Legally sledding on Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill- "Woooh!"

Happy sounds of screaming filled the air as nearly two hundred people went sledding on Capitol Hill Sunday afternoon once the blizzard passed.

The sun was out, the sky was blue, and the snow perfect for sledding conditions. After being tucked inside for two days, Washingtonians trekked to Capitol Hill to sled on the hill just under the House side of the Capitol. In years past, it was illegal to sled on the hill. This year, the law changed, and it's legal to go sledding down the hill.

All ages joined in the fun. Everyone wanted to sled and be a kid again. It didn't matter if you were 3 years old or 65 - every one was sliding down the hill. Kids were lending sleds to adults. And adults were asking kids to borrow sleds.

There were about six to seven unofficial lanes along the top of the hill. Lines formed in a somewhat orderly fashion. And once it was your turn folks just went sledding. At the bottom, bystanders better be aware of what's coming their way cause sleds flew down the hill fast!

Not everyone that came sledding brought a real sled. Sure there were kids with the lasted LLBean sled model. Even vintage sleds- similar to 'rosebud', were seen. But it was a feast for the eyes to see how creative sledders were to find something- anything- to sled with- just to get in on the action-of sliding down fast and feel like a kid again.

Cardboard boxes were the most popular makeshift sleds. Some even had garbage bags slipped over to make you slide faster. The most Washingtonian sled- March for Life signs- from the March for Life rally on Friday the day before the storm arrived. Probably picked up from trash cans or sidewalks not covered in the snow- the plastic signs made for decent sleds although small.

A twin size air mattress perhaps wins the award for the most creative sled option. Sliding down with four friends the air mattress went flying down the hill. At the bottom, the owner said, "It was the best seven bucks I spent at Wal-Mart."

The cold temperatures didn't stop folks from going back up the hill a multiple times. After, the view coming down- looking at the National Mall is spectacular.