ANNUAL S.M.A.R.T. SC VALENTINES DAY RIDE
FEBRUARY 8TH, 2008
Sledheads at Large
Leanne & Paul
Greg & Jean
Paula (present and accounted for), Wayne (AWOL)
Rick & Sue
Rob & Roseanne (Sledheads for a Day!)
Well I guess those snow dances everyone did this week paid off - in spades!!! On Monday, February 4th it was beginning to look like we might need to cancel the ride and just have dinner - BUT - snow dancing is something we Sledheads do best - and dance we did! Instead of +10 and rain on Wednesday which was in the forecast at the beginning of the week - I guess the weather Gods liked our dance moves and decided to co-operate - BIG TIME! 40+ cms of the white cold was DUMPED on us on Wednesday. It gave the groomers a chance to groom it all smooth just in time for our ride on Friday, February 8th! We were worried about our mate Jeannie - who fell a couple of days before the ride and thought she might have either broken or cracked a rib! OH NO!!! Off the doctor and some xrays done and she'll get the report tomorrow - BUT - orders NOT TO RIDE! Oh Yeah? Not Jeannie! She was ready and rarin to go first thing in the morning - mind you she was moving a little slower than usual….but nothing is gonna stop our Jeannie from ridin!!!! She says she's going to “take it easy”….we shall see about that!
A record number 35 sleds arrived at the Riverhouse Restaurant in Severn Falls which was Ground Zero for our ride. We also had a group from Supertrax along for our ride and joined us for the day! Breakfast was waiting inside the restaurant at 8:00am consisting of muffins, bagels, cream cheese, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and - CAVIAR!! Oh my goodness! This is some swanky breakfast! What a way to start a special day than caviar! Mind you - I usually have mine with champagne before dinner - not for breakfast - but a delightful treat in any event. Next year I am asking for the orange juice and champagne to go with the caviar in the suggestion box!
After breakfast and a quick trail etiquette speech we were off! Don Martin, President of the S.M.A.R.T. SC and also an OPP Officer as the job that really pays the bills, lead our merry band into the wild blue (and white) yonder down some club trails to pick up B105C. Trails had been freshly groomed and the first part of the ride was great. We did run into some wash outs on the trail and unfortunate detours through un-groomed sections needed to be done to avoid the water and mud. A well deserved rest stop in Coldwater behind the Arena was a good idea for all to rest and stretch after a pretty bumpy ride thus far. Leaving Coldwater behind it was back on trail B105C (the Upthoff Trail) to Orillia for lunch!
The Upthoff Trail was outstanding! Groomed - 40 cms of fresh snow - Sweet!!! A nice easy ride all the way to Orillia with a stop in one of the fields for a photo op! Quite an effort to line up 35 sleds on the trail - but we did it!!! Lunch was served at Boston Pizza in Orillia on Hwy #12. After a relaxing lunch and restroom break at Boston Pizza it was off again for our journey back to Severn Falls and the Riverhouse Restaurant where cocktails and eventually dinner was waiting.
No major problems or breakdowns today - gotta love that!
Arrived back at Severn Falls after a quick ride home down the Swift Road (which could have used more snow!). Let the evening begin!
We got down to business quickly setting up the prize tables, selling raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets for some awesome prizes - thank you to all the sponsors that donated something for this great day! Wiarton Wayne finally made his grand entrance - just in time to buy tickets and sit down to a lovely meal - just like him, doesn't want to miss dinner! Dinner consisted of a lovely mixed green salad in a yummy vinaigrette, chicken breast in a savory cream sauce, mashed potatoes and veggies and apple strudel for dessert! We were able to raise some money for the SMART Club and nobody left empty handed! There were prizes for all as well as some great raffle prizes! Holy Cow! Look what Kevin Dawson won on the Raffle!!! Not to mention he also won the$125.00 in the 50/50 draw - HEY! After a quick check by Leanne it was determined that our lucky friend did not have horseshoes anywhere on his body! I hope he purchased a 649 ticket with his winnings! Our very own Paula won the snowmobile helmet donated by Factory Recreation in Midland!!
Greg and Jean were presented Volunteer of the Year awards for all their time and effort to the SMART SC by President, Don Martin after the draws - and Don himself was presented with a gift certificate to Bass Pro for all his hard work for the Club as well. This is going to come in handy for his upcoming fishing holiday this summer. Way to go everyone for a job well done! We are looking forward to next year!
for all the details.
2008 Winter Got Off To A Slow Start
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