Adventures in Sledding

Last Saturday, our 45-minute snow sledding trek became a microcosm of my children's distinct personalities.

Beech Mountain maintains a quaint little public sledding area that they keep refreshed with man-made snow. It is pretty tame compared to snow tubing, which is a much longer and wilder ride, but it was still high adventure for a 5-year-old girl, 8-year-old boy, and their two (dare I say) middle-aged parents.

LJ started the afternoon disappointed because we opted for sledding over tubing. He said that "the kids didn't look like they were having any fun" and it wouldn't be as exciting.

Julianna, who couldn't actually remember the experience of snow tubing a couple of years earlier, was eager to give it a try.

To LJ's credit, he sprinted up the icy path (slipping approximately 12 times in the process), and wanted to be first in line to try out his brand new disc-style sled. He threw caution to the wind, and flew down the "intermediate" hill before I could even say go.

That would be his last solo trip. He went so fast down the hill that he went careening over the stop mats and into the haystacks at the end of the run. He was fine, but quickly proclaimed: "That was crazy and I am NOT going again. I want to go home."

Julianna, on the other hand, took one trip down with Dad and then declared her independence ... from that point on, she would be taking the runs by herself. She moved up and down the hill at such a breakneck pace that at times, I could not even keep up with her.

Bundled to the hilt in layer upon layer of warm clothing, she waddled up the slopes and lugged her sled behind her like a Clydesdale. There was no stopping that girl.

Until her toes started to go numb.

We headed for the warmth of the car and then to a Banner Elk restaurant for some hot chocolate (which, by the way, was too weak by LJ's standards).

Later that night, I was reflecting on our sledding trip it struck me how much LJ's and Julianna's beautiful, unique personalities shined through the thick fog at Beech Mountain.

Julianna is eyes wide open, always wanting to try new things, looks before she leaps, and puts a positive spin on almost everything. And she'll tell you about it all day long. She's a self-professed talker. Although tiring, it is one of the things I love about her the most.

Julianna soaked up her moment in the snow like there would be desert heat tomorrow -- she was queen of the hill and took Beech by storm.

She's a lot like her Dad ... he says he's an optimist. I say he's a dreamer.

LJ is cautious, analytical, and immensely loyal. Once his mind is made up, there is no changing it. Although frustrating, it is one of the things I love about him the most. If that kid is ever in a debate, I want to be on his team! I don't think LJ has ever been wrong before (just ask him, he'll tell you).

LJ reluctantly tried sledding even though he thought it wouldn't be as good as tubing. One trip down the hill and he KNEW he was right begin with. Sledding stinks and tubing is better. One might say he's a pessimist. LJ would says he's a realist.

Hmmm... that sounds a lot like me.


Here are a few bonus photos from ice skating with my brother, Steven, and his girlfriend, Julie, on Friday, Jan. 2.