It was raining up and down the coast. We wanted to climb. So we left. We packed the Pathfinder and headed east until we outran the clouds. We found ourselves in Tucson. Found ourselves on Mount Lemon and among the saguaro and cholla of the Sonoran Desert. Found ourselves climbing perfect granite walls and spires with miraculous views of the green and sprawling valleys below. We found ourselves alone with just the mule deer and occasional hummingbird and raven as visitors.

A weekend of rocks and ropes. Three days without email. Without weblogs. Without work. Without pixels and cursors and broadband. Three days without you and without me.

Three days of an analog life.

A new year in an old town. New friends and old friends. The desert and the rain.

Happy new year.

Let's all resolve to laugh a little more. To climb a little more. To fall a little more. To risk a little more. To rediscover a sense of wonder. To be the people we describe ourselves to be. A new year with more of the things we love. The people we love. The places we love. And a new year to live a life we love.

(Click for larger images - I'm good that way)