SLEIGH-RIDING ON THE FAMOUS RASPBERRY BEND
Every winter we looked forward to sleigh-riding. Our favourite run was past Sacred Heart School on the way up to the old ghost town of Phoenix. This was the most challenging run because of the hairpin turn! Once you were able to negotiate this turn, you were on your way past the post office, and if unable to stop at Copper Street. Then good luck! Hope no car was going by. One legend said that these two boys couldn't stop, and the logging truck was slowly chugging along the icy Copper Street or Highway #3. Daringly, the boys sled under the trailer of the logging truck! Some thought it was a Nishi and Yodogawa boys. It was a long, challenging run, and in the evening the sparks would fly while hitting the outcrop of pebbles. Children had their own home-made bobsleigh and some were fortunate enough to use store-bought sleds.
First turn: everyone on the sled must lean to the right to make the sharp curve. If the sled went too fast, then Raspberry Bend made you a victim.
Photo credit Chuck Tasaka
Closer look at the "Bend".
Photo credit Chuck Tasaka
The "S" curve was the last challenging run.
Photo credit Chuck Tasaka
Then, it was full speed ahead straight down Greenwood Street! Some ejected from the sled to avoid crossing Copper Street down below!
Photo credit Chuck Tasaka