it's winter

Last night we put chains on the rear wheels of the van and drove it around the block to test them and make sure they were tight enough. They make a huge difference.

This afternoon we went out to the Eastern Prom and tried out our new flying saucers. We had waxed them last night so they were ready to go. We made the first to runs on the tall, exposed part of the hill. The wind was so strong it immediately froze pellets of snow and ice to our faces and started to form rime ice on our glasses. After the second run we ventured to a slightly shorter, but less exposed part of the hill. That was much better, we took maybe 8 more runs and were actually feeling fairly warm and comfortable when finished. The temps were probably in the teens F with wind chill down below zero, but walking up hill in winter clothing can warm you up.

It was quite a bit of fun. It had been a long time since we had hurtled downhill at breakneck speeds toward impending doom surrounded by nothing but air.

Now safely home, vehicles secured for the evening and books enough to last a century. Bing Crosby would feel right at home.