Climbing Mama Zuma
By Christina Quick | December 31, 2007
My husband, Wade, and I took the kids rock climbing outdoors recently. I always carry a climbing guidebook, and the kids frequently ask about the names of the routes. This piece of Arkansas sandstone was called Montezuma’s Toe. Wade explained that it was named for an Aztec leader. For some reason, however, the kids had trouble remembering and correctly pronouncing Montezuma. Seizing the opportunity to make a joke, they came up with several ridiculous substitutes for the name. It became a source of humor for all of us as, over the course of the day, they called the route:
• Mama Zuma’s Toe
• Mozzarella’s Toe
• Monticello’s Toe
• Mona Lisa’s Toe
We enjoyed the laughs along with the exercise and fresh air. Just what we needed after our week of work and school.
In the end, climbing the route proved less difficult than saying it. Both kids conquered the 65-foot arete by making it all the way to the top. Take that Montezuma!
Read my article in the Nov. 25, 2007, TPE about the importance of kids spending time outdoors. And if you dig adventure, check out the story about Christian rock climber Craig DeMartino. Craig, who fell 100 feet to the ground and lived to tell about it, was featured in the December issue of Climbing magazine — and appeared on the cover of the Nov. 25 TPE.
Topics: Family fun, Parenting |
January 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
You know what they say… “The family that scales together never fails together.” (Okay, maybe they don’t say that, but they should.)
Sounds like fun, though. I’m impressed that your kids are knowledgeable enough to confuse “Montezuma” with “Monticello.” That’s a good vocabulary for their age.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Those kids are so funny and cute! Take them climbing again soon.