T3R3

A bit off topic but, Unemployment Insurance is funded by taxes paid by employers not the employees. "The federal-state unemployment insurance system (UI) helps many people who have lost their jobs by temporarily replacing part of their wages while they look for work. Created in 1935, it is a form of social insurance in which taxes collected from employers are paid into the system on behalf of working people to provide them with income support if they lose their jobs." "At the state level, there are two factors in calculating SUI tax: wage base and SUI tax rate. New employer rates generally range from 2-4%." "At the federal level, employers also must pay an unemployment tax, called the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)."

RR Thanks for sharing. I always like crossing the border on sleds.

Great start to the season. I can wait for my first ride.

Lile Gutz said use a riv nut. Harbor Freight has a kit. They are used all the time in aircraft.

Didn't you get the memo? Global warming has been changed to climate change. Better odds.

I watch hockey. Sometimes they sing two national anthems and everybody stands.

Terribly bad luck for the Caribbean. I can’t fathom the thought of having two back to back hurricanes. Hopefully they will be OK.

Toque Wearing Canada Goose. Think I'd rather be a hockey player !!!

A friend sent the following to me, "Half the presidents on Mt Rushmore were slave owners. When do we tear that down? Twelve presidents of the USA were slave owners. Should we stop celebrating president's day? How soon before we have to stop flying the American flag because it offends someone? Where does it end? The way I see that statue of General Lee is that it was part of American history and a reminder of how far we've come and a reminder of our past so as to never be repeated. No place in any of our rules and laws does it say, "You have the right not to be offended." All this political correctness is truly getting annoying. Maybe every time a native American sees another building go up on the land we stole, they get offended?" and I couldn't agree any more.

I'd normally stay right. Do you guys remember the groomer stuck on Lac Edward some time in the late 90’s? At that time I believe the 355 ran the lake.

Stayed at Lac Fallon a couple of weeks ago. It’s a great stop with excellent food, I had the Filet Mignon. Stephanie was tending their spacious bar. Just an awesome place. They helped our group solve a sled break down problem by loading the broken sled into a pickup truck and driving it to the dealer. But there is more. Being old and forgetful I left a Garmin In-Reach in my room. A day later I called Stephanie and she said she would ship it back to me. Oh and she didn’t want me to pay for the cost of shipping it. This is service above and beyond. You couldn’t ask for nicer hosts on a saddlebag trip and one of the reasons I love riding in Quebec. The In-Reach was in my mail box today.

PM sent.

+1 I've got the ultra high on my renegade as well. Pretty nice on the cold days.

Thank you for your efforts Bill. As requested I'll follow up with an email.

I’ve been riding in Quebec since ’95. There have been times when you’d be a fool not to have studs due to the ice in the corners. Any of you remember crossing the hydro dam heading back to St Zenon and trying to climb the hill on the way out when it was all ice? I like to play by the rules. Just how I was brought up I guess. So I don’t think the possibility of getting a ticket at any road crossing is going to make riding in Quebec as enjoyable as it used to be. Again that’s just me, others might enjoy it. And just because one officer lets you go doesn’t mean the next one will. They are all different my friends. I hope the powers to be step up and change this before we get all the good snow that’s coming.

I spring ordered a 2014 900Ace Renegade. It was my first “long” track. I ended up selling that to my brother and spring ordering the exact same sled for 2015. You will notice a little push, but it’s not bad. The 129 might be a great middle of the road length but I’m waiting to find out before I make a move. I don’t think either one will be a bad choice. I guess it all depends on the conditions of the day.

We stayed at LeQuet in February. It worked out well for our group and they had room for our sleds in the garage.

As I watch this I'm thinking to myself. What could possibly go wrong?

We crossed twice last week. Stopped at Hotel 55 for the night. Two hours before we wanted to cross we called the number Florida Snowman suggested i.e. 819 233-4414. There was a bit of a problem with the French – English conversation but with some help we made the arrangements. Two hours later they showed up at Hotel 55 with two ramp trucks and a van. Gordon, one of the drivers spoke very good English. We loaded up the sleds and drove ourselves across in the van following the ramp trucks. On the return, about an hour before our arrival at the pick up location, we called the same number. Again there was a bit of a problem with the French – English conversation but we gave them our phone number and Gordon called back. Arrangements were made to meet in an hour on the trail where we were dropped off. We got to the spot a few minutes early and a few minutes later the trucks showed up.

I tested some gear last week in Quebec in the cold weather they were having. On the coldest days I wore a thin compression poly/spandex bottom and Cabela’s E.C.W.C.S. Polartec polar weight bottoms over them. On top of that I had a Klim mid layer and bibs. I was imprested enough with the Cabela’s polar weight I ordered the matching top. With a couple different base weight layers in my pack I can adjust for the varying temperatures as needed. A lot of the poly/spandex stuff fits to tight for me so I end up with larger sizes than I normally would. If you want to mix and match you need to try the different combinations out ahead of time to see if the layers will fit over each other . Oh yes on my ride I have the Ultra High windshield and cold guards for my hands and had the cowl vents duck taped closed and....... Another opinion.

Very Nice Thanks, for sharing. We are planning on leaving Maine on Wednesday for 5 days.

Sounds like a memorable ride. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

Thank you gentlemen, I will plan accordingly.

This year I joined the GPS crowed. After missing a turn last year I thought it was time to let technology help an aging mind remember the trails. I went with the biggest GPS I could stick on the Skidoo glove box extension because I wanted to be able to see it while riding. A agree with smclelan it’s great for seeing those hair pin turns before you hit them. Now I wouldn’t ride without one.

Does anybody know if the connector trail from TQ63 to TQ33 near LaGlaciere is currently open? Some maps show it others don't. We will be passing though that area next week and I'm trying to plan a route. Thanks