Have y'all ever decided to do something and then when the time comes you start to rethink everything that is about to transpire? That was me when it was time to hope on the ATV's. ATV riding has always been something that I have wanted to do. So when I created my bucket list ATV riding was one of the first items to hit the list. For me, once it's on the bucket list, it HAS to be completed. Writing it down makes it permanent, you know?
Before we continue, I hope you read my Summer Bucket List 2021 post if not go ahead and backtrack to it after this post so you get an understanding why this is so personal to me and my reasons for wanting to make this summer one for the books. The summer of LIVING LIFE REGARDLESS is what I am calling it.
Let's continue. One of my good, good girlfriends is a travel nurse and when I found out her next assignment was going to be in Asheville, NC I immediately made plans to take a trip up to visit her. Asheville has always been on my list of places to visit. I had heard great things about the city. So knowing what I know about Asheville, I figured why not knock off ATV riding off the bucket list plus I would able to hit two birds with one stone because taking a road trip was also on my bucket list. Plus she is always down for anything fun and crazy.
I have done some pretty adventurous things in my life but one thing I make sure I always do before is my research. Subconsciously, as a plus size woman, I am always checking the weight limit for all activities. I am I am checking to see if there are safety concerns I need to be aware of. Conducting thorough research on the company that I will be participating in the activity with and so much more. During my search for a ATV riding in Asheville, I came across Boon Life Adventures which was located about 45 mins outside of Asheville in Lake Lure. Their price was really good compared to others in the area, the weight limit wasn't a problem and I was more than satisfied with their reviews. (I even left a 5 star review myself)
The day comes for us to ATV ride and I am fine up until we get to the actually facility and I realize that we are literally going to be these 7,000 pound 4-wheelers in the actual Blue Ridge Foothills. In the mountains y'all! My anxiety goes from 0 to 1000 in 5.3 seconds. I am freaking out silently but still excited to go. As we are going over the safety rules and learning about the ATV's we will be on I am saying a prayer to God asking him to just let me and my riding partners make it back down this mountain in one piece. There was one moment that I thought I was going off the edge but after that, a relaxing feeling came over me and I was really able to enjoy my ride. If you have never been ATV riding before then here are a few tips that I have for you:
- Be sure that you do your research on the company you are planning to ride with. Boon Life Adventures was like a match made in heaven.
- Listen to all the safety instructions and rules. They are for your safety and let's remember that ATV are heavy machinery.
- Know the environment of your ride because that will determine your clothing attire and your shoes. There was mud where we were.
- Have fun and let loose. Once I was able to claim my anxiety and just ride it was one of the most exciting things I have done.
I hope these few tips help you out if you decided to go ATV riding or do anything outside of your comfort zone. I absolutely can not wait to go ATV riding again, maybe this time just not in the mountains. Even though we are still living in uncertain times be sure to make time to do something adventurous or do something that you have had plans for years to do. There is no time like the present.
If you have any questions about my experience please leave them in the comments or even hit me up on Instagram. Until the next bucket list check in, LIVE LIFE REGARDLESS!!
No comments