Sledders.. you find them EVERYWHERE!

After a busy season it was trip time.. my other half suprised me and booked a trip to cuba for 4 nights....some much needed R&R .. and the resort Jibacoa.. was just perfect!

However sitting around the pool, making friends.. it seems that conversations always go back to snow.. or dirt.. lol! I guess all us Crazy Cannucks ride!


I had the pleasure of meeting Ken Fleck- president from Creston BC... a location i have never been to but have wanted to .. and now after meeting him and hearing more about the area... I HAVE TO GO! so hopefully next year!!!

www.kokaneecountry.webs.com

The fun behind the job

It's a lot of work.. Countless hours organizing, shuffling, putting family life on the back burner... and then writing stories, reviews.. etc.. ooo wait in my case writing the story twice because my computer SUCKS! thanks to luke for helping me re-write it the second time... so make sure you watch next years TR- Arctic Cat Sno Pro.. and remember double the effort went into that!!!

but behind the scenes we have fun.. we joke, we ride hard and we all get along really well. I think the guys like the expression, "what happens on the road stays on the road..." well lucky for me i capture most of what happens with my camera.. and they are catching on that i've been doing lots of video this winter... i'm sure it will catch up to me but for now.. it's always fun sharing the "real" side of us.!

some of us manage to do something a little special now and then... I am still waiting on video footage of the next event , but for now a brief description..
my first trip with Vern.. aka- VMax.. aka- Mr. kung fu- or as Vern likes to say while sleeping in your face... KARRRR AAA TEEE CHOP! that's another story... but this time let's just leave it as I was doing a stand up for my destination story onGRAND Lake , Colorado.(beautiful place you HAVE TO GO!!!!) and in the background the boys were playing.. i was shooting stills for the blog.. and here comes vern.. I turn to the camera .. deliver my lines and then he dumps it.. rolls the sled.. tries to sidehill and failed.. OFF goes the sled.. down the hill.. going away.. faster , faster and faster it goes off on it's own... Vern is running after it...sprinting after it... thank goodness Brian Amundson was there and stopped it... needless to say it was pretty darn funny... and yes the video will make it up here soon.. but for now.. I do have the stills...

O ya if you click on the pictures Vern's REDEMPTION story also happens.. sigh! Maybe next year V!!!

Valcourt- Trails

What can I say.. give me a sled.. a trail... and off I go.. Sometimes a map is needed.. and then other times.. you should just throw it AWAY and go by the seat of your pants!

I think it was all the pressure Jeff put on us to get to the track on time.. really he was pretty serious when he said he wanted to ride..it got me all nervous and i started to really pay too much attention to the map..

We stayed in two condos in Magog... DesJardins...

Everything started out great! the day was beautiful , with the sun peeking out from behind the clouds... BEAUTIFUL trails.. some fresh powder on the first bit of trail and nooo groomers out!!! hoooray!

Doug, had plans for Mark Fries and I (from Royal Distributing) shoot a lot of footage.. ! Every beautiful scenic, smooth trails and fantastic vistas' yup you get the picture.. about every 100 metres we stopped!!! it's no wonder we were getting behind on our travels! The area has a beautiful view from every angle.. yes even behind the trail map.. while on the local trail... we had quite a few discussions about what fork in the road to take..and with lack of signage it was difficult to know where we were, and how to get there....

Once we found the JA Bombardier trail.. we made tracks to get to the races... signage was great from then on..but the damage was done... Jeff was waiting.. errr over 3hours for us.

I have been on Quebec trails a number of times.. this was a first in this area... even with the major meltdown and then 2 days of snow.. the trails were in awesome shape.. could use a little more signage in some spots.. but overall a GREAT ride!

The websites that I felt most useful were:

http://www.cantonsdelest.com/

http://www.admdq.org/

http://www.bonjourquebec.com/

http://www.clubdemotoneigeharfangdelestrie.com/

http://www.estrieloge.com/

Deerhurst Resort

It's always nice pulling into Deerhurst Resort.. Any chance I get to stay here.. believe me , I'm the first person to sign up for it!
They have EVERYTHING you would ever need.. and it's a slice of heaven! It reminds me of Resorts down south... many different types of accomodations, nicely spaced apart, different types of restaurants, many pools, sports complex.. o my I could just list the amenities forever!

Not only are there many choices of rooms and different locations there is so much to do onsite you could stay here for weeks! The staff is amazing as well.. I have stayed at many different resorts/ locations and you can have the most fantastic resort and it comes up short on staff.. Deerhurst has fantastic staff, friendly helpfull and they EVEN SMILE! imagine!

What do I like the most? Just how relaxing the resort is.. the rooms are very comfortable, no matter what ones you are in.. there is a beautiful view no matter what direction you are looking ...

So if you are thinking about a Winter Vacay or summer.. Check out their Packages...Deerhurst is certainly a spot you want to spend some time at!

KSBCSR 10th Anniversary = WOW

There are some events you just don't know what you are getting into until you are there in the middle of the throng.... that;s what happened to me over 7yrs ago. Meeting Kelly Shires, Suzy Stenoff, Kim Sparks, Ken Shires... and then countless other volunteers and participants... Over the last 7yrs over 1200 Participants to be exact.. and every year they remember each other, they catch up , they snowmobile together, have a few drinks and share many many laughs.. Some faces are missing now.. but their spirits are always with us.

This past Week end the snow run returned to Deerhurst Resort . This resort is probably my favorite for the Snow Run (and any overnites!) the staging area is really open and you get a chance to see everyone and all the sleds lined up and ready to go... quite an awesome spectacle!

The moment of silence... you really don't know the power that is there.. as Beverly Thomspon , Co-host of Canada AM, EmCEE for saturday night banquet said : "you could have heard a pin drop" a breast Cancer Survivor herself, was deeply moved. It is truly amazing that these women/ participants all raise monies for other women who need assistance in their battles with Breast Cancer.
The ride , WOW this club really has some fantastic trails! THanks to Jimmy Hatz for some good grub! If you are worried about not finding a group to ride with... no worries there! the Run has everything from the Hooters... - turtles and yes.. everything in between...

Saturday night is a great social .. you are able to talk about the day's ride, events.. bloopers.. ahum yes SLED ED worthy moments.. we had looooots of these! The Snow Run has to be one of the greatest organized events going it even has live auction, silent auction awards and prizes..... O speaking of live auction.. this year FXR donated coats to the OPP to wear for the day.. ya i'm just going to stop here and post my video.. sorry if it's short and shaky.. i had to run up and throw a few dollars at them.. ;)

Just recieve the official press release.....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OVER $400,000.00 RAISED FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER
www.breastcancersnowrun.org

Follow the link to read more on the event this past week end...

Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting some truly amazing women.. I do what I can to raise pledges and I make the minimum.. sometimes a little more... but if I can do it so can you! But applause for a few ladies...

Betty Black Memorial Award (highest pledges) – Diane Munn
Kelly Shires Memorial Award (creative fundraising) – Carey Moran
Kim “Sparks” Fish Memorial Award – (love of life) - Mary Ann Beaudin
Sled Ed Award (funny mishap on trail) – Name withheld in confidence(but a hint, she works for BRP!)

I am sooo looking forward to next Year!

LADIES YOU ROCK!

For more information on the event or to apply to the trust:
1-877-436-6467 WWW.BREASTCANCERSNOWRUN.ORG http://www.kellyshirsfoundation.org/

Stay tuned for the story on SnowTrax TV! sign up on the blog to receive updates!

Monday= I was where I needed to be.... thank you TEK VEST

I think i'm finally calmed down enough to write this ... Last week while riding for the first time this season with my husband I had my first FIRST accident.. In 20years of riding personally , testing sleds I had yet to have a tree jump in front of me... I mean sure i've tapped bumpers or run over someone's ski.. but not like this!

Our plan was to ride up to Haliburton for lunch.. pretty boring for most of the trip, but it was jeff's first ride of the season and probably our first and last together for the year.. with my travel schedule and him busy at work.. it's hard to find a day to get out together! We had some fun on the 501- and then over to E108 just north of Bobcaygeon..then to the B103 but pulling into Kinmount was where our day suddenly got interesting and very very expensive.

The trail was perfectly groomed and we soon realized that we were in fact following the groomer! hooray! After the operator let us by I snapped a pic and carried on... the sun was shining it was a beautiful day.. and the trail wasn't too bad a little bumpy ahed of the groomer, but my ride had a great suspension... My hubby was leading and then i saw him in the air.. i quickly jammed on my brakes.. and took a bit of a flying launch.. not going overly fast under the trail speed limit....and landed ALL WRONG. I think because i was braking my body was thrown forward, and believe me I have thought about this over and over and over again.. and I'm sure my other half is sick of hearing me disect the entire landing...

When I landed i mashed the throttle.. and my sled took off again... It jumped over the bank and headed straight towards a massive pine... luckily my cat like reflexes turned the sled and I veered away from the tree.. but not all of it missed... the ski hit HARD and I jumped off .. when the sled hit the tree it must have swung and knocked me down... all i remember was my husband lifting the sled off of me and me yelling what did i do to my sled!?

Now with that sled landing on top of me.. I am black and blue from around my kidneys down to my knee on the one side... i feel like a mack truck ran over me.. and where the sled hit me on my ahum.. bum there is a goose egg and BLACK BLACK bruise.. no hot tubbing in public for me for a bit!

Shock didn't set in until we were home and I saw the back of my wrecked coat, I can't imagine how bad it would have been if I was not wearing my TekVest.

A few years ago I shrugged off the Tek Vest.. I mean come on it's for racing right? What are the chances I am ever going to need one.....

-what about when someone might be on your side of the trail

-you are doing some lake running and you blow a belt

-playing in the powder and hit something that's hidden

-or just hard to see in the sun/ cloud/ snow

or worse you have your son or daughter in front of you and you hit the brakes quickly and they are thrown forward and hit the handlebars etc...


There are sooooo many chances that we take daily... And I have to Thank Gord Avann who forced me to wear a vest under my gear at one snowshoot.. Now if I forget it I feel naked!

I still have my first race vest.... a few scrapes and dings from my short time racing

My second is the super sport and that one is over 5 years old.. ($329 cdn)(pictured above)
the latest creation from Nancy and her crew is my super sport edged in pink in honor of Kelly shires and the snow run...(below)


So if you are considering buying a Tek vest and opt not to due to cost.. average it out.. Please find a better excuse... you should be able to keep your vest AT LEAST 5 yrs. that works out to approx $65. yr. is that really too expensive?

You buy insurance, how often do you use it... it's a risk and you make sure you are covered....

I am a PROUD TEK VEST wearer.. and I bought my husband a vest for Christmas 4yrs ago and just last week my son.

IT's "WILLIE" nice in the BRUCE!

I have had the pleasure of visiting the region of Grey Bruce a few times... what floors me is the uniqueness of the area.. the clubhouses, the terrain and immaculate trails.. BUT most of all... it's the people, For me you can have fantastic trails, meals and rooms.. but if you don't have people who care about their area it's just another destination.

Let me tell you OWEN SOUND, ON CANADA has personality PLUS! I mean who else has a ground hog that can do mess up the pow like this!?

Right from our arrival to the Best Western this was to be a trip none of us will forget!
THe Best Western treated us like royalty! From the suite with a jacuzzi in the corner of the room overlooking the bay, (pssst do not use a full bottle of shampoo! details to follow) filling meals and they have a great hot tub & warm tub and sauna that has a wonderful view! unless Willie is in the way!!!

okay or in this case.. Chris Hughes-Bruce area, Brian Plumstead- grey area and Billy T from Tennyson's.

Who better to ask about the area and growing up in Owen Sound than the VanDolders!? With Peter and his family being in the area 30+ years and all the racing they have done.. they pointed us in the right direction for trails, food and the highlights of Owen Sound! We even got a tour of the racing garage and the track! I think i have found a new sled! ;

VanDolder slideshow

Owen Sound is a fantastic little town... but offers everything you could ever need.. unique shopping downtown for the shop-a-holics , many restaurants, bars, taverns, OHL hockey Team and a fantastic trail system that lets you pull up right to your hotel door!!! o but the night life! our evening started at Rocky Racoon Cafe.. We had Jesse take care of our table.. poor guy!! The food... WOW try walking out of there after having the meal we did! Robin , the owner made sure we ate well!We started with Indian maple spice bread, and then we all went our different ways.. some steak, some venison but all reunited on the racoon balls.. ahum yes.... dessert, whip cream puffs with chocolate and berry drizzled all over.... yummm!

Stayed tuned for day two in the grey bruce.. lots of trails, helicopters and willie!

Grey Bruce , the Trails....

I swear there is nothing better than walking out the door of your hotel to your sled.. no trailering, no loading and unloading.. just walk out the door and GO! And that is exactly what we had in Owen Sound, in fact most of the hotels are right on the trail system!
A few words come to mind about the trails in the Grey-Bruce region...
1.awesome - inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
2-out·stand·ing- Standing out among others of its kind; prominent; Superior to others of its kind; distinguished.
and certainly SPECTACULAR!
I have said it before and I shall say it again.. I am SOOO spoiled! But there is light for all of you at the end of the tunnel.. if you are planning a trip in ontario a great place to start for all your needs is http://www.gorideontario.com/snow/index.html the Grey Bruce is located in district 9.. But Back to riding!!!!
The trails here vary, from farmers' fields to tight and I MEAN tight twisty fun trails! I think Luke and I were fighting over the phazer at one point! ANd what better way to see the trails and the Georgian Bluffs than by Helicopter!!! Thanks to George at Bruce Peninsula Helicopters!

The clubhouses were really awesome.. you can stop at any of them and they are open you can warm up get out of the weather and chil out for a bit... the Lennox Shack was on our route and little did I know about my accommodations for the evening.. 5 stars, under the stars.. I dunno Chris.. AKA #7 seems like there is a difference to ME!

The plan, ( i still say it's worthy of my stx initiation!) I think #7(chris) called it a "unique twist" sigh winter camping.. I'm no sissy but wow sleeping in a tent in the middle of winter!??? What the heck!? Not only did we camp.. but we learned survival skills from Dr. Gino Ferri and crew from Survival In the Bush Inc.

Another fact about Owen Sound.. THEY HAVE AN OHL TEAM!!! the ATTACK! so you can ride on the trail RIGHT into the parking lot of the arena... NOW that is SERVICE! Paul MacDermid.. former NHL' r and co-Owner of the ATtack took sometime to tell us about his fav spots and why he loves snowmobiling in the area. And thanks to the boys...Carroll, McGurk and Beskorowany for the ahhh uplifting ice capades!

After all this you'd think we'd just be ready to call it a trip and head home... oooo not #7 he had one more unforgetable experience.. ok or two planned!!!!

the BRUCE the memories

Ok now if any of your kids are still awake.... they should go to bed now!! LOL

Actually it's really not that bad.. just SnowTrax being silly.. having a great time with some great ppl! We work hard.. but when we can ,. when the sleds and camera are put away...we like to play hard too!

our fearless leader #7 trying to get the lime into the beer.. I swear this is WHEN the trip did a 180!!!

Not sure if everyone was scared of Jamie's driving or what!?our server Jesse at Rocky Racoon Cafe.. if you have a chance to go and eat.. make sure Jesse is serving! he ROCKS!!!Luke and his new found love wiarton willie.. he saw his shadow..= more Pow Pow for luke to play in.

Some of these I can't help laughing at . And i'm sure there are some of you out there that will be chuckling along with me...

I have to say a HUUUUGE thanks to all those that helped in the making of "adventures in the Grey Bruce." I know I will never be the same.. ;)

Family FUN! CSRA!

WOOOEEEE it was a chilly week end here in Ontario!!!! Saturday I think the high for the day was a warm - 20! Sunday was a little bit warmer and we were able to get out and enjoy part of the day in Lindsay with friends and the CSRA!

What a way to get some fresh air! it was great to see so many families out enjoying the racing action and the day! it seems as tho some lil guys just couldn't wait to get home and have their nap nap...


so if you are looking for a good family day outdoors... you might want to get to a CSRA event near you.