the upside down turtles we found on trail
The recent snow fall has dramatically improved the trails and riding conditions. The problem is the riders haven’t acclimated to how to drive a snowmobile in SNOW.
Last night was a good time in the Caribou Lounge. Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams are going to the Super Bowl, and the crew had a great time. After our pizzas and wings, Action Dan started a little billiards tournament, and quite a few of us had a good time shooting pool and busting chops. Once again, no names mentioned, but a couple were out past curfew, and there was a couple blurry eyed riders this morning.
Launch time was 8:30am this morning, and the restaurant was closed. They offered a deliciously disgusting bagel breakfast sandwich in a vacuum sealed plastic package. One bite and I decided to wait until lunch to eat. Since wingman Rob & I pajamaed our Sunday away, we needed fuel this morning, since everyone else got fuel yesterday after their excursion to the Canadian border. We were fueled and back in the parking lot by 8:25am, and the rest of the crew was waiting with warmed up sleds, gear packed and ready to roll. Right on time.
The trails were freshly groomed from the recent snowfall. Apparently this group can only ride thin rough trails, because by the 20 mile marker we already had one sled off trail and buried about 15 feet off the trail. I pulled up from my last position in the pack with my camera ready, and it is wingman Rob that’s the culprit. Ski Doo Matt jumped to assist and after a little rocking and wiggling, popped the sled out of the snowdrift and back on the trail. If only it would be the last time Ski Doo Matt would have to assist an out of control rider today.
wingman Rob buried off trail… #1 off trail today.
Cruising down the trail, we come across a couple locals out on a morning ride. One is on trail, the other is 20 feet off trail with the hood of his Yamaha buried under the snow in the ditch. A couple of our guys jumped out and helped them get their sled out. It was in there good, too. They would’ve been working pretty hard just the two of them digging that thing out. Any who, back on the trail.
Back on the trail, and another 10-15 miles down the trail, and I round a downhill right hand corner, and now there is another sled off the trail. A Yamaha this time. I get my camera out, move in for the kill and it’s Hedgehog Phil that has missed this turn. Ole Man Ron grabbed his Snow Bungee and Hedgehog gave it some throttle and back on the trail he was.
Hedgehog buried in the turn… Off trail #2
Rolling along, Fearless Craig & Stick are having a nice easy ride in the back of the 14 sled train, and after 5-7 miles… another sled is off trail. I have already moved my camera to an outer pocket now, because I don’t want any of these opportunities to slip away. This time it is Rimel and his Arctic Cat, that has surprising not overheated yet on this ride, that is buried. Ski Doo Matt get’s his “Big Girl” in gear and packs the snow in the path behind the Arctic Cat, then gets on it, and again rocks and wiggles it free, and back on trail. His entry back onto the trail was also par for the course today. Fearless Craig, watching from the trail, thinking he is out of the way, nearly gets lambasted by the approaching machine. Ski Doo Matt jumps off so as not to hit Fearless, and they both end up on their backs in the snow filled ditch. Those two were stuck like upside down turtles, and while I should be helping them up, I’m busy getting pictures of the dynamic duo. Sorry gentlemen, there are priorities on the trail: 1) Pictures, 2) Recovery.
Rimel and his stuck Arctic Cat… Off trail #3. I can’t figure out these guys and their arms in the air like it’s a victory!?!
This is all before lunch mind you. And for lunch we were back to the Homestead Lodge on the trail. Lots of cheeseburgers and onion rings again, but this time Yamaha Kevin skipped the raw chicken tinder’s and opted for the grilled ham and cheese.
Hedgehog and his red hotdog with fake grille marks
We fueled up at the Homestead before going in for lunch, and after the bill was settled we were back on the trail with about 60 +/- miles to go. We are back at the NEOC (New England Outdoor Center) and back in the same cabin we had 2 nights ago.
I think that is all of the excitement for today that I can share. Dinner is at 6:30 in the main lodge. It’s much slower here on a Monday night, fortunately for us.
Kudos to Connecticut Jim for his front of the pack leader skills these last few days. His GPS unit is dialed in and we have been enjoying pretty direct routes to each of our overnight stays. Tomorrow we are headed to Forks, Maine and the Northern Outdoors Lodge. Lets see if he can continue his prior performance.
Bye for now…
Stick
