The Fast and Furious

On Monday I had to take Kaitlyn on a quick trip up to Orem and didn't trust my 18 year old car would make the long drive so I jumped online and reserved a small economy car for $29 bucks.  When I arrived at the Budget Rental the next morning the agent told me he didn't have the little kia I had reserved but happily informed me that he had another car that I could rent for the same price.   He added, "I'm sure you'll like it!"

 

 

 He led me outside and pointed to what I thought would be my $29 economy kia....It turned out to be  a 2013 Mustang GTO!  Complete with 444 horses ready to charge to Orem. Cue the horse whinny sound:

 

 This car was sweet.  I have never driven a convertible sports car before so I didn't know what I was in for.  As soon as I started the car and revved the engine, I knew I was going to have a good day!  Donna said she heard me driving up to the house from a couple blocks away.  Kaitlyn was very surprised when I picked her up at school to start our trip and I was not in my old, little honda.  I was driving a Mustang now baby!

 

 

One glance at the speedometer and I knew that today was a special day. I was finally going to be a member of the century club.  Our trip was fun and that long 4 hour drive to Orem felt totally different in my new ride.  I was flying by vehicles and enjoyed driving most of the way with a fast pack of 4 other cars as we weaved in and out of slower traffic.  On our way home I entered the Fillmore valley and knew that this was the moment.  The valley is the stretch of freeway I dread the most when traveling on I-15.  It is a long, dusty, boring 40-mile long valley filled with dusty boring sage brush.  I looked around and didn't see any other vehicles.  My cruise was set at 80 and all I had to do is lightly tap the accelerator and all 444 horses reared up and charged toward the century mark.  Cue the horse whinny sound again.  Within 5 seconds the needle hit the magic number and I quickly backed down to my cruise control setting of 80 mph.  As luck would have it in those 10 short seconds that I was exceeding the speed limit I managed to pass a Highway Patrolman. 

He was on me in no time and the dark night suddenly exploded in blue and red flashing lights.  I had that sinking feeling as I watched him speed up behind me.  I immediately called Donna and told her I was being pulled over.  She was not surprised and actually warned me before I left that I was going to get a ticket.  I put the cell phone on the passenger seat and let her listen to the stern scolding I received from the officer.  He refused to cut me any breaks and issued me a $240 citation!  Dang Mustang....ughhh.  My $29 fun rental suddenly ballooned into a $300 nightmare. 

 

Well, the fun wasn't over yet because I got to keep the car for a full 24 hours which meant I could drop the top and drive the girls to the bus stop the next morning!  They all loved the ride and I have to admit I was a bit sad to drop off "My" Mustang at the Rental Center (the rental agent had to tug the keys out of my hand) and slowly climb into my old honda.  Back to reality as I slowly sputtered off down the hot Dixie road, exhaust backfiring along the way, to my office cubicle where I began working off my pricey adventure to join the Century Club.