Colorado Trip: Mountain Madness

Where to begin...

It has been a little while since my last post.  It has been busy around here! We have had a vacation, a wedding, a birthday, family visiting from England, and lots of summer fun. Let me start with our vacation in early June.  

Ryan, Philip, and I traveled to Colorado to enjoy Ryan's mom's wedding. We rented an RV and made our way to Sylvan Lake. It was a beautiful area - mountains, nature, and of course the lake! Our first day there we enjoyed hiking, campfires, and spending time with family. Ryan even took Philip on a four-wheeler ride with his brothers who were on mini bikes.  There was a dirt road that went up the mountain side to a gorgeous view. By the end of the day, I was one of a few that hadn't made it up to see the view.  

The next day was the wedding. The lake was a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony on a beautiful day.  Ryan's mom couldn't have gotten better weather, even if she had hand picked it. Ryan officiated the intimate ceremony. There was not a dry eye around as vows were shared and the happy couple became husband and wife.  I was also able to be the photographer and was thrilled to lend my services. (Deanne: Your photo book is finished and heading your way soon!)

After a barbecue lunch, we were free to enjoy the area again like the day before. I was excited for the afternoon. The plan was to go on the four-wheeler to see the view with Ryan.  Then my five year old nephew was going to teach me how to fish. He had a hard time believing I had never tried, but he was willing to teach me the basics. 

Ryan's brothers were going to watch Philip. I changed out of my wedding outfit and I was ready to go! Ryan was going to ride a mini bike, while I was on the four wheeler. I got a quick tutorial - start up, brake, gas.  It was easy, I was all set! A quick selfie and then we were off. Just beside the campsite, there was a stop sign.  I stopped and the engine died. Ryan told me how to avoid that and drove off up the mountain road that led to the view. 

I followed behind, nervous, but feeling confident. I had only gone about two hundred feet before things started to go wrong. I was having trouble staying straight on the bumpy, curvy mountain road. I veered to the left and tried to correct by veering right.  I must have over corrected because that is when the front wheels left the road.  I was now driving off the road, heading down the mountain.  I screamed, but there was nothing I could do.  

I closed my eyes and thought it was my time to go. I
was falling down a mountain. Who survives something like that? I came off the four-wheeler and 
felt  myself do a couple head over feet tumbles before skidding to a stop on my back.  I didn't move and my eyes were still closed. Am I ok? Did I break any bones? I heard people at the base of the mountain shouting that a girl just drove off. Would they help me? What should I do? 

I heard foot steps and Ryan's voice.  He had heard my scream and was coming to find me. He was at my side asking me if I could move. Did I have any broken bones? I started trying to move. Things seemed ok. I couldn't believe what I had done, but I could move! My sister-in-law was there to help now too. They both helped me climb through the dirt back up to the road. 

A park ranger had arrived to interview me for an accident report.  I was sore and very dirty, but felt ok.  They recommended that I go to the doctor, but I was more embarrassed than anything. I had a few scrapes, but nothing major. The four wheeler definitely had more injuries than me. It had continued down the mountain until stopped by a barbed wire fence. The park ranger had me wave to my worried family, who had gathered down below, before having me sign that I was declining medical treatment.  

We made our way back down.  I needed to clean up and take a few minutes. I had a small scrape on my chin, a couple on each arm, and that was it! I could write plenty about how things could have gone worse.  The four wheeler could have hit me, I could have hit a tree, there could have been broken bones, or worse. One of the wedding guests was a nurse. She told me what I should watch out for and that I would probably wake up sore the next morning. Each day I was more sore and about a week later, I had some rib pain that wasn't fun.  

It was a crazy, embarrassing, scary event, but I survived relatively unharmed! I didn't get to see the view, but I was just happy to be alive... more time to enjoy the daily blessings in life with my family, friends, and these two loves!


(My new father-in-law took me in his truck to see the view before we left the campsite.")


Stay tuned for Colorado Trip: part two in the next couple of days.