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February 11, 2005
Oh Hill
St. Olaf College is located atop a fairly decent-sized hill. This contributes to the numerous oddities of the college by resulting in the campus being referred to as "The Hill," year-round gale-force winds, and a remarkable opportunity for sledding.
I have never experienced sledding on The Hill myself, largely because of my distain for the cold, though rumor has it that the cafeteria trays make fine toboggans. Some of my friends drafted a list of things they want to do before they graduate, and sledding was one of the activities included. This made me decide that perhaps one such excursion might make my experience at St. Olaf more complete. I resolved to sled at least once during this final year.
My window looks out on a slope that leads down to one of the student parking lots. A path cleared in the brush provides a shortcut to the lots. It is frequently traveled, because to go around on the sidewalk would be about three times the distance. Now that the path is coated with ice and snow, however, it has provided me with a source of sick entertainment. Sitting at my computer, I can't resist the sense of morbid curiosity when I notice someone head hesitantly down the path. I have to watch. Almost all of them end up on their rears at least once.
I was served with a large helping of retribution this afternoon. I took the longer, safer, more sensible path down to my car. My errands took longer than expected, however, and before I knew it I was late for meeting my friends for dinner. I had to stop at my dorm room to deposit my purchases, so I headed up the treacherous path with dread.
Grocery sack in one hand and fridge-pack of diet Coke in the other, I tiptoed my way up, choosing snow over ice as often as possible. I made it halfway without incident, but I became overconfident too soon. The path narrowed to a well-packed sheet of ice with trees on one side and a relatively steep downhill slope on the other side. I saw that the slope was snow while the path was ice, so I tried to balance on the slope side of the path.
Soon, however, one foot began to slowly slide down the path. My options then were to A) do the splits, which I cannot physically do, or B) sit down. I opted for the latter, and I was able to do so gently since I had been moving cautiously, but I did not stop sliding. So there I was, sliding down the hill on my rear, feet first, shopping bag and Coke still on either side of me. This was not exactly how I had imagined my sledding experience, but hey, I'm open-minded.
Five to ten feet later, I slowed to a stop. Carefully, I stood up. Not two steps later, however, the exact same process repeated itself, and I slid the rest of the way down the hill. Ending up at the very bottom, I headed up the opposite side and end up climbing through a thick row of brush to get the complete opposite side of my dorm.
I wonder how many people got a hearty laugh watching that spectacle out their window. I would have been rolling on the floor. But sliding down the hill wasn't too bad either.
Posted by Megan at February 11, 2005 10:19 PM
Comments
Awesome. You made me almost wish I had had the same experience.
Posted by: Laura at February 12, 2005 04:47 PM
That is funny! I am acquainted with this hill as I used to have clarinet lessons at St. Olaf every week!
Posted by: Jamie at February 12, 2005 09:04 PM
THAT is hillarious.
Posted by: Matt at February 12, 2005 09:37 PM
btw, nice title ;)
Posted by: Matt at February 12, 2005 09:38 PM
That brings back memories of family trips to Colorado... "Hill. H-E-L-L, hill."
Megan, I'm glad that you have taken over as the better blogging Blair, too. It's good to have you back. I laughed out loud repeatedly at this.
Posted by: Pat at February 12, 2005 10:46 PM
Did you let go of the Diet Coke? Just curious...;)
Posted by: heather at February 15, 2005 04:23 PM