One Last Ride?

I am going to so miss this. I hate to see winter end, although I know I am certainly not in the majority by any means!

I was "scorned" on a forum I participate in because I love snowmobiling. I realize that many people don't like it, but with my husband unable to get out and hike or cross country ski, snowmobiling takes him (and me!) into another world....a world of secret places and a world laden in beauty and snow!

The trails we traveled on had been previoulsy closed, but reopened after the area received about eighteen inches of snow late last week! This is located only about sixty miles from our house, and as we made our way there, we had serious doubts. There was no snow on the ground most of the way, but then, it was as though we had hit a "winter wonderland"!

We put a total of about sixty miles on the snowmobiles, and the ride was incredible. Much of the time, we were toasty and warm, not needing all the heavy gear worn when it is bitterly cold. I wore fingerless gloves and only turned the handwarmers on at the very end of our ride.

I am grateful to the people who so graciously open their land to the snowmobile clubs to make these incredible trails! We get to see all sorts of things that would otherwise be difficult to see. We ride amongst "giants in the land"....those huge wind generators in the hills, as well as maple sugaring operations, and even in fields next to cattle and horses who remain totally calm as we ride by. It is a whole world apart from the everyday.

I am also so grateful to the folks in these clubs who diligently work to place signage throughout the trails. The signs on these particular trails are so informative and concise! There are destination signs as well as signs alerting riders to dangers such fences, hidden culverts and intersections. These club members go out in the fall and volunteer their time to mark the trails and make sure riders are safe. This area covers two clubs (that we rode) and the bridges (as shown above) are nothing short of fantastic!

I am so going to miss the thumping sound of the skis of my sled against those wooden rails......