Sledding Party

We’ve had snow on the ground since the big storm in mid-December. In a fit of pandemic pique, rain on Christmas Day washed away most of it (not nice), but since then a series of storms have dumped on the Midwest and the “Northeast,” just grazing us and adding bit by bit to our snowpack.

Needing an outdoor socially distant activity for Super Bowl Sunday, we naturally decided on sledding. We invited some friends who aren’t too grown up to hoot and holler (BYOS), and the weather cooperated beautifully with a waft of fresh snow falling while we were sliding, making the course extra smooth.

One sled had rusty runners (we’ll call it an antique) and our neighbor/nephew-in-law Steve whipped out a drill with a sanding attachment that did the job. (No, the drill wasn’t in his pocket. He came up on his four-wheeler, which has an attached tool box.)

There were two trike sleds in the armada. We have one as well as a traditional flexible flyer. The trikes have steering wheels — super fun.

Now about our driveway. We have run across people who hear where we live and say, “Oh, you’re the ones with the driveway!” Many a sledder has slid down our groomed hill as guests of our farm family— Steve, Rachel, Parker and Elsa, enough so that it has become positively legendary. It’s long, it’s steep, and there’s one thrilling, death defying curve. (Okay, a bit too dramatic. If you don’t make the curve you slide into a snow bank. No tree hazards.)

Fun was had by all, as well as popcorn (Diane’s, which is also legendary) and cookies around the fire pit. There wasn’t much excitement about the Super Bowl since Tom Brady and Gronk were playing for some warm weather pirate team instead of the Patriots. (They’re going to Disney World. Whatever. They already live in Florida.)

Fresh air, exercise (I logged a couple of miles walking back up the driveway), and friends. The best!