Entrusting your life to another man is one thing, and sounds scary as hell because it is. Letting your father-in-law belay you up and down a thirty-five foot wall punches that trust up to a whole new level.

The Wife, a few relatives, friends and myself went rock climbing last Saturday. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed the experience. The massive facility was an indoor climbing park with a variety of routes from the very novice to the very experienced. Developing a feel for the ropes and carabiner took some practice, but once mastered, the basics are straightforward. Rock climbing just might make a good second hobby for me. I’ll go again.

Interestingly, though I have serious issues diving off boards more than twenty feet high, I had no problem looking down a thirty-five foot wall with nothing but a quarter inch rope between me and cement.

I must note that the father-in-law is in serious condition for a man in his sixties. In a side by side race to the top, I barely edged past him for the win. Let me emphasize the barely. A good reason to stick with a work-out regimen.