Push Your Limits

Even though we have had many unique and even somewhat scary experiences during our travels over the years, today’s adventure comes out on top as the scariest for me.  (Our drive down the Moki Dugway, also on the blog, is probably scary adventure #2 of the list)  We went to book a dune buggy tour, and ended up taking a Sand Rail adventure instead.  The lady at the ticket office compared the two vehicles as the difference between taking a trip on a bus vs a race car.  Under the “things I know for sure” category…I never need to ride in a race car!

The sand rail is a modified dune buggy, built for speed and agility.  We went up and over dunes that I would have thought impossibly steep.  We went around bowls of sand at such an angle, I was sure we would roll.  Even with a roll bar and 5 point harnesses, the danger was pretty high for my mom radar!

The young man who was driving was obviously very experienced and new what his machine could do.  It is like when snowmobiles go zooming up the hill and then turn at the last minute and come down.  Sometimes we came down, and sometimes we just went up and over.  I cannot remember when I have been so scared!  Half way through my stomach started to protest – maybe not the best ideas for someone who gets car-sick. 

The kids loved it; Sean was over the moon. They were a little worried about me, as the tears streaming down my face were a good clue that I was not having that much fun. Sean loved the speed and the turns, but I think he was a bit scared, too.  In the first couple minutes of the ride we were up to highway speeds – felt like a roller coaster on steroids!  About half way through, we headed out to the ocean and drove along the beach for about 2 miles – that was pretty tame, and my favourite part!  The second half of the ride was just as crazy, but at least I wasn’t as scared, knowing what the car and driver were capable of.  Now I just needed to get through the rest of the ride without throwing up and thoroughly embarrassing my kids! 

I am glad that I had that experience with S & R, but can safely say that I never need to do it again.