Let me tell you, rock climbing looks like a walk in the park. I'm wondering though if inactivity since college and age have gotten the best of me, because on a recent trip north I tried climbing a rock wall again. I made the mistake of not going fast enough though, and thinking too much about which "rock-hold" to grab; in other words I didn’t have the best form, and my muscles began protesting.

Much to the delight of my children though, I did make it up the wall to ring the bell, but was exhausted by the time I repelled to the ground - what a trip! My husband was successful with scaling the wall too, so it was doubly exciting for the kids.

Neither Zach nor Gabby would try to climb the wall though. I guess I should have expected that for a 3- and 5-year-old, but they would have been strapped into a harness and helped along had they wished to try it out.

If your 6th to 12th grade student is lamenting that there is nothing to do, and they might like to try rock climbing, they will have the opportunity to do so this Friday, for free.

On August 14 from noon - 3:30 p.m., the Ann Arbor District Library is hosting "Climbing 101" at Planet Rock. Stop by and try your luck with indoor rock climbing and enjoy the fun. It's great exercise, too! Climbing 101 When: Noon-3:30 p.m. Where: Planet Rock, 82 Aprill Dr. off eastbound Jackson Rd. between Parkland Pl. and Jackson Pl. Ages: Grades 6-12 (with signed parental waiver) Cost: Free - Call 734-327-4200 for more information.

Tammy Mayrend is a Search Marketing professional who blogs on local activities for families at annarbormom.com.

photo: Michael Mayrend climbing the rock wall at Crystal Mountain 2009