We have had a rough start to 2011, but today getting out to ride made it all seem so much better.
It had warmed up so we didn’t have to worry about the freezing air. There weren’t many other riders. We passed only 8. The trails were great! The few rough spots were easily forgotten with the rest of the ride being so gosh-darn good!
Its been two weeks since we have been able to get out and ride. I was really starting to feel withdrawal setting in, and last night I quietly informed the Ray household that I was going to be going for a ride today even if it meant I was riding alone, I would just be sure to take my phone. I knew I had to get out and ride or it was pretty certain I could become quite ornery without a chance to start my sled and enjoy the trails. That was enough to ensure I had a companion riding with me today. That, and the warmer temps, and he was feeling better. The stars all lined up.
With so few riders, we enjoyed a break about halfway thru and just listening to the winter quiet in the woods.
Hopefully, it won’t be two weeks before we ride again.
This week has taken us by surprised, we’re more than half full all thru the week. This upcoming weekend is booked full – on Tuesday!!!
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January 25, 2011 | Ray's Retreat
Greetings Sledders,
Wanted to wait on this report until I had a chance to groom our busiest segment, the Frederic trail, which I did today. We do have a continuing snirt thing going on at the south end and the trail gets better as you go toward Frederic. It’s okay and not great by any means and I’m going to call the south end fair.
Those that braved the bone chilling Sunday all reported good times and were happy that they ventured out. We currently have the Patterson group in from Ohio that arrived Sunday and travelled Monday to Harbor Springs, spent the night and returned today after sledding all over the tip of the mitt and said they experienced a little bit of everything. Good snow and marginal snow, ice, thin spots you name it.
WEATHER:
It looks like we are going to hold the temps and we have a shot at a clipper coming through along about Friday. Not a huge event but we’ll take whatever we can get to freshen things up.
TRAILS AND EMERGENCY TRAIL LOCATOR NUMBERS:
The overall assessment is fair to the south and better to the north and west.
I want to talk about emergency locator numbers because we had a serious accident on trail #7 Sunday afternoon and the person calling into 911 didn’t know where they were which delayed the arrival of the emergency crew. All the person calling in knew was that they were on trail seven. All of our trails are marked with locators (mile markers) that are spaced no more than a mile apart, the same as you would see on I-75 (i.e. 7-37, 7-38 ect.). If there is an emergency and you have someone that can travel by sled to get the nearest number that’s the best action to take. You can then give that to dispatch and they can get to you much quicker as the numbers are all accompanied with GPS coordinates. If you can’t leave the injured person try to flag someone down and ask for their assistance. Time is everything in these situations.
Next report Thursday.
Ride Often and Please Be Safe,
Keith, Sandy and The Girls
At Fay’s Motel enjoy direct access to the Grayling Area snowmobile trails.
January 25, 2011 | Fay's Motel Uncategorized
