sledding.

in mn, they call this sliding, but since this fantastic snowfall collided on this wonderfully long hillside in ny, it must adopt the appropriate title; thus, sledding! i know that it's hard to top the always-exaggerated memories of childhood, and we have lots of those when it comes to sledding, but i have to say that this sledding track is hands down my favorite in all of recent memory. it acquired a base of about a foot on christmas day, then was renewed with fresh snow at least a couple more times over the next week. the hill is long and gradual and slow and peaceful. you can enjoy the winter skies and woodsy scenes on your way down, that is, if you're not otherwise engaged in whooping and hollering and the occasional attention to steering. then the unexpected: the entrance into the woods & the unseen. we called it the double black diamond. it's steep and surprising and thrilling. even for a non-roller-coaster kind of gal. even for grown men with thick beards. even for a three-year-old who has never learned the word 'faceplant' before. (which will now likely be dubbed 'plant-face' for the rest of our family's life) even for the californian who didn't pack snowpants. perhaps you can tell by the way i am waxing eloquent with way way too many words, that we have enjoyed many a ride down this hill by now. it has been a central part of our family time and visit, and so very fun! what a bonus on top of so many other blessings of these weeks.