We finally had a decent snowstorm this weekend, which in this part of the state anyway has become pretty rare. It was cold, but was good to see the kids outside playing in the snow. As I was running an errand this afternoon with Jaclyn, on our way out to the lake, we saw a couple of people on a snowmobile. All of a sudden it dawned on me…there are absoultely NO snowmobile trails around this part of the state. That was a thought that sent me back to growing up in northwestern Illinois and the great winters I remember growing up. I remember having very easy access to the snowmobile trail as it went right through our front yard. I can’t say what it is like these days, but I know while growing up, the trails in that part of the state were laid out similar to a highway system in that there were trails that took you to many of the local towns and villages. I remember the late snowy nights (since my bedroom faced the front of the house) watching the lights and listening to the snowmobiles drive by on the trail out front. It was a time where we often had enough snow to travel by snowmobile most of the winter. I think the thought that really got me today was realizing that Robert is approaching that age when I would talk my parents into starting the snowmobile for me and they would allow me to make a few laps around the neighboring field, and then make a trip through the yard every now and then just to check in. A friend today pointed out yet another memory of those times which was the distinct smell and sound of those snowmobiles. Most generally I’m very satisfied and happy with where my family has decided to call home; however there are those times like today when I get disappointed in myself in the fact that my kids are perhaps missing out on some experience that were so great for me growing up.