Dave&Callie: 11/21 to 12/30/2008 - Trip to Southern Utah and Vegas

It's been a bit quiet here on the blog. Not for lack of interest on our part, but due to being too busy to sit and update it. So finally, after working all day, I'm getting to this task.

On the 21st, we hopped in the Matrix and headed to Southern Utah. Our agenda included work and pleasure. The work part involved my giving a presentation in Cedar City at the Southern Utah University in the Political Science and Criminal Justice department. The talk was about juvenile violent victimization against elderly victims. Fun stuff and the presentation went well.

Before giving the presentation though, Dave and I headed out for some climbing at some of the wackiest places we've ever climbed.

Our first stop was a crag called the Chuckwalla Wall near St. George, Utah. The Chuckwalla wall is, uh, odd. It is a short wall, mere feet from the road and covered in chalk and bolts. Lots of chalk. And lots of bolts. Another way to view this place is as good pocket pulling on steep sandstone. I loved the climbing, Dave was less psyched - he felt that this stuff may once have been fun before 7 billion people made the stuff slick and coated in sweaty-people goo. It reminded me of a very short and tiny version of the Red River Gorge.

We did many climbs even though we were the presence of "that guy." In the climbing world, there is "that guy" at almost every wall. He is generally young and NEVER. SHUTS. UP. He is generally verbally spewing (like diarrhea) worthless and often dangerous information about the climb or climbing technique or climbers to the unsuspecting noobs (i.e., brand new climbers who are easily impressed) he's hauled out to the wall to impress. "That guy" is also always wearing a tank top or no shirt regardless of the temperature. I've gotten used to being around "that guy" more than Dave has. I thought at any moment Dave was going to throttle this fool.

Though noisy, the wall provided lots of fun leading for both of us. Hey look, a butt shot of me climbing! All in all, I thought it was a good time since my arms were tired when we left. It's been far too long since I felt that about climbing. Though a really odd and noisy place, the climbing was fun.

We had a great dinner at a local St. George Thai restaurant (Benjy Thai - HIGHLY recommended), followed by some custard and retreated to our hotel room - the Econolodge (NOT highly recommended unless you like a hotel room with no soap, shampoo, conditioner or kleenex. The maid did leave an envelope and note asking for a tip - Dave left her a tip alright - a note with some advice about how to increase the odds of getting a $$ tip).

The next day our next climbing destination was an even wackier place called Crawdad Canyon outside of St. George. We headed in that direction making a stop at the lip of Snow Canyon for some viewing and photos. I've climbed here before a few times (marginal climbing IMO), but Dave hadn't seen it. From the vantage point of the lip it is quite beautiful.

We continued on our way to Crawdad Canyon. This crag is described in the guide book as a "climber's dream come true." I'm not sure about that, but it was crazy in it's own way. It is a sport climbing area on basalt that charges an entrance fee, has daily hours, is closed in the spring and fall and forbids such activities such as traditional climbing! Kookie.

When we arrived, we learned that the hours in the guidebook were wrong and the place was closed. Boo Hoo! Happily after lolly-gagging in the parking lot a few minutes, the hosts drove up and allowed us in for some cash. There were only two other climbers in the entire canyon and "that guy" wasn't there - maybe this place IS a climber's dream come true.

We did 8 or 10 routes - most of which were quite fun. The walls are short, climbs about 6 feet apart, and belay benches and brass plates telling about each climb are available at the base of each climb. One thing that surprised both of us is that the grades were not soft. We thought given the comforts provided here, the grades of the climb may be ego-stroking. We were wrong.

When we left we were happily worked. We headed to Cedar City to check into the Bed & Breakfast (The Big Yellow Inn) that the university booked me for the next two nights. See: http://www.bigyellowinn.com/. Wow, what a beautiful place - and no one else was staying there. This huge 15 bedroom house was all ours. Too bad we couldn't find someone to show us where the thermostat was - we sweat profusely during the night until I opened the outside door to a balcony to let the winter air in. We finally found the $#$@! thermostat the next evening. Yeah, it was right in front of us. :)

The next morning I headed to the University to give my talk. Dave headed out to see the town. This included a nice hike up to the letter "C" (for Cedar City) on the hillside. He took some nice photos of the view from there.

After a long and tiring full day at the university, Dave and I had dinner with a faculty member and his wife. It was a good time. Everyone there at SUU were so very nice.