JenV
I almost DID die sledding when I was a kid. We lived on Vashon, and would sled down the hill to the ferry dock parking lot. It was a steep hill, and always closed when it snowed. It goes first into the upper lot, then into the lower lot. Ultimately, you were supposed to turn into the upper lot – it was flat. The lower lot is a continuation of the hill. This was the big snowstorm of ’85 or ’86 I think – I know it was Thanksgiving weekend. I am on my metal rail sled, that I think must have belonged to our parents – it was old. I am headfirst- and probably going about 50 down the hill. Everyone is telling me to turn or jump off before I hit the parking lot. I can’t – going too fast, I am scared and the sled wont turn. I end up in the lower parking lot- I see a huge bumper ahead of me- put out my hand and hit full force with my neck. Try to stand up and immediately fall down. can’t speak or move. the neighborhood kids run and get someone’s dad, who carries me all the way home- I was 11 or so, so not a little tyke. Later that night I went into shock – shaking, crying – realized I could have died – and it’s a wonder I didn’t. Ended up with a badly sprained wrist. So when I see kids trying to sled around any cars, it freaks me out.