Directors

From the MnUSA Vice President Tired of the Heat

Tim Heinen

Hard to believe that just around the corner the weather will be changing to the cooler side. For me that is perfect, as I am a true Minnesotan who loves the cold. This summer has just been too hot and humid for me. I am looking forward to winter so I can relax. Relax you say? Yes, this summer has been just go, go, go, and soon I will be out there getting my section of trails ready.

Speaking of trails, the new Trespassing Law has gone into effect with higher fines and more incentive to enforce. Hopefully this will discourage people from riding off trails, protect the land for the property owners and keep the trails open. You see, trespassing is one of our biggest issues for losing trails. So spread the word that trespassing isn’t cool, and it will cost trespassers more.

I don’t know about your area, but here where I live, it keeps changing and it becomes more challenging to keep trails. Lots of road construction with more roundabouts and divided highways, more open land being lost to housing or industrial, and then we end up shifting trails again. Make sure you get out there and check your trail system to see if you have any changes happening. Check to see if land ownership has changed, because come November you don’t want to be caught with your pants down!

So, the big question is what do you do all summer with yourself? I for one, spent the first month going through each of my sleds with a fine-tooth comb and polishing them. Lots of polish. For the people that know me, they know what I am talking about. Next up was I have an old friend that started working on a boat that has an in-board engine. Well, that was 35 years ago and now he wants to finish it. So, I spent a lot of time overhauling the engine and lower unit, plus in-between all that, helping people work on their classic cars. I try to keep busy, but my mind keeps wandering back to snowmobile season and what changes we can make.

County fairs will be starting if they haven’t already. I need to go to a few of them and cut loose, but I just don’t like the feeling of being caged up to have an adult beverage. Kinda loses something. I like seeing all the displays that are set up, and looking at new equipment and machinery (aka snowmobiles) if there are any to see. I heard that production of new sleds is slowly ramping up. So, for those that “spring checked” a new sled, maybe you might see them before 2023. (Blame Putin). Still so much to see and do all summer.

More people are moving into your community, and they will be looking for a club to join. Now is the time to update your web page and Facebook page with the latest information about your club, where you meet, and what days you meet.

The State Fair will be here soon enough, the much-anticipated Hay Days in September, and of course the newly renovated Vikings season begins. Do I hear Superbowl? We’ll see, but first let’s get our 2022-23 season started. So, in the meantime, keep the lawn mowed, bushes trimmed, and finish up on the honey-do list. How boring. Maybe you can pull the cover off your sled, sit on it and pretend. You might even feel cooler.

CHIPPEWA NAT’L FOREST/LEECH LAKE

Great Rates for Snowmobilers!

218-547-1400 www.walkercountryinn.com

• Downtown Walker Bars &

Restaurants Nearby • Easy Access to Heartland

Trail System & Leech Lake • Clean, comfortable rooms and whirlpool suites