Always Be Aware, Not Complacent
Hey Guys/Gals just wanted to fess up to my own stupidity and lessons learned. On Thursday, I was riding my 4 wheeler on a downhill slope. Was I going fast? I didn't think so. Was I paying attention? No, my brain was off in whitetail land. Was I observing (not just seeing) where I was going? Nope, not really.
With all of the things I should've been doing and wasn't, it's no wonder what happened next did not turn out worse. I hit an old deadfall that was covered in leaves. I hit it at just the right (or wrong, as the case may be) angle and my 4 wheeler and I ended up having a parting of ways.
I briefly flew through the air and made a very ungraceful landing. After picking myself up and thinking, "Whew, that was close but I'm ok", I got back on and headed to the house. Yep, the quad landed upright (more than I can say for myself).
I was shaken up but not hurt (so I thought). Even made plans to go out the following night to enjoy some music and friendship at Bokes Creek Winery (Really stinks that I had to miss that and miss meeting some of you guys!) However, later that evening I knew I would be going to get checked out because something just wasn't right. The pain was starting to set in.
So besides a bruised ego, I also managed to crack a rib and strain some muscles. Yes, it could've been much worse and thank God it wasn't. To all of you a few words of hindsight wisdom, don't get complacent in the things you do everyday. It's the bumps in your path you cannot see, that are waiting to trip you up (applies to quads and other things, as well).
Stay safe & hunt hard!