Sledding in Idaho City

We decided to end the year with a sledding trip to Idaho City. It was super cold and windy when we wanted to go earlier in the vacation week, so we waited for the weather to warm up a bit.  Believe it or not, this was warmer. 

Should we have waited longer?  At least it wasn't as windy as it was earlier in the week.  Downright balmy.



It had snowed fairly recently, so even though it was pretty brisk, the landscape was SO pretty and the snow conditions were almost ideal--lots of fresh powder.

We had a fairly nice drive up there.  Rachel, Matt, and Adam slept in the back seat, and Karen, Andrew, Mike, and I talked in the front half of the van.  Spirits were reasonably high when we unloaded, but I'll have to admit that I thought it was really cold to be sledding.  However, we pressed on.  Here's a group shot, minus Mike the photographer:







Rachel started out pretty enthusiastic. 

Poor Adam doesn't have a lot of body fat to keep himself warm.  He was pretty aerodynamic on the runs, however.

Karen had a bad sledding accident in Rexburg when she was five.  Fortunately, Grandpa Young was a dentist at the time and could stitch her gum back up where a front tooth got knocked out by a chain link fence.  After two runs, she claimed she was having flashbacks and was content to sit on an inner tube and watch. 

Andrew, on the other hand, was a very enthusiastic run builder but also young and brave enough to go on the runs.  I guess he got experience growing up in snowy Colorado.

Matt's a teenage boy and will try anything and everything. . . and always head and face first.

I was brave and had fun on just about every run (FEET first). . . until this wipeout.  This ended my day.  Got my neck tweaked pretty hard, and I was done.  Is there a spot next to you for your old mom, Karen?

I'll have to admit that Mike is just about the happiest guy I know.  However, even he seemed moved to have the entire family gathered for the holiday break. . . even if it was in the freezing cold.  He managed to keep a smile on his face when the officer stopped him in Idaho City on our way home for going 42 mph in a 25 mph zone.  I was ticked, but his happy demeanor probably kept the officer from issuing a citation.  As usual, I completely enjoyed being with my family and would endure frigidly cold temps or a blazing hot sun to be with the people I love.  But maybe we'll wait for double digits to go sledding again. . .