My daughter, Brenda and her husband, Joe, host an annual WinterFest in Sutton, NH, on Presidents' Day weekend. This year there was plenty of snow to satisfy all cravings for downhill speed using a multitude of conveyances; sleds, saucers, a toboggan, and a snow-scooter, along with an unnamed patch of fiberglass with handle attached that requires precise body position and balance.
As a kid, growing up on that same property, my winter conveyances included a Flexible Flyer sled that included a couple of steel rails bridged by wooden slats to support a body. The steel rails were connected at the front by a metal framework to which was fitted a wooden crossbar that articulated enough to provide some steering.
Fast forward 65 years and I find myself, after consuming several glasses of a very nice Pinot Noir, hurtling down the same hill on a Hammerhead sled. Constructed primarily of fiberglass this sled includes a sling of fabric netting to cushion the body. It features four runners that remind me of short skis the front two of which somehow react to pressure on an aluminum crossbar and steers the unit. These days it takes me concentrated balance to negotiate the snowbank that serves as a starting block and significant complaining from an arthritic hip while climbing aboard. A very patient Ken steadies the sled and once I am in position enthusiastically aids in launching my run (as if any additional help was needed) as the sled dove in a nearly vertical trajectory down the face of the bank and sped along the well groomed course to the end of the run. Shear terror was replaced with exhilaration and the run proved much too short and quickly I was climbing aboard the "lift" (a massive John Deer towing a trailer outfitted with four rows of bench seating and space for snow toys) and headed back to the top of the hill. No, I did not opt for a second run...next year!
