There’s a magical place in Idaho, at the base of Dollar Mountain, one of the ski hills at the Sun Valley resort.  There, adults become kids, and kids become rocket ship drivers.

Penny Hill

When I was a kid we’d take our sleds and hike halfway up Penny Hill, to the top of the first slope, and hurl ourselves down.  Cross-legged, head-first, on our knees.  Sometimes we’d hold hands and try to go in a chain – until someone flipped over, dragging everyone along.  Sometimes we’d look up the hill to the next peak, longing to climb to the top of the tallest.  Some of us climbed the big mountain.  But we only did it once.  The little hill wasn’t as showy, but it was predictable.  When you came down from the big hill, you couldn’t be sure if you’d stop, or run out onto the street.  Sometimes the most familiar things are the most awesome.

You can learn a lot on a sledding hill.