Little Tacoma on the Prairie

Mark and I are checking in from the basement at Miguel's Pizza in Slade, KY.  It is kind of hard to explain, but Miguel's is an iconic place for climbers in the Red River Gorge.  They not only make awesome pizza, but provide climbers a cheap, friendly, and awesome place to camp.  And wi-fi for rest days!  And only $2/ person/ night.  

We arrived here a few nights ago, after a marathon drive from Breckenridge, CO.  We spent a week in Breckenridge and really enjoyed the resort life.  We watched some television season premieres, slept in a lot, and checked out what Breckenridge had to offer.  After our week of touring national parks and hiking all over, it was nice to kick back.  

TripAdvisor led us up the Boreas Pass Road (#1 attraction in Breckenridge), where we saw a lot of fall colors, an old railroad, and some snow.  Yes, snow!  The first day we were there, the town got some snow and the mountains around us got a healthy coating.  I must say I was pretty content sitting by the fireplace watching the snow come down outside.  

We also checked out the Breckenridge Brewery, conveniently right across the street from us.  Overall, my favorite thing about Breckenridge was the leaves changing color.  Coming from San Diego where the only leaves that change color are poison oak, I was completely blown away.  I couldn't get over how pretty the aspens were and therefore instagrammed one too many pictures of yellow aspen leaves. 

 

A windy hike near Hoosier Pass, Quandary Peak in the background.  Had it not been so cold and windy, we would have hiked up it.

After Breckenridge, we set off on our journey to the Red River Gorge (RRG).  The RRG is one of the best spots for sport climbing in the US and Mark and I have always wanted to go here.  When we first were planning the trip it seemed too far away, but after climbing for three months we realized that we really want to go here.  So, here we are, in Kentucky.  It is still weird to me that we are in Kentucky.  And on east coast time.  And the humidity.  OMG the humidity!  

Our first night here we ran into some friends that we have met on the road, and have made some new friends.  It was nice to pull into Miguel's knowing that we were coming into a community of climbers.  Our people!  And seeing familiar faces after more than two weeks of strangers was really nice.  And to be greeted with pizza from Ryan- does it get any better?

Monday we climbed in Muir Valley, and yesterday in PMRP (Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve, a climber owned plot of land with some amazing crags).  The climbing is incredible.  I have never seen crags this steep!  After two days of climbing, my skin is raw, my forearms are incredibly sore, and my feet hurt from shoving them in small downturned shoes, but I couldn't be happier.  It is humbling to climb routes so steep and fall off jugs you could wrap your arm around.  We are taking the day off since after 3 pitches yesterday I was more or less useless.  

The first climb we did in the RRG

Mark on a climb at Drive-By Crag

Camping at Miguel's

Mark caught the end of the rope!!!

Slade is a dry county so Ale 8 is a popular alternative

Our first pizza from Miguel's- pepperoni, peppers, broccoli, and avocado.  And these toppings aren't even that adventurous!  

My hands hurt!

The beer trailer.  Catered to rock climbers.

The arch is awesome!!!

At this point we are just sampling the climbing and aren't sure how long we will be here.  We also want to check out the New River Gorge, and have a trip to DC planned for next weekend to see Maureen!!  Life on the road is great (although I could use a shower), the Tacoma is a champ, and both of us are just enjoying this opportunity to travel.  

xoxo

Mark and Lauren