Ouray, Colorado

Next week I am heading West, my friends, to Ouray, Colorado, the ice climbing capital of the world and location of the annual Ouray Ice Festival. I'll be with my good friend Drue, an old building mate in Washington, DC. I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to the trip. It's been a few years since I've climbed and even more since I've gone vertical on ice. But I know I'm up for the challenge. I'm also ready to take a break for the daily grind, enjoy the outdoors and Drue's company.

I recently heard that Americans are bombarded by far more outside stimuli compared to people of other nationalities. My friend continued, saying, that the only time Americans experience total silence is during sleep. But in Japan (or China), there is an device you can install in your home, or office, that allows total silence at any time. And that one hour of total silence is equivalent to seven full hours of sleep.

Hearing all this made me immediately think about my 1998 NOLS trip to Australia and a 3-day solo "expedition" on Sunday Island (NW Australian Island). What made the experience that much more special was that I had no food during the three days. Just a couple gallons of water, my journal and my sleeping pad. It's been almost 10 years since my three days of silence ... and while Ouray won't fulfill that need, I will be able to separate from work for a few days to get a fresh perspective.

While I work on my computer, watch Monday Night Football and talk with Beth, I'll start thinking about when I can work a few minutes of silence into my schedule.