snowmaster2112

Just freaking awesome for what is going on this year. Dragon & crew you guys got the BEST of the BEST for what the Abitibi had to offer this year. You guys picked the right week. No regrets driving all the way from Pa.
Who the fu&K woulda ever thunk you couldn’t squeak out a first week of March trip in the Abitibi ever ???
i gambled and waited too long to get another trip in.  Going to throw the towel in with recent forecast (and we were going to drive north into Abitibi) as a “red wave” is going to engulf the motherland late next week. (On already sparse conditions in most areas)
Saddest fucken season I have ever seen in my years 
God speed to all who are rounding out their trip and those who will still venture on………..

My guess is Ice & Mrs Ice are going to end up at Pouviere La Dore and that area
probably a swing and a miss but we’ll find out soon 

Day 2 Saturday 
 
Noticeably warmer this morning after a cold night. We headed out after breakfast in no hurry to go no particular place. We decided to follow the groomer for a bit. So from here down the TQ93 then to the 373 all of it mint. Groomer has broken up the majority of the ice and yes still some icy spots and the usual south and west facing full sun areas starting to melt through. This is end of March conditions on the 2 of March. That is this season. 
 
373 across to TQ93 then down to orange trail through Site d’ours and over across river to Relais Buttes. Spent time talking with Gaetan there. Did you all know that the Relais closes all off season. It opens December 1 and he does Christmas parties for businesses then that carries him through until trails open. Then when trails are done so is the Relais. Interesting. Mrs Ice had the tomato and stars soup and she loved it. 
 
2 other sleds here. So far we have seen about 15 sleds all morning. We say goodbye to Gaetan sadly I won’t be back this way (not in the plan) as it’s noticeable the difference just a little bit further south here. I am bailing back north. The good stuff is shrinking must stay north. Not un rideable at all, just not what we are looking for. 
 
Up 373 to TQ93 took the gas just to take it at La Dore’. We did not know it until Mrs Ice saw on FB we crossed paths with The Snow Traveler from FB as our radio conversations were intermingled with the open mesh. Wish i knew I would have loved to meet them. Maybe another time. 
 
Debated on next move but ran back on TQ 93 then over the famous bridge from last weeks run (Mark and Phil sr love this crossing) lol. Complete the loop passing orange trail again and its TQ93 to the river lookout. Had to take the paddle boarder to see this river. Nice break here coats off its warm but there is a cool breeze. 
 
Back up to the TQ93 and still great trails all good softening up now and real nice. Run to Lac a Jim here a late lunch. Took time to ask about summer and paddle boarding Lac jim is 10km so small by my Mrs paddle board standards. Few other sleds here but been pretty tame for a Saturday. 
 
Straight shot back to Home sweet home Girardville. All alone again private accommodations. 
 
Great relaxing day. We aint here to set no records. Going to take time to look around and see. 
 
Plenty of time for the mrs to take lots of pictures so enjoy them.
 
Tomorrow we go on an adventure. 
 
Stay Tuned. 

AWESOME write up and trip Fuse6. !!!!!
 
that stick jammed up in the running board wins the ingenuity of the year award. BRAVO !!!!!

I was fortunate enough to pass by , patronize and base out of Real Masse oodles of times over the years. Had to go right through the place from Mon ami”s parents in St Jean de Matha to camp every time over the last 20+ years 
great place, great family and a GREAT man
RIP Real

I don’t know why………
but as soon as I read this the Van Halen tune “Dancing in the Streets “ started rolling through my head
no shit….. I have no idea why now I can’t stop humming it
have a BLAST 

I was fortunate enough to pass by , patronize and base out of Real Masse oodles of times over the years. Had to go right through the place from Mon ami”s parents in St Jean de Matha to camp every time over the last 20+ years 
great place, great family and a GREAT man
RIP Real

Ouch 
250 miles and almost 5 hr drive
if they get off for less than 1K Canadian I’d say they did ok

I was fortunate enough to pass by , patronize and base out of Real Masse oodles of times over the years. Had to go right through the place from Mon ami”s parents in St Jean de Matha to camp every time over the last 20+ years 
great place, great family and a GREAT man
RIP Real

JACKPOT 
eat the last of it guys !!!!!!!
 
damn , wish I was there
one of the FEW places in Quebec with some ice still in the parking lot LOL LOL

Sad news
he was one tough SOB and a good person 
RIP Real

I don’t know why………
but as soon as I read this the Van Halen tune “Dancing in the Streets “ started rolling through my head
no shit….. I have no idea why now I can’t stop humming it
have a BLAST 

My guess is Ice & Mrs Ice are going to end up at Pouviere La Dore and that area
probably a swing and a miss but we’ll find out soon 

Thoughts & prayers to you both 
looking forward to you surpassing all of us

LOL….to be fair I had (for the first time ever and even not now) the entire winter off that year. 
just seems harder and harder as you get older and fighting the weather and the economy to get seasons in like we used to. 
I hope to make it to full retirement someday and have enough Ching left to ride at least half the winter days. I’ll be able to beat Mother Nature then LOL  
my buddy sent me some pics today from some French Facebook I think page. Outside of Parent/Clova somewhere 
WARNING GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING CONTENT   !!!!!!!!!!
 

My guess is Ice & Mrs Ice are going to end up at Pouviere La Dore and that area
probably a swing and a miss but we’ll find out soon 

My guess is Ice & Mrs Ice are going to end up at Pouviere La Dore and that area
probably a swing and a miss but we’ll find out soon 

LOL….to be fair I had (for the first time ever and even not now) the entire winter off that year. 
just seems harder and harder as you get older and fighting the weather and the economy to get seasons in like we used to. 
I hope to make it to full retirement someday and have enough Ching left to ride at least half the winter days. I’ll be able to beat Mother Nature then LOL  
my buddy sent me some pics today from some French Facebook I think page. Outside of Parent/Clova somewhere 
WARNING GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING CONTENT   !!!!!!!!!!
 

AWESOME write up and trip Fuse6. !!!!!
 
that stick jammed up in the running board wins the ingenuity of the year award. BRAVO !!!!!

AWESOME write up and trip Fuse6. !!!!!
 
that stick jammed up in the running board wins the ingenuity of the year award. BRAVO !!!!!

AWESOME write up and trip Fuse6. !!!!!
 
that stick jammed up in the running board wins the ingenuity of the year award. BRAVO !!!!!

AWESOME write up and trip Fuse6. !!!!!
 
that stick jammed up in the running board wins the ingenuity of the year award. BRAVO !!!!!

LOL….to be fair I had (for the first time ever and even not now) the entire winter off that year. 
just seems harder and harder as you get older and fighting the weather and the economy to get seasons in like we used to. 
I hope to make it to full retirement someday and have enough Ching left to ride at least half the winter days. I’ll be able to beat Mother Nature then LOL  
my buddy sent me some pics today from some French Facebook I think page. Outside of Parent/Clova somewhere 
WARNING GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING CONTENT   !!!!!!!!!!
 

LOL….to be fair I had (for the first time ever and even not now) the entire winter off that year. 
just seems harder and harder as you get older and fighting the weather and the economy to get seasons in like we used to. 
I hope to make it to full retirement someday and have enough Ching left to ride at least half the winter days. I’ll be able to beat Mother Nature then LOL  
my buddy sent me some pics today from some French Facebook I think page. Outside of Parent/Clova somewhere 
WARNING GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING CONTENT   !!!!!!!!!!
 

You came late and went early
thankful for our 8 day rip and was sure to get one more in
not so
congrats to everyone who squeezed in some decent rides here and there
Lowest number miles. >1400 in the last 30 years
had fun though and looking forward to next year