I guess I should preface this before I just dive right in. I have started a collection of stories about my life. Since I did just about everything with my Dad and Brother growing up it has kind of turned into a collection of stories about our adventures together. When I was a kid I couldn't speak very well and I especially struggled with my last name. This is where the title of The Ekenboug Chronicles comes from. I didn't really plan on posting this crap on our blog but thanks to the coaxing of our wonderful friend Jen, you are all going to get a taste. Here goes.
The Eagle Takes Flight
Papa (my dad's dad) worked for General Motors for thirty some odd years. And growing up in the 30's and 40's developed a love for the automobile. so none was all that surprised when, not long after he retired from G.M., he took a job at the Utah Auto Auction managing...something. I guess I really don't know what he did there. But I did know that he got to bring home any car that was on the lot for his company car that week. Just so happened that Nate (my older brother) had just turned sixteen that previous winter. So we started putting in requests for cars that we saw on the lot. one such day we spotted an electric blue Eagle Tallon Turbo. The Tallon was Eagle's answer to the Mitsubishi Eclipse. It had a potent 4 cylinder twin turbo engine and a small two seater cabin. After a quick visual inspection we shared the affirmative head nod and grin of anticipation. We pulled away from Papa's house after the usual words of warning about not screwing around so as not to jeopardize our lives or worse, his job. Se we eased down the street until we were just out of ear shot and Nate put the hammer down. We took the drive from bountiful to our house in farmington to get a feel for the handling and the motor nuances. Our house was on a two lane, lonely country road in west farmington. It wasn't very wide but it was long and straight. We were breaking the speed limit when we rounded the cornet, barley on all four wheels. I saw a look of determination in the driver seat and reached for the hand hold on the door as Nate worked his way through the gears. The grassy fields lost all texture and turned to a solid green as the fence posts came by like fan blades. Out the windshield I spotted the railroad track approaching at an alarming rate. Nate didn't even flinch. Just when I was planning my escape through the window, Nate shut it down and got hard on the brakes. We cruised over the tracks still about twice the 25 M.P.H. speed limit. As we turned around to mosey back towards the house I gave Nate an inquisitive look. To which he responded very casually "one twenty".
Our adrenaline levels were off the charts and Nate was struggling to keep the car at a reasonable speed as we started on our way back to papa's house. As we crested the freeway overpass the speedometer read 70 M.P.H. On the other side was a four way stop. the grade break that was created by the perpendicular street was abrupt. but it did offer a favorable trajectory and about a 25 ft, slightly downhill landing. So back in the electric blue scud missile, my brother and I prepared for lift off. Neither one of us was too concerned seeing as how we had jumped this intersection before (see pg...) just never this fast. the G-forces pressed us down into our bucket seats as the front bumper scraped the asphalt launch pad. Maybe it was the idiotic speed, maybe it was the extra stiff race style suspension, maybe it was an act of God; but as i floated out of my seat and my shoulders kissed the roof, I saw our 25ft. downhill landing disappear under the hood. I had just just begun to ponder the consequences of my realization when physics caught up with us. the car slammed sloppily onto the ground sending me out of zero gravity and directly into the dashboard. the car swerved wildly as Nate fought to regain control and consciousness. We finally rolled to a stop. Nate killed the engine and I pulled myself off the floor boards and back into my seat. my face was killing me and who knows what was wrong with the car. i looked over at Nate to behold a giant grin and a steering wheel imprint across his forehead.
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3 comments:
Ty, if the construction business ever doesn't work out for you, you could seriously pursue a career as a columnist...I loved every minute of that. You always have the best stories, and apparently you can write them too. I hope your little boy gives you a run for your money!
That was a fabulous story. I want to hear more!
MORE, MORE, encore! Thanks so much for posting this Ty. I better hurry and get your autograph before you hit the big time and forget the "little people" in your life. I know this is only one of many, but I kind of marvel that you are still alive. And boy am I glad you are.
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