On Sunday, Jeff K. and I went to the Grotto (Shell Road area, near
Jamestown).  I was prepared for heat - temperatures around 85 F in
Stockton all week, but it was surprisingly temperate and, of course,
shady.  There is a newly developed wall on the trail, just before
one drops into the hole.  From L-R

1.  11a stemming, JK RP, JA PP  nicest on wall
2.  11b crux start with stick clip  I took a scary fall onto the first bolt
    trying to clip the second from a tough lb stance.  We "worked" it.
3.  5.9 crack
4.  10b stemming, JA led, JK follow.  If it were more sustained.
N.B  Not a lot of sharp holds on this wall - finesse and sloping
side clings, interesting.

In the afternoon we descended into the Grotto proper.  Jeff led
Rawhide (11a fingers) and downgraded it to 10c.  I led Snakebit
(11b thin fingers) but only downgraded it to 11a - plus I allowed
my feet to stem to the next column in the upper corner.  We finished
with the nice bearhug column (10d), Jeff leading.

Best line:
Tyro making conversation with gnarly female climber accompanying local
"hard men":  "Hey, I'm from Livermore, too.  What high school did you
graduate from?"

"I didn't"  

Joel