I grew up swimming, hiking, biking, camping and just playing outside. We didn’t have four-wheelers, or snow mobiles. There were a few occasions that we would join our friends on their boat. For my family, our summer fun was found as inexpensively as possible and was typically powered by our own energy.
When I married my husband, I knew my kids would have a different life than I did. Scott grew up on a boat and he grew up riding ATV’s. He introduced me to four-wheeling very early in our relationship (he also introduced me to duck hunting but I’ll save that for another day). I found riding around in the mountains and in the sand to be very enjoyable and a different way to enjoy nature. A sure sign that I would be accepting his way of the great outdoors was evident when he gave me a choice for my engagement ring.
The choice? A diamond or a four-wheeler. Which would you choose? I went with the four-wheeler. The four-wheeler is long gone but I still love my very simple platinum band.
For 8 years, Scott talked about wanting a boat again. He had one a few years before we were married, and like I said, he grew up on one. It was one of his favorite memory makers from his childhood. He would take me to the boat show and show me what he would want “IF” we ever got one.
I did NOT want a boat. There was nothing appealing to me about a boat. In my mind, boats were dangerous, time-consuming and expensive. They couldn’t possibly be a source of fun. Plus when I was little (about Jade’s age), I was with my family and our friends on their boat. My dad was in the water with me and he was helping me get up on water skis. I remember Gary, our family friend, idling the boat and then taking off. My leg whipped to the side and behind me before I had a chance to fall. For 6 months, my leg was an inch longer than the other. I swore then that I would NEVER try water skiing again. I never have. I also resolved that I would never be a boat owner. I was wrong.
Suddenly last summer, everything fell in to place and Scott was able to get his boat.
I still don’t water ski. But I have taken up wake boarding and wake surfing. I totally and completely suck at it, but I really enjoy it. If I had continued to say “never” then we would have missed out on some very fun memories as a family and with friends. (Last time we went, our friends took some video of me surfing and pictures of me wake boarding. From the video and pictures I learned just how much I really suck at it. At least now I have the vision of what I’m doing wrong and can work to fix it).
Jade has learned how to wake board and water ski. Ivy is more like me and taking the approach that she won’t ever try it. Even when she watches Scott fly through the air and has a huge grin on his face, it still doesn’t interest her in the least. We can barely get her on the tube. Sigh. One day she’ll learn that you have try before you decide if it is worth doing or not.
What have you sworn you would never try? Did you try it and enjoy it?
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Twitter: SeriousKrystyn
It sure looks like you are having fun.
I used to water ski every weekend when I was younger. Even barefooting! Crazy, right? I need to dig up some pictures.
Twitter: stephsday
This is a great post, Amy! I can be a little shy about athletic-y things since my husband is such a PRO at any & every outdoor-related activity. But I always love it when I just get out there and try it. I’ve been rock climbing, rappelling, white water rafting, hiking, camping, polar bearing, etc.
Someday, I’d love to ski – either in the snow or in the water. I haven’t done either. 😉
P.S. You don’t look clumsy at all in that photo!
Twitter: MutheringHeight
You sure look like a pro in the photos!! 🙂
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
that’s funny, my husband was telling me where my weight should be, the direction my board should be facing and how much straighter I needed to stand 🙂 I like you impression better.
I had a particularly heinous experience involving a sled, a ramp, and snow that had turned into a sheet of ice instead of a fluffy place to break a fall. I swore I would never sled again. This post has convinced me to give it another try once winter comes around again.
Love the first picture of your husband. It’s awesome!
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
good luck this winter. you’ll have to let me know how it goes.
Twitter: Alli_n_Son
I’ve only tried water skiing once, and failed miserably. I don’t think I’ll be trying it again.
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
you should try wake boarding – WAY easier.
Twitter: jumpinbeans09
can not think of ever saying i would not do anything…
but I am sure there are tons of things that I would not do! lol
I would have made the same decision as you regarding the ring. Adam always told me he made a goal to get a Harley before he ever got engaged. Guess who has a wife of 6 years, and no Harley?
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
so when will he get his harley now?
Twitter: rudyrukus
Pretty sure everything I do NOW is something I said I would never do. I said I would never have kids and I would always have a career and now well I have kids and barely have a career. I let my husband make a LOT of the decisions. Something I thought I would never let happen. We still aren’t very outdoorsy but we do attend a LOT of college football games another thing I never thought I would be doing!
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
the joys of changing our lives for our husbands 😉 but I guess we both had to see it coming when we made our choices.
Twitter: debi9kids
Wow. Those are some impressive moves!
I swore I would never get in a plane again but when my friend’s daughter passed away, I did fly across the country for the funeral. Some things make you forget about your own issues….
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
a friend’s need definitely helps us forget our own issues.