Monday, September 17th: Sherah impressed us with her natural strength and rock climbing skills. It was a beautiful day and Skaha has boundless, stunning climbs, making it difficult to have a bad time. We spent majority of the day on the wall before heading back to camp and appreciating our final night with Sherah.
On Tuesday morning Sherah and I got up to run before she needed to leave. She was teaching yoga that night and had a 6 hour drive ahead of her. Once we said our goodbyes, Tom and I drove to Skaha Bluffs where we spent the day climbing. Our lack of strength made it apparent that we had taken a significant break, but enjoyed it nonetheless. That night, we spent some time at a grocery store where we caught up with anyone that answered their phones. Both of us had become accustomed to being without service, but took full advantage while in any business that offered wi-fi. It was no rarity for us to shop while both on the phone, holding up various items and either nodding or shaking our heads to signal whether or not it was needed.
Wednesday was another climbing day during which I was able to climb Besieged, a 5.11b, without falling. I had climbed it the night before and had fallen multiple times. It felt good to get it clean, a testament to my mental and physical focus. Immediately following, I climbed a 5.11a then a 5.10c, both without coming off the wall. Unfortunately, the climbs weren't going Tom's way. It's no surprise that with the number of days we spend climbing, there are ones that are less favorable than others. It's easier to have good attitudes when it feels like we're excelling but we learn more from the days that shoot us down.
On Thursday, we stopped to buy contact solution at the grocery before I ran, and Tom drove, to the crag. We spent the day climbing with Jonah and Anne, a couple that we had met the day before. They are both exceptionally enthusiastic providing Tom and I with the pep that we needed for our fourth consecutive day of climbing. We found out while hanging (literally and figuratively) at the wall, that it was Jonah's birthday. Since we were staying at the same campground as them, we made plans to celebrate together that night. After making dinner separately, the four of us hid from the rain in the camper. We had such an amazing time having a drink and getting to know them. They shared both stories and Jonah's birthday brownies with us, both of which we gladly accepted.
Friday, September 21st: After eating breakfast and saying goodbye to Jonah and Anne, Tom and I readied our things to hit the road. We had spent a day short of four weeks in Canada and had our expectations completely blown out of the water. Each of the places we visited were not only breathtaking, but were also havens for outdoor enthusiasts. Aside from cold temperatures, I’d say that we both thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our time there. On our way out of Penticton, we stopped to pick up a young hitchhiker whose name we unfortunately forgot. She’s originally from Quebec but had been traveling for about 2 months. Her thick, French accent was, at times, difficult to understand, but was made easier with added gestures. She currently worked in the area, picking cherries in exchange for room and board. Due to that region’s rich soil and consistent sunlight, fruit farming is prevalent, creating an abundance of seasonal work. She explained that cherry picking is pleasant, and at the same time, taxing. Since cherries become soft and prone to bursting in warm temperatures, all the picking is done between 4am and noon. She showed us a callus on the inside of her middle finger that is a common indication of a cherry picker; a result of repeated rubbing from the way in which they grasp them to pull them off their branch. The cherry trees are also tall, requiring the use of a ladder. She told us that the ladders are often unstable and easy to fall off of if you’re not careful. She has friends that have endured injuries from falling from significant heights. We asked her what it was like traveling alone and trusting other people by climbing in their cars. She said that she says a prayer each time she puts her thumb out, and so far, has only had good experiences. She expressed her love for traveling and the freedom that it encourages. Although her family had other expectations for her and would prefer that she be working towards a career, she is willing to be misunderstood in order to carry out what she feels is her “richest life”. The way she spoke was zealous and emboldening, reminding Tom and I how fortunate we are to be able to be on this adventure. After buying her a cup of coffee, we dropped her off, driving her as far as we were going in her intended direction. We drove away with a newfound sense of appreciation and gratitude for our time spent in Canada, and for each new experience that lay ahead. Our next stop was Bellingham, WA to visit our friend Riley. Eventually reaching the border, we crossed without any trouble. Since we arrived before Riley was off work, Tom and I stopped at a park to go for a run/bike ride. Tom pushed me to keep up my pace, which at the time, felt miserable, but afterwards, was rewarding. We got to Riley’s house just as he had returned from work. He gave us a tour of his beautiful, ocean bayside home before both of us jumped in the shower. Riley’s wife, Contessa, was home not long after so we hopped in their car and headed out for dinner. We had an incredible meal at Aslan Brewery before walking to a nearby German bar to play corn hole. It was such a fun night, cherishing precious time with friends that we rarely see.
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