“On Track” for some New Year’s fun…

by Karina Hunter

Emeraude stays close to the snacks in our shelter.

Every parent faces the challenge as their children grow, especially into the sometimes trying teen years, of wanting to give them the freedom and space to find themselves while staying involved in their lives. As a single parent of two, a 14 year old son, Lloyd and 3 year old daughter, Emeraude (Emerald) finding activities which we can enjoy as a family, that engage both children can be challenging but snowmobiling is one activity that we are all crazy about.   

Manitouwadge High School, which my son Lloyd attends, closed for Christmas break December 19^th Snowfall in abundance in prior weeks had given Lloyd opportunity to earn gas money, shoveling our driveway and others. Christmas morning, he squealed discovering that Santa had put an OFSC (Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs) Trail Permit in his stocking, and I began wondering as he shared his intention of hitting the trail first thing Boxing Day, if we would have any ‘family’ memories this holiday season.   As the week progressed, Emeraude and I were patient watching him drive off on his sled; morning, noon and evening, coming home only to be fed, but a mother can only take so much and I needed some family time soon!  Lloyd would be back at school in just 5 short days and time for making holiday memories was running out. 

During the course of the week, I had listened closely waiting for my chance to be fit in to his ‘busy’ schedule.  When he announced that he and some friends planned to spend New Year’s Day sledding at a nearby lake and sand pit I realized it was as close to an invitation as I would get. Certainly he wouldn’t mind his sister and I riding along? We would bring a picnic. Picnic’s are cool at any age right? EH – wrong!  He was definitely put off, among his complaints; “I won’t be able to do anything if you’re there”, “my friends are going to think it’s so lame”, “how can I climb and take jumps with you there?” I let him vent and then gave him a reality check, I did not need his permission to come along and besides, that trail pass had to have earned ‘Santa’ a few ride-along adventures! 

I had no intentions of limiting their fun, I still remember snowmobiling when I was a teen and was feeling quite smart thinking I would be more popular when the retractable shovel and tow cables which had accompanied his trail pass came into use. {That they would at some point on our adventure was a pretty safe bet.} We had hoped to get out early that morning but after packing the sleds, making sandwiches & muffins (these were to be my olive branch) and dressing Emeraude into so many layers I could barely recognize her, it was already noon as we headed out.  A brisk -25^oC, with heavy snowfall when we finally drove off, Lloyd on his 2005 MXZ 550 Rev and Emeraude & I on our 1998 Skandic 500 (very reliable, not much to look at though) and suddenly his moaning and groaning didn’t bother me anymore. We were heading out to have fun on our ‘Family Skidoo Picnic Day’ as Emeraude had proudly named it, what a wonderful way to start the New Year!  

Devan and Lloyd in too deep, where's the shovel Santa delivered?

We headed out, on to the snow covered street, and barely made it to the next intersection before I had to pull over. The Skandic is low to the trail and I found my visibility, with the heavy snow fall and roads that matched the sky, quite limited with Emeraude seated in front of me.  Bundled in her snowsuit, her little arms can barely move, much less wrap around me to hold on, so sitting her behind me was not an option and I wondered if we would be better seated on the MXZ. I waited for Lloyd to realize we were no longer behind him and within minutes he was back.  He was not happy however, although sleds are legal on Manitouwadge streets, my son at 14 years old with only a trail license was less than legal while in town. I had been the one to insist we drive out from our yard rather than find someone to drive his sled out to the OFSC trail and I had just proven his point as to why this was not wise. None the less he was a great sport, and surprisingly accommodating taking the clunky Skandic while Emeraude & I hopped aboard the MXZ. Trading sleds, I was immediately more comfortable.  I could easily see over Emeraude’s helmet and the rev chassis of the MXZ meant my long legs (and old knees) had plenty of room to stretch. Within minutes we were on the groomed trail. 

Lloyd tows Cody up for yet another attempt at his snowboard jump.

Cody catches some big air.

Snowfall continued to reduce visibility and it was nearly an hour later when we finally left the winding OFSC trail to cross a logging road and arrive at Sand Lake. The small lake which freezes quite early in the season, is preceded by 3 huge sand pits, long ago abandoned and perfect for hill climbing, taking jumps, and carving powder especially this day when there was an abundance of fresh powder.   

Lloyd’s worries that I would cramp his style seemed quickly forgotten as he reclaimed his sled before I found a place to park, aggressively carving his path like something out of a Sled heads video. As he faded into the curtain of falling snow, four sleds came up out of the pit, Lloyd’s friends; Devan Pelletier, Cody Oseiki, Briton Lal and Samantha Young, all veteran snowmobilers in spite of their young ages (under 15 yrs), who had, judging by the few tracks in the pit, arrived not long before us. Cody, signed that I follow and I heard Emeraude, though muffled by her balaclava, neck warmer and helmet, squeal in delight. 

Cody and Devan led me down to the beach where a pile of backpacks and snowboards marked the spot as theirs to anyone who may happen upon it. Emeraude & I unloaded our gear from the seat of the Skandic and began building ourselves a shelter using a tarp I had brought along and their snowboards.  The kids were impressed, I was amazed, there are many women who, in the great outdoors are just as competent as men and quite capable of fending for themselves; I am not one of these and hadn’t actually thought it would be so easy.  The kids were eager to help (I think they could smell the snacks), in the interim Cody had helped Emeraude out of her helmet while Devan, made kindling and started our fire.  As I had hoped, our hot chocolate and muffins were well received and soon, everyone was taking regular trips out of the pit to come ‘fuel up’.   

The afternoon flew by as Emeraude & I played hostess, sharing our treats with everyone, building snowmen and cheering the kids on when they were near enough for us to see. We had a clear view of only the crest of one hill from where we were and for this I was grateful. Even with this limited vantage point, my stomach was in knots as they came ripping up out of the pit trying to outdo themselves on each attempt.  My teenage memories apparently were foggier than I had expected and it took considerable effort to keep from being the nag my son had predicted I would be.  

Boys being boys I was given a few good photo ops near our ‘picnic’ zone as they managed to get stuck once or twice even there. Attempts at showing off for Emeraude & I in the virgin snow that edged the tree line just off the beach kept us entertained as we sipped hot chocolate next to our campfire.

Almost home I make a quick stop to adjust my sleeping passenger.

Eventually, my shelter had to come down when Devan & Cody decided to build jumps for their snowboards at the base of a hill adjacent to the beach. Lloyd and Sam, served as tow service, pulling the boys up the hill over and over again with a tow cable I had in the seat of the Skandic.  Emeraude cheered very impressed with their jumps and tricks.  Without our shelter however, it was not long before Emeraude and I began to fall victim to the elements and decided to call it a day. We put out our fire and packed up the few remnants of our picnic, thanking the kids for their hospitality and entertainment.

The sled ride home went well though I our afternoon seemed to be ending too soon.  Emeraude and I had reclaimed the MXZ to drive out and I had a small moment of panic as the sled kept trying to stall. I discovered, noticing there was a rhythm to the problem, that a sleeping Emeraude’s bobbing head was hitting the kill switch over every bump.  I maneuvered her nearer to me that she might be clear of the switch and she continued to sleep until we arrived home. 

At supper that night, neither of my children could stop talking about our adventures.  My son admitted that our ride had been one of the most enjoyable he had taken during the Christmas break, adding he had very much enjoyed our company and was happy about having photos to remember the day with. I almost fell off my chair when my teenage son added that family time could be ‘cool’ if it was on a snowmobile!

Submitted to Michigan Snowmobiler Magazine 07.31.09 for publishing in September ’09 issue.