Four-Wheeling

I realized that I forgot to post about my ATV experience.  Last week, I went through the post's ATV course so I can rent an ATV from Outdoor Recreation here.  Steve went along, too. 

We had to go around some traffic cones, do figure-eights and some other things.  I thought I'd never be able to do the traffic cones, but it turns out there are weights in the bottoms and if you are going slow enough when you bump into them, they don't tip over.  I made it through that testing and got out on the open trail.  It was great--the wind in my hair, the dirt in my eyes, the bugs in my nose and the grit in my teeth. 

We had to ride side-saddle, hanging off one side and then the other while going on a slanted trail.  Then we had to ride up a hill, jump off the ATV and pull it around to make a K-turn (I think it would be similar to a three-point turn in a car, but more like you were trying to do it while running alongside with your arms holding the steering wheel through the window.)  I did get a feeling of accomplishment when I was able to do that--after the third try.

The last main event was to put the ATV in 4-wheel drive and go over a camelback hill.  I have a problem with acceleration, apparently.  I was the last one in line.  I went up the first hill (barely), then down, then not quite up the second hill.  Rolled  down backwards, turned out and started again.  Went up the first hill, then down, barely up the second hill, rolled down backwards, turned out and started again.  Four was the magic number.  After I made it, the group leader said to make sure to take the ATV out of 4-wheel drive before continuing on.  Oh...that could have been my problem...I was ahead of the class in that respect.  No need to take it out of 4-wheel drive when you NEVER PUT IT IN!