion here!

Trying to garner People who *Like* ClimbAddict on Facebook, so I can spa...ummm, update them with new design info, Item of the week and such. It's been told to me that I am simply - NOT - getting the word out about the damned company, despite my nearly incessant efforts. I guess I have not been working smart....

On a personal note - Yesterday I walked around the Desrt Queen Mine area with a (famous) climber, who happens to be living at the Pit, which is where I am camping, in squalid luxury, several days a week. We stumbled upon the coolest on miner's cabin, near Fraggle Rock. I have pictures, but haven't edited yet. Will be posting once I do that.

An other news - my camp stove is funked up.... I have purchased a cheap interim one from Walmart, which is clearly worth every penny OI have paid for it..... Campmor, where I bought the original one, has been called and says to send it back, and they will refund or replace it. I am NOT trying to get over, but whatever is wrong is within the regulator on the hose system, and should not be occurring(it's leaking gas - not a good sign). I truly do believe an item SHOULD withstand use for the 3/4 year of daily use it has had and so I am sending it back. All I need is the hose replaced, and will say so - It's a shame to have the thing replaced if all they need to do is send a new hose, but I have the feeling a new stove will arrive in the mail.....

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Is It WRONG to Take a Joshua Tree Home With You?

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:47:00 +0000

Let's suppose a friend of mine asked me this question(Really; a friend. I swear!). What should I have said? What would YOU have told them?

Probably you'd say something like "Are you crazy??? Don't you know how delicate, endangered, BIG those things are?" Or "You mean from the actual park, the National Park??? Are you CRAZY?"

Well - you'd be wrong. The answer is "Sure! You really SHOULD take a Joshua Tree home with you."(if you happen to be in the neighborhood(of Joshua Tree Natinal Park).

"Why?" you might ask, and I'll tell you.

It's because the Joshua Tree in question is not the living article....but a whimsical miniature recreation, sculpted in copper wire and set amongst a base of stone, created by local artist Eric Pfranger.

Eric makes these beautiful Joshua Tree sculptures and places them for sale at venues such as retail store and local landmark Coyote Corner, and the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce.

Here is an example currently at Coyote Corner:

And here's another one!(You can click this image to make it bigger sized)

You're next question might be along the lines of "How can I get one?!" The answer is simple, really. You'll have to come and pick it up!

So - if you happen to be in Joshua Tree, give Eric a call and see if he's got a tree available for you. He has no website, but you can call him directly, at (760) 974 - 6646.Tell him you heard about his wonderful creations from Happiegrrrl!

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Jerome, Arizona - A Photo Essay

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:13:00 +0000

As promised, I would post images and info on the portion of my travel where I came through Jerome, Arizona. My friend Tim suggested I really should stop and have lunch there, or at the very least, get out of the van and take a walk around. "Jerome is the coolest little town you've ever seen." he told me. He was right!

I did not stop for lunch, mostly because I arrived there at about 8am, but also because I had just spent $300 getting the van repaired the day before and that was pretty much my food budget for....about 2 1/2 months. Instead I pulled over in front of Nelly Bly's, which is now a drinking establishment, and pulled out the stove to brew my own breakfast cup of coffee.

Cup in hand, I and Teddy strolled up and down this hillside town, enjoying a sense of history, perseverance, and proof that a town does NOT need to kowtow to corporate America in order to be vibrant. There was not a single franchise to be seen. Not even a gas station or bank! Each and every store was a privately owned, mom and pop operation.

Admittedly, I do not know much about Jerome, but do hope to go back with Peter once he arrives in January. Until then, I will post some links for you which may provide more information about the town. I'll do that after the images, all photos I took that morning.

The Hotel Connor and Neighboring Building

A view of the land below the town of Jerome

Historical Block and Remains of the Mine Offices and Bank Building

A Safe Displayed as Art and Artifact

Smelting Furnace From an Area Mine

The Remaining Wall of a Long-Gone Building

Streetlight - They don't make 'em like they used to!

A Loveley Window from one of Jerome's Buildings

Plaque for the Motor Building

The Motor Building

Plaque for Jennie's Place, an historical Bordello

Plaque for Husband's Alley, so named after Prostitution was made illegal in the town

Another pretty buidling currenlty in use and providing Jerome visitors a glimpse of it's quaint modern charm

Chandelier and Vines on the Porch of a Jerome Establsihment

A Big Blue House on the Hillside

Jerome's Firehouse

Unknown Building in the Valley Below, as Seen Near the Motor Building

LINKS:
Tourism Information - "America's Most Vertical City" and "Largest Ghost Town in America"

Wikipedia Entry for Jerome, AZ

jerome Times - Including a "Stories and legends" and elements from the twon newspaper published in the 18800's

Connor Hotel

Google Images for Jerome

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Upon Arrival....

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Despite my dark, and never mentioned aloud, concerns, the van made it to Joshua Tree. I rolled into one of the primo sites in Hidden Valley Campground last night about nine pm. Not without drama, of course. But each epic was a “Terrie-type” one; that is to say – no true inconvenience was involved.

The first on-the-road problem arose just after I left from my family visit in Wisconsin, where I enjoyed leisurely days of lounging on my sister's couches while the wretched Wisconsin winter taunted me outdoors. I should also mention the wonderful Thanksgiving celebration we had the Saturday following the holiday – yum, yum, yummy!

At any rate, I had offered to drive my younger brother Al back to his home in Wausau, which is slightly north, and west, of Green Bay, where I had been staying with my older sister Gini. After driving 90 miles, I dropped him off and went upstairs to see his apartment. Upon returning to the van I smelled an odor which I instinctively knew was a sign of trouble, yet allowed myself to quell the fears by believing the rubber-like smell was probably some oil I had spilled while topping off before leaving Green Bay.

It wasn't, as you likely have surmised.

As I drove southbound on an interstate(53 or 51; fifty-something or other), with cruise-control set at 65, each time the engine would surge for an uphill injection of fuel, I would hear a slight, crinkling noise. “Uh Oh,” I knew, yet had no frame of reference to diagnose this additional clue.

What the sound was, I guess, was bits of the accessory belt crumbling and dropping away, as the belt wore away. It finally frayed to the breaking point; the belt broke, engine thrust dropped, and the power steering went out. This occurred as I approached an exit ramp at Mossinee, allowing me JUST enough time to understand I had to take that exit and get a safe place to stop immediately.

I rolled through the stop sign at the exit's end, and drove the couple hundred feet to a Kwik Mart convenience store, “conveniently” located so very closely to my break-down it could hardly be even considered such. Talk about a micro-epic! How much less traumatic could such a thing have been? Had just a few seconds passed before I knew I had a problem, I'd have been past the exit, broke down on a highway and having to walk the distance to the mart, then back to the van to await the tow.

Fifty dollars and a half an hour later, I was deposited at Martin's Auto Repair, where I was told “We can't get you in right now. It will be about an hour.” A whole hour!? I was surprised the man thought that would be considered even a slight inconvenience, considering I had just been towed to his place of business, with a full day's work already in process. Maybe he saw the New York plates on the van and figured I was...a New Yorker(with it's inherent “hurry up and wait” mentality).

I played online, updated my businesses, and within a short while was back in motion. Things went smoothly, except for the daily oil reading conundrum, until I passed Albuquerque, New Mexico. Reading the dipstick in this van has been practically an exercise in futility, and probably the dilemma is compounded by the fact that I really would like to believe what the guy who sold me the van told me - “It doesn't burn or use a drop! When you get to California, add a quart. That's all you'll have to do. It just had an oil change too! Here's the paperwork.”

The stick barely registers oil at some points, and other times is coated. Often when no oil has been added.... When I brought the van home, a friend looked at it(tut-tutting the whole time, and worrying aloud for my future) and said “You're down a quart.”

Having “just had a change(with paperwork!) that seemed – odd. Yet when I took it to the mechanic for a go-over(yes, NOW I understand just why – even on a $2,000 used vehicle – you take it to a mechanic for a pre-purchase look), the asked(after telling me all the problems) if I'd like an oil top-off. “It's quite low,” was the look in his eye. When I got the bill, there was a charge for two quarts on it.

Yet, a few days later, when I took the van to the afore-mentioned friend to do the platform build-out, he took a reading and said “Huh. It looks like there too much in there now!”

And so it has gone, the whole way along..... I've wiped that stick for a second opinion more times than a nanny wipes her baby charge's butt on a day of diarrhea, adding oil when I felt I'd better but never sure if I was doing the right thing.

Perhaps this issue will now be resolved to some extent, since I had the Sender Unit and pressure sensor replace in Sedona, Arizona....

I'd been watching my gauges religiously all the way cross-country and was stricken with an adrenaline surge more than once when, on a quick glance while doing 70 mph on a highway, noticed a red-line indication, only to realize it was the damned gas gauge telling me the tank was full. So, when the oil pressure gauge began doing a dance one afternoon an hour and a half west of Albuquerque, I began to panic. Watching closely, I saw the gauge “worrying” itself between a mid-range level it had previously been fairly static at, and dipping down to near the red zone....

Pulling into the next gas station, I sat and waited an hour for the engine to cool down. When I finally took the oil reading...well, it seemed very, very low. I could have kicked myself for not having been more diligent – except I HAD checked it just that morning and it had indicated being PERHAPS a tad low, but not even worth topping off, really.

I added oil, and as it registered on the stick, blew a sigh of relief I hadn't killed my trusty steed(Trusty? Yes, I guess Swanky IS reliable, being that here I am, in splendid Joshua Tree). Onward, to El Mapais National Monument, 20 or so miles away.

A Supertopo user had suggested El Mapais when I asked for suggestions for a day or two in New Mexico and Arizona. Though I will be coming through these states with Peter once he arrives, I thought it would be nice to take a few days now, instead of rushing through to Joshua Tree on a weekend arrival.

Unfortunately, the maps give Grants, NM as the highway exit for El Mapais, but the reality is that the exit before that is also an entrance to the park, and the one with the more scenic hiking vistas. I'd blown the afternoon waiting to check my engine's oil level and barely had time to get even a short hike in before daylight would begin to wane. As well, the BLM camp ground I was intending to use was back off the previous exit, and closed for the season to boot. After speaking with a park ranger, I decided to continue on toEl Morro National Monument 20 miles down the road, where the campground was still open(and free, because they water was off for the season). I'd take a short walk about, have a leisurely meal, and come back for a hike in El Mapais the next morning.

Well, early starts in the desert are reserved for warriors, one of which I am not. Especially sleeping n such cozy conditions – a down comforter on a queen-sized mattress with two huge pillows – it's just really easy to loll. Which I did!

So, instead of reversing my route, I decided to take a look at El Morro instead, and I am very glad I did. I've a separate posting for El Morro to come(I promise!) and will add the link here once it's published. Suffice it to say, for now, that El Morro is definitely worth visiting, if you enjoy a sense of history mixed with your nature wanderings.

After El Morro, I drove to Flagstaff, Arizona, where a friend, Tim, put me up for two evenings, fed me delicious meals, and took me climbing in between. We went up Queen Victoria, a spire in Sedona, and...I will make a separate posting(I promise!).

After leaving Tim's place, I headed down Highway 89, intent on a scenic cruise through mountainous terrain as I continued my trip. Planning to stop in Sedona and prepare/mail out two orders I'd received for my hair accessories, the day started out normally enough. However, as I went back to the van I noticed a small slice in the sidewall of one of my tires. “Crap.” I asked a man who appeared to be a local about the service station across the way, expecting they might be pricey, being in the main part of town on a tourist's highway. He didn't have an opinion on that, but he did think I'd probably be better served at one of the shops that specialize in tries, of which there were two a few miles further down the road.

Off I went, and turned in to Tire Pro a few minutes later.

Looking at the slice, I was told it was okay. The man explained to be that the cut hadn't gone through the white cording, and with a spatula-like implement, plied away the black section to show me what he referred to. He did mention that the tire was getting fairly worn though, and pointed out the wear from imbalance. I thought I might simply replace the tire now and his stance indicated that, as a frugal soul, he'd be getting a few more miles out of that tire before he replaced it. However, he was not me, and he was not driving miles between even small-sized towns, in a huge van. In the hot desert. I bought a tire.

After paying, the owner told me that the van looked pretty good otherwise, but when I mentioned my oil pressure issue(it had done the dance the whole way from Tim's to Sedona, despite having seemed fine the other day), he said this was not an issue to ignore. Upon request, he quoted me the cost of diagnosing the pressure, and after doing that, I was told the Sender Unit was the issue.

The rest of the day was spent at Tire Pro, where the patiently worked on my van. There was trouble identifying the correct replacement part and they were twice sent the wrong one. This would seem odd, except that each time I have had to provide the information on this van, it seems to “not be in the system” at some level, even with the VIN. Odd.

Long story short, they DID get the van back on it's wheels, at about 6:00pm. Thinking they'd not be able to complete the job that day, they said “no problem” when I explained I lived in the van, and would it be okay to sleep in it, in their lot, that evening. Super nice people, each one, who works at that shop.

But now , with the van fixed, I was in Sedona – tony Sedona – at dinner and bedtime and wondering where I was going to park for the night. Mentioning the nearest WalMart was X miles away, I was corrected, and told there was one just 15 or so mile down the road. (I've not spent a penny in WM on this trip, and intend not to, but that won't stop me from sleeping in their lots and using their restroom!).

The next morning I DID get an early start, at 7am. I drove through, and stopped in Jerome, a quaint and vibrant town without a SINGLE franchised store(separate post, I promise again!). Then a long push, to Joshua Tree.
EDIT: Here is the post on Jerome, Arizona

And here I am....

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

I Feel Like a New Woman Since Arriving in New Mexico!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:58:00 +0000

I left Wisconsin after a visit with my family this past Monday, and started my southwest drive by actually heading slightly to the northwest, as I gave my brother Al a ride home to Wausau. I stopped in to see his apartment, and as I went back to the van, smelled an odor which set off the "UhOh" receptors of my brain but denial told me that it must simply be a little bit of oil I'd spilled earlier as I topped off at the gas station.

It wasn't.

Several miles down the highway, as the cruise control kicked in as I went uphill, I'd hear a little crunchy, crinkling sound... as if I'd driven over wet asphalt and bits were dropping from the car.... That wasn't a very comforting sound.

JUST as I neared an exit, power dropped considerable, and the power steering failed. I had exactly enough time to realize I needed to take that exit and get safely stopped out of traffic; preferably near a place to ask for assistance in calling a tow truck.

Limping in to a Kwik Trip gas station/convenience store, I rolled up to a parking spot, parked and cut the engine. Opening the hood, I looked for, and found, the obvious. Well, actually found remnants, that is. The fan belt was fried and had disintegrated, leaving just a string or two of...crinkled dry rubber near the alternator.

That sucked. But it certainly could have been worse. The people in the store suggested a tow truck driver who turned out to be pleasant, helpful and reasonable on cost($47.50). He took me to a repair shop who got the van up and running in short order, despite having a full day's schedule of appointments and several walk-ins they turned away. Thanks, Martins Auto Repair!

The rest of the trip went fairly smoothly, except of course the Kum&Go debacle. Easy sleeping in Walmart lots through the midwest, miles and miles and miles of grasslands in Kansas. And oil wells. Lots of those. And quint, holding themselves up by their bootstraps towns, dotting the highways of Iowa, Kansas. Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, most of which I cut just the corners on. Except Kansas... I went straight through that one. But it was still very nice - a pleasant drive on decent highway.

Yesterday I crossed from Texas into New Mexico and the change of terrain was immediately obvious. Instead of flat cattle-grazing ranges and commercial feedlots, and oil wells, the land became rich red soil, peppered with desert grasses and Juniper. Hills rolled with cut-ways hinting at the mountains coming as I ventured further. Massive hills rose up from the flatter lands as if they did it just to surprise you as you crested a hill and caught sight of them.

I stopped in Santa Rosa to rest, refresh myself with an ice coffee, give Teddy a walk and some Teddy-Time, and then began heading toward Albuquerque, where I stayed for the night(in a Walmart parking lot, of course.... I'd wanted to check for free camping in a *more natural* setting, but missed the last roadside pull off 30 miles east of the city. Thinking there would be one more, I soon came upon the suburban sprawl and knew I had gone too far....

This morning, I am at U-Mound, a bouldering spot right outside Albuquerque in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.

After my coffee, and Teddy's breakfast - that's where we are headed.

I HAVE arrived!

If you'd like to help Happie on her roadtrip, there are a few ways to do that! You can choose to support any of her online shops, such as ClimbAddict T0-Shirts and Giftware for Climbers, Talisman Studios Hair Accessories or OutrageousTees.com. Or, you can send her a (very much appreciated) donation in any amount via PayPal, by clicking the button here:
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Kum & Go Plays Bait & Switch

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:34:00 +0000

UPDATE: 2 hours after I Tweeted a link to this post, I got a Twitter response from a Kum & Go representative. Seems this person tweets practically 24/7, according to the profile log.... Wonder if the Twittering is the main duty in their job! At any rate - this person, who goes by ^MPT on the Kum&Go Twitter profile said he was emailing HQ(or someone, at any rate) about the issue. He wrote(via Twitter):
You sure will. I'm typing up an email now. We'll take care of you. Thanks for your patience. :) ^MPT

I replied to his Twitter post with:
Thanks for the reply, ^MPT. I'll be duly awaiting response from HQ. Let's HOPE they will desist on the pricing misrepresentation. and within MINUTES he wrote back as follows:
You should have a reply in your inbox. I sent it to the email on your Blogger profile. Let me know if you didn't get it. ^MPT

Unfortunately, the email was not there as mentioned, but it is likely because that contact is outdated. I will update the contact email and advise to him, but I am wondering why they can't simply respond to the letter I emailed them in the first place - which DID have the current contact email!

So I am back on the road, headed south to warmer weather(I hope!). I'll do another updating post soon, but need to vent. I HATE unethical business practices, and if you agree that this is the case upon reading this post, I hope you will help me go on a boycotting tirade against Kum & Go gas stations.

The title on this blog post links directly to Kum & Go's Contact Form(as does this link. Send them a note telling them how you feel about such tactics. And do please link this post up and down the internet highway! Twitter, Facebook, even MySpace if it still exists! If YOU have had a similar tactic employed by a gas station while on the road - please post about it in the comments section.

Here's the letter I wrote, after filling my damned 33 gallon tank, which had like 1/8 left in it at the time.

Hello -

I pulled in to buy gas, seeing the price of $2.71. MOST places have the lower octane gas as the cheapest. NOT this station.

The only prices listed on the sign were one for gasoline, and one for diesel.

When I got to the pump, I did notice two choices for gas, but naturally assumed the lower octane to have been the one advertised on the board.

Nope. While the board DOES say "super unleaded" is $2.71 9/10, I am sure that the station is WELL aware the consumer sees the price only.

When I looked at my receipt and noticed I had been charger $2.81 9/10 instead, I was QUITE pissed off. I bought 23.661 gallons off your gas, at a cost of $66.60, and was - in my opinion - ripped off out of $2.36.

While it might not *seem* a big deal, I am well aware of the factor when applied in quantity.

This behavior tells me that Kum & Go is an unethical business.

I am on a cross-country road trip; one which is being reported on on Facebook, Twitter, 3 international website discussion boards for adventure athletes(who travel extensively) and a blog with a good number of viewers. You can BET I will be posting this letter and details.

Would you like to comment(which will be included in follow up postings).

Thank you,

Terrie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

First 24 Hours On the Road

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Well, first 19.5, actually. It's 10:30am and I am lolly-gagging at a rest stop on Hwy 17 near Bath, NY. Got a late start yesterday, leaving New Paltz between 2:30 and 3pm.

The van has been running smoothly and it makes me nervous to feel comfortable about that; so many people took one look at Swanky and shook their heads sadly, that I fear something catastrophic will occur along the way. Please universe, protect me from that!

After driving past the Mohonk Preserve one last time, and waving good-bye to my beloved Clove Road(See you next year, cabin! Hank says it is likely I can have it again.),I headed south on 209, and then west on 17.

A half tank of gas later, I stopped and filled up as was suggested by the security guy at the preserve Visitor Center(I forget his name!!!) who told me to go this route over the one I had chosen, which was 209 through the Delaware Water Gap and then crossing wide through Pennsylvania. He said, "After Corning, there's nothing for a loooong while! Get gas!"

And as I passed Corning, I had to listen, but instead pulled off the highway at the town just further, called Painted Post. The reason being that the Corning exits offered only one gas station choice, and I felt my wallet might be taken advantage of if there was only one choice. Painted Post had 3 choices, and it was just a quarter mile off the highway exit to the one I used.

I thought it would be an easy off/on to the highway, but as I went back, the exit was closed for roadwork. So I had to backtrack for the detour, which....I didn't follow. Instead I pulled off at the very next exit, but then it intersected with another big highway, and worried I would somehow get herded onto that unwanted route, I turned off to the smaller road instead. I figured I'd drive down that a while, turn around, and get a decent warning as to where the entrance back to17/86 was, instead of having to make the choice in the seconds I would have otherwise had. What can I say? I haven't been regularly behind the wheel of a car in a long time.

At any rate - as I drove down that side road, I saw a Walmart.... And it lured me right in! Ever before, when people said "You can camp overnight at Walmart," I would snub the idea. I thought I would want to do better than that. I had figured I would get back on the highway and continue on to the rest area near Bath, where I actually am now. But I had stopped at the previous rest station to feed and walk Teddy and you know....the people I noticed sort of had a really anonymous vibe. Plus, the parking is right there where every single car using the place drives within feet behind your vehicle. So - I figured WalMart couldn't be any worse.

And it wasn't. Probably better even, since I did notice a few condom wrappers on the ground as I made coffee here this morning. I don't think anyone was hooking up in the cars at the WM lot...but anyway....

So, I even went in to use the WM potty, but I will say it now - I pledge to do my best not to give WM any of my money on this trip. But that won't stop me from using their bathroom, and yes, I will sleep in their lots again I think.

Somewhere around midnight, a cleaning truck drove through the lot. I was awakened by the recurring droning sound it made, and finally after several passes I was like "WTF IS that?" and looked out the window, just in time to see the big yellow behemoth swipe right up alongside the passenger side of the van.!

"That's a little close," I thought, but figured it was probably just an open lane the truck would use, and who knows - maybe there was some trash sitting there to be scooped away.

But then the truck turned around and came for another pass - and repeated it three damned times! "Shit," I though. "They are going to have someone from security come rapping on my window and ask why I am here."

But, they didn't, and eventually I fell back asleep.

It was a far cry from the nights of peaceful bliss I've spent at the cabin the last half a year, where maybe 6 cars quietly pass down the road per night, but it wasn't so bad, I guess. The cel reception for my mobile broadband was 4 bars strong, and that was a plus, though I ended up not staying online for very long.

I woke up about5am, which I have been doing for the last month anyway, and lolled in half-sleep, and then opened my eyes again later and it was pretty light. 7am! oops!

I decided to just get on the road and make coffee at the rest station I had intended to go to the night before, and that is just what I have done. I also did a little more organizing in the van, and....well, I am going to stay online for just a little longer, and then walk Teddy again and head off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Swanky!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:56:00 +0000

Well - the van has been bought and the modification to a road trip rig is in progress! Here are some photos of the "Before/After" work to get the sleep/storage platform in:

First, some pictures of Swanky, or Senor Swanky, as the van is more formally called, in general:

So, Ken, who worked as a trailhead assistant at the Mohonk Preserve this year, offered to help me out. He said he "had a few tools, and though he wasn't the greatest" carpenter.....hahaha. The guy did SUCH an awesome job! The platform has dado cuts, is sturdy as can be, and is shaped perfectly to contour to the van walls. He even did cutaways to allow me to more easily slide the curtains. It really is beautiful.

But what a lot of work! Two days of it!

One seat out, and more to go....

Here's Ken, having removed one captain's chair, and locating the bolts that hold the base to the van bed.

Teddy is wondering if he can keep this one. He found it most comfortable!

I would hold a vise grip pliers on the nut , while Ken cranked, and cranked, on the bolt heads. Those things were welded.

The captain's seats were bad enough, but the rear bench had 8 more bolts, and another 4 for the seat belts. Having already taken several hours, we elected to slice the belts, leaving the bolts/hanger in situ. The bench was held down by metal keepers, and so we loosened the bolts just enough to slide the keepers away from the seat base. Then we lifted the bench out. Sure, i bit of floor space is junked up with the left-in-place hardware, but all in all, well worth the effort spared.

And what swanky seats they were! I tried to sell them on Craigslist, but with little time to wait, had no bites, and instead gave them to a climber who offered to take them though he couldn't pay anything.

The van, emptied of the seats, and ready for the work to begin!

Ken manually cut each dado with his radial saw.

I would say I helped, but.....this was the only saw work I did; one dado. Fun!

Sidewalls are done, ready to have legs joined

Here's one sidewall, set into place

Teddy was the foreman

Both sidewalls in place, with cross bars in as well. Looking good!

Adding the center support

Ready for the plywood top

Lots of screws later, the top is secured. But NOT before many small adjustments were made to contour the shape EXACTLY to the van dimensions. This thing is a perfect fit.

The platform is done! It will hold a full-sized mattress, with room along one side for small bins. Underneath, has 19 inches clearance - room for large bins. Still, because the van has a high-top, there is enough headroom to sit on the bed comfortably.

The foreman takes a final walk-through....

Ken did such an awesome job - He even cut away sections to make it so the curtains are not compressed by the platform edges.

This cushion was part of the "before" set-up, where the bench folded flat into a bed-type of thing. The problem was that the clearance for storage below was was nowhere near enough to keep climbing and camping gear for a 5 month road trip. As well, the bed was about 3/4 sized. But the cushion I kept, and will place it atop the side storage bins. I can rest it upright as shown, place pillows in front, and it becomes a couch back!

This fabric panel was also part of "before." It was sewn to the top/back of the rear bench, as if it were a cape. It hid the seat brackets and also camouflaged anything that might be stored beneath the bench. I simply ran a length of thin, stiff, accessory cord through a turned seam already in place, and tied loops at each end in an overhand knot.

The high-top has some little front windows, and they have snap-in-place covers to cut unwanted sunlight out. I unsnap the top, outermost corners, slip the loops on the "cape" atop the male part, and resnap the cover. That holds the lightweight fabric panel in place, and allows me to have a privacy screen from anyone who might be walking in front of the van.

Swanky!!!

Kudos to Ken K! What a truly generous man. He spent tow full days doing this work, and said he would take no payment. When I offered him 4 $25 gift certificates for the Gilded Otter, he accepted only one, and insisted on buying the other three from me.

My friend Pauline also gave me some wood, which was used for the legs of the platform. I've also saved some more for use in a side storage unit.

The guy who took the seats had no money, but he did come bearing a bit of booty, and gave me this gear in exchange. The cam is an Empire Rock, a bit bigger than blue BD Camalot, 3 nuts, a big hex, all on an old Chouinard biner. Nice!

So - that's that.... The van does have some issues, and is spending today and tomorrow at the mechanics. I was not happy to learn of these issues, but as they say - Caveat Emptor. I can blame no one but myself.

I plan to leave my little cabin in the woods, and head towards the desert southwest on Monday. I'm hoping to hit Joshua Tree, red Rocks, the Buttermilks, Cochise Stronghold, and Hueco Tanks, and some other places too. Hopefully, I will be back here at the Gunks, in my little cabin, caretaking at the Coxing Kill, in mid April of 2011.

Wish me well, and keep an eye on this blog, where I will post updates and links to updates I post elsewhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Happie is Very Unhappy. But Still Happy, Nonetheless.

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:17:00 +0000

My damned assistant stole my client base, decimating my animal care service within the span of a few short emails. Premier Pet Care, which saved my butt when I walked away from the corporate world and into the realm of starving artist back in 2001.

Little did I know, at the start, that when I started climbing(in 2004), having a dog walking service would be the perfect type of business for someone who needed time away from being physically present on the job. But it sure was! When I began climbing, I was still doing all the animal care myself, and working up to 30 days at a time with no full days off. I was tired.

My first climbing was in the gym, and I could fit it around my work schedule, but once I got out into the real world – the Gunks, Seneca Rocks, and Joshua Tree that first year – it really sucked to have ONE cat-sitting job on a Saturday..... Not because it would make it so I couldn't GO to the Gunks, a 90 minute drive away, but because it meant I had to do the cat sit job at about 5:30am, in order to make the 7am bus which would take me to New Paltz where a partner would pick me up!

An assistant was needed - desperately. And thus the search began.

I had good luck with nearly all the people I worked with over the years. The first one got fired because of climbing. It was the summer of 2004, and the Republican National Convention was being held in New York City. The town, nearly 100% NOT Republican, seemed to be just a few steps away from being under Marshall Law. Protests were rampant, police were everywhere, and the tinge of riot soured the fetid August air. It was Friday evening and the next day I had one client's dog to walk, two sessions early afternoon and also at 5pm. I thought I could hack the strain the convention was drawing to the city, but the Gunks were calling me stronger; if I had to be hanging by a thread, what better place that upstate, on a dynamic rope?! I called my assistant and asked her to take the sessions. She begrudgingly agreed to do it and the next morning, away I went. I had a great day of climbing.

But when I got home, I had a phone message. The client had gotten home early, and found their dog had not been walked for the early afternoon session. Not only that, but moments after they had arrive, at about 4pm, my assistant DID arrive, obviously intending to do only one walk and thinking no one would be the wiser(save the poor dog who could not tell anyone; god bless our loyal companions who bear the brunt of human selfishness so stoically).

Furious with my assistant, though I knew I had pushed her into accepting the work when she really hadn't wanted it, I simply had no choice but to let her go. Had that been the only transgression, I would likely have (obviously) taken her off that client, and continued to work with her. I generally had systems in place which protected against such occurrences, and other clients where there would simply be no opportunity for such misconduct, but she had made a few other errors which pointed to the fact she was not an upholder of the highest ethical standards. In animal care, this is a key requirement; she had to go.

I learned from the experience, and though I had a few other instances over the years where I needed to reprimand people, I have only had to fire one other person in the eight years I have run Premier Pet Care.

So, it came as a bit of a shock the other day when my current assistant emailed me stating that he was giving two weeks notice, and that he had offered my clients the opportunity to work with him directly.

You see – because I have been living upstate since May 1st, his two weeks notice actually meant that he was firing ME, and taking over my business.

The plot is a bit more complex, of course. Had I been able to whip down to the city and tell my clients I would handle the sessions, every single one of them, I am sure, would have stuck with me. Over the years I have been through many assistants, and was the one constant. Whenever an assistant moved on, I was there to pick up the work, and no dog ever missed a single session due to the handler leaving my employment.

But I couldn't just go down and save the sinking ship. Firstly, my apartment is being sublet, with the tenant in residence until mid November; I would have had nowhere to live.

Secondly.... I had to choose between saving the business and continuing on with the next chapter of my life which I had been preparing for. I actually hadn't intended to return, but to travel the southwest for winter, and had offered my assistant the opportunity to buy out my business.

In fact, his 2 weeks notice/offer to my clients occurred just 3 days after I sent him the business proposal. He'd asked to take the weekend to look it over, and on Monday evening at 9:30, he sent me an email rejecting the offer, tending his resignation, and saying he intended to let the clients chose whether to work directly with him or not.

Since he knew I live in a home with no electricity or cel service, and that I have no car, the chances of me reading that email before he sent notice to clients(which he did the next morning at 9am) was next to nil. And so, it was an easy coup.

When I found out what had happened, I began calling the clients, and explained, in truth, where this decision of my assistant had originated. He saw an opportunity, but instead of being ethical and paying a stipend for the transfer of the business, he decided he could simply take it for himself. My customers all expressed sorrow at their decisions to work with him, and best wishes for me in the future, but they really had no choice. Perhaps, for all I know, they even view me as the one in the wrong.

And all this is what makes me very unhappy.

On the other hand, the job of having to tell my clients I would not be returning, which is something I knew I would not enjoy doing, has been taken care of rather swiftly, and now I can focus my energies on getting myself ready for the winter portion of this year.

I've taken road trips before, and I've lived a simplified lifestyle for the last five months, but living a simplified lifestyle on a five-month road trip will be a totally new experience for me. My budget is meager, and to lose the income generated with the animal care business is not an insubstantial portion of the whole. But I will get by without it. No doubt others have done so with less than I will have.

I've saved up a small sum to buy a vehicle, and am now looking at cargo vans. I had wanted a camper, with it's homey organization, but after speaking with someone who lives in a Toyota Minihome every winter, I realized it would not be a good choice, no matter how much I wanted my own Home, Sweet Mobile Home.

Once I get the van, I will need to add some basic modifications – a platform bed with storage beneath at the minimum. Insulation, sound baffles, privacy curtain between cab and back and storage space along one sidewall are desirable, but if I end up with them will depend on my ability to find someone who can do the work with the amount of money I will have to pay for it.

I expect to have the van bought by the end of October, and the modifications done in two weeks, making my departure from the northeast some time in mid November – the tail end of our climbing season here at the Gunks, and the beginning of cold weather which would make cabin living uncomfortable.

I'll travel cross-country, stopping to visit my family in Michigan and Wisconsin, perhaps around the Thanksgiving holiday of possible. Then, I'll head west, veering southward along the way. I haven't looked at routes yet, nor asked opinions, though I assume I should get southward as quickly as possible to avoid the colder temperatures further north.

Joshua Tree, California is my destination, and where I expect to consider as my base. I know some people there, am fairly familiar with the ways of nomadic living in the area, and since it is a winter destination for climbers, am looking forward to meeting plenty of people as they travel to the place for their own weekend trips, vacations and dirtbag days. Other places I want to visit/climb will be Red Rocks, Hueco Tanks and crags in New Mexico and Arizona. Come mid March, I expect to begin making my way eastward, with the hopes I will have my little cabin here in the woods again.

This all makes me happy!

I expect to post updates as things go, so keep in touch and see what happens!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Happie Needs a Mobile Home!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:31:00 +0000

For a couple years now I have been wanting to head west for the winter months, and each time I chickened out. In 2009 I was just about ready to do it, and then I got offered the chance to live at the cabin instead. It came unexpectedly, and I jumped at the chance. But I just wasn't prepared to leave my clients for three months and THEN tell them I was going away for another six.

But things went well, and now here I am again. Even moving into the cabin on May 1st this year, I knew I would have real difficulty going back to civilization (If one can call NYC such a thing...).

And so - I'm not. I have scrimped and saved, but also lost some income opportunities I had been counting on. So....money IS tight. I mean, I have enough to live on and all, but here I am, starting to look at a vehicle and - gulp - my budget is pretty skimpy. The fear of buying a junker and getting stranded in Kansas, waiting to save enough for whatever has gone wrong.... I'd rather hedge my bets beforehand.

And that's where you come in! Now, I'm not begging, nor trying to get over on society(well...maybe that). Feel free to click right away from this page and never look back! But I am NOT too proud to ask for help! And that is eaxactly what I am asking for:

If you would like to help me by donating a dollar or two, or whatever amount, towards the purchase of a pickup truck/camper, I would be very grateful. If you need no further information - here is the donate button:

If you DO desire more info, here it is! The button goes to my PayPal account, and is a safe, secure way to donate.

As for what I am looking for - I would like to get a small pickup(wishing to find a Toyota 4wd, 5 speed with a 3/4 ton capacity) and a small slide-in camper. Nothing especially luxurious, though I do want to have a propane fridge and a sleeping place atop the truck cab. No leaks in the windows would be a good thing, too....

Not that I expect to be bombarded with huge donations from the world all over, just in case that does happen.... I would cap the amount at $5,000. Anything above that amount will be donated, in equal shares, to the Mohonk Preserve, The Access Fund, and the Yosemite Climbers Association. I will also remove the Donate Buttons from this post in mid November, which is when I will hit the road.

Now - maybe you don't want to give something for nothing. That's understandable. Maybe you might like to pick up a t-shirt or some other item from my ClimbAddict shop, or maybe you could use some pretty hair accessories, from my Talisman Studios shop, or other t-shirt shop Outrageous Tees. I've been working hard with these venues to make an income, and hope you might be interested in taking a look.

I'll also be adding a new design at ClimbAddict in the next few days - "Sendit University," which will have a section set up as a "scholarship" page, where a portion of the retail price goes toward sponsoring my poor butt on the quest to live a bit off the beaten path. That should be ready by the weekend, so long as I am not rained in at the cabin and unable to get to an internet connection to work on the thing.

So.....feel free to donate. Or not. Or even donate in the form of a caustic remark in response to this post! I enjoy another person's diatribe as much as anyone, and unless I find it just too assinine, I'll likely post it. If you think I m find your remark rather unsettling, you would be right in assuming I will elect to delete it rather than publish it. If that's the case, why not create your own blog and post away. Let me know, and I'll try to pop over and make some nasty remarks that YOU can decide whether to post or not!

So - Here's the Donate Button again. Thanks for taking the time to read my request!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

The Battle of Mobility – OR - Two Legs vs Four Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:09:00 +0000

My friend left her car with me for the month of July, while she sublet my place in Manhattan. She did it partly so her vehicle would get some exercise while she was away, but mostly as a gift to me, since I do not have one. I was a bit reluctant to accept the thing, partly because I couldn't help but feeling responsible for it's welfare, imagining some unforeseen accident not of my fault but damaging the car nonetheless. But mostly because I must have know in my heart that, though I said I'd use it only for the occasional run to town for groceries, the lure of easy transport would be harder to resist than I was admitting.

It was.

Lauren left the car on the last Tuesday night in June, and by Wednesday noon, I had decided it was okay to use the car to get to a trailhead on the western edge of Minnewaska Preserve, several miles away.

Now THAT decision was partly due to the fact that I HAVE wanted to check out the farther reaches of the park, and I am really not a fit 12-mile a day hiker, but more like a 3 to 4 hours and I'm ready to call it a day type. But mostly it was because the guy who I have had a giant crush on since last October, and who has been visiting me on and off since, and who had spent much of June staying at my place, had left that morning to road trip in the western states. There is more, as one would expect, but this post is about the relationship between me and cars, and not me and men, though I suppose I should mention that Peter did have a van, which made forays into town for groceries and laptop recharging much more convenient. Perhaps that is where the slippery slope began to erode.

As regular readers of the Happiegrrrl chronicles know, I got the opportunity to live on a nature preserve for three months in the fall of 2009, and this year I am there for the entire season - May 1st through some time in November. Though at first it sounds idyllic, for "most" people this would actually be an unattractive situation, since the cabin I reside in has no electricity or plumbing, and is situated under a canopy of trees which make the inside dark even on sunny days. It's chief draw, to the uninitiated, would be it's immediate proximity to world-class rock climbing, but upon further inspection, most would find it unacceptable for more than a very short time period. And that would be people who own a car and can simply get up and go whenever they please. I came up last year without a car, knowing I would be dependent on others, paid or out of friendship, for anything requiring a drive.

I packed my gear in on two weekends, arriving via train at the Poughkeepsie station twenty-plus miles away. A friend was paid to transport me from the station to the cabin, and we made an agreement that i would call upon her once or twice a week for rides to and from town as needed for errands and supply replenishment. Included in the deal was the occasional trip to her house for a hot shower. It seemed workable to me, though a potential hassle getting coordinated, since my location is not within cel phone service range.

The first trip went well, though my efforts at planning the various errands I wanted to do ended up including too much to be accomplished in the available time. The second request was problematic because she got a full-time job that would make her assisting me an inconvenience for her, and she offered to set me up with another friend for the future. Instead, I began hitching rides into town and taking people up on serendipitous offers of a ride. That meant I had to ration what could be achieved on planned outings, and also be ready to go with the flow for those who offered rides. What I ended up doing was using the rides, if they included a return trip, to include ice for my cooler and really stocking up. On trips where I would have to carry everything, I had to limit myself to amounts which would fit within my climbing backpack.

If I wanted to do laundry, I could bring my laptop along and work online while there, but nothing more. For a grocery run, I needed to carefully list what I needed, so as not to forget something I found indispensable....like coffee. For days when I would go into town intending on doing online work(I run several online subsistence businesses, which you can visit by clicking the "ads" to the right on this page), I would bring my laptop, and need to locate a source to plug into. Since I often brought Teddy on those days, as I would be there for 4 or more hours, it had to be a resource that allowed him to accompany me. I would tell you those places, but I depend on them being available, and the more who know about them, the less likely that becomes. Sorry - you're on your own!

The big problem has been rainy days. The cabin, being too dark to work in without a headlamp even at mid-day, becomes my only protection once a real downpour begins. For most rains, though, I can remain on the spacious porch, which is really the main living space of the cabin. Unless the rains are coming at oblique angles, the area stays almost completely dry. Needless to say, when nature wets her pants for days on end, there is only so much a person can do to amuse themselves. In the five months I have been here so far, I think I have only been "rescued" two or three times by someone stopping in to offer me a ride into town and a way out of what has become an hermitage...

However, the inability to zoom miles within minutes has not been a negative experience for the most part and in truth it has been sublime. Time slows greatly when one walks, and life becomes simpler. Nature moves from a background to the fore, something many people never really experience except when trekking for multiple days in the back country. The hills ARE alive with the sound of music, and the scent-sations of Hemlock, wildflowers, and muddy wetland bogs. Television, for me, consists of watching the winds blow through grasses, hearing the winds shake the leaves of high trees like mini tambourines, and following the flight paths of various birds as they flit about. Evenings are spent, often, in anticipation of the owls in their revelry. I have come to recognize distinct 'voices" of several of the local Barred and Screech Owls, and even twice have heard the supposed sole Great-Horned owl who resides in these woods. With a car, it's so easy to miss out on all that, since I can so easily have the car whisk me away, like a magic genie accepting my wish of being somewhere as it's command.

On the other hand, four-heel mobility does have it's advantages. The most luxurious, in the heat of summer, is the ability to keep my cooler iced. With no car, the only way I can do that is when someone is giving me a ride immediately home from town, and willing to stop while I run into a store. Since I hitch-hike nearly exclusively, that's just not possible, for my bag of ice would be a (leaking) bag of water by the time I got back. I can wait up to half an hour waiting for a pick up. and the nearest store, the Mountain Bistro, is an hour's walk away.. Only once have I gotten a ride from someone I thought I could ask if they minded pulling into the place, but in the end I chickened out. Besides, I didn't know that they would take me right to my cabin area. Most people drop me at the Scenic Overlook or the Steel Bridge on 44/55, and I have a 20 minute walk still to go.

Between May 1st this year and June 30th, I purchased a total of 4 bags of ice. Considering they last about two days, you can easily surmise that mostly I went without. The interesting thing is that many foods actually don't require refrigeration anyway. It's a convenience, really. Of course I use dried milk and don't keep meats, but eggs last and so do cheeses. and vegetables. Still, on a hot day there is no cold one waiting in the icebox., Instead I have a tepid half bottle of juice that should have been guzzled before the ice melted.

The other battle being fought, in my mind as well as body, was the Battle of the Bulge. Last year, I lost more than twenty pounds, and two pants sizes, in the three months I was here, simply because I didn't have easy access to prepared foods, cel service or even climbing. Those pounds were lost mainly along the Shongum Path, which I used at least every other day, and by the end of October, the change was so obvious that everyone began to comment.

Wintering back in New York, I gained back ten of the pounds, even though I KNEW what I had to do to keep them off(just not eat restaurant take-out food or nibble sweets while I whiled away time online at home). Luckily, I got back down to size within a month of my return. My body hasn't looked this good since I was sixteen years old - more than thirty years ago.

While having the car, I felt myself slipping within the first week. The Magic Weight Loss trail, .I mean the Shongum Path... hadn't felt the pad of my foot in several days. On my second trip into town, to use the internet in the air-conditioned comfort of the local coffee house, Cafeteria, I decided to stop in at Jenkin-Luekens farm stand and see what fresh fruits they had available.

Jenkinss, a farm stand along HWY 299 is a quaint old family stand, with seasonal fruits and an incredible selection of farm-grown apples each fall. They also have seasonal berries, peaches and cherries, which were just finishing at the writing of this post. I pass the stand every time I go to and from town and secretly always want to stop in. I like supporting personally owned businesses over corporate shops, and always like to see how they are holding up in their own battle against the progress of society. But I don't want to ask friends to stop if they are driving, and I surely can't ask a stranger whose picked me up hitch-hiking!

But now I had a car! I could stop whenever I want!

Well - I did get a box of wonderful sweet cherries, but was somewhat pleasantly surprised to see the changes in store. They have added local beef for sale and bags of dried fruits and nuts which are not local. Though it is a little sad to see a farm market has had to buy wholesale, I know they needed to do so in order to stay in business. But did I choose to buy nuts and berries? Noooo....I found my way to the back of the store, where I KNEW in the back of my mind, they kept fresh-baked pies. They had blueberry and Strawberry-Rhubarb, which were still warn.

You can easily guess what happened.

I came back to Jenkins on another occasion and picked up a fresh Cherry pie as well. Now, it wouldn't be so bad if I had a cadre of friends stopping in for sweets and tea in the afternoon, but for the most part, I don't, and of those who do visit, most would cross their hands in front of themselves, warding off that pie as if it were a vampire. And so, instead of having a raw apple or orange, my sweet fixation was refocused on the fattening crust(but it was sooooo delicious) and sugar-laced fruit compote.

On the other hand, I DID purchase a nice piece of steak from Jenkins; freshly frozen, locally raised beef from Millbrook Farms. And I did pick up green peppers, onions and potatoes, along with hand-picked blackberries and a sack of wonderful peaches during "car month." That I provided a bit of support to a local stand, as opposed to sending money away from the area, via a chain grocery store's chain of command., felt great.

Now that I'm relegated to foot traffic, I feel at a bit of a loss, knowing that humongous blackberries await those who venture amongst the Jenkins bushes and that I, for the most part, will not be one of the pickers. It's back to picking up prepackaged Driscoll's strawberries at the supermarket, and being disgusted as I take note two days later that the "freshly picked" harvest has already begun to mold.

Another facet of my life that underwent changes in having a car was my internet usage. When I am a pedestrian, my time online is limited to that which I can get in before using up my laptop's battery. I have a mobile broadband connection, and so my "office" gets set up on the short rock retaining wall near the Gerdie Block at the Trapps. Usually, I have a bout 2 1/2 hours available before I need to shut down.

Most people would probably think that it is outrageous to be spending such a chunk of time online when I could be - well, climbing! But I run several businesses which depend on my internet connection. First is the bread-and-butter companion animal care service I started in 2002, Premier Pet Care, but my online usuage for that is just a matter of keeping abreast of schedule changes and invoicing clients.

I also sell hair accessories made form vintage sewing buttons through Talisman Studios at Etsy. Because I need to ship the goods in a timely manner, it's imperative that I check in every 2-3 days at a minimum. Of course, I also need to keep the shop stocked with items, and the uploading of images/descriptive listings take up some time.

Then I have the "time-sinks," ventures to which I dedicate an exorbitant amount of time with a very small yield in return. I am an artist by nature, and though I am not the best graphic designer, I do like to create t-shirt designs, which I market online. The climbing-related shop is ClimbAddict, which I began in 2005, and have seen slow but steady increases in views and sales each quarter since. Still, it won't (yet) pay the bills(and it likely never will).

Because ClimbAddict has such a small audience(not rock climbers as a whole, but those climbers who would purchase graphic t-shirts of the type I create), and because I am hoping to create more income via online venues(enabling me to have a mobile lifestyle), I began a group fo general t-shirt shops last winter. There are 5 shops, which I have umbrella'd under OutrageousTees.com.

Creating each graphic takes time; often more than I can get within a single battery charge. Then there is the uploading to the venue and creation of the various products. Depending on the design and venue, this can take anywhere from 1 to 8 or more hours of work. But that's not the end of it, for without marketing, no one would ever come across the designs, in enough number to possibly support the efforts involved. So - I need copious amount of time, not only online, but with an electrical connection powering my laptop.

Having a car made it so much easier to pop into town and while away the hours, working on these ventures, all the time warming up the battery so I could come back to the cabin - a much more inspiring place to do the creative aspects of the work.

This July happened to be comprised of almost exclusively above-90 degree days. Teddy didn't want to go hiking any further than to the field for his poop walk, and frankly, neither did I. I certainly couldn't expect him to walk the mile needed to hitch a ride, and then sit patiently at one of my (top-secret) outdoors electrical outlets in New Paltz. Even in the shade it was uncomfortable. So, for me, the ability to get into town in 10 minutes vs. the more likely an hour commute via walk/ride hitch, was a real benefit. To be able to work in air-conditioning instead of out in the hot sun was almost too luxurious.

Still - this also had it's side effects. Because I was using 4-5 hour blocks of time for the work, I would often want something to eat. Even without food, I still spend $2.75 each and every session, for the beverage that is minimally required to be taking up space in the coffee house. I suppose I could have gone to the library., but the heat was so stifling that by the time I had driven the few miles to town, I was desperate for a cold drink to refresh my dehydrated body. The walk from car to library would have been a whole extra block, too.... which sound absurd, especially since I had been accustomed to walking at least a mile before the car came into my hands, Yet here I was, feeling that extra effort was just that - an extra effort.

It wasn't only that. One day I didn't need to go into town, really. The laptop battery was fully charged, and I wasn't in the mood for an extended work session. I just wanted to check my emails and see if I had gotten any phone messages. The problem was that I had solemnly vowed to not drive that car to the Trapps. Not for climbing, nor trailwork or internet work.

The thought occurred to me that I could drive up to the Overlook to check on things(which I DID do, each night, in order to not be waiting at the gate as the daylight waned, wishing the latecomers would go away so I could close that gate! That was a benefit the general public of Split Rock-goers received out of my having the vehicle....

But it was not night time; it was mid-day, and thus the parking at the Overlook had a 30-minute limit. That would be enough to check emails, but I knew I would straggle online, and stretch it out for a longer time. The Overlook was out.

I thought "Well, I COULD park in the Trapps and go to my outdoor office." And then - I am embarrassed to admit - a groaning thought popped into my head. It just seemed sooooo far a walk, in comparison to the relative ease I'd been having to log on lately. I simply didn't want to walk from the parking lot to the Gerdie Block!

That was a bit of a rude awakening, and I worried how I would fare once the car was gone and I would be forced back into the old routine, especially since August is historically the month when we see the worst of the high heat and humidity. The good news is that it has been a very easy adjustment, although I haven't hitched Teddy into town yet; he's just come on the Shongum Path to Gerdie Block.

Back to the food issue. Because I spent so many hour in town, online, and had either snacked or eaten something more substantial, I often wasn't hungry when it came time for dinner back at the cabin. I'd make some little thing, or eat some not-so-good for me thing(like a piece of the Jenkins pie).

Not being the brightest star in the galaxy, I didn't make the connection between the change in my eating habits and my purchasing of food. I would go to the grocery and stock as usual, and then wonder why my fresh produce was wilted when I went to eat it. If I cooked a pasta or grain dish for dinner, chances were the next night I wasn't interested, since I had snacked on an oversized cookie in town. It was upsetting when, about half-way through the month, I realized that this wastage was due to, not only my missed brain connections, but that damned car!

It's been about two weeks since Lauren came to pick up her car, and I admit that as that time drew nearer, I began having very slight anxiety issues over the idea of being carless. I'd become dependent. I even had fantasies of not wanting to return the thing! And the thought that maybe I DID need a car after all occurred to me, and that I should considering beginning to look for a decent deal.

The good news is that things have reverted very easily to the old mode. I'm feeling a level of fitness in my body again, enjoying the scents of the Shongum Path, and renewing my connection with passersby as I type away at my laptop in the Trapps. I'm certainly spending less money. I spent about a hundred dollars in gas, sixty for ice, and who even knows how much in food, simply because of having that vehicle.

Imagining the change that having a car would have on my life(not only vehicle cost/maintenance and insurance, but those incidental expense increases I mentioned above), I am a bit concerned about the future, as I intend to live in the southwest this winter, in a nomadic existence. Unlike the Gunks, with it's immedate proximity to climbing, and my cabin in the woods, this phase won't go carless with such ease, though some people do it(young men, able to subsist on Ramen Noodles, who don't have a dog).

However, for now, no wheels IS doable, and actually quite nice. Sure, I don't have the conveniences and range of mobility I enjoyed while driving, but the benefits of NOT having a car definitely do outweigh the benefits of having one!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Climbs Well With Others - I SWEAR!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:18:00 +0000

A lot of people who live very near the Shawangunk ridge, who say they used to be obsessed with climbing, tell me they moved here from New York City or elsewhere specifically to allow for more climbing days, but once they had been here a while, they came to the realization that they were actually getting out less! Funny, how what had been an every weekend dedication for those people had morphed into the occasional day out or even, for some, a complete hiatus in climbing.

I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that once you can climb on weekdays, the chaotic weekend energy at the Trapps, or even the Near Trapps, becomes fairly unappealing. If one's dance card was previously filled by other weekenders, the transition to partnering with people during the week may not come as easily as one might have hoped, as well. Too, if one has spurned their old stand-bys in hopes of the quietude of weekday climbing, they are likely to find themselves with no willing ropemates when they DO make that booty call.....

Within this type of scenario, I can see how time could fly by quickly, and one might wake up to realize they hadn't been climbing in days, weeks, or even - gulp – months. Luckily, this hasn't been completely my case, but I have to admit that I didn't climb a single day the week before last, and it wasn't because the temperatures were in the upper 90's, as they had been for much of July.

I'm the type who isn't truly proactive when it comes to inter-relationships, and climbing partnerships are no different. I wait for people to call me, or post a request for partners online without answering any of the requests made by others for the same time! I have great days out with most everyone I have ever climbed with, but don't make the effort to set up another day of climbing. Unconsciously, I fear rejection, just as in other aspects of life, but this post isn't intended to be a psycho-self-analysis and I won't be delving into that realm.

My 2010 season has been a bouquet of sometimes old, sometimes new partners, along with sometimes rosy, sometimes blue days for me. I started climbing in the spring of 2004, and though I have partnered with well over a hundred different people, the dedicated partnership has been fairly elusive for me all along.

Some people thrive on that intimate companionship, and the relationship enables them to push harder at their grade limits, and enjoy a lower level of stress, since the partners know each others quirks, strengths, weaknesses and personalities. Personally, I can't imagine climbing each and every route with the same person, even if it were someone I was in a romantic relationship with. I like the diversity of different experiences even at the expense of continuity and increased stress from unfamiliarity that comes with climbing ala carte. Besides - since we're not getting psychoanalytical - people leave; relationships deteriorate, and even worse, they sometimes die(in non-climbing-related situations, hopefully!). I've seen it happen to others - the significant other, or even just another girlfriend or boyfriend moves on, and suddenly they find themselves touching the void, climbing partner-wise. Death, of course, is entirely different; I intended the previous mention in a jocular way. May those loved ones of anyone reading this piece rest in peace.

Nevertheless, with a variety of partners, one has room for the ebb and flow of life's relationships tide. It's OKAY if the person you want to climb with has some commitment that means they can't get out on a stellar day. The fact that they are getting married, attending a funeral(there's that death sentence fragment again - oh dear!), or spending Fathers/Mothers Day with their children doesn't have to ruin MY day....

Seriously though, a variety of partners means a mixture of experiences. I have people I tramp miles into wilderness for FA's with, partners with whom I swing leads, others I teach the basics of climbing, people visiting from other areas, and even a few top-rope troupes. Some are serious Type A's, others debauched drunkards who'd surely have been sailors had they been born when the high seas were still uncharted. Most fall somewhere in-between; light-hearted, fun people just looking for a good day of climbing. I like the mix-and-matchedness.

So - what has my season been like, now that I am in my fourth month of living within walking distance of the famed Gunks ridge? Both pretty good, and not so great, depending on my perspective in the moment.

As has been my tradition, I started the season in Joshua Tree. This year my trip was a week later than usual; I arrived just as March was thinking of renaming itself April, and enjoyed another marvelous early desert spring. Flowers were not in as much abundance as some previous years(remember, climbing isn't only about climbing), and amazingly enough, even though it was Easter weekend and the park campsites were packed, I snagged the very last available spot in Hidden Valley upon arrival. A good site too - morning sun, an interesting backdrop of rock formations, yucca and other brush.

While still in Las Vegas, I checked my emails and had a message from someone answering my request for partners(which I always post on Jtree trips, even though I have developed a nice group of local friends to climb with). Brenden, who happened to also be from New York, had just arrived in Joshua Tree on a leg of an extended road trip, and had about a week before the rest of his group arrived. We ended up with him sharing my campsite, and he cooked most of the meals with ingredients I supplied. He also played the part of rope-gun extraordinaire, leading Pope's Crack onsight, his first day, and first time ever in Joshua Tree.

I also hooked up with James, Brandt, Sonya and Reilly - all locals to the area - for a day or two of friendship and cragging, and though it wasn't a first ascent, I did follow my new tradition of getting deeply into the further reaches of the park with Todd Gordon, Tucker Tech and others, as we wound our way to the southwest face of North Astrodome and climbed a 5.7 sport-bolted rope-stretcher called Let Your Fleak Flag Fly.

Back in New York City, I had two weeks to prepare my apartment for seven months of being sublet while I moved to what is technically within Gardiner, though I have no actual street address. I am caretaker for a second season, living in and off-the-grid cabin with no plumbing, and loving the quarter mile walk to the well for drinking water, and one mile walk to the cliffs.

Within days of getting here, my friend Peter also arrived, and stayed with me on and off throughout May and June. This was as close to having a significant other as climbing partner as I have ever experienced, though our friendship remained platonic, and I can see how easily one slips into the cocoon-like comfort of such a climbing partnership. Peter was leading 5.8's and 9's, and patiently coaching me as I worked my way up the the routes. The fact that he is absolutely beautiful in body and character was an exquisite perk to which I quickly became accustomed. I could wax on, and oh - how I would like to - but the chapters within that story remain untold, and so I will keep the notes private, at least for now. At any rate, climbing with Peter was so enjoyable that I simply had no desire to link up with internet strangers, and though I made some attempts to get out with old partners in the days when he was away, I was happy enough keeping myself occupied with other activities, waiting to return to the high of climbing with someone I am incredibly attracted to.

But like I wrote earlier - the problem having all one's eggs in one basket(now that could be a double entendre if only I'd taken a bit of effort....) is that people leave. Or die. The good news is that he is alive and well; the bad news that he's gone, though I don't assume forever. He's currently out west, traveling and climbing in the mountain regions out west and California.

But, like so many before me who have fallen prey to the myopic partnership, I found I had unintentionally created distance between myself and several partners I climbed with in the past. It should be noted that none of these partnerships were committed relationships that I dodged, and I did keep in touch throughout the time he was here, inquiring about getting out and expressing hopes to do so. Usually, our schedules simply didn't match up.

Nonetheless, I couldn't help but get a sense of some irritation from a few people who asked what I had been climbing since we'd last talked. That hurt; I am not one who is constantly partnered up with someone, dropping my friends until my heart is broken and needing their emotional glue to help me piece life back together. To be treated as such - even if it was only in my imagination - seemed unfair.

At any rate, once I didn't have Peter to climb with, I realized that I was going to have to start from scratch and build new partnerships, just like I had been doing each season previously. As I said, I have climbed with hundreds of people, even here at the Gunks, but not really developed reliable partnerships with any of them.

Partly, it is due to the fact that our initial day of climbing has generally been due to the fact that one of THEIR regular partners was unavailable; I was the fill-in, and amounted to just one number in their address book of people to call when their preferred partner couldn't climb. But I also have to admit that, for whatever reason, I seem not to have the interpersonal skills required to build sustaining partnerships.

Still, I wanted to climb, of course, and posted partner requests on the climbing forums I frequent, and though I would like to say I redoubled my efforts and reconnecting with previous partners, I fell into my old ways, for the most part, of waiting for their calls and wondering why they weren't forthcoming(though in one case I had made the effort, and we did finally get a nice day out recently). The only "old" climbing partner who I easily fell back into routine with was Whiskey Mike, whom anyone acquainted with Gunks climbing is familiar with.

I did get responses, which is nice. But, oh, how I had forgotten the stumble and bumble of hooking up with new people. Though I was as clear as I could be in stating my skill/experience level and what sorts of partners I looked for, I was immediately besieged with people who had been climbing only in the gym and wanted to try outdoors, and others who "definitely wanted to climb a lot this season," but weren't available when I suggested we set up a day(even when I left the dates to their choice). Complementing those, I had at least three who notes from people were coming to the Gunks on a climbing trip, and seemed excited to partner up. Each of them subsequently canceled their trip; often without bothering to let me know in advance.

Out of about 20 inquiries, so far I have only gotten out climbing with one person from the batch. We have been having some nice days in, where I am leading all the pitches and generally setting the day's agenda. This is good for me, since I have always tended to go along with the flow of my partner to an extent which put the burden of decisions on their lap, and I also tended to decline taking leads, since my level was usually lower than theirs to the point I worried they'd be bored following me.

So - here we are, about mid-season in the Shawangunks(I consider my season here to be from mid-March through mid-November), and where do I stand? I HAVE ticked off a few leads I was anticipating(an onsight of Black Fly, and Fingerlocks or Ceder Box, which I had been on once before, as my singular "mock lead" back in 2005). I've followed Peter on several routes which were challenging for me, and fell off some others(he patiently waited while I prussiked 20 feet of the rope on Ape Call after falling out of the corner into the air and being unable to get back on stance). I have repeated some routes and taken note of the increased ease I had in the leading, and backed off one I previously led(first pitch of Snowpatch), swung leads with Pauline, and perhaps most important to my development, I have been the leader of the day with a new partner.

My current agenda is to continue leading the "under 5's which I previously swung leads on, so I have experienced being on the sharp end for all the pitches, ticking off a few previously led routes, such as Horseman, just to check my progress, and working through the 5.5's I haven't yet lead. Then I'll begin getting on some of the G-rated 5.6's and continue my way upward, as is the tradition in traditional climbing.

I've not yet led some routes rated sub-5.5, such as Sixish and Hawk, and with good reason. I'd have tried Hawk by now, but several people whose opinions I trust have indicated that last year's rockfall has made the route unpalatable, and considering it's reputation as a sandbag, I prefer not to ignore their advise at risk of an "I told you so." With Sixish, I asked Pauline to lead for me the other day, as I wasn't entirely sure where the 5.4 route ran. The route has a well-earned reputation as risky for the unequipped leader, and last year I asked someone to lead it so I could suss the line beforehand. That person went up the G-rated 5.6 variation, which nullified the effort for me, since I specifically wanted the 5.4 section. After following Pauline, I think I'll continue to put off that lead. The first placement area is bomber, with room for as many pieces as one wants to use, but one has to climb with no gear to a height where a fall would certainly cause at least some injury before getting there. The second stance for placement comes at an awkward stand that, if blown, is high enough that the risk of injury is again present. And then a bit of run-out. I have no health insurance, and my life insurance isn't even enough to cover a cremation - good thing I've donated my body to medical science!

Since I mentioned Whiskey Mike before, I should say that I will most certainly continue getting out once in a while with him. I am one of his fill-in partners; someone he will look for when a better match for his abilities isn't available. With Mike, I (try to) follow his leads or top-rope set-ups on 5.9's and 10's, and occasionally he will run up an easier route in order to set the TR.

I'll also hopefully get more days of swinging leads with Pauline, which I'm looking forward to. Now that I realize the added stress of making the day's agenda decisions, I intend to be more proactive in offering suggestions for climbs, and will work to resist my urge to decline on leading my turn. Even though I pride myself in being a competent second who does their share of the work, I just hadn't fully realized the added burden it puts on someone who has to take that on themselves. I have a new-found appreciation for all the people I've climbed with who lead the day.

As well, I am still available, and willing, to climb with new partners and old, and also those visiting the area who might appreciate having a partner who is familiar with the cliffs. In September, I head off to Yosemite for the Facelift again. While I don't climb a LOT during those trips, I'll certainly get out a little bit, and am looking forward to that. Perhaps I can even relax my stringent practice of barely allowing myself a day out, and even get in a long route.

And, soon enough, the Gunks season will begin to wane as November approaches. This is going to be a big transition period for me this year, as I have made the decision NOT to return to New York City, and live as a southwestern nomad for the winter. But that's a whole other subject, and one I am sure I will write about soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Need a Gear Fix?

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:32:00 +0000

No - not THAT kind of fix, you gear junkies! I mean a fix to the zipper on your tent or down jacket type of fix!

Sewwllymon tells us on a Supertopo.com thread that the place TO go in SoCal for such things is the Wilderness Workshop, owned and operated by Janise Clooney since 1982.

Now, don't be discouraged when you click that link and find that the website offers no email addy or contact form, and asks you to giver Janise a call at 323-256-0723 to discuss what she can do for your trusted and beloved(and irreplaceable!) gear. Just pick up the phone, and make that call - like we did BITD BEFORE the impersonal automation of the net.

Pasadena Weekly ran a story on Wilderness Workshop a while ago, so check out that article, "Nature's Fabric - Wilderness Workshop Has Outdoor Repair Needs All Sewn Up" and find out a little more about the company.

It's really hard to get outdoor clothing repaired(as I surely found last fall when trying (unsuccessfully) to have my down jacket's zipper replaced....Hey! I need to call Janice! If I send that jacket out now, it will be back in plenty of time for the cold winter days. Thanks Sewellymon!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

$3 Off all ClimbAddict T-Shirts!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:41:00 +0000

The deal is:
- $3 OFF all ClimbAddict T-shirts on July 7-8th.
- Shop at www.climbaddictdesigns.com
- Enter code TMINUS3 at checkout. There will be a little box titled "Have a Code?" when you go to the "Billing and Checkout" page after ordering - that's where you enter the TMINUS3
- Promotion starts on July 7, 2010, at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends on July 8, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. (PST)

Here are some of the designs to choose from!

Send It All With Sendital!

Chalk - The Other White Powder

Yer Gonna Die!!!

Climbing Cojones

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

Mohonksville

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:40:00 +0000

Living on a nature preserve is certainly different than residing within a municipality such as Chelsea in Manhattan, but it's not without it's own society. At first I wasn't really conscious of the connection that the preserve created between myself and the many others who come to this land, whether for only a portion of one day out of their entire life, or as a regular user here on a frequent or even near daily basis.

Sure, I noticed others about me, and interacted with them on a variety of levels, but I didn't really understand that each and every one of us is part of this environment on a level not unlike those of a small town.

More than a hundred years ago, part of the Mohonk Preserve land holdings constituted at least one organized community, the Trapps Hamlet. Before that, it is known that natives to this area traveled across the Shawangunk Mountain ridges while on hunting expeditions and camped upon it's escarpments, at the very least. Of course, time continued and progress was was unstoppable. The Shawangunk berry pickers of the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, though a transient group, were the last to use this land as a way to subsist and survive, enjoying community amongst themselves as an integral part of that experience.

Nowadays, the Shawangunk ridge offers an extraordinary opportunity for nature lovers and those who enjoy outdoors adventurism. Climbers come from all over the world to challenge themselves on the steep cliff faces. Hikers, cyclists, photographers and naturalists mix with families here for a day of picnicking on the scenic grounds. And as the mission of the preserve unfolds, animals and plants native to this area once again have a habitat in which to thrive.

Look around! Chipmunks, squirrels, snakes, wild birds and even bears(if you are lucky enough to see one) on the preserve are glowing with vitality. The waterways are refreshingly clear, teeming with growth and healthy life. Plants, for the most part, survive their entire life without being trammeled into oblivion before having the chance to play their part in nature's cycle. The Mohonk Preserve is abundant with joie de vivre, and humans, understanding their place within this strata, intuitively take a submissive role to nature. For a fraction of our time on this planet we accept that we are not the dominate force.

Plants, animals, land, water, and the ever-changing weather cycles are the construct of this microcosm of our universe. Each element depends upon the others for survival, and the part humans play, though subordinate, is that of the steward. Without those people who populate Mohonksville to protect it, the land would be no different than any other scenic area available to the public at large; trashed forever by unfettered development, and polluted to a level where life is unsustainable due to a faulty system of checks and balances.

So – just who are the people of Mohonksville and what roles do they have within it's culture?

Most obvious would likely be those whom we see on a regular basis; the rangers, trail head assistants and volunteers with a public presence, such as those who lead hikes or assist guests at the Visitor Center. We might view them as representatives of the township of Mohonksville. Less known to the general public would be the administrators who must, by duty, spend much of their day sequestered within the offices of the preserve, and other places that often go unnoticed by most people. Without the efforts of those who serve on the Board of Directors, handle office responsibilities and provide maintenance services, Mohonksville would not be able to survive. These people constitute, to some degree, what would be referred to as civil servants within municipalities in the world at large.

Next we have those who use the land - Members, who amount to being taxpayers of a sort.. Some have more of a physical presence than others, but whether one takes up residence in Mohonksville by daily or near-so visits, comes only on the weekend or even a few times per year, these common citizens are the people in our neighborhood.

(Rock climber following "Inverted Layback" in the Near Trapps)

There are those who seem to be here always; the climber roping up in the Uberfall whenever we pass through, the hiker perpetually heading towards us on the trail each time we are out for a stroll, the nature lover who considers the Split Rock area part of their back yard, and lovingly tends to it's care on an almost daily basis by picking up cigarette butts and other bits of trash discarded by less meticulous individuals. We know these people by sight, if not always by name, and come to accept their presence at the preserve in the same way we expect to see the various rock formations, seasonal berries and wild flowers, and magnificent, colorful vistas of autumn foliage. They are, in perhaps an undefinable way, an integral part of the Mohonk Preserve, and when they are gone, their presence is missed

Other users constitute the majority of the human element within Mohonksville. These are the everyday people, those we see on occasion but perhaps never develop more than a passing acquaintance to, others who seem vaguely familiar if only due to the distinguishing characteristic that they walk with a rack of jingling climbing gear, roll by on a mountain bike, jog along the carriage road at the end of their canine companion's leash, or hike with a few children in tow. They inhabit the place, a constant system of rotation with similar folks. More of them abound on stellar weather days, but they do tend to blend together as a general crowd, much the way of sidewalk passersby.

And what would Mohonksville be without it's ebb and flow of tourists? In ways as much a destination spot as 42nd Street, the Mohonk Preserve is the crossroads of the universe to segments of the outdoors recreation world, particularly that of rock climbers.

These are people who visit irregularly, perhaps on a traditional yearly basis, but more often as a once or twice in a lifetime experience. They aren't familiar with the plethora of features everyone else seems to know: the Hairpin Turn, Steel Bridge, High E, Millbrook Ridge Trail, Duck Pond, the Stairmaster and downstream on the Coxing Kill at Split Rock, along with so many other landmarks. They get lost easily, even along roadways as uncomplicated for the locals as the Undercliff/Overcliff Carriage Road, and are often unable to distinguish the difference between the West Trapps and Warwasing parking areas.

(They may be on the rocks, but these tourists are not rock climbers!)

Luckily for these travelers, the people of Mohonksville are almost always more than happy to point them in the right direction, provide beta on the classic climb they are desperate to get onto, or direct them to the area they left just minutes ago, to go to the bathroom or take a photo, and where the rest of their group awaits their return.

Tourists in Mohonksville are usually very pleasantly surprised at the subtle hospitality afforded them. Because of the governing policy of the preserve, they are often oblivious that there is, in fact, a social web that weaves throughout the place. In their mind, they've simply purchased a day pass to a nature preserve and are out on their own adventure. Like a visitor to any metropolis, they may go about their day seeing sights and experiencing sounds, all but unaware that other humans exist. This is, of course, by design, and befitting of the preserve's mission: to protect the Shawangunk Mountains by inspiring people to care for, enjoy and explore the natural world. For the one who comes here to commune with nature, there is no Mohonksville, since animals other than humans(so far as we know) do not follow our custom of naming their social collectives.

Of course, there is a social element devoid of humanity within this space. Else, how to explain the animal paths one occasionally comes across, or the gatherings of Canada Geese as they stop to rest and feed at Duck Pond? What about the papery wasp nests, cavernous abodes of aggressively swarming Ground Bees and columns of ants methodically transferring eggs from one locale to another - hundreds, perhaps thousands in number, all traveling back and forth along the exact same stretch of single-track trail? Certainly these shared spaces are indicative of a communal society.

As mentioned previously, humans take a subordinate role within this environment, proof that the preserve is successful in the perpetuation of it's mission. And so, since we know not what the animals(or plants, rocks and trees, should one consider they may have consciousness) might call this place, should they not be included within the construct of our Mohonksville? I certainly think so. After all, is not the small town park or downtown square an integral part of urbanized society?

So, along with our human neighbors, we include the Peregrine Falcons who make home high upon the cliffs as part of this social environment; perhaps even allowing them the prestige of celebrity status, as we watch in awe from afar, aware of their untouchability.

Each year pairs of the falcons mate, and within days of their nesting and egg-laying, announcements of the event are made. Word spreads throughout Mohonksville quickly, and soon enough even those not physically present are holding vigil, waiting for news on the number of hatchlings, and anticipating their first public appearance as if hooked on the weekly publishing of a favorite news tabloid.

Just recently a pair fledged, perhaps a bit too early. As sometimes happens, they did not complete their initial flight safely. Climbers came upon the pair amongst the talus above the Undercliff Carriage Road. One had already perished, and been preyed upon by an animal higher in the food chain. The other was alive, but injured. Preserve rangers were notified, and came to the aid of the injured bird, protecting them from further harm until qualified professionals could tend to it.

Like news in any small town, each person who found out about the incident excitedly conveyed what they knew to those they came upon, and within short order, seemingly everyone on the preserve was aware of the tragic event. By noontime, if one mentioned the accident to another, they already knew and possibly even had an update. On internet boards, people discussed the progression of events, anxious for positive news on the baby's welfare.

Birds are numerous, colorful and often providing cheerful song throughout the day. Owls alight at dusk and after, when the human element of Mohonksville has completed their daily migration away from the place.

Another set of creatures in our "town" bearing - forgive the pun - celebrity status, allowed plenty of personal space yet always excitedly spotted, would be those from our local bear population. 2010 has shown itself to be a big year for bears, and several sightings have been reported. As yearlings roam in search of territory to claim as their own, the rest of Mohonksville maintains a higher state of alertness, aware they are on the move and hoping to catch a glimpse of one.

Copperhead, Black, Rat and Water Snakes are frequently seen sunning themselves on talus slopes, slithering up steep rock faces with an ease that seems almost mockery to any climber who is watching their ascent, or gracefully swimming in ponds. Copperheads, though poisonous, are quite beautiful with their gold and brown patterned skin which helps camouflage them against the woodland floor of dried leaves and fallen branches. They're often viewed with both trepidation and disdain, not unlike the swarthy, handsome yet aloof, man about town the women warn each other after. Attractive – yes, but get close at risk of peril!

Mohonksville has quite a contingent of amphibians, insects, arachnids and other beings. Late spring brings out butterflies and moths. Dragonflies hover and cruise the grounds. Fireflies light up the woods each summer evening. Near waterways and amidst the forest floors frogs of several types spring into action whenever the tread of humans bumbling near enough seems threatening to their safety. Orange Efts dot pathways after a rainy day and Blue-tailed Skinks scamper and rock hop at the bases of cliffs. And Millipedes! Perhaps the most widely represented of Mohonksville's constituents, they are often held in contempt by subordinate humans, who have no idea whatsoever what their purpose is or why there are just....so many of them!

(Orange Eft)

(Blue-Tailied Skink)

Life in our community is not limited to the animal kingdom. Trees, shrubs, ferns, flowers, berries, grasses, mosses and fungus are all an integral part of Mohonksville that only the unthinking would not include. The autumn season portends the coming of the human masses, in search of an easy sensory fix. Brilliant, densely saturated displays of colorful foliage create an aura of high festival season, and the land swells with an increase in tourist activity.

This may be peak time period for visitors to the area, but for those who know and love Mohonksville, it is but a short span within the cycle of seasons. After winter's hibernation period, dainty wildflowers begin to pop up in sunny patches throughout the preserve. In mid-May the regal Pink LadySlipper Orchid makes her appearance, stunning us with her stately majesty. Soon Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron are blossoming cliffsides, hills and vales, and blossoming bushes give way to wild blueberries, strawberries, black raspberries and grapes.

(Mountain Laurel)

Then there are the trees! Once culled nearly to decimation for timber, charcoal, barrel hoops, tannic acids and the clearing of pasturelands, the ridge is now in renaissance as Hemlocks, Pitch Pines, Birch, Oaks and others regenerate. Though likely the connection remains unmade by most autumn leaf-peeping visitors to Mohonksville, without the preserve, this land would be devoid of such splendor.

As well, the massive rock formations which the Shawangunks Ridge is famous for were at one time seen as a resource to be harvested. Millstones were quarried from the area, and sold down the river. One can find evidence of this old industry along the Trapps Hamlet Path and in other areas of the preserve.

Today, the rocks are still a highly valued asset, but most importantly their use is one with sustainability in mind. The ethical debate of bolting rock climbs was decided upon early, while war waged in other climbing destinations throughout the US. Here, bolts are use only for rappel anchors, and those are in favor of upholding the health and integrity of the cliff top trees. While a few bolts were placed on rock faces before the decision to ban their use was made, they are an anomaly to the tradition of using removable protection.

The Shawangunk cliffs are truly the foundation of Mohonksville society. From afar they are a beacon on the horizon, guiding human visitors the the area. In closer proximity, the escarpments provide an experience of a more visceral sort, whether it be the challenge to ascent a climbing route, a pleasant walk along their bases, or as a sublime vantage point to consider the scenic vistas throughout the acreage. More humbly, they are home to many – the plant and animal life of Mohonksville.

Surely I have neglected the mention of many others who make up the Mohonksville demographic. Feel free to leave a comment yourself, and include them in this description of our little town.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

2010 - Pre-emptive "It Was a Very Good Year" Post

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:03:00 +0000

I like to plan ahead. That said, come New Years 2011, I expect to be reminiscing about how incredible 2010 has been for me.

The first three months, unfortunately, have not been. In some respect, "stagnation" would be an apt word for some areas of my life. Up until a few days ago, I had been seriously struggling with feelings of "How did I get here? How do I work this?"(ala Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" lyrics).

Winter was about work for me - I started to expand my t-shirt empire... More aptly, my t-shirt anthill. But it's MY anthill! It ain't much, but Ive spent the last few months building a second shop for ClimbAddict, and also an umbrella shop called OutrageousTees.com

I am still looking at this thing, this entrepreneurial baby of mine, and thinking "Sheesh, yer an ugly little runt...." But - I keep pecking away, adding new designs and hoping something will come of it. Something sort of NEEDS to come of it, for this is to be my replacement income for my animal care service, a healthy chunk of which I am letting go of as we spea...errr, write. And read.

Outrageous Tees seems to be a pretty redneck t-shirt shop. That's going to have to be okay, since the largest market of t-shirt wearing people do sort of tend to fall into that category... Just because I think up these designs, just because I commit them to pixels, doesn't mean I would actually wear them myself! And some of them aren't so awful...and maybe some better ones will come. But like I said - this winter was a weird one, and what came out of it, came out.

Partly, I was waiting on someone. Someone I thought had romantic interest in me. Guess not..... And that is sort of sad, because that someone had some characteristics that I greatly admired. I don't meet many people who have characteristics I would consider greatly admirable. There was also a slight blip on the health radar. Well, actually there still IS that blip. And I don't know what it means yet. Very likely it is nothing, as in benign, if you catch my drift. But I won't know for another few weeks. If it's not nothing - well, them my pre-emptive Fabulous 2010 post will have been written pre-emptively. But I digress...

This post is about how AWESOME 2010 is going to be for me, now that winter has subsided and new life is springing up all over the place. The BIG news....is really very big! I am going to be living on the Mohonk Preserve again. In a cabin, acting as a caretaker. My job description is: Open the gate in the morning. Close the gate at night. Pick up any litter that litterers leave. Keep an eye on things.

In return, I get to live in a cabin in the middle of the woods. A twenty minute walk from the cliffs. I will be there from about May 1st through November. I TOLD you it was awesome!

No electricity, nor plumbing. A quarter mile walk to drinking water and a mile to cel phone service. Eight miles to town - no car.....I did this last fall, for three month, so I know what I am getting into. Several people - guys, even - have told me they are surprised; that they don't think they could handle this. I don't understand why....

So - during this wonderful period, I have some creative projects to work on. I'll be doing pen & ink studies of the various trees and other plantlife, and also illustrating the various stanzas of a children's poem wrote several years ago, called "Patrick the Fir Tree." I'll just have to find out which of the spindly little firs in my massive yard is Pat, and see if he'll pose for me.

I also intend to do more writing than I did last year, though there is some issue with this. I enjoy typing on the computer. I'm pretty good at going stream of conscious - I don't really edit any of these blog posts, for instance. But I LIKE the fact that when I recognize a typo or make a poor word choice, it's easy to fix. FIX - not cross out and scribble the correction. And I like how I can go off on a tangent, only to see I went off on a tangent, and simply insert a smooth transition on the spot, rather than have to...well, I don't even KNOW how to do that on handwritten paper....

The issue is no electricity. My computer will go 2 hours until it needs to be reheated. I'm considering getting an old typewriter, sort of as a compromise.

I have another book - a big one - that I have started a couple of time over my adult life. In the last several years I thought maybe it didn't need to come out after all. It is not a pretty story. But....here it is, tapping at my window again, for the last few months. I think it's trying to tell me something....Or get me to tell someone else something.... It is not a pretty story. That is not a writing misfire; it bore repeating.

And of course I will CLIMB! I will climb, climb, climb! During the 3 months I was here(there) last season, I lost TWENTY POUNDS, and went from being timid on the lead on 5.3 to being solid and ready to go for the lead on High Exposure. From flailing following 5.8, to being able to focus and follow 5.9 onsight. AND it was hard going, in the star, finding climbing partners. But by the time I left - I HAD found some. And we have kept in touch over winter and will be back climbing together again.

That is enough - this glorious gift. But I don't think it is all that is in store.

For the last several years I have wanted to go west for the winter, but each time winter comes, I am unable to do so, because of financial constraints. I am not sure HOW this year will be any different, but I just somehow KNOW it will be. Getting those t-shirt shops standing on their own may prove futile, but I hope not. I sure as hell don't see how I could get a jo...jo... a...j.o.b.

There. I typed it. Forget the fact I DO spend hours each day actually working - real work - on these t-shirt shops. It's just not the same damned thing. It's FUN! Well...the marketing isn't fun. I suck at the marketing. But every day I try to suck less, and little by little, put myself out there, hoping some of those little put-outs will take root and grow into a viable message that someone will hear.

In a few days I will be off to Joshua Tree for my annual spring climbing trip kick off. Some of the locals I've come to know won't be there, unfortunately. But others will be, and I will have a great time. Hopefully I will take lots of photographs, and them take the time to edit and post them for the viewing pleasure of others. Then, I come back and bear the bad news to some of my clients - that I am leaving. For most, it will be the seven months, with my assistant handling things. But for three of them, it is permanent(one has already been taken care of). But - the future is now, and I've got to step into it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

ClimbingBlogs.com ~ That's a Good Link List!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:01:00 +0000

Recently, I met a Twitter user, Tristan Higbee. Met him online, I mean. He had just started a new climbing blog, Daily Climbing Tips. The idea is, that each day he will post a bit of helpful information, or some other climbing-related tidbit. Each day!

Well, it's been two weeks already and he's still on track. The entries are short, simple, easy to read articles, and it looks like he'll also include a smattering of videos and gear reviews. Worth taking a look, I think.

But that's not the end of it. I guess Mr. Tristan got an idea, when he posted about his new blog here, on rockclimbing.com. As one would expect, he got a few nasty burns from the regulars, and also a jump-on-the-bandwagon load of other bloggers seizing the moment to post links to their own blogs.

That must have been the impetus for him to create an adjunct site, ClimbingBlogs.com, which is a catalog of various climbing-related blogs. Already he's got more than 30 listed, and there is an easy-to-spot "Add a Blog" link which anyone can use to submit a blog to be included. Blogs are vetted before being added, but this one got through, so the bar isn't all that high!

The cool thing about ClimbingBlogs.com is that it reads like a front page of a newspaper. Blogs excerps are listed as the author posts, along with the name of the blog for identification. This way, the newest content is always right at the top ~ Very easy to keep up!

Nice work! So, take a minute and check out both these new climbing resources, add your blog, or suggest a good one that should be included.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

The Great ClimbAddict Pro-Motion and Booty Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:14:00 +0000

Note: To skip the heavy verbiage that is my hallmark, and go directly to the promotion information - CLICK HERE!

I know I have been remiss in writing about my personal climbing, travels and the minutiae of my day. Bear with me if you can; I've been getting out there, although now it is winter and I am definitely going stir crazy here in NYC.

I got back from living in the cabin upstate at the end of November. A week later I was in Joshua Tree for two weeks. Now I am back in the city since mid-December. About one month and.... I want out! Hopefully I will be back in the cabin within a couple months - got to find a way to support myself this time around, because I am thinking on making some pretty big changes to go along with it. Possibly letting go of this apartment finally - scareeee!

But that's not why I write today. i write because the things I have been doing to fill my day have been work related. Trying to get my hair accessory line, Talisman Studios, up and out there. And some work with the t-shirt stuff.

Recently I had a giant influx of creative energy on that and, bolstered by pretty decent holiday sales, decided that "maybe I CAN do better with ClimbAddict! Maybe I can even sell a decent amount of goods!"

Hahaha - it's so easy to delude myself. Easier to distract me. And that is exactly what has happened...

You see, somewhere within that spin cycle of creativity, it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to make a Valentine's Day promotion. Now - originally this promotion was SUPPOSED to be for my hair accessories. But try as I might, I just could NOT come up with an idea. Of course, now that I implemented "The Great ClimbAddict Pro-Motion and Booty Giveaway!" a good promotion for the hair goods immediately came to mind. GAAAHH! It's true. But now that must wait, and I will implement it for an Arrival of Spring/Easter time frame. Look for me to co-op with some beauty and bath product suppliers around that time.

But, back to ClimbAddict and this Valentine's Day Promo....

Somewhere I must have read someone's pun using the word "pro" for condom. Not to hard to do, considering that I have an pretty sick addiction to the climbing discussion boards. I probably see that innuendo at least once a day. But for some reason I thought "Hey! I know! I will order a wholesale lot of condoms, come up with a punny tagline and include that as a graphic with the ClimbAddict logo on them and give them away for a Valentine's Day event!

Well, hell. Why not!? It seemed like a good idea at the time... And I figured they will be good giveaways at climbing/film fests, bouldering comps(parents of the mini pad people will just luuuuv this idea, no?) and other such events.

And so....I went to work. I came up with that tagline; it's "If you're not free soloing ~ use protection!" Considering that Valentine's Day is the international day of luv, I figure it's a good tie-in as well.

I did the art, which is included below for your reference. Then I researched and got the best deal on a pretty massive quantity of prophylactics. The idea is, that people send an SASE, and I return the envelope with one or two condoms included. I'm also adding sets of stickers, but I just could NOT come up with a way to make some conection to "stickies" and "rubbers." If you can do it - post it to the comments and I will be a happiegrrl.

And, not only that, I am going to put all those SASE's in a bin and randomly choose three winners, who will be able to choose up to $50 worth of stuff from the ClimbAddict shop.

That's the deal.

Now I HAVE to give them away because....ummm, well let's just say that, the way things have been going for me personally, I don't really need but a few for myself. And that's when I am in *wishful thinking* mode. Here's the art for the packaging:

Now, how do YOU get to enter this contest and get your little stickies and rubbers(see, I told you I wasn't getting there)? You simply click through to the ClimbAddict Blog and that has all the information. So - do it!

Annnnnddddd - I really could use some help getting the word out with this. If you can find it in your heart to post a link to your friends or on discussion borads, your Twitter account, Facebook or whatever, that would be so nice. If you REALLY want to be a helpful person - I have made a poster up that can be downloaded and printed out. If you goto a climbing gym...it would really be cool if you could see if they'd put it up. Here are the links for that:
Contest Poster
Contest Guidelines

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader

ClimbAddict Expands

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Design personalized gifts at Zazzle.

Along with the ClimbAddict regular shop on CafePress, we're beginning to work with another Print-On-Demand house, Zazzle.

With Zazzle, we're able to offer our designs on an even greater array of products. Particularly of interest for climbers will be the Microfiber shirts available for men and women in tank, t-shirt and long sleeved styles. Zazzle also has Hoodies and Sweatshirts in a greater color selection than our CafePress shops, and the ability to customize you choice. You can vary the design graphic/location or add personalized text.

Click the thumbnails in the slideshow above, or go to our shop at www.zazzle.com/climbaddict

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help support Happiegrrrl in her quest to travel, climb and live an adventurous life(instead of being stuck at home working.....). Visit her online shop, ClimbAddict, for original designs on t-shirts, jackets, caps, stickers and giftware.

The End is Near!

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Less than one week left for me here on the preserve, and then it's back to....civilization. At least what most people would consider a more appropriate version of society, when comparing life in a cabin with no plumbing nor electricity with that of a New York City apartment.

I don't want to go. I'm happy here.

But I must, and I will, with hopes that next year I will again be here, living in this special, special place.

My biggest surprise was the level of disgust many people openly expressed in my very willingness to even want to live this way. When I added that I wouldn't own an automobile, they seemed to get it. I had simply gone off the deep end. In their minds, that is.

Going sans car was the key to this kingdom, I declare, should anyone be interested. The simple matter is, that one just can not experience the natural world while whizzing from place to place at sixty miles per hour.

The Shongum Path has been my commute, and a pleasant one. Somewhere along the traverse I lost two entire clothing sizes, and gained an intimate connection with much of the plant-life along the way. Teddy and I were often alone on those journeys, not another person on the trail, and when another human happened along I was often initially shocked by the ingress. I had been that deeply immersed in the experience of...experiencing the path I was on.

Not to say I was always observing the many variances in moss, lichen, trees, bushes, flowers, leaves, caterpillars, birds, sounds and such; sometimes the thing one becomes most aware of, when walking quietly, is that which is the world within themselves.

There was plenty of time for me to delve; I walked that path back and forth several times each week. Mostly taking stock on the things I have to be grateful for, this time in the cabin being just one. My choices over the past ten years or so led me to this place; my distaste for corporate sustenance, which eventually expelled me, forcing me to find a way to be self-supporting. The interesting labyrinth I walked trying to find my way toward that goal. Climbing - the change in life that changed my life!

Now I see what life has to offer, and though I am to return to city life in a few short days, I am a bit concerned. Will I be able to stand it? The noise and urban bravado were taxing my levels of comfort in the months(years, more aptly) before I too this hiatus in the woods. Altercations between myself and others were occurring more and more frequently; I just couldn't keep my mouth shut when confronted with selfish stupidity.

Teddy has been unmolested by hostile, unhappy, people dipping their shopping bags of heavy groceries for three months. Nobody believes me when I say these types hit try to him with the bags on purpose. But I know. I watch, and I see their faces as they prepare for attack. It's intentional. No doubt about it.

No doubt about it – there will be problems with my return....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help support Happiegrrrl in her quest to travel, climb and live an adventurous life(instead of being stuck at home working.....). Visit her online shop, ClimbAddict, for original designs on t-shirts, jackets, caps, stickers and giftware.

The Last Round-Up

noreply@blogger.com (happiegrrrl) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:40:00 +0000

As many of my friends know(owing that I have a big mouth), I've been lucky enough to get a gig as caretaker at a spot with the Mohonk Preserve for a few months. Tonight I head into the city again; not for good, but as part of my transport to the Yosemite Facelift.

My flight leaves out of JFK on Friday morning at 7, and I need to be on the first bus from Grand Central in order to make the flight within my “no stress” early arrival cushion. That's a 5:30am departure....

And so, I must leave here this evening at some point, get the last train to Grand Central just before 11pm, and find ways to fill my time between 1 and 5am, when I can go to the bus pick up point. Will the police tool me, or will my white-girl, non-transient costume save my soles from their constant demand to “Keep it moving?”

Yesterday was supposed to be – SUPPOSED to be – a rainy day. So instead of climbing, I stayed near the cabin, anticipating marvelous thunderstorms and the musical percussion of rain as it tickles at, or pounds away against, the leaves of the forest trees.

It did not rain.

I tried to make do, sure that the precip was coming any time now. Bike ride, walks with Teddy, conversation with the dude manning the gate, a game of Scrabble(Me against Me 2), reading. Things like that.

Which left a lot of free time. Time which I spent walking the road and picking up trash along the way.

'Keep America Beautiful' and 'Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute' were the environmental educational phrases of my childhood era, and they were fairly well implanted on my forming mind. My parents did their part in the process; dad would have us 'police the area' when we went on country picnics, whether they were in roadside county parks or under the shade tree of a farmer's hay field. Mom always had a trash bag available for picnic pickups the moment we touched down. If a bit of wind tried to make off with paper plates from our picnic table, she excitedly encouraged us to save them before they were goners - drowned in the waters of a fast-running stream, or playing Dodge Ball with cars on the the heavily trafficked interstate we'd pulled off.

I'm going to Yosemite specifically to participate in a major clean up campaign. Sure, to climb, socialize and wonder at the wonder, too. But mostly for the Facelift clean up event. I'm happy being a picker-upper.

So it was a natural thing that I spent yesterday ...policing the area... before heading off on vacation. Scouring the roadside, bumbling through brambles, and sloshing over watery ditches, on a mission. In search of wayward trash.

Your trash....

Not “Yours” as in “You.” Buy you know what I mean.

Perhaps I should have written “Their trash.” Those despicable “They's.” It's always Them.... Or the They's and Their's. Those people who have no respect for the natural beauty of nature! No concern for the bitty fish who swallow their garbage, innocently mistaking it for food, in turn picking up the pace on their slow march to death. Couldn't care less for the cyclist who gets a flat from running over the shards of their broken beer bottle, slung from the window of the car. Let me tell you – DUI is alive and kicking, despite strong legal repercussions. Nearly all the cans and bottles are of the Budweiser brand, interestingly. Whiskey fifths are a distant second, so far as containers for intoxicating beverages are disposed of roadside. For the friends who – hopefully – don't let their friends drive drunk(but draw no distinction when it comes to littering), Snapple and Arizona Iced Tea bottles and cans are almost as abundant as their bud's Buds.

I don't really mind, so much, picking the stuff up. After all, it is part of my agreement in this situation. Well...not entirely. I'm just supposed to take care of a small area. But I have help with that. A group of regulars regularly sweep that area and, now that the summer picnicking season is passed, we're scraping the bottom of the barrel, garbage-wise. Lots of cigarette butts, to be sure. But the used tampons and rubbers, chip and cookie bags, and other such fair-weather trash has pretty much migrated to warmer climes.

And so....I wander.

Yosemite – what have you got for me!?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoy my blog and would like to subscribe through RSS, you can click the FeedBurner Badge here. Thanks for your support! Subscribe in a reader
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help support Happiegrrrl in her quest to travel, climb and live an adventurous life(instead of being stuck at home working.....). Visit her online shop, ClimbAddict, for original designs on t-shirts, jackets, caps, stickers and giftware.