It’s happening–that predictable influx of Fall snowmobiling magazines and catalogs.  All the ordering possibilities and latest sled info a sledhead could want.  The flood starts about this time every year, because all those retailers know we are just dying for anything snowmobiling.

 They send the surge when they know we are at our weakest; when we are as far away as we could possibly get from the last sledding season and feeling a strong need to get back in touch with our snowmobiling side in whatever way possible.  And before we’ve spent all our “free” cash on Christmas.

 Sadly, I have to admit, it’s working.  I’m gearing up and thinking about what I might possibly need to better my season; I’m eager to jump on the deals now, rather than pay full price later.  And I’m thinking early Christmas shopping.

 Hubby’s gotten the bug too, especially since he’s had his eyes fixed with his Lasik surgery.  We’re talking about tuning up the sleds so they’re ready when the first snow flies…even though today we had record 90 degree heat once again.  And we’re sitting in the AC flipping through Supertrax and Dennis Kirk catalogs.

I bought my husband an early present for his Birthday.  Actually, it’s an early present for his Birthday for the next 5 years.  And Christmas.  And Father’s Day.  And Groundhogs Day and President’s Day.  For the next 5 years. 

No, I didn’t go out and buy him a new snowmobile; I bought him Lasik eye surgery, which was made possible by the numerous options for financing available through Lasik eye centers all over the U.S.  And he couldn’t be happier.  The man that couldn’t focus more than 6 inches from his face now has 20/15 vision 1 week after the eye surgery.  He sees better than I do with my glasses/contacts on.  No lie.  That’s something since he was more than twice as blind as I am.   

Now, this isn’t an ad for Lasik.  I’m not being paid to write this post.  You’re probably wondering why I bring it up, then.  Well, if you’ve ever snowmobiled with glasses on, you’ve figured out by now why I’m writing this post.  Because now my hub cannot wait for the upcoming season.  He can’t wait to go sledding with crystal clear, better-than-average vision—without the discomfort of his contacts, and without worrying that his glasses will be too foggy to see through.  And without worrying that his wife forgot to pack his contacts again because he drove to Maine with his glasses on (yes I really did that, and yes his ride that weekend stunk). 

Bill is so happy with his new vision that he thinks we all should go get Lasik.  Me, I’m okay with my contacts, but he’s wearing me down. Eventually, maybe I’ll get brave enough, but for now I’ll bask in his glory.  Someday, though, it would be cool to go snowmobiling and not have to even think about contacts; but I guess that will wait until Bill has regained his ability to receive gifts.  Maybe when my blog hits the big time and turns in the big bucks. 

Happy riding…it’s getting colder!

BTW 

TheSnowGuage also has a link to the top 100 snowmobile sites.  There are lots of good links to everything snowmobiling, including snowmobile chats, snowmobile forums, snowmobile shopping links, and…of course…a great snowmobile blog for SledChix!! Check it out!  Share the link love!  Click here:   Snowmobiling Top 100 List 

This link was posted in the comments of one of my posts; it did look a little spammy (my apologies, Deb, if you’re a regular visitor), but that’s okay—that’s social marketing these days.  I decided to post the link in a formal post because after I checked out the link these do really look cool. This link for TheSnowGuage.com will take you to a page of cool-looking snow gauges.  Right at the top are two snowmobiling versions.  I have to agree with our poster Deb that these snow gauges would make great gifts for snowmobilers.   

The prices are very reasonable at just under $30 for a 2-foot snowmobile snow gauge; you can buy an extension for $10 to make it a 3-foot gauge.  That would be great for those of you who still get some real snow, but I guess it might be kind of a moot point anyway because after 2 feet of snow, who’s going to be home to check the gauge!?  Not me—you know where I’ll be—out on the trails!! At any rate, I do like these snowmobile snow gauges.  There are other styles on the page as well, including snowmen, snowflakes, moose, skiers, snowboarders, penguins, and bears.  I think we might just find one of these under the Christmas tree this year. 

And [NOTE TO BILL] there are some nice blue snowflake dangle earrings if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, too. Happy shopping!!

My apologies for neglecting this blog as of late.  I admit I haven’t been here a quarter as often as I should.  It seems my life is not my own some days (or weeks, for that matter); it also seems that this happens with every change of the school season. 

Now that we’re all predictably back in school, I hope to be getting my life back a little, and I am committing to be here more often.  With the kids a couple of weeks into our new school-year routine, my time will become a little more manageable again (right), and eventually I’ll find that new rhythm that lets me get a little something done. 

This blog is lots of fun for me—it’s one of the only opportunities I get to write about something that I choose, of interest to me, so even though we have our lulls, don’t worry about me going away anytime soon. 

Thanks for hanging in those of you who are still here!  Hopefully I’ll get back to giving you something to chew on again soon!

AFTER a long day of snowmobiling, we all enjoy sitting around reminiscing about the day’s great rides, biffs, and busts.  Over the last few years, we’ve developed a few of our favorite warm winter drinks to enjoy post-ride around the kitchen table.  Here’s one I came up with a few years back—it’s our absolute favorite, perfect to warm you up and relax you after a long day of snowmobiling.  It’s great for relieving sore muscles, too! 

Hot Cocoa Kalhua 

*Everything here is estimated—we never measure a thing save for maybe the cocoa powder! 

–Prepare pot of hot chocolate—whatever your favorite brand or recipe

–In mugs, pour approx. 1/3-1/4 full with Kalhua

–Fill with hot chocolate

–Add dash of light cream 

Nothing is simpler than this hot drink, but nothing is better post-snowmobiling, either!  If you try it (and yes you can practice even in the fall!) please drop back by & review it.  I’ll have more posts for hot snowmobile drinks in the future! 

I knew there had to be a place where you could sled year-round.  You can in Alaska!  And without risking life and limb (well, not too much more risk than you have on the average snowmobiling trip)! 

You can head up to Alaska and go on a helicopter Glacier City site-seeing tour.  Then for under $400 they’ll set you down on a glacier and you can ride in 60 degree (average) comfort over and through ancient blue-ice glaciers.  Now that’s my idea of cooling off in the summertime!  Or in September for that matter—it’s 95 and humid in Massachusetts today. 

You can check out pics from this Alaskan adventure at the Glacier City Snowmobile Tours website.  Heck, while you’re there, you might as well book your trip!  If only… 

I’ll at least file this under ‘things to do when my kids are rich & I’m retired’.  Hopefully we’ll get a handle on this global warming & we’ll still have Alaskan glaciers to ride!

So yesterday I’m bragging about how we’re just a little over 3 months away from the snowmobile season.  And look what happens—today it’s hot and humid enough to rival any day yet this summer!  And tomorrow’s not looking any better.  Now add insult to injury: we’ve just had the second driest August in recorded New England history, and it hasn’t rained yet this September!  If we’re lucky, we’ll see a few intermittent drops on Sunday.  But still, I’m optimistic for the impending sledding season. 

How so, you say?  Isn’t this exactly the type of weather to make a snowmobiling woman lose heart?  Hardly. I won’t give up looking for great sledding (or even crappy sledding) until next April.  Besides, I have a theory. 

What Goes Up Must Come Down 

All that evaporated water must be waiting somewhere, right?  Well, I’m holding out that it’s waiting ’til January.  Then, the Northeast gets slammed. (cross your fingers, cross your fingers) This year’s Farmer’s Almanac supports my theory.  Okay, well, I don’t know if it directly supports my emphaticism that the moisture is waiting until my sled is ready to run, or that this winter will be white and wild because we’ve had no rain for near 2 months, but it does say that the Northeast is due for a big dumping of snow this winter (read snowmobiling) season.  And I’m taking what assurances I can get that this winter will rival the excellent sledding we had in Maine last year.  If it doesn’t, I’ll be swearing at the Farmers (who I trust explicitly, being a born and bred Dairy Farm girl) and trailering on. 

Okay, so we’re not heating yet, but we’re getting there!  Mornings are chilly, we’re breaking out the light jackets, and the kids are back in school.  All we have to do is survive Christmas Bankruptcy, and it’s time to sled!! 

According to the SledMaine site, there are only 106 more days to go before we’re off and running. Woohoo!  We’re almost at the 3 month marke! Ahhhh….the sweet smell of two-stroke! 

So ladies, time to take inventory of your stuff, start hitting the pre-season sales, and whipping your man (or any loafing sled-head) to get the machine greased & ready.  I’ll be looking, and I’ll post any great deals I find, online or off. 

And don’t forget the most important thing—get that sled registered!  There’s nothing worse than getting slammed with a big storm and realizing you never registered your sled (we know, we’ve been there).  Luckily, my hub’s birthday is in November, so I’ve got the best timing for snowmobile registrations, snowmobile accessories, and snowmobile parts between that and Christmas.  Gotta love the double-duty gift.  And the guy that thinks that’s diamonds.

Did you know there was one?  There is—it’s essentially a commitment to safe and respectful snowmobile riding that includes: 

Ø      Not drinking & riding Ø      Driving within the limits of your sled & your abilities

Ø      Obeying snowmobile laws

Ø      Taking care crossing roads while snowmobiling

Ø      Maintaining your snowmobile in good condition (and checking it!)

Ø      Wearing appropriate snowmobile gear & clothing

Ø      Leaving a snowmobiling travel plan

Ø      Respecting the outdoors/trails

Ø      Respecting people & property & helping snowmobilers in need

Ø      Riding only where allowed 

You can access the full-text of the Sledder’s Pledge on several snowmobiling sites on the internet.  There is a good printable PDF version here that you can post or take with you. The Sledder’s pledge is a good, quick-version that covers the most major trail & safety aspects of snowmobiling; learn it, practice it, and you’ll be a snowmobiler anyone will be happy to share the trails with!