Aspire

Scott Wakefield

When I think of all the challenges we’ve had this year as snowmobilers and clubs, I think about how to aspire to improve on what we can do to make our sport better. Aspire: a verb, to have in mind as a purpose or a goal with the chance of doing good deeds. We sure can aspire to not have any snowmobile related fatalities or accidents in a bountiful snow year. We need to aspire to do that, because as you know, it is often not the case.

We can also aspire to have all our trails 100% ready for riders on December 1 every year and after the first adequate snowfall to ride and groom. We need to aspire to do that, as we know with the great storm of “mashed potatoes,“ as I like to call it, that hit Minnesota had devastating effects on our club’s trails, finances and resolve. But we shall endure and survive and work through this. It’s what we do.

First off, our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones so early, way too early in life. We are a safety-minded organization and will continue to educate riders to obey speed limits, drive on groomed trails, refrain from any use of alcohol and drugs while driving and aspire to be a safe and responsible snowmobiler.

We need to thank the volunteer club members who worked tirelessly to get the trails open as best can be in some cases, and now have pretty much completed the task and are close to having 100% open trails. Mother Nature wasn’t any help, as the ground is not frozen in lots of places, including small creeks, steams, swamps and rivers. I can attest to that since I have buried my four-wheel-drive tractor twice—once in the feed lot and once in my front yard. I needed a tow from a tow truck at darn near midnight. Nobody was happy about that, including the tow truck operator, and he was getting paid.

We can aspire to have adequate snowfall throughout every corner of the state. From what I’ve heard and pictures I’ve received and seen, I think we can say we have that. So, positives are going on too.

We would love to have you participate in our State Snowmobile Convention called Rendezvous, the second weekend in February (see more information in this issue).

We are a snowmobiling organization, it’s time to ride! Do it safely, do it often and patronize those who support us. Educate those who need to be educated. Promote our sport as a safe and fun event—one the whole family can enjoy. We are in our element. Seize the moment to aspire!