Women's Wheeling Day 2018

"At the end of the day it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back" ~Denzel Washington 

Rausch Creek Sign Selfie

My first off-road adventure I was welcomed into a community with open arms. I was given support and encouragement like I have never received before. My joy for a new passion began to grow from an incredibly positive environment while I was surrounded by other women in a new sport I was starting out in. This set an amazing foundation for a love that continues to this day. 

Jeeps in the Rausch Creek parking lot

The sixth annual Women's Wheeling Day event at Rausch Creek Off Road Park was the largest all women's off road wheeling event in the United States.  

Green Trail B 👉 Watch Here

Green Trail S 👉 Watch Here

Jeep Girls First Time Off-Road 👉 Watch Here

Jeeps lined up ready to wheel 

An event with a vision of a day on the trails where women can be among their peers in a welcoming and supportive environment. This event grew from eight women wheelers that first year in 2013 to a couple of hundred this year. 

My group 

In 2014 I joined the event as a first time woman wheeler, and the past three years following I actively participated volunteering my time as a tail gunner. A tail gunner works with the trail guide to safely guide off-roaders through the trails.

Line of Jeeps on trail

I was the tail gunner for Group 13, a group of Jeepers new to the trails. All but one of the women had never laid a tire off-road with the exception of snow and sand. Some were nervous, some were excited but apprehensive not knowing what to expect. 

Trail break

During our ride at one point we needed to turn around mid trail so I ended up being the trail guide for a small part of the day. I had the opportunity to guide these first time off-roaders up and over obstacles. They were able to gain confidence each time they successfully traversed the trails. 

Jeeps on the trail

It was an amazing day seeing the smiles and hearing the hooray's as we wheeled around the green trails at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park. To give back to a community that I call my family and have come to love fills my heart with so much joy. To help give these first timers the confidence to continue to take their Jeeps off-road is worth more than my joy of wheeling on the more difficult trails. 

Rausch Creek Pole Line

I look forward to the day I can be a trail guide. These women have thanked me for the awesome day they had but I need to thank them for giving me the confidence to know I can trail guide. The confidence to know I can successfully spot a Jeeper through and obstacle.     

Bucket List: Bartending School

When my first son was born I left my television news career to stay at home to raise him (and my youngest son). A decision I will never regret.

However, after many years my boys began to need me less and less which lead me to start looking towards my second career.  I knew getting back in the news field wasn't an option as that flame to my old love diminished. So I was on to other possibilities, but not quite sure what I wanted my second career to be. 

Trying to Figure Out a Second Career 

Getting back into the work force after being a stay at home mom for over 16 years has been extremely difficult. My resume has a big hole, but I filled it with my many, many volunteer jobs. That didn't seem to work as I have only received one interview in over 25 applications.

I have been thinking about my long term plans and what I am passionate about. Contemplating my second career has weighed heavy on my mind as I need to plan for my future as well as have a back up plan. Life is moving way too fast to sit around waiting so I took action.  

Bartending School Trick. 

Bartending School

I took night classes for two weeks. It was an exhausting two weeks working my full time job and taking classes. However, I enjoyed myself and had a blast. 

Bar at school

Taking a Leap 

At first I was very nervous about attending the class for several reasons. Trying anything new and different is always hard. I knew I would be the oldest in the class and was worried about taking tests again. The last test I took was 33 years ago. 

Bar stools

Bad Vibes from Neighborhood Moms

I was very hesitant to even go. I received some not so positive reactions from some neighborhood mom's. A few of my close friends knew it would be perfect for me and offered the encouragement I needed. So I persevered and went to class.

Drinks I made at school

Amazing Experience

I enjoyed myself immensely. I looked forward to pouring and mixing of the drinks each night even though we were using colored water. I went in early everyday to practice using both hands to pour and get quicker. I ended up getting 100% on all my tests and poured 28 random drinks in 10 minutes. 

drinks I made at school

The weekend after I received my certificate I invited my friends over for some taste testing. I needed to test them out myself too since we were only pouring colored water. I will have to say I did a pretty good job. I made some tasty Chocolate Martinis, French Martinis & Cosmopolitans.

I think I will have to give this bartender gig a try especially since I love chatting it up with strangers. I'm also a pretty curious, social person. Who knows this may be my new passion.

Check out my blog post on How to Find Your Passion if you are struggling with what's next in your life.