Mr. Silver, I actually have some friends who x-country skied up the Monon on Sunday, although they usually go to Eagle Creek Park to ski the groomed trails there. I don't think they plow, shovel or salt the Monon. Or if they do, it's certainly not made a priority. Heck, they don't even get to sidestreets or sidewalks most of the time. They just wait for it to melt!

I'm thinking that x-country skis would be the better investment as between the two. The problem I run into is that when there's enough snow to make winter sports possible around here, there's also enough snow to keep me and my car safely indoors. I'm a nervous nelly when it comes to driving in bad weather. My friends who live right off the Monon are lucky in that regard.