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| Snow-covered bridge across a frozen creek - Twisp, Washington |
Showing posts with label Snowmobile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snowmobile. Show all posts
Friday, January 24, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Progress
Warm up on the junior snowmobile...
Before moving up to the big sled (oh the thrill of it)!
I didn't realize it was the same child on both sleds until I looked at my photos. The jacket gave it away.
I enjoyed watching the children take turns on the smaller snowmobile. A parent was present at all times and Dad rode next to the child above when on the big sled. Teach them young and teach them the right way to ride a snowmobile safely is the way to do it. It was nice to see the family playing together.
Before moving up to the big sled (oh the thrill of it)!
I didn't realize it was the same child on both sleds until I looked at my photos. The jacket gave it away.
I enjoyed watching the children take turns on the smaller snowmobile. A parent was present at all times and Dad rode next to the child above when on the big sled. Teach them young and teach them the right way to ride a snowmobile safely is the way to do it. It was nice to see the family playing together.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Snow Drags
I went and watched my very first snowmobile drag races on Saturday. Stood on the frozen lake while the racers went flashing by. It was an interesting and exciting experience. Until my feet got too cold. I need a set of liners for my boots to help keep my toes warm.
There were all kinds of sleds being raced. From older models such as these that could pop a "wheelie"...
...to a more modern style like these...
...to these lean mean racing machines. Even the graphics are intimidating!
I noticed that some of the sleds and their drivers had to cross the scale after their races. Not sure if it was just the winner of the heat or what. It looked official, that is for sure.
In between the heats, sweeping of the racing lanes and some other kind of grooming took place. This contraption looked and sounded like a modified weed eater machine.
Some of the teams have invested quite a bit of money into their operation including their haulers. Check out the glass doors on the back of the trailer. Keeps the heat in so the team can stay warm! (on a side note...all of these rigs were parked on the ice.)
Here's one way to move a small racing sled around. Many of the larger sleds had their rear track up on rack that was pushed around on the ice (see the one Yamaha photo above).
Why would they move the sleds around like this? To not chew up the ice in the pits and damage the sled track. Look at the metal studs on them! That is how they get traction on the ice. I wouldn't want to get run over by one of those!
All in all, it was a fun couple of hours outdoors watching a new sport. You should try it sometime. Just bring warm clothes and wear snow boots to keep your feet warm. :-)
There were all kinds of sleds being raced. From older models such as these that could pop a "wheelie"...
...to a more modern style like these...
...to these lean mean racing machines. Even the graphics are intimidating!
I noticed that some of the sleds and their drivers had to cross the scale after their races. Not sure if it was just the winner of the heat or what. It looked official, that is for sure.
In between the heats, sweeping of the racing lanes and some other kind of grooming took place. This contraption looked and sounded like a modified weed eater machine.
Some of the teams have invested quite a bit of money into their operation including their haulers. Check out the glass doors on the back of the trailer. Keeps the heat in so the team can stay warm! (on a side note...all of these rigs were parked on the ice.)
Here's one way to move a small racing sled around. Many of the larger sleds had their rear track up on rack that was pushed around on the ice (see the one Yamaha photo above).
Why would they move the sleds around like this? To not chew up the ice in the pits and damage the sled track. Look at the metal studs on them! That is how they get traction on the ice. I wouldn't want to get run over by one of those!
All in all, it was a fun couple of hours outdoors watching a new sport. You should try it sometime. Just bring warm clothes and wear snow boots to keep your feet warm. :-)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
TwoFer Tuesday - Soaking up the Sun
The two of us from my last snowmobile ride of the season at the end of March back in Washington at Hart's Pass...
Whew! Snowmobiling can be tiring!
** Starting this Saturday evening, Beth (from www.elizardbreathspeaks.com) and I are launching a "new" meme for InSPIREd Sunday. If you have been following my blog, you know I frequently post a picture of a spire. We are opening it up to pictures of churches, temples. wherever church services are held. Come join us! **
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| George & Sally Taking in Some Sun - Snow Style! |
Whew! Snowmobiling can be tiring!
** Starting this Saturday evening, Beth (from www.elizardbreathspeaks.com) and I are launching a "new" meme for InSPIREd Sunday. If you have been following my blog, you know I frequently post a picture of a spire. We are opening it up to pictures of churches, temples. wherever church services are held. Come join us! **
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Digging Out
A nice little blizzard came through West Central Minnesota on Sunday. At times like this is when I miss having a garage or a snowblower. It was not fun digging my rental car out of the snow at the hotel.
I was parked at the end of the hotel where the snow was blowing and drifting.
Interestingly enough, the drifting snow left a walkway along the passenger side of the car.
It was the left rear corner that accumulated the most drifting. And I liked the way the snow drifted around the wheel.
Even though I had to shovel out the car, at least I didn't have to scrape the windshield. It was as clear as ever!
The snowmobilers were sure enjoying the new snow but I am ready for Spring now.
I was parked at the end of the hotel where the snow was blowing and drifting.
Interestingly enough, the drifting snow left a walkway along the passenger side of the car.
It was the left rear corner that accumulated the most drifting. And I liked the way the snow drifted around the wheel.
Even though I had to shovel out the car, at least I didn't have to scrape the windshield. It was as clear as ever!
The snowmobilers were sure enjoying the new snow but I am ready for Spring now.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Speaking of Snow
Many folks in northern Minnesota are waiting for more snow so they can hop on their snowmobiles and ride. There is an extensive system of well marked groomed trails. Along the highway, it is not unusual to see this sign to alert motorists of snowmobile crossings.
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| Warning! Snowmobile Crossing Ahead! |
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sweetgrass Butte
High above the upper Methow Valley @ 6,100 ft in elevation, you can drive to Sweetgrass Butte. There is a cell tower up there so that is why you can drive up. I snowmobiled up here in late March and there was easily six feet of snow on the ground. What a difference a few months make. Today there were wildflowers blooming and just a bit of snow on nearby peaks. We saw several cattle on their summer grazing grounds, a few deer, many ladybugs and three rugrats. At the top, it was 71 degs. We had a nice picnic lunch, snapped a few pictures, and then it was time to return. We were scouting campsites and while Sweetgrass has too steep of a grade to haul the camper up there, we saw several other possibilities that we might do next weekend.
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| Sweetgrass Butte |
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