Sunday, August 31, 2008

Four-Wheeling Catastrophe





Yesterday Scott, Suzi and I went 4-wheeling up Bountiful Canyon while Chuck rode on his dirt bike. It was the first time I've ever been on a 4-wheeler (other than in Cancun a few years ago when we rode on the beach) so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was actually a lot of fun....that is, until we got to a really steep and rocky hill. Scott and Suzi went first and then I started making my way up the hill. I don't know if my 4-wheeler hit a rock or if I just lost control but halfway up the hill I plunged off the side taking the 4-wheeler with me as I went. Luckily I landed in some trees which cushioned my fall (and the 4-wheeler's), otherwise we would have fallen about 50 feet. At first I thought my leg might be broken so when Chuck found me he was afraid to move me until someone else was able to help him lift me. Scott came back a few minutes later and they were able to lift me back up onto the hill. I was able to move my leg but my knee hurt really bad and was bleeding pretty heavily. When I was able to sit down I started to go into shock. My vision and hearing kept fading in and out and I felt really nauseous. Some people stopped and gave me some water which made me feel a little better, and they were also able to help Scott get the 4-wheeler out of the trees which was a miracle. Somehow I was able to get back onto the 4-wheeler and ride the rest of the way down to our truck without falling off again, although Suzi fell off of hers on the way back. I think she did it just to make me feel better because she was going about 2 miles an hour when it happened. After dropping Chuck and Suzi off we drove straight home although I probably could have used some stitches in my knee because there was a pretty big puncture wound in it. It didn't stop bleeding until late last night and my knee is really sore and stiff now. But even though I'm sore all over and my knee is killing me right now I'm just grateful it wasn't a lot worse because it easily could have been. And even though I don't ever want to see that steep and rocky hill in my lifetime, I still enjoyed going 4-wheeling and would definitely like to try it again.
P.S. Chuck's mom was nice enough to watch not only Ander but Dawson so that we could go today and we really appreciated it. She also took some cute pics of them.

5 comments:

Suzi said...

Thank goodness you were not hurt worse, Bah! I will fall anytime for you, just so you know. Hope your knee feels better and doesn't turn out deformed forever. :)

Marci said...

Oh my gosh! How scary! I am glad you weren't hurt worse. It sounds like it was a close call for sure. I love that you were able to get back on though, and would be willing to try again!

jen said...

I'm feeling a little nausious just thinking about your knee. You are dang lucky that you didn't really get hurt worse. Next time go to a field where you'll be safer. I'm thinking that if you've only been on a 4-wheeler one other time in your life that you should probably NOT go near high cliffs. Geez guys! Be careful!

Natalie said...

See you should have come to Strawberry with us! Much safer! We just played in the rain! You are pretty brave. I don't know that I could get back on and say I want to go again. Tough chick! Tell Scott that he needs to go easy on you when it is your first time! No steep hills with cliffs! I would have turned around! :)

kandi said...

Whoa! Okay scary! I was freaking out a little just reading about it! I'm really glad that your knee was the worst of your injuries. Sadly, it could've been WAY worse...thankfully it wasn't. Maybe no more 4-wheeling for a while?