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Sarah Elizabeth-Benac Smith

@sbenacsmith

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My mom was legendary.

With a broken heart, I share that my Momma, Shelly, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026.

She belonged to many people, but her greatest and most important role was being my Mom. God gave her to me for exactly the time I needed her, and I believe He called her home knowing she had fulfilled her purpose.

Mammoth and the Eastern Sierras aren’t just home but a living reminder of her influence. Every part of my life here exists because of her.

A pioneer in so many ways…strong, bold, loving, unapologetic. Legends never die, and neither will she. I will carry her with me always and honor her in all that I do.

#iloveyoumom by @sbenacsmith

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9 months ago

Yesterday, our majestic boy Cooper crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He was home & surrounded by those who loved him.

I’ll be seeing you. taken in Mammoth Lakes, California by @sbenacsmith

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4 years ago

Didn’t get many pictures from the past couple weekends. Viewfinders MC Desert Classic Grand Prix: water girl, flagger, burnt face, awful tan lines and a lot of laughs. A wholesome good time! @viewfinders_mc #ngpc by @sbenacsmith

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11 days ago

Josh’s birthday under the harvest moon. Water girl mode. Back to Ridgecrest next weekend for @viewfinders_mc GP! by @sbenacsmith

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19 days ago

Sunday well spent 🏁

First GP and definitely had some fun. Thanks Josh and Dad for always showing up 🫶🏼 by @sbenacsmith

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2 months ago

Overhead sets in the valley 🤙🏼 #owensvalley
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Weekend projects are postponed until further notice 😎 by @sbenacsmith

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2 months ago

Hang time 🤙🏻 with thee Travis💚Daniel #godson by @sbenacsmith

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2 months ago

Many may not know, but 10 years ago today Josh asked me to marry him - and how we got there started in Baja.

Earlier in 2016, we drove our Ford Ranger from Mammoth to Los Barriles. On the way we stopped at San Ignacio Springs, where Canadian expats Terri and Gary welcomed us. They had dogs, including a black pup. “You can have her if you want.” I’m thinking about Cooper, but Josh pipes up, “Sure! We’ll stop on our way back.”

After a week on the East Cape, we headed home. At Scorpion Bay, Josh said he knew “another way” to San Ignacio.

We ended up on part of a cold racecourse, hitting silt bed after silt bed until the Ranger rear was buried. Off camber after sliding sideways down the hill.

Rather than wait for the heat, around 11 PM we left a note in the truck and started walking toward San Ignacio. 20+mi.

Every hour we’d sit back2back in the trail, set a 10 minute timer, sleep, then keep walking. Little water…but plenty of beer. We passed ranches, hundreds of goats and made a wrong turn.

Around sunrise, with the moon setting on one side and the sun rising on the other, we thought we heard a helicopter. Nope, a tiny truck.

We stood in the road. It was a man taking his son to school in San Ignacio. He let us sit in the bed and drove us another 30 minutes into town.

We bought a celebratory sixpack and walked to San Ignacio Springs. We were reunited with that puppy - now Riley - and crashed. Josh and Gary went back for the Ranger. Riley came home with us.

Right back in California, I got my first dirt bike. Unbeknownst to me, Josh decided if I made it up this one hill, he’d ask me to marry him. Several failed attempts later - with him carrying the ring - I finally made it.

10 years ago today, the video was rolling at the top when he asked me to marry him.

Engagement Hill ever since.

Somewhere between a buried Ranger, a 20+ mile walk in Baja, bringing Riley home and making it up that damn hill, Josh decided I was the one.

10 years ago today. It’s been one hell of an adventure. #baja by @sbenacsmith

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2 months ago

The sun went down, but the vocals went up 😆

If you’ve got a couple minutes, come with me on a sunset ride into the night. #hakunamatata hits different when you’re losing light.

@fasthouse_
@ride100percent
@sherco_official
@arclevers
@flyracing.global by @sbenacsmith

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2 months ago

San Mateo County. Benac-Bullock Gathering for my Great Aunt Katie’s memorial, my Grandma Zora’s sister. Family, memories, and a drop into the city with some humbling golfing - saw some jakes, some toms, some does, a fawn. Heart is full. #family by @sbenacsmith

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4 months ago

It was a special and meaningful day at the LA Arboretum. A magnolia tree was dedicated in memory of My Mom and Great Aunt Katie during a tree blessing service. A living tribute that represents their resilience, strength, & longevity - a sure fit. #mom by @sbenacsmith

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4 months ago

A baby boy is on the way 🩵 Showered the parents-to-be! It’s a special honor for Josh and me to be godparents, built on years of friendship and love. We’re ready for you! #babyshower #godparents by @sbenacsmith

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5 months ago