January's Adventure

My first adventure to kick off my New Years' resolution had to be good. It should be big. Something no one else would think of. Something that would set the bar high! Afterall, I have been collecting ideas for awhile now, ideas I'd gotten from friends' suggestions, some Internet research, and of course the back of my brain. I had a great list.

.......oh yes, but I also had a non-adventurous disposition. Ugh.

Okay, let's start small.

It turns out, my parents happened to be in town one weekend as I was perusing my list of ideas. As soon as I said it, their eyes lit up. I mean, it's not everyday that you get your 70-year-old parents to take a little segway ride. Yep. Segways. There are many options in Phoenix, but we opted for the Arizona Biltmore Resort for our 2 hour tour. The Arizona Biltmore is a very pretigous resort area, dating back to 1929, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to the beautiful resort, many famous folks like Muhammed Ali and Glen Campbell have donned the luxurious homes surrounding the resort. I couldn't think of a better tour to take with the parents.

We are the first ones there so we got some immediate one-on-one attention. I am pretty quick to pick it up, it's easy once you get the hang of leaning the direction you want to move in, instead of turning it like a bicycle. I'm toodling up and back, around planters, down the driveways, having a grand old time, as others get acclimated. And at this point, I'm most definitely the youngest one on the tour. Heck, my parents may have been the next youngest! I opt out of the helmet, afterall, what would I possibly need the helmet for?

We head out on our tour, around the Wrigley Mansion, through amazing neighborhoods of elaborate estates owned by many famous people. I venture ahead for a bit, then turn around and catch back up with the group. I own this thing. I am the master Segway rider.

As we approach a tunnel, our tour guide stops to give instructions on maneuvering down the small hill into the tunnel. I'm only halfway paying attention because I need no instruction. I have it covered. Um, yeah. It never pays to get cocky. I lead the group into the tunnel, and as I descend down the hill I immediately head for the wall. Bicycle instinct kicks in, and the Segway does nothing but continue forward. Wall, here I come. Me and the Segway hit the wall, we both went flying, and all I could see is the faces of all these 70+ people cruising by me on their little Segways with ease. I had bit the dust.

After swallowing my pride, I was able to get up and get back on that darn thing. I was a little more tentative than I had been, as you can imagine. I had been humbled.

Next.......