The weekend that went from Alien to Fast & Furious

This week was like living in two parallel universes, one that involved ambient purple lighting and infrared heat therapy, and the other, dust, exhaust fumes, and a whole lot of "HELL YEAH."

If you ever wondered what it's like to feel like you're in a science fiction movie one day and the next, an action-packed car chase, buckle up. Here's how my Friday and Saturday went from serene space pod relaxation to rally racing madness.

Let's start with Friday. I was invited by Barb, the owner of BFit, to try out the gym's latest gadget-a Fitness Pod. When I first heard "Fitness Pod," my mind went straight to Star Trek, thinking I'd be instantly transported to a utopian world of space food and laser guns.

Picture this: a sleek, pod-like structure, similar to the sleeping chambers from the movie Alien. Seriously, it was like I was about to be frozen for four years and wake up in a distant galaxy. But instead of eerie sci-fi music, the pod was illuminated in soothing purple, rose, and red lights. A vibe that screamed, "You're about to be put into a deep, futuristic slumber... or maybe have a weird dream about being abducted by aliens."

The pod slowly closed around me, thanks to a hydraulic system. If you're thinking about giving it a try, be warned: "this pod requires minimal clothing." So, if you're someone who prefers a "tighty-whities" approach or, you know, feels bold enough to go all natural, this is your moment.

Once inside, I was wrapped in a warm cocoon of infrared lights that gently massaged my body. For 15 minutes, it felt like I was being snuggled by a giant, heated blanket. Unlike my infamous tanning bed incident (which you may recall involves those burns that people kindly ask about), this was not painful. The pod is meant to help with weight loss, anxiety, sleep, skin health, and who knows what else. I went in mainly to experience what it's like to be in an alien pod, and I can confirm: I'd totally sign up for the next intergalactic sleepover if this is how it feels.

But then, just 24 hours later, I found myself in a very different kind of pod... one that ran on high-octane fuel and left me screaming, "HELL YEAH!" Saturday brought me to Rallycross 2025 in Lind, where the wind was icy, the dirt was flying, and the smell of exhaust made me feel alive in a way only car fumes can. The Lions Club knows how to throw a party, and this event was nothing short of exhilarating.

I met the CEO, Kito Brielmaier, and his wife, Katie, who are "couple goals" if I've ever seen them. These two love rally racing so much that they practically live and breathe it. After Kito gave me a tour of the event, introduced me to some of the drivers, and gave me a nice, wind-protected spot for interviews, it was time to get serious. I secured my camera equipment, slapped on a GoPro, and was ready for the ride of my life.

I'll admit, when the cars first started on the track, I thought, "Pfft, this is pretty slow." Then came the realization that this was the parade laps, where drivers got to familiarize themselves with the course, and Kito let me in on a little secret: the "gotcha." It's this clever trick where he sets up a portion of the track that always fools drivers. And guess what? Every driver fell for it. Every. Single. One.

Then, it was my turn for the ride-along. Three different drivers: Wes Mackie, Jacob Malm, and Ethan Curtis. I'm not going to lie, there were moments I couldn't tell whether I was going to scream like a roller coaster ride, stay silent, or just utter a few Hail Marys.

But when that flag dropped, we were off, and it was like something out of Fast and Furious. The cars roared to life, I felt the G-forces, and every curve had me thinking, "Are we going to roll?!" Spoiler alert: we didn't, but it sure felt like we would.

There was dirt flying, my heart was pounding, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I was part of a movie. We tore through sharp turns, kicked up dust, and drifted around the final arena like we were auditioning for Tokyo Drift. And when I screamed "HELL YEAH" at the finish line, I wasn't sure if it was adrenaline or just pure joy.

I'll admit, I might have developed a new obsession-and potentially a new expense that I wasn't prepared for. Cars? Check. Desire to race? Double-check.

Goodbye savings, hello Rallycross dreams. Maybe someday you'll see me in a car with a GoPro strapped to my head, screaming through the dust in Lind.

So, from being gently cradled in a futuristic pod to being thrown around a rally car like I was in a Fast and Furious sequel, this week was truly the perfect juxtaposition of relaxation and chaos. Who knew that a weekend could go from one sci-fi dream to pure dirt-slinging adrenaline? If you want to find me, I'll be the one at the next race, probably still trying to find my breath.

- Olivia Harnack is the editor at the Lincoln County Record-Times and is learning the ropes of rural life, one hay bale and farm dog at a time. You can reach her at 509-725-0101.

Author Bio

Olivia Harnack, Managing Editor

Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.