EDITOR’S LETTER

from Michigan Snowmobiler - October 2021

VINTAGE SLED: DIESEL CAT

from the editor

This last month at Michigan Snowmobiler and ORV has just been a blast and I can’t wait for the issue to be distributed. At the beginning of the month, honestly, there was a bit of writer’s block for a couple days. Then it seemed like everyone we talked to had something to say about the Tawas and Sand Lake areas and the ideas started coming together. Tawas and Sand Lake are situated on the Sunrise (or East) side of our great state. Tawas sits directly along the shores of Lake

GRAND MARAIS

Huron and an excellent place to enjoy an afternoon ride. My husband Scott (MI Snow & ORV Advertising Manager) and I have traveled this gorgeous area many times by car/truck/snowmobile/3 wheeler/ bicycle and on two feet. This community has something for everyone. In addition to motorized fun, there are many restaurants, shops, walking trails and of course Lake Huron and Lake Tawas for all sorts of water and ice fun.

Tawas is accessible by a short 20 minute ride from the Sand Lake Trailhead. Once on the trail – wow the choices of where to go next. The trails attach to many of Lower Michigan’s entire trail system. One of our favorite paths from Sand Lake is to head off towards Oscoda and Alpena. So be watching in future articles for winter fun in those two areas.

We were having so much fun working on the Tawas and Sand Lake stories we were fortunate enough to start working on the November edition. In November, we will introduce you to Mike. Mike has autism, but he hasn’t ever let that stop him from becoming extremely passionate about snowmobiling. Mike has completely restored several Polaris sleds and brought them back from wrecks to showroom condition. His vintage collection is pulled around the state by a completely refurbished 1970’s style suburban.

Scott and I are also looking forward to the Michigan Snow Show to be held in Novi, MI on November 5th through the 7th. Please stop in and say hello. We love to hear from our readers. Also in next month’s issue, we will be honoring veterans as our salute to November 11th. On Veterans Day, remember to thank our veterans for their service and remember the ones we miss. As always, we’re looking forward to sharing more great stories with our readers. So if you know the story of any veteran that is or was passionate about snowmobiling please let us know at publisher@misnowmag.com . Until next month!

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24MICHIGANSNOWMOBILER-September,2019 wadinwasnotatotally smoke-freefacilitywasa factor,butnotonethat couldnotbeovercome. Thismaybeadecision to be made for future meetingsandevents. GroomerWorkshop The2019Groomer Workshopbeginningthat sameThursdayevening followingtheSAWmeeting,butattheKewadin & Conference Centerwithareception to welcome manufacturer representatives, vendors,grantsponsors, DNRpersonnel,andall heotherinterestedparties.Theeventactivities, includingseveralbreakoutsessionstoinstruct newcomersandupdate theexperiencedoperators,anddemosofthe variousequipment,that would run through the weekend, again exceededexpectations. CommitteeChairman Don Reed took the podium to explain the agendaandscheduling ctivitiesthatwould keplace,andthehope thateveryonecouldfind timetoattendthevariousbreakoutsessions, all of which had been planned to assist the grantsponsorswithall the necessary requirementsineverythingto provide a properly groomedtrail,howtoaccuratelyfiletheappropriate documents for reimbursements,andreSUNSET Grand Mara CABINSis, Michigan Cozy Cabins & Cottages on

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port discrepancies or equipmentmalfunctions through the necessary channels to the DNR and SAW sub-committees. Additionally, the manufacturers presented proper maintenance techniques and Don expanded the breakoutsessionstoincludetalksongrooming savvyandhowtoread andanalyzetrailconditions during grooming operations.

Althoughnotanofficialrollcall,eachofthe equipment representativesandvendorspresentwerecalledtothe podium,introduced,and giventheopportunityto speakaboutwhatthey had brought to demo andwhatelsetheymay have available at the shop.First timetothis event,Wisconsinbased vendorTrackit,adealer for Matttracks,Inc, the original track conversionsforalloff-roadvehicles was welcomed, andalthoughnotreally compatibleforsnowmobiletrailgrooming,does offersomegroomingalternativesforotherapplications.

TheSAWandDNR personnelpresentwere introduced and a brief description of their responsibilities to the snowmobileprogramexplained.Theremainder oftheeveningwasdedicatedtosocializingand networking,withsponsor clubs meeting face-tofacewithDNRcontacts fortheirareasandsurroundingzonesorhavingsomepersonaltime todiscusspeculiaritiesof theirparticularbrands. Asusual,theresortstaff wasonhandtoprovide excellent service with

everythingfromthefull dinnerbuffettothewellstockedcashbar.And oncethereceptionconcluded,manyoftheparticipantsheadedtothe gaming rooms with hopesofwinningatthe tablesorhittingajackpot ontheslots. BothFridayandSaturdayweresplitbetween indoorandoutdooractivities.Thefirstroundof breakout sessions, startedafterbreakfast. Afterlunch,thebreakoutswererepeatedso everyonehadanopportunitytoattendeachone ofthem.Severalattendees,mostlythoseon thecurrentlisteligiblefor equipment replacements,wereanxiousto getoutsideandcheck outthevariousbrandsof tractors and other groominggear. Among the several ThebigRedPistenBullyondisplay,andRepstoanswerquestions. SPENDTIMEINGRANDMARAISTHISWINTER! JUSTOFFTHETRAIL Onetosixbedroom Burgers,Pizza cabinson and LakeSuperior 11BeersonTap Located11/2miles Friday’sFishFry EastofGrandMarais DailySpecials! Checkusoutfacebook Onemiletothe westoftrail8906-287-0001 906-494-2111 906-494-2693sunsetcabins222@gmail.com N14260LakeAve. GrandMarais,MI sunset3@jamadots.com sunsetcabinsmi.net gmsccw@ gmail.comsunsetcabinsmi.net