I can't tell you the last time Kyle and I had a real date. We were way past due. So, last night, we actually hired a babysitter and went out on the town. Well, sorta. We didn't follow the typical date mold, which I think is pretty boring. Dinner and a movie? Nope. Well, it has its place, but it just didn't feel right for us last night. So it was Sushi and Climbing! 

It was a first for both of us, but right up our alley. Adventurous, different, athletic. (I do not mean to sound smug by that...it's just that we both love workout-related activities for fun). I have several friends who are or used to be avid climbers and from what I've heard from them, it seems fun and challenging! Fortunately, neither Kyle nor I are afraid of heights.

The climbing center happened to have a Friday Date Night package - $30 for some belay lessons, shoes and gear and 3 hours of climbing! Not bad! 

We had a light dinner at the Sushi Cafe and then changed clothes, suited up and started climbing! After figuring out how to hold the belay rope and help each other up and down, we took off like monkeys up a tree. 

You had the option of belaying each other or using these auto-belays. That was crazy cool. You hook in, climb up and then kick off from the wall and rappel down. It was a little unnerving at first, because it doesn't feel like there's any resistance on the rope until you just let go. Then it eases you down the wall and it's great!

There was one little incident that I still haven't forgiven Kyle for. And he KNOWS I'm gonna share this with you and is probably muttering under his breath right now! He was holding the rope for me at the bottom and as I reached the top and looked down I asked him if he was ready for me to come down. He. Said. He. Was. And then I let go of the wall and DROPPED about 20 feet. Scared the bejeesus out of me and I screamed "KYLE!!!" at the top of my lungs. He quickly fixed his grip or whatever the problem was. Held the rope down instead of up...who knows. The entire place went quiet as they stopped to see what had happened. I just about hit the ground, that's what happened!!! Thankfully, the story ended well.

But don't you know the next time I was belaying for him, I let him dangle like a fish on a hook about 2 feet off the ground before letting him touch down. Just to make a tiny little point. 

Wheee!!!

All the little colored tape indicated the difficulty of the climb. We hadn't learned all those distinctions, so what we did was relatively easy. But I will say that it was one stinking heck of a workout. My back muscles, forearms, hands and shoulders are quite sore today. I did attempt to go up this angled wall and let's just say I failed royally. I should have attempted it sooner rather than later. As it was, I got about 2 feet up and then fell off. I have utmost respect for people who are really good at climbing because it takes strategy and STRENGTH!!!!