I don’t really like bouldering. That’s rock climbing without the harness and ropes, so you usually stick pretty close to the ground. Don’t get me wrong, bouldering has some positives. You don’t need any equipment except some shoes, you don’t really need a partner, but should have a spotter. It’s technically more difficult so you really get a good work out and learn a lot about technique. But it also feels more crowded. Also there’s no rope to catch you, so if you fall, you fall. But I’ve been missing rock climbing. A lot. And this was my only option.
So I figured if I was going to drive an hour to go bouldering, I might as well make it into a whacky adventure.
That brings me to the Broome County Dozen. I’m not sure how exactly I stumbled upon this website but basically it’s a challenge to do 12 hikes in Broome County. Since I was heading in a vaguely Eastward direction, I figured I could hit two of the hikes on my way. And so here it is: Twenty five minutes outside of Binghamton is Nathaniel Cole Park and the challenge was to walk the 1.25 miles around the lake. It was 10:30 so the air was still crisp and cold and there wasn’t a soul in sight.
I was running behind schedule so I hoofed it out of there and out to Oquaga State Park. This was another walk around a lake, 2 miles this time, and a lot of it following a paved country road. The last quarter mile was on a slanted hill and I nearly rolled an ankle walking cockeyed, and I asked myself why I did these things.
Oneonta is a cute town, I got lunch from Latte Lounge (a hummus, veggies sandwich) and ate it at a bench looking out at a cute street.
I walked into Table Rock Bouldering just after they opened at 2pm. I hate doing new things. It’s awful and I’m awkward and makes me want to hide. But they let me climb the walls and for a while I was alone and I was grateful to have my feet off the ground.
The day ended sitting next to my dog as the sun set, every muscle in my body aching and glad for it all.