Monday, May 26, 2008

The Airport

So many people laugh at me because of my love of the airport... next to borders its my favorite place to be. Sometimes I tell the person taking me to the airport that my flight leaves just a few minutes earlier then it really does so that I get to spend a little bit more time there. The airport is always associated with a negative connotation and I'm going to have to argue against this...
First, going to the airport means you are going somewhere and 98% of the time you are going somewhere fun, a vacation perhaps. The excitement of having a destination somewhere other then where you are now is one of the best feelings.
Second, if you are anything like me you love people watching. I find it fascinating to watch how families interact with each other during stressful moments or long periods of waiting. That's when true personalities come out.
Next, there is something about going and getting a magazine and reading up on the latest gossip in Hollywood... sure you can do that standing in line at the grocery store or in the comfort of your home, but it again it leads back to the first point I made.
Finally, vacations are always needed and the airport is your ticket to that! So the next time you want to rag on the airport... think first of the wonderful things it provides.
I REST MY CASE!!!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Sand Dunes!

There is something exciting about the wind in your hair, the sand in your teeth and the white knuckle grip on either the 4-wheeler or the person driving the 4-wheeler! I got to experience a trip down the Dunes a couple of weeks ago and I will tell you what... there isn't anything more exhilerating then seeing the MOUNTAINS OF SAND! I was facinated watching the different motobikes race to the top of a straight climb. What was even more exciting is riding on the back of a 4-wheeler and feeling like at any moment you are going to just fly off the back. Entering into the Sand Dunes a sign is posted "1 number of days since the last serious accident" Two days before I went, a man was life flighted out of there. The same day I was there flight for life visited the Dunes again. (Don't worry it wasn't anyone in our group)

Well don't worry... whenever there is a 4-wheeler and Jennie, you get an accident. Coming down from the mountainous peaks above... clinging tightly to the back of my friend a sudden turn sent my feet flying off the pedals and the intial reaction is to put your leg down. Well with the tire right there... sometimes thats not the best idea. My leg got caught under the tire and I flew off. Luckily we weren't going too fast and I was positioned in a way where my leg didn't break. However when my friend stopped my leg was under the tire of the 4-wheeler. YIKES! My friends were shocked my leg didn't break.

Following this... I was driving my 4-wheeler following a few more experienced friends of mine on their bikes. As they climbed a steep hill and glided smoothly over it I assumed I could do it as well. As I climbed the hill and realized I didn't know what lied on the other side I released the gas and my 4-wheeler stopped half way up the hill. My friends were already far ahead of me so I had to climb to the top of the hill so they would be able to find me when they realized I was gone. Climbing loose loose sand in 80 degree weather... I felt like it was the Sahara desert.

Over all the trip was a blast... I hyperextended my leg... have massive bruises on both legs, but can't wait to do it again!
Posted is a glimpse of what the sand dunes is like...