10 minute read
SUMMER FUN
A group photo on Friday’s ride, taken at the new Doty Bridge.
BY JIM DUKE
TOP: Sylvia Newman, MISORVA’s First Lady, feels pretty small in that big chair. BOTTOM LEFT: Otter Lake Campground, located in Western Alger County on Buckhorn Road. BOTTOM RIGHT: The MISORVA banner tells folks the Association is here. It’s no secret that snowmobilers know how to have fun in the warmer months as well as when the landscapes are totally white with snow, but many folks wonder why they are always upbeat and optimistic about whatever recreational activity they may wish to enjoy? Statistics gathered by Ed Klim, President of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) indicates snowmobile enthusiasts enjoy a multitude of other recreational endeavors when their favorite season is still a few months away, including camping, boating, biking or hiking, and even backpacking into the woods for an opportunity to find a secluded spot for some quiet and serious meditation. One of their favorite pastimes in the warmer months is still getting out on the trails, but with an ATV or a side-by-side off-road vehicle. As one enthusiast told me recently, the same landscape looks entirely different when there’s no snow covering it.
So, with the pandemic restrictions eased and outside gathering capacities increased, the Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association held their annual Campout and ORV rides the last weekend of June at the Otter Lake Campground in the Upper Peninsula’s Alger County. Although the turnout was not a large as in previous events those who did attend weren’t disappointed. Keith & Susan Churill,
President and Secretary of the Alger County SORVA acted as host & hostess for the event including the planning and execution of two guided ORV rides. I was privileged to ride along with them on Saturday’s adventure.
On Friday, the ride headed east and south with a brief stop at the new Doty Trestle Bridge, some playtime at the Thunder bowl just south of Stuben, a lunch stop at the Jack Pine Tavern, and some extensive backroads exploring before returning to their campsites. Then on Saturday morning, eleven side-by-sides and four ATV’s lined up for the second day of off-road adventures. The run began with a trail stop on the Manistique to Marquette grade near Scott Falls then on over to the scenic overlook at the Au Train dunes for some great photo-ops, then on eastward for an extended stop at Lakenenland which seems to get bigger each time we visit there.
Back on the trails, we took some forest roads and two-tracks into the Village of Chatham where we had a planned lunch stop and some time to discuss the day’s activities. Although the
The work for the season is not over, preventa- weather forecast was tive maintenance has to somewhat threatening, be done on all the equip- the rain held off throughment and stored under out the entire ride and cover for the next few just began to sprinkle months, resting, waiting for the upcoming season. The equipment is the p as we returned to the campground. Plans for the evening would include a bonfire and a pinata for the kids, and easy part, but the people hopefully remain dry for need to have that one just a bit longer. weekend each year Sunday morning is when all of our volun- always bittersweet when teers and groomers get campers began folding together at a local estab- up awnings and preparlishment. They let off a little steam and have a fine evening of food and drink and fellowship. The West Shore Snowing to head in different directions for their trip home, but with lots of memories of this year’s campout and ORV Rides, and plans to repeat the mobile council has been experience next summer, having a Spring fling dates and location yet to dance every year for as be determined, but one long as I can remember. thing is for sure, wherThis year was no differ- ever it will be, it will be ent, the only difference this year was the venue, the Spring fling for 2019 would be held at the Veta fun filled and exciting event. Until then, stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors. • erans of Foreign wars post on Colby street in Whitehall.
The evening began or being broke down or perhaps having a fine time out on a snowmobiling adventure, either on our trails on the West shore or on trails elsewhere in our great state of Michigan. The ring leader, Brian Vanett kicked off the evening along with Oscar Reed by recognizing the trail captains from the different areas in our system. Then on to a wonderful dinner including the salad along with a steak and baked potato, and served right to your table. Snowmobilers from all over the area as well as other parts of our state ventured to Whitehall that evening to partake of this wonderful event. Brian made a point to bring up the fact that many volunteers do many different things. Some volunteers do great things for the clubs by obtaining the materials that they need to repair bridges or perhaps put in a drainage ditch. Or one of many other tasks that need to happen in order to keep our snowmobile trails even though hes not able to ride anymore himself. Whitehall and Montague are towns that support snowmobiling as well as businesses and contractors that donate their time and materials. As in many cases the efforts of their employees in making sure that our trails are maintained as well as kept safe and safely marked throughout our trail system. Our dining group was well impressed with how the tables were set up as the double tables with chairs all the way around them aloud for communication without being limited to just talking to a couple of people. Our group included Randy Smith, Jamie Bishop as well as Dan and Robin Taylor and Phil and Cheryl Alvesteffer. And of course our favorite girl Carla Buchan out on an evening dinner with us, since Tom was gone trout fishing. It was truly a great evening of food and drink along with some great fellowship with family and friends. These are the people from the many clubs that form the West Shore Snowmobile Council, and it is because of them
By Andy Twork Trail Boss Brian Vanette awards Randy Ackerberg a kind of a "Snowmobiler of the year You know when the snow begins to melt and the green grass starts to award" for his efforts in the council this past year be a nuisance to the point where you need to cut it every week, the snowmobiling season is Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana county has a trail system that they over. can truly be proud of.
The work for the season is not over, preventative maintenance has to be done on all the equipment and stored under cover for the next few months, resting, waiting for the upcoming season.
The equipment is the easy part, but the people need to have that one weekend each year when all of our volunteers and groomers get VISIT IRONS AREA THIS WINTER!!! together at a local establishment. They let off a little steam and have a IRONS AREA TOURIST fine evening of food and drink and fellowship. The West Shore SnowASSOCIATION mobile council has been “HOME OF THE ANNUAL FLEA ROAST & OX MARKET” having a Spring fling dance every year for as long as I can remember. This year was no differBlessing of the Sleds @ Skinner Park - Irons, MI Jan. 4, 2020 ent, the only difference this year was the venue, the Spring fling for 2019 Snow out date Jan. 18, 2020 For trail conditions or up coming would be held at the Vet- events visit our web erans of Foreign wars post on Colby street in @ironsarea.com Whitehall.
The evening began with a period of fellowship time for stories and laughs from the previous season. Whether it be getting a groomer stuck or being broke down or perhaps having a fine time out on a snowmobiling adventure, either on our trails on the West shore or on trails elsewhere in our great state of Michigan. The ring leader, Brian Vanett kicked off the evening along with Oscar Reed by recognizing the trail captains from the different areas in our system. Then on to a wonderful dinner including the salad along with a steak and baked potato, and served right to your table. Snowmobilers from all over the area as well as other parts of our state ventured to Whitehall that evening to partake of this wonderful event. Brian made a point to bring up the fact that many volunteers do many different things. Some volunteers do great things for the clubs by obtaining the materials that they need to repair bridges or perhaps put in a drainage ditch. Or one of many other tasks that need to happen in order to keep our well as getting our trails put in, in a safe manner. Lead groomer driver Steve Bell was recognized for the tireless efforts that he exerts each and every year in his many hours of grooming. He is still enjoying our snowmobile trails even though hes not able to ride anymore himself. Whitehall and Montague are towns that support snowmobiling as well as businesses and contractors that donate their time and materials. As in many cases the efforts of their employees in making sure that our trails are maintained as well as kept safe and safely marked throughout our trail system. Our dining group was well impressed with how the tables were set up as the double tables with chairs all the way around them aloud for communication without being limited to just talking to a couple of people. Our group included Randy Smith, Jamie Bishop as well as Dan and Robin Taylor and Phil and Cheryl Alvesteffer. And of course our favorite girl Carla Buchan out on an evening dinner with us, since Tom was gone trout fishing. It was truly a great evening of food and drink along with some great fellowship with family and friends. These are the people from the many clubs that form the West Shore Snowmobile Council, and it is because of them
Westshore Spring Dinner Dance
Trail Boss Brian Vanette awards Randy AckerTOP: The group lined up at Au Train’s Lake Superior berg a kind of a "Snowmobiler of the year Overlook for a short break. BOTTOM: All lined up and award" for his efforts in the council this pastready to continue the adventure, next stop… Chatham. year Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana county has a trail system that they can truly be proud of. p VISIT IRONS AREA THIS WINTER!!! IRONS AREA TOURIST ASSOCIATION “HOME OF THE ANNUAL FLEA ROAST & OX MARKET” Blessing of the Sleds @ Skinner Park - Irons, MI Jan. 4, 2020 Snow out date Jan. 18, 2020 For trail conditions or up coming WHITE LAKE events visit our web @ironsarea.com
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