A new adventure. I spent a day in Sand Hollow State Park in St. George on a company retreat. What a tremendous team building experience- not to mention a high energy, nerve tingling, occasionally bone jarring, bonding experience. Like so many of life’s highlights, it matters a lot who you share them with and the experience was enhanced by the people on our expedition. We had four vehicles so we had a chance to see the capabilities of these modified jeeps, a razer, and a buggy. I have some incredible footage of the buggy climbing sheer rock obstacles and what can happen if it doesn’t all go as planned. The buggy made it up that 40 foot near vertical climb after multiple attempts and only one tip over. It takes steady nerves, a vehicle that front and rear steers and adjusts its weight on command, spotters, and no small amount of nerve to pilot this craft. The picture of the driver, holding his steering wheel and laughing as his spouse looks on, says it all, a sense of humor and humility helps overcome those little set backs. I should note the steering wheel snaps out so there is space to get into this compact climbing machine. We winched the buggy back over for sequel.
One of our vehicles was a modified jeep with 40 inch tires and a lot of horsepower. At one point we climbed a rock ledge, maybe only 15 feet up, but as the front tires finally grab on the top of the ledge all I could see through the windshield was the sun directly above me in the clear blue sky. We final left the mile of rocks and proceeded out on the dunes, it is amazing what these vehicles can climb and how fast an experienced driver, not me, can go. This jeep makes that incredible muscle car sound that I remember from my youth and the cult 1971 movie–Vanishing Point. I rode was the Dixie Four wheel owner and our guide and spotter for the journey he explained you needed to be smart about where you crest these steep slopes as you can get airborne and do not know what is on top. The vehicles all carry extended height flags that gives a better chance to see you and proceed with some caution.
We finished our trek to a rock formation called the Flintstone’s-a multi windowed rock home complete with a door and several windows carved by the sand and water in the sandstone boulders. You remember Fred and Wilma; Barney and Betty, and their kids Pebbles and Bam Bam. The world has progressed a lot since the modern Stone Age family. Likely some of you will have to google Bedrock to find out what I am talking about.
My life lesson for this week, open your mind to try something new. I had little desire and maybe some trepidation to participate in this off road craziness – but I knew I would be with diverse and enthusiastic friends in a beautiful place. I came away with a new appreciation for this invigorating sport and people who are passionate about it.
M Scott Peck reminded us “Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Enjoy your week end. Mike