Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 80
I thought it was going to be too warm to ride today but a cold front must have moved in. It was 19 degrees when we got up so we decided to go for a short ride. Bill cooked me breakfast at the camp and we got out pretty early. We stopped at All Around Power in St. Jay and ordered the screws to fix Bill's belly pan and then stopped at Northeast Ag to pick up the bracket for my mirror.
We tempted fate again by parking in the lot on Rt. 114 in Burke where the tailgate got stolen. Luckily everything was still there when we got back. We rode Rt. 5N to Rt. 114 up to Island Pond. Leaving Burke was icy and slushy but the conditions got better in the higher elevations. We hit quite a few mud patches and icy spots but it wasn't too bad.
I spun my sled around again on Island Pond. The pond was totally iced over with no snow on top for lubrication and my sled loves to spin on that ice. I thought it was going to flip if I tried going over 35-40 miles per hour so I had to take it slow.
We got gas, a quick bite to eat and a hot drink at the Mobil. It was much colder today so we didn't want to take too many breaks out on the trail. We rode behind the pond and came back down through the power line (Rt. 102S). It was hard and flat but sections were so icy in the corners with lots of "surprises" on the trail. The steep parts of the power line were mud and ice. The pipeline was in much better shape so we were able to pick up the speed coming back down into Burke.
We definitely had variable riding conditions all week. I'm glad we were able to ride every day, even in the rain. I wish I had another week to ride. We're not going to be able to come back up for two weeks so hopefully they will get more snow and the conditions will improve.
We got back to the camp early, started packing the truck and getting things straightened so we can head back to the city first thing in the morning. I don't want to leave but I need to go collect those paychecks. I'll have to start planning the next vacation so I have something to look forward to.
Thanks for coming along for the ride. I'll post some vacation pictures soon.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
VACATION - Day 7
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 98
I can't believe it is Friday already. The week went by so fast. The forecast is calling for warm temps and rain this afternoon so we got out on the trails early. We had breakfast at the Grill and rode from Groton, all the way up the railroad bed, through Cabot, into Walden. It must have been really windy last night because there were lots of downed branches and debries in the trail. We even had to ride over a 40" tree that was at least 10" round that was down across the trail. We rode over the top side of it on the side of the trail.
We were almost into Danville when Bill lost the underbelly cover off his sled. He knew he was missing a bolt under there and it probably would have been ok if he didn't try to back up on the trail. Snow got pushed up under the cover and it got ripped off. Bill spent about a 1/2 hour taking it off and putting the front plastic piece back on. Good thing it was really warm on the trail so we weren't cold standing around fixing his sled. Bill rigged the plastic piece under my storage bag on my sled so it looked like I had a racing fin on it but it was the only place it would fit.
It was 34 degrees when we got on the trail with the sun trying to peak out but it stayed overcast most of the day and the trails were surprisingly firm considering the temperatures. We did hit a few water bars and a couple of mud patches around the tight corners. The coverage was a little thin in the deep woods but overall the conditions were decent.
We finally swung around to Marty's in Danville to pick up some steaks for tonight and get gas. As soon as we left Marty's it got extremely windy and started to rain heavily. The first 70 miles of the ride were like good spring conditions and the last part was the bad side of spring conditions - rain.
I only had to wear one layer and no neck gator, it was nice not to have to bundle up so much. The last 28 miles of the ride were rainy, wet and slushy. It was a little better riding back through the state park but the trails will be done if we have another couple of warm days without more snow.
We lucked with the big storm the beginning of the week but it is melting just as fast as it came down. I was hoping to get a short ride in tomorrow before we head back to the city but it may be too warm and rainy.
I wish I had another week off to ride. I can't believe it is Friday already. This week went by so fast. I don't want to go back to work .... The worst thing about a great snowmobiling vacation is you never want it to end.
I still want to ride ...
Miles: 98
I can't believe it is Friday already. The week went by so fast. The forecast is calling for warm temps and rain this afternoon so we got out on the trails early. We had breakfast at the Grill and rode from Groton, all the way up the railroad bed, through Cabot, into Walden. It must have been really windy last night because there were lots of downed branches and debries in the trail. We even had to ride over a 40" tree that was at least 10" round that was down across the trail. We rode over the top side of it on the side of the trail.
We were almost into Danville when Bill lost the underbelly cover off his sled. He knew he was missing a bolt under there and it probably would have been ok if he didn't try to back up on the trail. Snow got pushed up under the cover and it got ripped off. Bill spent about a 1/2 hour taking it off and putting the front plastic piece back on. Good thing it was really warm on the trail so we weren't cold standing around fixing his sled. Bill rigged the plastic piece under my storage bag on my sled so it looked like I had a racing fin on it but it was the only place it would fit.
It was 34 degrees when we got on the trail with the sun trying to peak out but it stayed overcast most of the day and the trails were surprisingly firm considering the temperatures. We did hit a few water bars and a couple of mud patches around the tight corners. The coverage was a little thin in the deep woods but overall the conditions were decent.
We finally swung around to Marty's in Danville to pick up some steaks for tonight and get gas. As soon as we left Marty's it got extremely windy and started to rain heavily. The first 70 miles of the ride were like good spring conditions and the last part was the bad side of spring conditions - rain.
I only had to wear one layer and no neck gator, it was nice not to have to bundle up so much. The last 28 miles of the ride were rainy, wet and slushy. It was a little better riding back through the state park but the trails will be done if we have another couple of warm days without more snow.
We lucked with the big storm the beginning of the week but it is melting just as fast as it came down. I was hoping to get a short ride in tomorrow before we head back to the city but it may be too warm and rainy.
I wish I had another week off to ride. I can't believe it is Friday already. This week went by so fast. I don't want to go back to work .... The worst thing about a great snowmobiling vacation is you never want it to end.
I still want to ride ...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
VACATION - Day 6
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 110
So far it has been a great week for snowmobiling. The trails were in near perfect condition today. We parked at the Grill and had a quick breakfast before heading out on the trails. The railroad bed through the park was freshly groomed so it was flat and fast. We headed out towards Barre-Montpelier on the 302 trails, Rt. 2, and Rt. 14 towards Hardwick and circled back around into the park after hitting a few loops.
The temps were in the 30s so we didn't have to gear up with lots of layers and could break without being cold. Some trails were a little bumpy but for the most part we were on flat groomed trails the whole day. We went back to the Grill around noon to have a hot drink and then down Rt. 5 south, stopped at Christie's lean-to and around into Topsham and back down to 302. We stopped in the campground on the way back and hit the loop and the 2004 trail before heading back to the truck.
The few road skips we had were rough as the snow on the side of the road had melted off but we stayed around the park and the higher elevations where the cover was excellent. I hope it doesn't warm up too much. They are forecasting rain tomorrow so I'm not sure if we're going to be able to get out. I think we're going to try to get out early and get a few miles in before the rain starts.
I can't believe it's Thursday already. The week never goes by this quickly when I have to work. I hope we can get one more ride in tomorrow or Saturday.
Miles: 110
So far it has been a great week for snowmobiling. The trails were in near perfect condition today. We parked at the Grill and had a quick breakfast before heading out on the trails. The railroad bed through the park was freshly groomed so it was flat and fast. We headed out towards Barre-Montpelier on the 302 trails, Rt. 2, and Rt. 14 towards Hardwick and circled back around into the park after hitting a few loops.
The temps were in the 30s so we didn't have to gear up with lots of layers and could break without being cold. Some trails were a little bumpy but for the most part we were on flat groomed trails the whole day. We went back to the Grill around noon to have a hot drink and then down Rt. 5 south, stopped at Christie's lean-to and around into Topsham and back down to 302. We stopped in the campground on the way back and hit the loop and the 2004 trail before heading back to the truck.
The few road skips we had were rough as the snow on the side of the road had melted off but we stayed around the park and the higher elevations where the cover was excellent. I hope it doesn't warm up too much. They are forecasting rain tomorrow so I'm not sure if we're going to be able to get out. I think we're going to try to get out early and get a few miles in before the rain starts.
I can't believe it's Thursday already. The week never goes by this quickly when I have to work. I hope we can get one more ride in tomorrow or Saturday.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
VACATION - Day 5
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 125
Today is our fifth straight day of riding. I'm not sure I've ever done that before. We stopped at the hardware store for a lock for the trailer on our way to a quick breakfast at Lyndonville Diner. We parked at the lot in Burke and we made sure to lock the tailgate before leaving.
We rode the pipeline to the power line on relatively flat trails. We didn't hit any groomed trail but the 20+ inches they got on Sunday has been beat down so it was a good ride heading up. We came in the back side of Island Pond and took a break to gas up and take a break. We headed up to the spot on the hill overlooking the lake where we stopped yesterday so Gregg could call Shannon. I tried calling him from there today but couldn't get any service.
The power line and the pipe line was bumped up on the way back and the trails were really loose and wishy-washy. When we got back into Burke I wanted to try to get to the field where we could see Burke Mountain so I could take a picture but after a few road skips and a bumpy twisting trail we turned back and headed back to the truck.
Another great day on the trail. Wooo Hoooo! I love vacations!
Miles: 125
Today is our fifth straight day of riding. I'm not sure I've ever done that before. We stopped at the hardware store for a lock for the trailer on our way to a quick breakfast at Lyndonville Diner. We parked at the lot in Burke and we made sure to lock the tailgate before leaving.
We rode the pipeline to the power line on relatively flat trails. We didn't hit any groomed trail but the 20+ inches they got on Sunday has been beat down so it was a good ride heading up. We came in the back side of Island Pond and took a break to gas up and take a break. We headed up to the spot on the hill overlooking the lake where we stopped yesterday so Gregg could call Shannon. I tried calling him from there today but couldn't get any service.
The power line and the pipe line was bumped up on the way back and the trails were really loose and wishy-washy. When we got back into Burke I wanted to try to get to the field where we could see Burke Mountain so I could take a picture but after a few road skips and a bumpy twisting trail we turned back and headed back to the truck.
Another great day on the trail. Wooo Hoooo! I love vacations!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
VACATION - Day 4
Riders: MB, Bill and Gregg
Miles: 65
What a difference a day makes. The riding today was SWEET.
We had to check out of the cabin by 11:00 so we drove our gear down to the truck on our way to the Inn for the Continental breakfast. The truck and trailer was snowed in and blocked by a 1/2 dozen sleds but we were just loading the truck so we could get out on the trails.
The access trail from the Inn got beat down a few times from the guys last night so the riding was much easier than breaking trail yesterday. Once we got out to the main trail we hit a stretch of groomed trail that was like glass. I was in the lead and the trail went left but I kept following the groomed trail, it was so nice. We turned around and headed towards Derby.
It was such a winter wonderland today, everything was covered in a blanket of fresh power. The mountain views were spectacular, the sun was out and the skies were bright cobalt blue with puffy white clouds. It was pretty chilly, probably around 18 degrees. We tried to take a break at an intersection out in an open field but it was so windy we had to move into the tree line.
There was less snow west towards Derby today than there was yesterday east towards Island Pond. Some of the fields were still pretty deep. Going across the Salem Lakes and some open fields was just as blinding as yesterday with all the deep drifts. We rode by Al's Snowmobile and out to the gas station in the center of Derby. We made a pit stop, got gas and a hot drink and got back out on the trail.
On the way back to the Inn we came up to a road crossing just as a group of three were going in the opposite direction. Bill stopped at the road on a pile of snow at the road and after all three sleds passed he took off with a huge rooster trail and pounded the girl's back with icy snowballs as she was riding past us. I felt so bad, she ducked like she was getting hit by bullets from all the snow Bill was shooting at her. Gregg and I got the full show; Bill didn't even realize he did it.
The conditions were so good I didn't want to stop riding when we circled back around to the Inn. We planned on leaving around 3:00 but got back early and decided to pack up. We had a hard time figuring out where to load my sled on the truck with the huge snowbanks everywhere. They got it on ok but Bill dropped it out of the truck when he backed up to the trailer. It would be so much easier with a 3 or 4 place trailer.
We got on the road after taking a drive around the lake the long way to the Evans Mart so Gregg could get some gifts for Shannon (moccasins) and Ethan (wooden trucks). He couldn't wait to get back to see Ethan's new teeth. He didn't even want to drop his sled off at his camp so he just unloaded it at our place.
I wanted to take a hot shower tonight but our tub is frozen so now we have to fix that. It is always something here at the Love Shack.
Miles: 65
What a difference a day makes. The riding today was SWEET.
We had to check out of the cabin by 11:00 so we drove our gear down to the truck on our way to the Inn for the Continental breakfast. The truck and trailer was snowed in and blocked by a 1/2 dozen sleds but we were just loading the truck so we could get out on the trails.
The access trail from the Inn got beat down a few times from the guys last night so the riding was much easier than breaking trail yesterday. Once we got out to the main trail we hit a stretch of groomed trail that was like glass. I was in the lead and the trail went left but I kept following the groomed trail, it was so nice. We turned around and headed towards Derby.
It was such a winter wonderland today, everything was covered in a blanket of fresh power. The mountain views were spectacular, the sun was out and the skies were bright cobalt blue with puffy white clouds. It was pretty chilly, probably around 18 degrees. We tried to take a break at an intersection out in an open field but it was so windy we had to move into the tree line.
There was less snow west towards Derby today than there was yesterday east towards Island Pond. Some of the fields were still pretty deep. Going across the Salem Lakes and some open fields was just as blinding as yesterday with all the deep drifts. We rode by Al's Snowmobile and out to the gas station in the center of Derby. We made a pit stop, got gas and a hot drink and got back out on the trail.
On the way back to the Inn we came up to a road crossing just as a group of three were going in the opposite direction. Bill stopped at the road on a pile of snow at the road and after all three sleds passed he took off with a huge rooster trail and pounded the girl's back with icy snowballs as she was riding past us. I felt so bad, she ducked like she was getting hit by bullets from all the snow Bill was shooting at her. Gregg and I got the full show; Bill didn't even realize he did it.
The conditions were so good I didn't want to stop riding when we circled back around to the Inn. We planned on leaving around 3:00 but got back early and decided to pack up. We had a hard time figuring out where to load my sled on the truck with the huge snowbanks everywhere. They got it on ok but Bill dropped it out of the truck when he backed up to the trailer. It would be so much easier with a 3 or 4 place trailer.
We got on the road after taking a drive around the lake the long way to the Evans Mart so Gregg could get some gifts for Shannon (moccasins) and Ethan (wooden trucks). He couldn't wait to get back to see Ethan's new teeth. He didn't even want to drop his sled off at his camp so he just unloaded it at our place.
I wanted to take a hot shower tonight but our tub is frozen so now we have to fix that. It is always something here at the Love Shack.
Monday, February 23, 2009
VACATION - Day 3
Riders: MB, Bill and Gregg
Miles: 60
POWDER!!! POWDER!!! POWDER!!!
We got dumped with snow last night. I think I prayed a little too hard for a snowy vacation. You really do have to be careful what you wish for. I wanted snow and I got it. I never thought I would say we got too much snow but we got too much snow (at one time).
We went down to the main house and had a quick Continental breakfast and then got right out on the trail. The plug for my visor was frozen over from being uncovered all night so Bill (a/k/a McGyver) heated up a fork with a lighter and stuck it in there to melt the ice. He's so good like that, you can give him a piece of bubble gum, a piece of string and a paper clip and he'll be able to fix something.
Miles: 60
POWDER!!! POWDER!!! POWDER!!!
We got dumped with snow last night. I think I prayed a little too hard for a snowy vacation. You really do have to be careful what you wish for. I wanted snow and I got it. I never thought I would say we got too much snow but we got too much snow (at one time).
We went down to the main house and had a quick Continental breakfast and then got right out on the trail. The plug for my visor was frozen over from being uncovered all night so Bill (a/k/a McGyver) heated up a fork with a lighter and stuck it in there to melt the ice. He's so good like that, you can give him a piece of bubble gum, a piece of string and a paper clip and he'll be able to fix something.
We had to break trail through 12-24 inches, powder flying right in our faces. Gregg had icicles stuck to his beard. We had to muscle the sleds everywhere just to stay out of the deep snow drifts. The snow drifts were so deep in the open fields - it was insane. It was a total white out.
I had my sled full throttle up some of the steep hills and it was just swaying in all the powder. I couldn't even see the tracks in front of me and I was right behind Bill and Gregg. I was ready to turn around after the 2nd time I got stuck in the powder but the guys convinced me to keep going after a group of 5 guys went by us breaking the trail.
We rode from the cabin to Island Pond (Rt. 58, Rt. 114) in the crazy deep snow. When we got out on the lake I didn't know which way to head, the wind was whipping the snow around and covering the deep tracks of the sled in front of me. We stopped to get gas and Bill went across the street to the snowmobile dealer to see if they could fix his visor cord. It kept fogging up on him and he couldn't see a thing. The powder getting up and under it didn't help but it doesn't work as good as mine. Gregg rides with his helmet open with sunglasses on. I don't think I could ride like that. By the time we got back our gloves were iced over on the tips and our pants were soaked through.
I lost count of how many times I got stuck today and I didn't even have to go off trail to do it. The road crossings were up to 4 feet high from the plows so you had to fly just to jump up and over the steep banks. I always hit it at a bad angle when it's that steep and I end up tipping it on its side.
I'm so happy we got this snow but I think I'm going to wait until the trails get beat down or groomed out. The conditions are so extreme. It looks like the storm is passing now. We can finally see the Lake from the cabin now. I'd hate to pay for the lake view without getting to see it.
Bill and Gregg were wringing out their pants and gloves in the sink before putting them in the dryer. They dried their gear and went back out. I'm hoping they stop at the store to get some provisions for tonight so we don't have to leave the cabin.
The snow is falling very lightly and the trails are probably beat down a little better now but I decided to skip the ride this afternoon. I'm still beat from breaking trail this morning and getting stuck about a 1/2 dozen times. I hope the groomers get out there and flatten the trail so I can ride without getting stuck tomorrow.
Getting stuck in all that powder wasn't fun but it was still better than a day at the office. I'm so happy I'm on vacation.
Update: Bill and Gregg got back to the cabin around 8:30. They said the trails got groomed and were so much better than they were this morning. They both got stuck in the deep powder and Bill hurt his knee when he tried to do his turn around spin maneuver and caught a small tree on the side of trail with his ski and flipped his slid on its side. Looks like he'll have a little bruise but otherwise they got back in one piece.
I had my sled full throttle up some of the steep hills and it was just swaying in all the powder. I couldn't even see the tracks in front of me and I was right behind Bill and Gregg. I was ready to turn around after the 2nd time I got stuck in the powder but the guys convinced me to keep going after a group of 5 guys went by us breaking the trail.
We rode from the cabin to Island Pond (Rt. 58, Rt. 114) in the crazy deep snow. When we got out on the lake I didn't know which way to head, the wind was whipping the snow around and covering the deep tracks of the sled in front of me. We stopped to get gas and Bill went across the street to the snowmobile dealer to see if they could fix his visor cord. It kept fogging up on him and he couldn't see a thing. The powder getting up and under it didn't help but it doesn't work as good as mine. Gregg rides with his helmet open with sunglasses on. I don't think I could ride like that. By the time we got back our gloves were iced over on the tips and our pants were soaked through.
I lost count of how many times I got stuck today and I didn't even have to go off trail to do it. The road crossings were up to 4 feet high from the plows so you had to fly just to jump up and over the steep banks. I always hit it at a bad angle when it's that steep and I end up tipping it on its side.
I'm so happy we got this snow but I think I'm going to wait until the trails get beat down or groomed out. The conditions are so extreme. It looks like the storm is passing now. We can finally see the Lake from the cabin now. I'd hate to pay for the lake view without getting to see it.
Bill and Gregg were wringing out their pants and gloves in the sink before putting them in the dryer. They dried their gear and went back out. I'm hoping they stop at the store to get some provisions for tonight so we don't have to leave the cabin.
The snow is falling very lightly and the trails are probably beat down a little better now but I decided to skip the ride this afternoon. I'm still beat from breaking trail this morning and getting stuck about a 1/2 dozen times. I hope the groomers get out there and flatten the trail so I can ride without getting stuck tomorrow.
Getting stuck in all that powder wasn't fun but it was still better than a day at the office. I'm so happy I'm on vacation.
Update: Bill and Gregg got back to the cabin around 8:30. They said the trails got groomed and were so much better than they were this morning. They both got stuck in the deep powder and Bill hurt his knee when he tried to do his turn around spin maneuver and caught a small tree on the side of trail with his ski and flipped his slid on its side. Looks like he'll have a little bruise but otherwise they got back in one piece.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
VACATION - Day 2
Riders: MB, WildBill, GreggMiles: 90
It was great to wake up to fresh powder on our snowmobile vacation. We shut the water down at the camp and packed up for our two night stay at the Willough Vale Inn on Lake Willoughby. Gregg met us at the Love Shack at 8:00 and we trailered north. We stopped at All Around Power in St. Jay for oil and Lyndonville Diner for breakfast. We got to the Inn and took the tour of the main house and then geared up for a ride while we waited for check in time.
We unloaded Bill and Gregg's sled off the trailer and then disconnected it so we could get my sled off the truck. Bill and Gregg pulled it off and flipped it over on its side and broke my right mirror (d'oh). I wasn't happy about it but we taped it up with some electrical tape and got right on the trail.
We rode north along the Canadian boarder and then down to Island Pond. Just as we got to the pond we passed two state troopers on sleds. I usually blast across the lake at 70+ but I didn't want to open it up with the cops right behind us. Bill flew across and Greg and I hung back with the cops on our tail. They followed us over to the gas station where we stopped for a snack and bathroom break. It was 3:20 when we got there and we had to be back by 5:00 for check in. We rode fast to make it back in time to get the keys to our cabin.
We got the Peregrine cabin at the top of the hill right on the trail. We left the truck in the lower parking lot and carried our bags up on the sleds. We unloaded our stuff and then hit the trail again to get some dinner. We didn't have to ride far - Robin's Roost was less than a mile down the trail. We met our neighbors who were up from NJ with 8 kids (wow), had a quick dinner and headed back to the cabin.
Bill and Gregg took another quick ride down to the lake but I was done for the day. I'm not a huge fan of night riding. I love the views and unless it's a full moon you can't see much on nights like this. The storm has moved in and it is snowing pretty heavy. They are now predicting 8-12 inches tonight and tomorrow. I can't wait to get up and ride.
I hope the groomers get out there tonight and flatten out the trails. It was pretty bumpy around here but the further east we went the better the conditions got. I'm not sure where we're riding tomorrow but there should be plenty of snow wherever we go.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
VACATION - Day 1
Riders: MB, WildBill, GreggMiles: 135
We made it! It's vacation time and the snow is flying. Bill and I met Gregg for breakfast at the Grill. We got out early and rode from Groton to Cabot, Danville (stopped at Marty's), Greensboro Bend, Walden, Hardwick and then looped back around into the park.
We went right by the scene of Bill's crash in Greensboro Bend. Bill was ahead and didn't even recognize the crash site but Gregg and I stopped to take pictures and Bill finally turned around. They had the whole area fenced off this year. I wonder if Bill wasn't the only one to break his back in that ditch. We took the same ride out to Smith's Store and thanked them for taking care of us last year. I thought the store was only a couple of miles but it was a good 8-10 miles Bill had to ride last year in pain. It was much more fun today.
It was a beautiful 30 degree day and we hit the trails hard. The conditions were better than I expected considering the big meltdown we had last week and there is a big storm coming in.
We loaded my sled in the back of the pickup so we could fit Bill and Gregg's sled in the trailer in preparation for tomorrow's ride up to Lake Willoughby.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Early February Rides
Again, no details, just stats for the first weekend in February.
February 7th
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 80
Burke to Island Pone
February 8th
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 55
Groton to Topsham
February 7th
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 80
Burke to Island Pone
February 8th
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 55
Groton to Topsham
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