Maybe a White Christmas?

by Scott L. Parkin, Staff Writer

When we first moved to Reston, there was a lot more snow and ice.

For several years, there was enough snow on the ground for a week or two

so that I could take out my cross-country skis, drive to Reston National Golf

or Hidden Creek and ski for hours, often without seeing another soul.

Similarly, I could take the kids to the top of “Reston Mountain” and sled

down for more than one weekend a year. It might be an urban or suburban

myth, but I was told there was once a rope tow there for downhill skiers.

Regardless, it remains steep and long enough for a thrill ride to the bottom

as long as there’s enough snow.

While I know it was probably unsafe, I skated on Lake Audubon more than

once in the last thirty years. This was only when the temperatures were in

the teens for more than a week and there were no visible breaks in the ice. I

know it’s frowned upon for good reason especially since it’s rare for there to

be enough cold days in a row.

In the mid-80s, we owned a four-wheel drive (not all wheel-drive) Subaru

wagon. I was proud of its ability to weather almost any storm and looked for

any opportunity to use the drive. Since I mostly commuted to work via bus

and train, I remember one day knowing it was going to snow using the car

instead. That night, I kindly offered to drive my boss to her North Reston

home from downtown DC in a raging blizzard. The wagon easily braved the

rolling Baron Cameron hills and plowed through drifts on North Village Road

to get her safely home.

Since then, I don’t think there has been a winter that required four-wheel

drive to traverse Reston’s streets, allowed for much skiing of any kind, or

much sledding on the mountain. I don’t think it’s been possible to safely

skate on our lakes.

Of course, I’m probably too old to take advantage of any but winter driving.

We now own an all-wheel drive that I know can hold its own. The Farmer’s

Almanac says we may have a white Christmas and more snow and cold than

usual.

Meanwhile, there may be a neighbor of yours who is elderly, alone and

unable to get out because of snow or ice storms. Knock on the door, give

them a call, email or text them to make sure they are ok.

Scott L. Parkin is president of Reston for a Lifetime (www.RestonforaLifetime.org/) , a

nonprofit organization with a mission to inform and educate residents about aging in

place.