The Grouse Grind

So today I ventured up the Grouse Grind. I have done the Grind before but upon reflection, I realized that 15 years have passed since my last go at it. I recall that at that time I completed it in around 1 hour and 20 minutes. After today's journey, I don't know how the hell I managed it in that time frame. Yes, I was younger then but I honestly believe it's harder now. I don't remember it being that tough and I certainly don't remember tons of whining people on the trail. There was one girl in particular that I wanted to push off the cliff. Honey, it's called the Grouse Grind. Not the Grouse Stroll or the Grouse Walk In The Forest. What the hell did you think was awaiting you? The best part was when at the 1/2 way point she exclaimed 'Isn't 1/2 way good enough?'. Really? So how exactly do you think you're going to get off this mountain? There are only 2 obvious ways to me, keep climbing or head back the way you came and I think to keep climbing is the lesser of the 2 evils.

I also loved all the pearls of wisdom I overheard along the trail. The best was, 'The second 1/2 is so much easier than the first'. Really? When I get to the top I'm going to find you and slap you silly, you moron. Kids are the best though. These 2 little boys never stopped talking. I loved it when they said 'I'm never doing this again. Not even when I'm 25'.

It is satisfying when you do make it to the top. Kind of like the 18th hole on the golf course. No matter how much the round sucked, it's the one that keeps you coming back for more. Not that I'll be coming back for more anytime soon. The price gouging alone makes you want to re-think the adventure. $10 for the gondola down. They know you'll pay it because you know what the alternative is. And I have to mention the Starbucks at the base. My Grande Mocha is $4.80 and that's already crazy but $6.03? Are you kidding me? It can't cost that much more to bring coffee up to Grouse Mountain.

Maybe they walk it up.