This morning we departed La Gaspesiana around 9am, after our standard snowmobiler’s breakfast. Rob was on semi tilt again with something to do about his snowmobile, exactly what it was I don’t recall, but it gave me a chuckle.
About 6” of fresh snow was covering our pack of 11 snowmobiles, and it was not as cold today, probably in the neighborhood of around 25 degrees. A steady snow flurry was falling around us and the winds were pretty steady, as well, probably around 15-20 mph. A good wintry day of riding was ahead of us.
Once on the trail, the fresh powder and falling snow made visibility about 50 feet in front of you as we cruised down the trail. I pretty much saw nothing all day but the reflective “Klim” logo on the back of Joe Snowmobiles snow jacket. These kinds of conditions make you pay solid attention to the rider in front of you, because your basically following his helmet and body movements to warn you about bumps in the trail, upcoming turns, etc. And, needless to say, it does lead to few mishaps along the way!
The first mishap was a hard right turn after a long straight away, and Tabassco Ron missed the turn, and Joe Snowmobile was right on his bumper. Fortunately, the trail continued strait at the turn, it just was not groomed, but still covered in about 3 foot of snow. They both hit the brakes, sleds sliding sideways, and avoided a collision. Then I could I see them both looking back at me to see what my outcome was going to be. I hit the brakes, made the turn, and watched them use the reverse option to back their sleds on to the trail in the right direction, again.
We made a stop at a club relaise around noonish for lunch. I had the vegetable soup, but I saw several hotdogs and cheeseburgers all dressed (all dressed is basically the term for everything on your cheeseburger, and is easily communicatable when ordering with the French only speaking staff).
While at the relaise’, Action Dan noticed the “brick” covering on the wall that contained sponsers that had stopped in on the trail and made a donation to the local club to thank them for their trail maintence, and relaise on the trail that offered warmth, relaxation, and a bite of food on the trail. He suggested the group each put 10$ together ($110 total) and immortalize the wall with our Darkside Adventures stickers thay we carry to tag the places we have been. We actually tagged the wall twice, as Dylan hand wrote our Darkside Adventures.com on an actual brick, free hand, and one of the club members saw that we had stickers and he allowed us to put one on the wall above our purchased brick.
Back on the trail, and we are headed to Cap Martin for our overnight stay. But not before I come around a corner and find Dylan off trail with the nose of his Ski Doo pointed into a pine tree. No contact, however. Again, another use of the reverse option, and he was back on the trail. But not before I asked him what had happened? He said his in helmet music that he listens to all day had just started a White Snake song, Still of the NIght, and he was rocking out in his helmet Action Dan style and simply blew the turn! Funny to me, because for some reason, in my helmet I kept thinking about the Chuck Berry song “Riding Along In My Automobile”, but I was substituting snowmobile for automobile, all day long.
As dark settled upon us, the winds were increasing and temps were a dropping. The all day flurries were still ongoing. Visibility was even more reduced. I was down to only being able to see the bright red LED light on the back of Joe Snowmobiles helmet, and I followed it intently, watching for every dip and wobble it took, to guide my sled thru the night like Rudolph.
As we approached Cap Martin, we did pass a groomer, but trails a few miles behind him had already started to drift over. Not enough to slow us down, but something to pay attention to. And it was COLD.
After 203 miles, we finally saw the blue/purple neon lights that run along the peaks of the front of the Cap Marting, as we came down the hill accross the street from it. None too soon, either, as we pretty much humped along all day, taking few breaks along the way.
Once we were checked in and showered, I got to work in the bar area on this life sucking blog, where Dylan and Fearless Leader had already convened and started happy hour. Dinner, I was told, is going to be prime rib with a baked potatoe and mixed veggies.
Time to go, Caroline, our bartender for tonight, but in reality is the Hotel Manager of Cap Martin, that her mother owns, is waiting for me to take my seat at the dinner table.
Somehow we convinced Fearless Leader to allow us a late start in the morning of 9:30am! The wind is howling now, and its below zero outside. Tomorrow is supposed to be a short ride of about 80 miles to our trucks. Should be easy peazy.
We shall see.
Bye for now,
Stick
