What To Do In The Winter, Chapter 4

Ok, I've been busy for the past few days and getting to my follow-up blog on our second sledding experience from this past weekend has been on my mind, so here goes...


I just realized that both sledding excursions I'm featuring here are Fairview Heights, IL destinations. There really are a lot of activities to pursue in Southwestern IL; Fairview Heights is known locally more for commerce than anything else since the largest Mall this side of the Mississippi River is St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights.


That said, I honestly can't even begin to tell you how strange this sledding location is. You see, it's built on a heap of strip mine remains. St. Clair County was at one time a HUGE underground and strip mining location. (NOTE: if you're relocating to St. Clair County or communities around Scott Air Force Base, don't CONSIDER buying homeowner's insurance without getting mine subsidence insurance! Feel free to contact me at andrewe@remax.net for further informaiton on this "mine field" that must be navigated successfully).


In any case, the sledding this past Sunday was great. You'll notice that the "slopes" look less like snow and more like grass. Well, that's becasue there was quite a bit of grass showing up as the snow retreated under the assault of 55 degree temperatures and a sun that wanted to show that Spring is just around the corner. However, because the weather for the past 3 or so weeks had been so cold, the fact was that the "snow" we sledded on was actually ice. The conditions were great. Here's an example of my oldest son catching some air on his sled.


When all was said and done, all 7 of us (we went with some neighbors) were there fully 2 1/2 hours before we thought anything about the clock. I think it's becasue it was warm enough that we were totally comfortable the entire time. No hot chocolate needed today! "Phew" says the dad; "Bummer!" say the kids.



This is a GREAT location for sledding because of its central location (easy to get to from Route 50 in O'Fallon, IL, very close to Scott Air Force Base) and the size of the hills...something to look forward to if you're currently stationed somewhere in Texas or any other warmer climate that doesn't normally experience Winter!


If you're thinking of relocating to Scott Air Force Base, or for information on communities, schools or homes for sale in O'Fallon, Belleville, Shiolh, IL and other communities that surround Scott Air Force Base, please go to www.RelocateToScottAirForceBase.com