The first half of January brought typical winter weather with bitter cold temperatures and enough snow to keep the ground coated. Our daughter Kelsey is in kindergarten now and experienced her first snow days which made me think about how much fun can be had in the white stuff. Of course the first thing every kid wants to do is make a snowman and snow angels as Kelsey reminded me of this.
I have fond memories of sleigh riding down the hill beside my parents’ house growing up. All the kids from the neighborhood would bring their plastic sleds and inner tubes to ride down the hill. As we grew older we constructed some impressive ramps to catch some air on while sliding down. My mom use to have to make me take a lunch break before heading back out until dark.
We would stay out all day and the cold never has bothered me. I think I passed this trait onto Kelsey as well as she rarely complains about being cold. Back then a typical snow day would consist of playing outside and being active. After becoming a parent, I’m sure my mom enjoyed the break.
We didn’t have I-pads or cell phones back then. Nintendo had just come out and Super Mario Brothers would keep us entertained for a while until someone would call about going sleigh riding. We actually had to call each other on the phone back then to communicate.
Growing up back in the day as I say now, man I’m getting old was so much fun. It didn’t matter what time of the year it was we were always outside doing something. Parents could let their kids go outside without having to worry about the things we do nowadays. The only thing they’d have to worry about is one of us coming back with a battle scar from catching too much air on the ramp.
Looking back, I now know why I love the outdoors so much. It doesn’t matter what the season is I just like to be outside as much as I can. I encourage Kelsey to get outside as I think it’s important for the youth to do so. There are so many distractions these days with all the newfangled electronic devices that you don’t see kids out playing or sleigh riding.Last weekend I decided to make time and pass on the joy of gliding down a hill on a tube to Kelsey. West Virginia is blessed with great ski resorts and Snowshoe Mountain is one of the best in the east. Snowshoe is unique in that the resort is on top of the mountain instead of the bottom like most ski resorts.
There is a 6 lane tubing park at the adjoining Silver Creek lodge which is a perfect place for the youngsters and adults. Kelsey was excited to hit the slopes and I was ready to relive my childhood. The only difference was we had to walk back up the hill afterwards instead of getting drug back up by a cable. I’m not complaining though as the ride back up was the only break Kelsey gave me. She was non-stop for the entire 2 hour session and had an absolute blast. Tara and I had fun as well. We raced each other down the slope and Tara somehow always ended up at the bottom first. It was funny because Tara thought it was her technique of sitting on top of the tube that allowed for her to gain speed. I opted for the run and jump on the tube on my belly to gain maximum speed but she still ended up beating me. Even Kelsey was out running me in the end.
Tara decided to take a break and video Kelsey and I going down because we have I-phones that do that nowadays. I switched tubes and took Tara’s and found she just had a greased up one or something because that thing zipped down the mountain. I had to burst her bubble and tell her it was just the tube and not her technique after the first run with it.
Kelsey was having so much fun that she and I were the only ones left for the last and final call. We laughed and had a blast even though I’m still a little sore. It made me realize that I’m not only older but a little bit out of shape than in my sleigh riding days.
To all of the kids, get outside and enjoy those snow days as you’re only young once. There are plenty of things to do in the winter outdoors just make sure you bundle up. Stay warm and make the most of the winter months.
