Rays Retreat Ramblings

Where oh where is winter?

Record high 46 today! Sunshine.

When we left at 10 am over to TC, the trail along Mancelona Road was beautiful. Groomed and so smooth. The trees were covered with frost. 20 Degrees. Mike was trying to convince me we should go back and get our snowmobiles out instead a visit to TC with my Mom. I gave it some thought… but; it’d been a few weeks since I had made the trip.

By the time we reached Traverse (TC) City the sun was out. When I got out of the car to go in we took our coats and threw them in the trunk.

The drive home was sad because we could see too much dirt, melting everywhere. So glad we made a point of getting out and riding Sun and Mon.

And now, the late Weekend Wrap Up for the Last Weekend in January.

One of the advantages of staying at a small ‘mom and pop’ motel is the personal care and attention you receive from the owners, not staff or young kids who don’t care whether you are happy or not. Because this is our business, our reputation and our livlihood we definitely care and will do our best to help you with any problems.

We had a couple come in Friday night to stay for the weekend. Their sleds were down between Waters and Frederick and they needed a ride down to pick them up. I don’t think Holiday Inn would have provided that service. Mike did.

A gentleman forgot his snowmobile coat. Mike gave him his to use for his ride.

Several sleds broke down Saturday. Mike opened the garage and made it available several different times.

Most people were very appreciative and we were glad to help them. There’s always one that apparently never learned the basic rules of gratitude and etiquette.

Sunday morning as we were cleaning rooms. Mike was right in the middle of  completely tearing the vaccuum apart when a guy walks in and says he needs some help. He is stuck out front. Mike asks him ‘how did that happen? Its daylight and you shouldn’t be drunk’… the guy then says’ well I guess I’m just a dum Canadian’. Mike then says ‘well I am rather busy right now but I’ll be out in a minute’

When Mike got out there the dum Canadian had already walked over and got our neighbor to bring his truck out and attempt to pull hiim out.

See how he’s parallel with the road? He said he thought he was turning onto a road? .. He was heading south, on a road that was NOT snow covered, plowed, pavement colored and you drive into a yard with snow and think it’s a road?!

He was really in there… he broke the neighbors jerk strap, and another guy had a heavy duty one so they started again. Mike and another fella was directing traffic and having them stop when they were attempting to pull out.

He really tore the front yard up. When they finally got him out he just zoomed down the road. Not a thank you, a hand wave, a I’ll replace that jerk strap, let me know what the damage is…. NOTHING. And everyone was left shaking their heads.

Friday night…. a guy came in and says he’s stuck. He had pulled into the front plowed area, driving his truck in and trailer behind. Unhooked trailer and then thought he could just drive straight out to the road. Again, NOT a good idea because the whole front yard is not plowed Folks.

This poor fella is lucky he’s standing up and walking. I will bet he was really hurting this morning though. They arrived Sunday and had a great ride that afternoon. Monday they headed out again .. and said it was such great riding. Snowing all day. They were riding along 131 where it was all white… white road, white trail, white fields, making it difficult to see the exact trail. He was riding along about 50 mph when he suddenly hit an embankment and was airborne. He said as he was flying thru the air, he could see the pieces of his sled go flying by!

Well I am going to unpack a box of my spring clothes. .. crazy weather!!!!

 

Beautiful

What makes you happy after a day at work? Yup, beautiful trails and being able to get out and ride. Two days in a row.

We headed out shortly after 4 so we knew we would be running out of daylight before we arrived back home.

This is my trail report.

 

So Happy! We got out for a second day in a row (!) and enjoyed a great 56 mile ride. It snowed most of the day giving us at least 3 inches of fresh snow. It was a BEAUTIFUL ride! It was so much more fun that last night's ride. There weren't as many icy corners to slide around or hills to slide on the ice which made it more fun. More smooth straightaways, and just fun riding.
We headed north on Trail 7 crossing (at Extreme Sports) Old 27 and following the trail along the powerlines. This part had some ripples in it, but easy to skim over the top. It was smooth sailing for the rest of the trail. We did the south loop, and then the north loop (404). 404 is one of my favorite trails. Its less traveled so stays in good condition normally. It has hills, open spaces, beautiful snow covered fir trees. Easy fun ride with just a touch of thrill.
When we were heading back to the motel, south on 7 we were on freshly groomed trail. We were the first tracks - Sweet.

Keep Your Red Solo Cup

Trail 4 Thru the Woods. Smoooooth

Mike got his springs changed on his sled! Regardless of how tired we felt we were both determined to get out for a ride. We finished cleaning about 2:00 p.m. We were tired. The couch did look very inviting. The dogs wanted us to stay home and nap with them.

There are so many things that determine what your snowmobile ride will be like. Factors that vary from person to person. Sled to sled, and trail to trail.

Last time we rode I thought it was a great ride. Mike thought it was bumpy – because his springs were broke and it was a rough ride for him.

Today when we headed out I was already hurting. It really doesn’t take much for these old bones to ache these days. I should have taken a little something before we left, but I didn’t.

Mike quickly overtook me and was zipping way ahead of me. I felt every little bump and it hurt! I was thinking… “ good grief it’s a good thing we’re not going that far tonight.”

There was a good mix of smooth riding, and rough areas. Gaylord has been grooming every day and its appreciated.

 

A lot of icy areas. The base is all ice. Extreme caution is needed, especially in the corners. I don’t like manuevering on ice whether its in a car, snowmobile or feet!

The roller coaster hills along Mancelona Road were very icy too. Those hills have never intimidated me, but they did today. Heading west wasn’t too bad, but when we came back over my sled slid on the ice and I thought I was going down or over, but kept my hand steady on the throttle and made it up… did not like it! Really gave me a scare.

There was a sled that had rolled and was laying there… the police and ambulance were there to assist them.

We rode to The Settings and enjoyed a pizza. Apparently it was The Place to ride.  While inside I was digging around in my bibs looking for a comb and found ibuprofen!!! Enjoyed it with my pizza. By the time we headed back out on the trail the ibuprofen had kicked in. What a difference that made. The trail improved 75%! The ride was so much fun going home.

 

This time I passed him and lead all the way home and loved it!

Toby Keith you can have your Red Solo Cup! Give me Mrs. Ibuprofen for a good time.

Well it was an interesting weekend and I’ll share it with you tomorrow.

PICKING

What a day

It was hard to say goodbye to Dave and Becky today. Another great Ohio couple who are a lot of fun.

Wish you could have been here Tuesday morning. Or Mike would have thought to grab the camera. I am a hunting dog! I caught my first squirrel. It was quite exciting – just ask Gizzy. Oh she wanted a piece of that squirrel.

Both Gizzy and I had been sitting on the couch watching a few squirrels climbing on the bird feeder post, just outside the dining room. Mike opened the door and Zoooom! I was right there. One squirrel had leaped when the door open, but not Mr. Sassy Pants. He sat up there on the post chattering at me, taunting me. Gizzy was calling him nasty names right back, but I sat there just watching… and finally I said ‘HEY Big Mouth You think you’re so darn smart and quick, take a leap!” and then I double dared him!

He took a leap, landing in the 6 inches of newly fallen heavy snow. And I had him! Yup, right in between my jaws. I shook him to the left, I shook him to the right! .. I shook him around in circles. He thought he was on the scarriest ride at the circus.

Gizzy was going crazy…. ‘Let me have him. Let me have a bite’.   …

Mike was yelling at me… ‘Sparky drop… Sparky let him go. He’s going to scratch you. He could bite you. Sparky…..”

It was hard to do but I let loose. That squirrel was gone in a flash as I yelled after him ‘ Don’t come back.Next time…!!! Next time, I won’t let loose’.

ahhhh… what a day.

Sparky T. Ray………………………..

Day 56 2011/2012 Snow Season

The trail this afternoon. The areas that were only half frozen yesterday are completely frozen now. The trail was groomed last night and is smooth. All the way into Gaylord.

Riders have been enjoying the ride thru Lakes of the North, Starvation Lake, Blue Bear. One group attempted to go to East Jordan, but ran out of snow when they got over to their trail.

Its looking like there is snow in the forecast so looking promising.

Lavatory Retriever

Week End Wrap Up .. JAN 22, 2012

Another busy weekend, and lots of good riding for our guests. This has been the best snow (of this season). There were lots of riders out taking advantage of the good conditions.

There’s always something each weekend that gives you an anxiety attack or a chance to laugh. Last weekend it was anxiety – when I double booked a room. When I realized it I called the phone number they had given me – which must have been a home phone because there was no answer. That didn’t stop me from leaving three crazed messages. I was a very nerved up waiting for them to walk in. About 8 pm Room 4 came up to the desk to inform us they were heading home early due to their sled breaking down. They had no sooner tossed the key on the desk, and the door shut as they walked to their truck and Mike and I were grabbing the cleaning bucket, sheets/towels and the vaccuum. We had that room turned over in record time. Settled in much more relaxed. About half hour later I answered the phone. It was from the gentlemen I had left the crazed messages. They had broke down and would not be able to make it in. Unbelieveable! …

In my defense it gets really crazy around here with the phone ringing, people making reservations, cancelling reservations, changing the room they wanted, sled rentals. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again. It wasn’t worth the few hours of tension it gave me.

This weekend gave us a good laugh. We had the Early Morning Show of Bob and Bob in with us. But this morning they were late reporting to the kitchen. When the phone rang at 7 am I thought it was probably my work calling but it was ‘a Bob’. They couldn’t get out of their room.They were in ‘lock down’. They can be trouble makers.

The dead bolt had been used and now it would not open. We threw out the two boxes of miscellaneous keys that were left here hoping to see a room3 dead bolt key, but no such luck. The bathroom window had to be opened, screen taken out and screw driver passed in for them to break out.

A lot of food went out of our kitchens this weekend. Could have easily been a record of plates served. Having Bob’s with us, and Dan sure makes kitchen wor go much easier and more fun.

Can’t forget Merrill who was here for the first time in a very long time. Sparky was especially happy to see him. He tried to go back to bed with him this morning.

Appreciate the help of all four of them. And thanks Dan! for calling to let us know you hadn’t turned the heat down in your room – although when I went down there it was down to 60. Just must be such a habit you can’t remember it.

We had some great guests this weekend. Its what makes this fun and interesting (or a pain in the … you know what!). We hope we’ll be seeing everyone return at least one more time this year. There’s always more trails to explore.

We are watching the weather closely now and just hoping that we get snow, snow, snow (and not rain).

 

Saturday

It’s another busy weekend here at Ray’s. Mike and I are loving it. Nothing better than the sound of sleds and people coming and going.

Ann went with Gizzy and I for a tromp thru the woods and snow. There’s enough snow to wear Gizzy out and we climbed thru some drifts that I had to work huff and puff a bit to climb.

What a nice surprise to see Merrill. He’s one of my favorite fellas.Dan’s here along with the Bob’s. The dining room was hopping this morning. Lots of pancakes flipped. Wow, there were a lot of plates going and coming. I tried to help with the cleanup, but my help wasn’t appreciated.

That’s okay…

Your Pal………………………Sparky T. Ray

 

A Good Beating