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Zen Discovers Snowmobiling in Saskatchewan Canada at
- 27 C, -55 in the Wind
Feb 19 2008: Mossbank - - If I look miserable in this photo, (and
the ugly shades from the Dollar Store don't help), it's because
I had just spent 4 weeks in the house with some damn bug in my lung.
This was last Thursday. I figured I'd go out and get some air, even
in the middle of a three week long, sub zero deep freeze, that has held
this province in it's icy grip like a Pitbull hanging onto a child's
face. 'Screw it', I thought to myself, 'If this kills me, well
so be it, I can't stand another five minutes inside. As it turned out,
I was fine, and my moral is up now that I got some sled time. I didn't
get much colour, but I feel better. I made some new friends, and had
some fun discovering the prairie snowmobile culture out here in East
Central Saskatchewan.
Snowmobiling in here is strong, and from what I have
seen so far, it's mostly all about family. I like that. The big
tough guy - drink beer - chase women, and show off your horsepower to
all your pals thing gets old. If I had a choice, I'd go with family
thing. The macho thing is just a passing phase for a young man anyhow,
and most of us grow out of it. They each have their charms I guess.
Maybe I'm just getting old? .... hmmmm .... nahh!
Here are my guides and new friends, Monica and Stan Lipinski. I met
them on the phone a few weeks ago when I was researching Saskatchewan
on the Internet. Stan and I had many conversations on the phone about
weather and trail conditions, and Sask riding in general. Look at the
sunshine on their faces.
Feb 18 2008; Kelvington Sask - - Although
it's minus 27 degrees Celsius, and the blistering wind is howling
across the open landscape, love is still alive and well, in the prairie
warming huts! Stan and Monica L. have been married for thirty years,
and ride over 5,000 kms a year on their Skidoos. They have raised two
beautiful daughters to keep the sledding tradition alive in Saskatchewan,
and one day may have grandchildren who will take up the sport. On Monday,
their girls with their partners, will join the couple on a ride to Yorkton
Saskatchewan where snowmobile festivities are happening all weekend.
Click Here for Kelvington Snowmobile Clip. (big
file pls be patient!)
Farming the land keeps this couple hard at work during
most of the year, but the dead of winter is reserved for their
love of snowmobiling. They belong to the Kelvington
Trail Blazers snowmobile club. Here in Saskatchewan, snowmobiling
is all about family and community.
In the background, behind the Sportsman Motel in Kelvington, about
three hours north of Moose Jaw, is the landmark water tower.
We got about one mile out from the Motel, and I realized that my new
HJC electric shield was not functioning. At 27 below, and a wind chill
of - 55 on the trail, there is no way I could ride with zero visibility.
The grey lighting conditions made things bad enough - I didn't need
theadded frost on the inside of my visor. I hate that!
Lucky for me, Stan knew all the boys over at the John Deere dealership,
so we crossed the highway, where this young man tested the wire on my
helmet and discovered a weak connection. I don't know what he did, but
he fixed it! These farm guys can fix anything! Thanks!
Everything in a John Deere Dealership is GREEN! I met Ron Hughes, the
President of the local snowmobile club, and grabbed a coffee. Here we
hadn't even started our trip yet, and I was already meeting great people.
Ron couldn't come with us until Sunday, but we had a short visit. On
this particular morning, he was a very busy fellow. He promised to ride
with me on Sunday. Good thing I was wearing my Green SNOSUIT!
I fit right into the decor, just like I belonged there. I could have
sold a tractor!
With the helmet anti fog heated visor working, we set out, and down
the rail road track, past the old station which is now used by the community
for a museum (I think). It was cold and windy. The fresh powder from
a recent snowfall was blowing hard, especially when we crossed the fields.
Watch
a video of the train tracks and grain elevator
Away we went; our destination, the Greenwater Park Resort, known as
Fisherman's Cove. These two acted like teenagers on a date; 30 years
married and still happy! Go figure.
After
half an hour, I feel the chill of the windsvideo clip
The club works tirelessly to have all the signage up on the trails to
help the riders. You do not want to get lost up here and freeze to death
on some farmer's wheat field. They have fund raising campaigns all year
long to help pay for the supplies they need. The community support for
the club up here is incredible. The whole town gets involved.
Riding
on open fields
The warming huts are very important, and are well supplied with survival
gear, fire wood, and even a little bit of Brandy!
The booze, the matches, the firewood and the shelter from the elements
could save a life. The club has a warming hut every few miles
to keep everyone safe, (five in all I think). It's a good place
to stop and get warm, visit with new friends, roast some hot dogs, and
get your bearings.
Emergency
stuff in the Shacks
Warming
Shack # 2 video
Warming
Shack # 3
Deluxe Outhouse
We got going again, and after a while Stan stopped and pointed out Round
Lake to me. The austere beauty of the prairie landscape is filled with
beauty and surprises. Right after we took this photo, I saw three big
deer cross the trail right in front of me - they were big. BIG! No,
I didn't have time to get a photo, and I didn't have a rifle either.
They would have looked good in my freezer.
Riding
through the trees
Round Lake
Fly By
Finally, after some surprising steep hills, we arrived at the Cove.
We had a warm welcome from the owner, then sat down to a good meal by
the fire. I had a delicious home made veggie soup, followed by a memorable
juicy hamburger and a sinful side of onion rings. There goes my Cholesterol!
Video
clip arriving t the Fisherman's Cove Inn and Restaurant
Stan explains where we are on the Treasure Trail.
I meet the owner/manager of the place,Darren Teale, and pose for a photo
with the bear rug. I wonder what it would be like to live up here all
year long. I think I like the idea. This lodge has everything a hunter
or fisherman would want. Saskatchewan is famous and well known to fishermen
and hunters worldwide. You can contact Darren at Fisherman's Cove
on his web site, www.greenwatercove.com
. I guess you would have to fly up to Saskatoon, and have him come to
pick you up.
Darren lives up here all year long with his family.
Well, after a good lunch, Monica says it's time to roll. The sun made
a brief appearance, and the weather seemed to get a bit milder. Thanks
God.
The team took me to see the Red Deer River, another beautiful surprise.
Video
clip taking off on the Red Deer River
Again, the club's volounteer handiwork is evident, with signs and directions
posted everywhere. I think at this point, another club takes over the
grooming.
Time to go home now. We headed back through the fields,
and patches of forests. Most interesting to me were the persistent snow
drifts, which always take the trail back to the natural state, with
powerful winds asserting control of the territory.
Wind
causes snow drifting
When the wind picks up, the trail can easily vanish into a white
out. The club has installed thousands of pickets every 100 feet,
to guide you through that type of situation.
Snow
drifting on the trails
Monica
zooms past
We stopped for fuel in Rose Valley (?). It was a card lock station,
but lucky for us, the attendant was there.
Monica is very talented. She creates commercial signs for some of
the locals, like this sign that announces her farm. We dropped into
their home for a few minutes, then Monica guided me back to the town
and to my motel. I admit that I would have been lost without her.
I am not good with directions (understatement of the century).
Next morning, it was raining in Kelvington,
but only for a few hours, just long enough to bury my car in a sheet
of ice. I took off in the car and surveyed the region to visit other
towns and meet more people. That story next time.
BTW - Just a short
note about my accommodations. I stayed three nights at the Sportsman
Motel in Kelvington, and I was very comfortable. It was a
basic room, but the bed was first class, which is always the most
important thing in my mind. The restaurant was exceptional, a big
surprise. When you are this far north, a REAL chef is delightful.
They offered well thought out specials every night, good presentation,
quality meats and veggies cooked to perfection. The waitress was adorable,
and actually knew what she was doing, she's a natural. I love a good
server. In the morning, the hot coffee was right there when I sat
down. I recommend the veggie omelet with a side of fruit. Just what
the doctor ordered. My stay was A1. zw
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