I've always had a fear of my car going off the road and ending up in a river or lake. How would I get out? What about my kids? They can't swim and I'm only one person. How would I save my three children? I'm terrified of the idea, no it's never happened, but if you've seen some of the roads we drive you may understand why I get nervous driving them!
I grew up in Star Valley Wyoming. Now the roads in Star Valley didn't scare me; it was the process of trying to leave Star Valley that did! It is just as the name describes, it's a valley with large mountains on all sides. The only way to leave the valley is through one of three canyon highways. These are full of tight turns, twists, and long steep drop off cliffs. Along a good portion of them are sudden drop offs into large rivers and lakes!
US 89 road (source)
US 89 Road (source)
Can you see why I'd be a little nervous? And then when I had my car accident about 6 years ago, when my car tire exploded; my fear only got worse. True, my car accident didn't have anything to do with going off the road into water, but it made me realize how powerless I would be in such a situation. Our car was flipped on the freeway and spinning out of control. There was nothing I could do to protect or save my babies, and I couldn't stop it.
Sudden turns or twists in a car now put my stomach in knots. A little fish tailing has my heart pumping and panicking like you wouldn't believe. Driving along those roads with the tight corners, narrow roads and sudden drop offs into water have me griping the wheel til my fingers go numb.
US 26 Road (source)
I've been working on relaxation techniques to help me get better. And I have greatly improved from where I was 6 years ago. But I still find myself feeling nervous as we drive canyon roads. It may be something I never overcome. Although the scenery is the most amazing I've ever seen, I still get that little bundle of nerves in my stomach when we reach a stretch of road that drops off into a river or lake.
What makes you apprehensive?
Describe a time you felt jumpy and nervous.
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Yikes! Having a tire blow out sounds scary. And, it’s understandable that you’d be apprehensive about driving. You may want to check your local YMCA to see if they offer swimming lessons for your kiddos. (My son started when he was 6 months old). Knowing they can swim might help to put your mind at ease.