North Country SnowSeekers

This years Winter UP ride was to Paradise Michigan, with accomodations
at Curley's. There were 10 members in attendance for this event, and
the trail conditions were awsome. Personally, not having ridden in the
Paradise area for a few years, conditions have improved immensely. Prior
years had seen very poor conditions close to town (from the north
groomer barn in), but with relocation of the trails in the area have
provided a large improvement. It snowed at least a little every day we
were there, and grooming was excellent. best riding conditions the club
has seen all winter.

Each days riding was limited to less than a 100 miles, primarily due to
the extreme cold that was experienced. Well below zero F at night, to
highs in the single digits during the daylight hours. Different trails were
taken on every ride, with conditions in the Awsome rate except for
directly approaching Newberry. (Later info obtained indicated that as
you approached M-28 the snow dwindled rapidly - which confirmed the
POOR SNOW at Newberry) Driving the 22 miles on M-123 once you
crossed M-28, the snow just got deeper as you drove, with even M-123
being snowcovered as you moved north. With the extreme cold salt does
not do well in removing snow from the road surface. We were rewarded,
once in Paradise with mounds of snow that were higher than the parked
vehicles, and huge tractor mounted snow blowers being used to plow
parking areas. All the while we were there, crews were removing snow
from Roof Tops at some of the motels in the area)

First days ride was the loop trail out along Whitefish Penn. and on to
Rainbow Lodge for a warm up and gas for those that needed it. The
highlight was the Urinal at the Bra Tree. Second days ride to Newberry
and back, with a stop at Charley's for lunch. Some had never seen the
wrecked sled display before, and were amazed by it. Last day of riding,
was covering some of the same trails by late arrivals, and to the Falls for
lunch. Valentines day was celebrated, by all driving to the Camp 33
Brewery for dinner (most could not finish all on their plates due to the
large servings). Arriving back at your room at nite was always welcomed
as a time to warm back up.

Many are looking forward to next years adventure.

On Friday, most of the group moved over to the MSA Ride-In at the
Keewadin Casino at the Sault. As usual, parking was at a premium where
all the early arrivals grabbed the best places. Once again we parked in
an area where few if any other rigs were in another lot. At the reception
get togeather, highlights of the week end were gone over by the
Committee. There would be guided rides, a shopping trip to the Canadian
Saulte, two Fun Runs south of town or ride on your own. A special ride
(skit performed by Don Reed, as "Jim Duke", was to be the longest as a
one day trip that included taking a B-52 from Sawyer AFB to Siberia,
with a short ride, then returning to Sawyer for the ride back).
Unfortunately we got no pictures, but you had to be there to believe it.
A Cnadian adventure ride was scheduled for after the Ride In to
accomodate those that desired a Canadian Ride adventure separate from
the Ride In. This was arranged by John Griffith and John Houk, and would
accomodate those that desired to participate.

After Saturdays adventures and tours, and the evenings dinner, reports
on the days rides and adventures were given by each group. Lucy Sell
was the presenter for her groups ride to Cedarville (led by John Griffith)
and their adventures for the day. Others of the group took a seperate
ride only to Kinross and back, to accommodate a few members that were
not up to a longer ride that day. Saturday evenings entertainment was
provided by a Magician from the Grand Rapids area (third choice, due to
the original person scheduled backing out on Friday afternoon, and the
back-up act cancelling out soon after). Many felt that the actual act
presented was probably better than that originally scheduled. The
location of the Room used for all the get togeathers was convienent to
the elevators to the rooms, and the outdoors, which made for a very
enjoyable time. New friends and aquantences were made, old friendships
renewed, and a good time for most in attendance.

Sundays activities basically started with breakfast and the ride home for
most. There were other participants that were staying to ride in the
area, trips to other parts of the UP and more. Our group was tired after
a week up north, and headed for Troll Land.

See the Pictures section for added pictures and enlargements.