Zen and Rocky go to Real
Masse's for Breakfast.
Jan 10 2005: 8 AM
8Am at the Zen Shack, Rocky wants to come. 4 inches of new snow.
I drive up to Real Masse's place, the road is not yet plowed.
I am greeted by a security road block, and Gilles lets me in,
and tries on my coon! He is one of the 24/7 security guards at
the Real Masse Outfitters resort.
In the parking lot I meet John P., a 30 year veteran of snowmobiling.
He is the leader of his band, and has been riding 4,000 to 6,000
miles in Quebec every year for ever. He is the real deal, the
kind of man you want as a guide. He is adding oil.
Nice sled John. He is from Amsterdam NY.
Then I see these fellas and I approach.
First I meet John H. from Charlie's Inn in Lac Clear NY near Saranac
Lake. His Dad Brock, runs a snowmobile lodge up that way. His
Dad also does trail conditions just like me! This year times are
very tough, no snow.
This is Big Bob from Rockaway NJ.
This is Dan from Gabriel NY. The fourth member of the team, was
still in bed, apparently suffering from the Jack Daniel's flu. There's
alot of that going around.
In Real's beautiful Bar!
This is Bill (r) and his family.
Justin, on his father's left, seems to have come a long way since
last year, when he was the fortunate recipient of a lecture from
an old fart, (namely me) on getting an education. (Sorry about
that Justin!) .
But mainly, I apologize for not having any time at all to visit.
If it wasn't for your Mom Sandy, who kept reminding me by e-mail,
I never would have even seen you. I really do need some help to
do this work. Very sorry I missed you guys.. looks to me like
a very happy crew.
This is the unruly gang of misfits I mentioned earlier, loitering
outside the restaurant and main lodge at Real Masse.
They were out on
a week long pass from a high security institution, which I cannot
mention. I don't want to get sued! More to the point, I might meet
these guys on a dark trail someday.