The DarkSide Riders are now all safe and sound at Meekos. We got lucky and got our favorite cabin. It has 8 rooms with smaller than twin size beds, 2 per room, down the interior corridor. At the end of the corridor, there is an open great room with wood burning stove, kitchen table and efficiency kitchen. The perfect location to sit at the fire or the table and rehash the awesome experience we are all having again!
We left Mt Laurier around 10:15 this morning with a warm 15 degrees. This is my first time on the sled this year, and it was super duper to be able to start my season on the super duper Quebec trail system. Even in areas that could use more snow accumulation, the freshly groomed trails were frozen and the ski`s dug into every turn. As we rode north to Meekos, the snow noticeabley increased in depth. It was a short day, only 75 miles. This was by design, as the path we are taking is new for about 80% of the trip, and to make the required fuel and lodging stops, our first day was a short one to make the rest of the ride fall into place. Tomorrow`s ride is projected, without any wrong turns, to be about 150 miles. We will see, right Craig.
The exciting part of our day was at lunch. There was quite a lost in translation moment, when Video Mike order a grilled cheese with bacon, and got Rob`s, Connecticut Jim`s wingman (profile coming soon), grilled cheese withOUT bacon. Video took a nice man size bite out of the corner, noticed no bacon, inform the french speaking waitress, who promptly returned it to the kitchen to repair. She then came out with Video Mikes grilled cheese WITH bacon and gave Rob the grilled cheese withOUT bacon. The. Same. Exact. Bitten. Grilled cheese. Still missing the bitten corner.
Since there is very little breaking news today, this would probably be a good time to introduce all my followers (I`m up to 7 and my mom now) to Alex ``Big Al`` Young. He also, affectionately, goes by ``Donkey`` At this time he is Big Al, but the first time he screws up, which the over/under right now is by 1:45pm tomorrow, he will be referred to as, lovingly, Donkey. Big Al is the DarkSide`s newest and YOUNGEST member to date. The self proclaimed Òld Soul, is on his first saddlebag ride. He has rode periodically with his Uncle, and was frost bitten enough to buy himself a superior Bombardier Ski Doo 800 Renegade Backcountry. Alex is having another excellent adventure with his uncle, as well as old and new friends ( he is fine Julie, and he said he loves you).
As we``re ``socializing` around the cabin``s kitchen table, for the last 2 hours, there has been a steady snow fall, accumulating about 2 inches so far. By the time we take off in the morning around the 9 o`clock hour, there is expected to be significant, continued, accumulation. (Who ever is up first, be sure to brush the fresh snow off the machines for the late risers)
It`s approaching the dinner hour and it`s time to sign off. Before anybody flames or corrects any grammaghapical errors that may be contained in today`s blog, realize I had to use the lodge`s FRENCH keyboard laptop to produce this evening`s Frost Bytes. (THANK YOU Douglas!)
Check in tomorrow at the same frosty time, on the same frosty channel. Until then...
Once again, before I can hit the ``post`` button I have a request from the peanut gallery to remind you all that Video Mike, as you recall, from SnowTrailsTV.com, is politely asking you to like him on Tweeter, Twitter, whatever.
Cheers,
`Stick``