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Jamaica Bobsled

Did Ya Make-a Bobsled?

When I was growing up, we used the driveway as our sled hill. It was the obvious choice. It was (and still is) a 55-degree angle of sheer downhill fun!

But, we were little kids. Dad always built safety features into "the run." The bottom of the driveway did run right into the street, after all. Though it was quiet most of the time, the street would still have cars occasionally. We were pretty much the first house on the street, so we saw more traffic than the other houses. Dad built a big turn ramp out of snow at the bottom of the driveway, so that instead of heading straight into the street, we would endure some major G-forces making the tight right curve on the run that flattened out to go parallel to the street and with the flow of traffic.

One more safety feature.... He taped a sheet of glow-in-the-dark red paper on one side of a snow shovel and glow-in-the-dark green paper on the other side, and planted the stick into the base of the curve at the bottom. Someone was always at the base of the hill to turn the sign to red for "CAR!!!!!!" or green for "GO!" It was a great system.

In homage to Dad's many, many snow runs, we built one in the backyard. (Our street is much too busy to even consider crafting a run in the front--safety features or not!) Ours has to have a starting ramp built up, because we don't have much of a hill at the start. Otherwise, you just have to watch out for the trees at the end!!

Check out this Eyewitness Sports video....



CJ makes a great start of it (without a push), but the great speed she gains thrusts her over the side wall and into the neighbors' playset.


(sigh!)



SHOVEL!....

* * *

To be continued in Snow Day #2

Comments

Kelly said…
Looks like lots of fun! I posted some snow pics too! I didn't post my video on the hill at the front of our yard...it was rather anticlimatic! But the kids enjoyed it anyway.

Snow Day #2. Wonder what fun we'll have today?

And great job from your industrious dad!
On Purpose said…
This looks like fun...is this your beautiful yard?
Edie said…
Oh I'm actually getting jealous over here. :)

Looks like you are all having lots of fun. Um... except for the little one I hear in the video who doesn't get to go outside. Shame on you! LOL!
Sue J. said…
Actually, RJ2 IS outside, Edie. But she has a little sniffle, and she doesn't like to wear her gloves (because it makes it harder to eat the snow that way), so she was wanting to go inside! Just a little cold she was, she was.....

And, yes, Nichole, this is our yard--mostly trees. They rule the grass! Thanks for your compliment! It is majorly pretty with the snow.

Wow...we just got awarded Snow Day #3. I might be the next one to cry....
The Patterson 5 said…
I love the ramps and "ski bumps" ya'll built in! Looks like lots of fun!
Anonymous said…
Love the story of your ingenious father...how great is that?
Looks like you all had fun. I had yet to post about our adventures...maybe you have inspired me to do so now! So glad your girls and you enjoyed your wintery time!

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