• Thursday-What'sUP December 30 - 01:14 am

Now that's quite the toboggan cargo, captured by Peg Hardt, with Grandpa holding his own on the tail end of the ride! These are the moments that youngsters, like the one bundled up in front, will remember for years to come. So much fun to be had in the out of doors this time of year in the U.P. snow. Just add a couple of young people, a sled or two and maybe even a pooch like Joyce Tormala spotted and you're sure to see lots of smiles and hear plenty of laughter too!

Nice to see families outdoors enjoying the fresh air! If we could be fortunate enough to have more family structuring I'm sure this country would be better off. Also glad to see pets included! I may sound like a broken record but please visit your local animal shelters during the New Year!

Does anyone else think there's a conspiracy afoot to make toboggans a lot narrower now than when we were young?!! Seems like a lot more 'bottom' hangs over the edges nowadays!

Can't sign off without forwarding an enjoyable site sent to me by one of Pasty Cam's regulars. Thank you Renee'!! I'm sure it would be enjoyed by most and has ties to today's picture. http://indigo.org/friends/

Upmama -- I've noticed that also. And the hills are a lot shorter but just as scary if you factor in potential broken bones. And have you noticed how the force of gravity has gotten stronger?

That looks like such fun! I bought baby sleds for my two little grandsons for Christmas, hoping that I could play in the snow with them during the holidays. The rain has washed away all the snow we had before Christmas in southeast Michigan, so it looks like I'll have to wait. Maybe you could send some my way from the copper country?

We grew up outside of Chicago where the CCC had built large wooden slides to take your toboggan down. They were so steep we would go down with just a piece of cardboard in the summer time. Anyone know the orgin of the word TOBOGGAN?

Ouch!!! My first broken ribs were from tobogganing at the end of Harris St. in Lake Linden. Not my fondest memory of the Copper Country.

Good morning! Great pictures...makes me want to grab a sled and head UP North.

John and ANne Kentucky, your question spurred me to do a search on a couple of sites. The word Toboggan is of Algonquain origin; akin to Micmac tobâgun: drag made of skin. The Canadian French spelling is "tobogan".

Have a great day everyone!

In New Hampshire we had a toboggon, but we also had a sled called a "travis". It a big board with places to put your feet spanning two smaller sleds and seating about eight. All I remember was that it would go like a banshee and we usually ended up in a big pile about half way down.

Hey there Bruce...glad to see you finally back with us, here on Pasty Cam :)
Theresa and UPmama: I have also noticed the following about toboggans: they have lowered the seating area in them...what's up with that. It's almost as if you have to do Yoga to get on and off one of those darn contraptions nowadays.
Theresa, the reason the toboggan goes faster now, is because they put us up front. There's always some smart kid up at the top of the toboggan run (usually mine) shouting,"put mama on first, with her weight she will pull us down the hill really fast". And to think you were really proud of this kid when he aced his gravity test in science.

Renee, thanks for the wonderful site on animals. It's amazing how loyal an animal can be to us. They never let you down. Family and friends do that more and more. I am now convinced animals have more compassion and feelings than most people I know do.

Whoa, we have all been down the same hill. I'm wondering if it was at the same time!

Cindylee, When I get over to my AIM account later today, I will send you pics of the dog that Bruce and his wife rescued/adopted...can't remember if I emailed them to you. If anyone else wants a copy of Bruce's new addition to his family (they will definately warm your heart), just email me ;)
I can't agree more about the compassion and feelings that animals have. :)

We used to Bob-Sled in Hubbell, is there a pic available on the Pasty Com site of one of these???

Upmama: I don't think that it's the toboggan that has gotten narrower; something else has gotten wider.

This brings back memories of when I was a kid growing up in Laurium. But my mode of downhill transport was one of those old 'saucers', a round aluminum disc which would carry me down Tamarack Hill (location) wildly oscillating and spinning, always with an uncertain outcome.

Gee thanks Daveofmohawk, for that observation. You aren't married...are you? Cuz a married man would never make that observation...or he would have to sleep with one eye open ;)
Dave's story would then go something like this: "I told my wife that she had gotten wider. On da thurd day I could sorta see outta my right eye, but da left eye was still swollen shut."

These pictures bring back memories of my brothers & sisters (eight of us) sliding down our hill in Cunard on an old car hood. No steering, lots of sharp edges, and lots of trees to avoid - I'm amazed we're all still in one piece.

hey,if anyone would like to know pbs flint is airing a great getaways featuring our beloved dan urbanski,it will probably be repeated this weekend.

Magnificent pictures PEG and JOYCE! Life is so very nice - often!

Thanks!I should spend more time on the sled and less time on this chair. Today would have been ideal for sliding anywhere because of the hanki. It seems more like March.(I WILL eat these words)
The picture was taken about a dozen years ago and I've often wondered whatever became of Matt and the Mayle kids. Sgt.Nate and my daughter are engaged in the snowfight with dear old Eska as the referee. Simply sliding is great fun for people and dogs of all ages. If there is ever a lull in the conversation,mention sledding,and everybody starts talking!
We used just about anything,usually salvaged from the dump,but cardboard,shovels and trash bags were handy,and if they weren't handy enough, jackets make good sleds.
I heard from a reliable source that a satellite dish does NOT work. You will spin and spin and spin and spin...

Joyce, No to the satellite dish? Even with a generous spraying of Pam? ;)

Have you guys ever though of going to the Camden Sno Bowl where they host the National Toboggan Championships? I think you guys would love it.

James
http://www.DIYhomecenter.com - Old School wooden toboggans rock by the way!!