As we walk up the hill to the Ouray Ice PArk, in Ouray CO. I ask myself this very simple question. Is this a good idea? Ice climbing is, by nature, a cold and dangerous game climbers play on frozen waterfalls. I've been doing it for many years, but when the kids were born, both Cyn and I agreed, maybe we should take a little break from the ice since kids and large crashing blocks of falling ice don't really go along that well. Now that the kids are older, we thought it was a grand time to introduce them to the sport that we both had so much fun doing. They have both been climbing for years, but the ice game was new and they were both curious and nervous. We had been skiing in Crested Butte, and the weather had been great, even as we entered the Box Canyon, the sun was peaking out from behind the mountains. We arrived at the beginners area, a 4o foot high wall of ice, and as I slogged around the back to rig ropes, Cyn got them into they're crampons. After a short intro to how this all works, Mayah started up the ice fall. She made great progress until her hand got cold, and what climbers call the "freezing,screaming, barfies," came along. These are the rather unique feeling ice climbers get in they're hands after while of climbing vertical ice. It feels like your hand is going to explode from the cold and pressure. After a rest, she continued to the top and elation kicked in. She loved it! Will was next, and not to be outdone by big sister, he took off and made it to the top also. He really seemed to like the fact that he was holding sharp pointy things not only in his hands, but on his feet as well. This combined with the idea that he was actually allowed and encouraged to hit things with those axes, made for fun for all. I'm amazed by my kids, really, to jump into something as weird as ice climbing without so much as a whine, really amazes me. I never got these chances when I was a kid, and Cyn and I both want to expose them t a lot and let them figure out what they like. But still, the trust amazes me. We climbed all day in the canyon, and then Cyn and I went out early the next morning to do a bit harder pillar together before the long drive back. I often wonder what my kids are thinking about me and Cyn and for me, the best part of the trip came on the drive home. We were passing the time chatting and I asked Mayah about her life as she got older. Regular stuff like job, kids, and if she wants a husband. She described her life, and got to her husband, when I asked her what kind of man she wanted to marry. Her answer... " A guy like you dad." I almost cried, but figured that would be bad, but it really touched me. I wonder if God is like that too, when I say I want to be like him, I think of the feeling that gave me, and I think He must love that as well. Peace, c