|
The sun’s shining now, but there was quite a bit of lake effect snow this morning. About 3 inches since last evening. I was out feeding the buffalo and everything was soaked (including me) with the heavy, wet, spring snow. Made for some slippery footing and “bobcatting”. While I was outside, I replenished the birdfeeders as well. Now everything is set in case we get that freezing rain forecast for later in the week.
Got in another nice ride. This time Steve, Brian, and I trailered up to Iron Mountain for a 2 day over-niter. We drove up from my place Tuesday morning and got unloaded by about 10:30. Our plan for the day was to ride to Marquette via Gwinn. As we headed out of town and turned North on 5 the trails were in perfect condition. Everything was groomed, smooth and white. Because Brian and I started out with about a 1/2 tank of fuel, we stopped in Randville to top off. There was lots of beautiful scenery on the way North, and the trails remained in pristine condition all the way to Gwinn. I turned over the first 1000 miles on the new Renegade just South of Gwinn.
We rode trail 8 from Gwinn to Marquette, stopping occasionally to check out the scenery. We had to feed Steve’s thirsty Polaris near Negaunee. Continuing West on 8 to Ishpeming we came to a town that really welcomes sledders. Check out this pic, the sidewalks are pretty much replaced with snowmobile trails right thru the middle of town. You can stop to eat, shop, bank, get a haircut, or gas up and never walk 50’ from your snowmobile! We turned South on 5 again, made a quick stop in Republic, and continued on for gas and dinner in Sagola. After dinner, we rode the last 20 miles or so back to our room in Iron Mountain. We hit the sack about 11:30.
Wednesday morning we had a light breakfast and went West on 2 towards Iron River. More well groomed trails! The scenery was just as beautiful heading West. I took this shot from the old railroad trestle near Pine Mountain. That bridge could be a bit intimidating if heights make you nervous. Out of Iron River we went North on 15 and stopped near the junction of 15/111. The weather was ideal with mild temperatures in the 20’s. We passed thru Amasaw and continued South on 111. The mild weather must have had the deer moving, as we stopped many times to allow them to pass from the trail to the safety of the brush. I got this shot of the power plant in Crystal Falls, where we turned South on 113.
We passed near Pine Mountain one more time on the way back to the truck. We wanted to get an early start for home. The weather forecast was for degrading road conditions and Steve had to get back to Milwaukee after stopping by my house for his trailer. We left Iron Mountain about 3, and everyone was home and safe by 10pm. Turned out the road conditions were kind to Steve. All told we did 400 miles in what amounted to 2 short days.
Heading out again tomorrow morning for another ride in the Lakewood area.
Ride safe!
Larry |
|
March 6, 2006 |
|
Ellisville Bison Dispatch |
