OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND!

Favorite Vacation Moment

Anchorage, AK

by lcslayton March 14, 2008

Caution: Blind Driver!

In August of last year we went to Alaska for a vacation to see my sister and her family. On one of the days of our vacation, we went to an area outside of Anchorage to ride the family's ATV. I am legally blind and am considered pretty tame by anyone who knows me. My sister agreed that she would take me for a ride. While out on the trail, I fell in love with the activity. I jokingly asked her if I could drive and she said, "Sure!" I declined, but the temptation kept eating away at me. Finally I said, "Stop, I want to drive." She switched places with me and let me take the wheel. Off we went! The trails were pretty empty because it was getting late in the day so I was able to go fairly fast without risking anyone's safety. I had the time of my life! Before we got back to the parking area, I switched back to the passenger side so my brother-in-law wouldnâ¬"t know I had driven. Heâ¬"s pretty protective toward his ATV.
When we met up with the rest of the family we learned that there had been bear sightings off the trail where we had been. We joked about meeting one and if I would have run it over and not even seen it. My sisterâ¬"s husband, Ty, looked at her and said, "You let a blind person drive my ATV?!" We all had a good laugh and gradually the greenness in his face receded.
About five minutes after we pulled away from the park, a big black bear strolled across the road in front of us. My sister quickly grabbed the camera and we all watched in awe as the bear glanced our direction and then ambled off. Everyone decided that they were glad that I wasnâ¬"t the one driving the car. It seems they didnâ¬"t think the bear would have stood a chance.