Any sled riding advice or a better way to do it? Anyone ever been on a real sleigh/ride (with bells)? Any good stories or memories?

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), December 22, 2000

Answers

Wow Cindy- an instant rush of childhood memories!!! Our neighbor had a sleigh fully equiped with bells and I got a rush of the sounds (bells, galloping hooves, creaking snow), the feel of the cold wind in your face and snuggling under the quilts all crowded together. Neat memories that I had lost until you brought this up. Thanks - God Bless - - diane in michigan

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), December 22, 2000.

Ah yes, I remember it well!

The love of my life and I had gone to Colorado to ski, and the resort we were staying at offered moonlight rides. The two of us, and other couples gathered at the appointed time and were loaded onto the sled. I'm not sure where sleigh/sled lines are, but this conveyance was a little more crude than what I consider a sleigh, and also have several seats, so I call it a sled. Each couple was wrapped in comforters for the trip into the countryside. The team of horses had bells on, and while they moved right along, the bells weren't ringing all of the time.

Just like on a Christmas card, the snow sparkled as if jewels had been scattered on it in the moonlight. The horses hooves crunched in the snow as it was quite cold. Their nostrils emmitted steam as they breathed. I really don't know how far we traveled, but the destination was a rustic kind of barn-like structure that had a room to gather in around a pot belly stove. The stove was good and hot, and even though we had be wrapped up it still felt mighty good. Coffee and hot cocoa were served in big mugs as per choice.

The return trip to the lodge was as enjoyable as well, but I don't think that anyone really wanted the ride to end.

Now if those that took the ride weren't in a romantic mood by the end of such an event, they sure weren't of the right mindset to have spent their money in the first place. Ah yes, I remember it well!

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), December 22, 2000.

Try this for a sled ride, our Amish neighborhood kids did...

one snow board

one buggy horse with an extra long set of reins

one daredevil kid who laughs in the face of disaster.

Mount snow board with reins in hand, get horse started across a snowy field at a walk and increase speed to a full gallop. The ride is spectacular. So are the wipe outs. Not for the faint of heart or brittle of bones.

Happy Holidays,

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), December 22, 2000.

I have been on many Tobbogans in Colorado, going down the largest mountain know to mankind (When I was ALLOT younger) and let me tell you the strings DO NOT make the thing turn. But trees make you stop! Completly, totally, fun.

Me and Steve dissagree. I say a tobbogan is something you ride on in the snow, and he says it is put on your head. I say you put a Beanie on your head. East meets West. He's East, I'm West. He didn't even know what MOON BOOTS were, and he still laughs at me about it.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), December 22, 2000.

Some of the best winter fun i ever had was tobboganing and sleding with the kids. Sure do miss it. But if the weather is good in a few more weeks we will be going to vist and head up to cabbage patch in TN. AS it has been to long that we have been apart. And as for sliegh rideing never got the chance to yet unfortuneitly

-- Anthony J. DiDonato (didonato@vvm.com), December 23, 2000.

Went on one in New Hampshire, when we lived there. Two horse sleigh ride. I was great hearing the creak of the harness, watching the breath from the horses, the sound of the bells and the runners sliding through the snow. It was like a Christmas Card. It was cold but we didn't mind. I have been on horse drawn wagon rides also, the most memorable was in Woodstock, VT in the Wasil Parade in Dec. Nothing but horses!! WE Miss New England!!

-- Pam Creighton (zpjc5_@hotmail.com), December 23, 2000.