Many Firsts With Friends

So, this weekend, the family packed up ye ole Jeep, named appropriately enough as Mr. Bo Jangles, and headed east to Joshua Tree National Park for some climbin' and off roadin' - We met up with our family friends Keith and Melissa who have two kids themselves, a 6 year old, Kellin and a 13 month old, Cairn. So, I managed to bring the big tent for the kids and some shade. Before we headed out to the climbin' spot, we stopped at the grocery store to get some food/beer. Allya and I were debating on the baby's weight, and I insisted no more than 10 pounds, but Allya was convinced she had to be 15+. So, I gave in to the cliche, and checked.



I won - Anywhere between 9-10 pounds, compensating for my hands balancing her. We headed out to climb - And came to the spot. The initial place we were to climb was covered with ropes from others so we managed to find another place. Unfortunately, it was a bit tougher than expected, but we relaxed anyway. Allya got in a 5.10+ while I started free soloing a ~5.0 - But, I turned back since I got skerred.




Now, afterwards, we all were going to go back to Keith's parents place in La Quinta, which is about 30 miles as the crow flies. However, with the roads snaking around the mountainous landscape, it is about 70 some odd miles. But, I refused to take the easy way, and found Berdoo Canyon Road - A dirt road that cut through the mountains. So, Kellen, Keith and I went Offroadin' after packing up the girls and Cairn into their Pacifica to have them take the responsible way.



Keith, Kellin and I were ready to hit the trail! As we were having a blast dusting our way down a dirt road, the girls were having a blast with the babies and their screaming contest. The second Allya began to talk, Pearl would start crying. Then, Cairn would try and cry to compete with Pearl. Having the competitive nature of her Papi, Pearl tried crying even louder. So, the girls spent the 70 miles and over an hour and a half listening to this crying battle between the two.

We hit the trail head - and as an ominous sign, a broken down Jeep was right in front of the sign.


In the meantime, the boys were rockin' - as the video shows. When we came to this section, I got too nervous that I'd do something to Mr. Bo Jangles, that I turned the wheel over to Keith. As he put it to me, it's been years since he's done anything like this. I explained that since it's not his Jeep, he'd have no inhibitions about smashing the under side, or slamming into a rock wall. He agreed, and he began the descent. So, I started filming, and I was vocally nervous. He made it though without a problem, and I saw that there was more than adequate clearance.

We finally made it out after witnessing some pheasant, hawks, and signs riddled with bullet holes. It seems the local crack heads come up there with their firearms and shoot everything. It was a sure sign we were getting closer to civilization.

Once we got back to La Quinta, we figured we'd see how Pearl did in the pool. The second her feet touched the water, she began crying. It was obviously too cold, at 82 degrees (not centigrade, Malaysia family). So, we tried the hot tub, which was at a cool 95. She loved it.


So, overall, we had our first outdoor outing with Pearl, her first real outdoor experience - her first ride in the Jeep - her first outing with another child her age - A first for me offroadin' where trail navigation might lead to walking 3 hours out of a canyon - and a first water experience for Pearl. Overall, the fun was extreme, and the climbing was tame, but that will change as Pearl gets older...