Glenngo

Thanks Daredog! We get used to the skidoo, I was knowing from the beginning that the Yammy+Expert-X Boivin rear skid combo would be hard to replace and it is the case. I enjoy the 900ace touring until I encounter a rough trail section...not that the skidoo is not good and I improved it with 3 Elka shocks but the Expert-X was at the next level... The skidoo shine as for fuel usage/increase mileage range and the heated seat is a great addition that Kristine and me are both enjoying more than expected when it's very cold.
I left you a small musical clip put together from this last ride image
 

12-13 January
-2c snow snow
started around noon yesterday kicked in heavy overnight 
About 8” so far
 

The Apathy Factor
By: Bill O'ReillyJanuary 8, 2023
We all know people who don't know much about history or anything else for that matter. And don't care to know. If they cared, they would google—the easiest way to get information on the planet.
Because so many folks are apathetic about the world around them, they make bad decisions. Two things drive faulty outcomes: emotion and stupidity.
If you don't know anything, you are stupid. However, emotion can cripple even the most astute person.
President Biden is a historically bad Chief Executive rivaled only by the incredibly incompetent, apathetic James Buchanan and the hapless, apathetic Herbert Hoover - who thought the Great Depression was an apparition or something.
Fellow traveler Joe Biden is many things in his senior life, few of them good. But his apathy is beyond comprehension.
A record amount of drugs are being smuggled across the Mexican border. Hundreds of thousands dead because of it. Heard anything from Joe about that?
Millions of poor migrants have been abused by Mexican cartels in terrible ways as they try to get to open-border America. Does Biden care? No evidence that he does.
The financial burden on working Americans has increased tenfold since Joe took office. Higher prices for almost everything, "real wages" down about four percent - a seven-point swing for the worse since Trump's last year in office.
The airlines have fallen apart on Biden's watch. Millions of passengers have suffered. Has Joe addressed it? No, he has not.
In fact, I don't know of one problem that President Biden has dealt with in an effective way. Not one.
That leads me to believe that Joe is largely apathetic about the state of the union. He pretty much does what his far-left masters tell him to do and then takes a nap. His daily schedule, released to the public, shows plenty of nothing. I post it every night on the No Spin News.
Back in the late 1850s, radical separatists in the south routinely defied the federal government in Washington, stealing weapons, ignoring taxes, even attacking federal workers. President Buchanan did nothing. Apathetic and lazy, Buchanan sat in the Executive Mansion while the Civil War fuse was lighted and pretty much ignored it.
For that, James Buchanan will always be the worst President of all time. The WOAT, if you will.
Joe B. has much in common with Jim B. and the biggest shared trait is apathy.
Sadly, many Americans, including much of the media, are in that camp as well.
Apathy often leads to calamity. We are surely seeing that in the USA right now.
Somebody tell the President.

I have heard Bill is doing great and loves wintering in northern Maine.  Also heard he has made many friends there. Shorter rides nowadays, but still goes out often.
 

In Matane stay at the Quality Inn ,way better to sled to then Riotel .Great food and breakfast is included.Gas and dealers right down the trail from Motel.

I’ll have ski’s on the ground in St Zenon at 1pm Monday 
will report the good, the bad, and the ugly

It was along time ago.  How the story went was I had moved to north Carolina and left my snowmobile with him years before.  Well by then he had bought a few new sleds and was going to Quebec with his friends a few times a year.  Out of blue he calls on Monday and says dad jump on a plane on Thursday and we'll go to Quebec on Friday morning.  Started in Mont Lauria and rode to Clova. Rode west and had lunch and back to clova. Headed back to the truck and that's when the fun started.  He blew his sled up and I towed him to Rabaska where we met you. It gets better.  I went home to north Carolina and he calls and says dad I seen on craigslist a 800 adrenaline for sale for 5000 and he told the guy my dad will buy it. Of course I did. Now his brother who was in North Carolina with me says you buying a sled without me.  He calls a dealer he knew up here and he bought one too . That was in 2006 and we have been riding ever since.  We ride over 2000 miles plus every year and looking forward to riding for many years more. Great memories. 

Skidoo Handlebar Gaunlets and Klim gloves, keep bar heater on low and in most cases all is good.
Allows for Dexterity and easy on and off the sled, and giving the finger is much easier.... I mean using the fingers to denote the sleds behind me is easier.
Like these:
https://www.klim.com/Inversion-Glove-3161-003?quantity=1&color=1172
GutZ
 

I agree…with the muffs

Well deserved recognition for Bill!
https://www.ishof.com/award_edgarhetteen.html

Try this
 

Things you never see in the states
 

Two BIG thumbs up Wes. 
Got this an hour or so from a friend of a friend on the Gaspe today. 

I just returned from 3 days of riding in Maine and we got even closer to the border, actually riding northbound while in New Brunswick. 

I just returned from 3 days of riding in Maine and we got even closer to the border, actually riding northbound while in New Brunswick. 

I probably have well over 1000 snowmobile photos and less than a dozen are true "keepers", almost professional looking. I have had to work hard at it over the years and still nowhere as good as say Towing is. 
I found this today over on HCS Quebec website today. Some guy who lives in "western Quebec" took this (or his friends did) this past week in the Chic-Chocs.
It has my vote for best snowmobile pic EVER SNAPPED. Does it have your vote too?  
Feel free to post what ya got on here (good, bad, ugly) and we will try and keep it going.
If that was me in that pic I would have it made on an 8x10 ft piece of wallpaper to put in my bedroom no matter the cost.

With the deep cold we had think it would be a good idea to go feeding the Black Mountain's grayJays



This short ride path was perfect for a very cold day riding. We left the trailer at the Petro-T in Notre-Dame de la Merci village and went north toward St-Donat
It was still at -25C when we left at 10:30 AM. The trail pass directly on Ouareau lake and was mint




We then took #33 trail west that was perfect



and then the #317 as good. Directions are marked at junction for Black Mountain so it is easy to find.



A bit farther the local trail to the right bring us toward the summit. The rising began... 





Just before the summit we took the short dead end summit trail to the right


And got at the summit around 11:15 am. A strong wind insure us to not have any mosquitos or black flies around! 

Even with the deep cold, we ate up there and pass near 2 relax hours at talking with other sledders and playing with the gray jays. Those last ones were a bit shy at first but got quickly more friendly. We also had the visit of a Blue Jay (first time there) but it was way more timid and stayed farther. We failed the catch a quality pic but this blue bird was outstanding to watch flying between those pure white trees.



I put together a short video of footage took at the summit. Those who watch till the end will see that the birds were not shy at all after getting used to us.
 
We then got down the mountain...





And took the #33 trail around Archambault lake. There is woodcutting operation in this area, this is also why the Mont Cenelle summit trail is actually closed. It is riding well but we follow and cross a forest road many times. Although 3 young peoples in a SUV that had decided to explore this forest road learned the hard way how important it is to keep on the road and not the trail... 



the small truck was solid stuck with the side pressed on trees. When we arrived they were just been told no towing company would get there because it was not a public road... We helped them in giving them the information for contacting St-Donat snowmobile club and secure the trail with red flag before the curve to mark the danger zone. They were not dress to walk miles in that weather but some of their friends were about to arrive with an other car to retrieved them when we left.
We then continue on the #33 that was nice

The #33 section between Coin Lavigne and St-Donat village was a bit worn but very acceptable. There was some toc tocs in the skis from time to time so the new snow on the way for tomorrow will be perfect to improve the conditions. The #310 toward NDM was also nice 




We had been back at the trailer around 15:30 PM with a small 70 funny miles on the dream meter, perfect ride for the weather we had

Everybody here is waiting the tomorrow snow storm that should spread a good snow layer in a big part of the Quebec. We expect it will open up the whole trail network for our area and many other around in the very next days... 
let's get burry under snow!

Marineau

Add a Ski Kit????
GutZ

Wake up Sandi.  It's later than we usually sleep.  We are on vacation Jack.  Remember, vacation.  A time to relax.  Oh yea.
A little breakfast.  Get the machines out of the garage.  How do I get dressed?  Which layer goes on next?  Oh, two years is such a long time.  Maybe I should put numbers on my clothes so I know which one goes on next.
OK.  We are good to go.  We are dressed and the gear is on the snowmobiles.  We head out of the parking lot.  The spur from the Sag is not groomed yet.  Other sleds have gone in and out from here.  Following the sled tracks but some are dead ends at a gulley.  We make our way thru the parking lots and the edge of the woods to the Ultramar station.  Both sleds are empty.  We fill up both sleds and the caddy.  $124 Canadian.  A Frenchman walks up to me and speaks in French, of course.  I don't know what he is saying but with a little sign language and some guessing, he is going to be our caboose.
From the Ultramar out to trail 83 is fine.  Ahh, the groomer has made a pass on 83.  We turn right and we are on our way.  To where?  I don't know.  We are just going to poke along today.
Some grass in the corners and some rocks here and there.  Early riding is better than no riding.  A few changes in trail 83.  Its easy enough to follow.  We get to the "T" where 83 goes left to Jonquiere and right is 367 to the two dams.  The front desk said trail 367 may not be open but it looks like the groomer has made a pass.  A couple that we see at the Sag every Christmas trip is stopped at the intersection.  I point towards 367.  They turn right and now there are five us in our group.
This is pretty good.   A little ways before we get to the aluminum bridge, there is a "T".  Left is marked to Jonquiere and right is marked to Shipshaw.  This is before the old junction that was at the top of the hill where the trail crosses the road to the aluminum bridge.  Lets go right and about 2 km later we drop down into the little parking lot at the aluminum bridge.  This is on the opposite side of the road that we used to come down.
This is a nice change.  It eliminates that bumpy rock climbing section.  Off we go.  Good trail.  The groomer has made a pass between the bridges.  We turn right on 134.   A little beat up here.  At the water tower. the trail still turns right away from pickle park.  There is more snow on this side of the river.  Good riding.  The fast stretches before St Honore are just as fine as ever.  We stop at the gas station in St Honore and the ladies take a break.
Back on the sleds and off to the airport.  All really good riding for December.  We get to the big junction of 83 and 328 at the base of the mountain.  We are not going to make this a big day so we turn left on 328.  The trail is still pretty good.  Thru St David and up to the junction with 134.  Turn left here.  I really like this section of trail.  Nice and flat, pretty straight and not much traffic.  It is a good place to let the horses run.
The cold air, the snow dust in the air and the smell of gasoline.  What could be better!  The five of us just cruisin' along.  At the junction with 93 and 134 in the field with the big power lines above, a check point is set up.  They have ten sleds already pulled over and it looks like they are checking everything.  We slow down but the security is busy with what they already have.  Security doesn't even look at us.  We slow down and look around.  Nobody is asking us to stop so we carefully go around and continue on our way.  All of us have our trail passes.
Back to the two bridges and the trail gets a little rougher.  A few more miles and we are at the Ultramar in Chicoutimi tanking up.
Not a huge day but it sure did feel good to be back on the sleds.
I haven't looked at the groomer site yet or even watched the weather.  I have to get back into all this other stuff.
Time for supper and some rest.  Boy is it good to be back in Quebec! 🤗
Jack & Sandi

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada
10 days before your trip book your Covid test, (or as soon as you can book it for 72 hours in advance).  In VT you can only book 7 days in advance of when you want the test and the slots fill quick. Canada says Rapid tests not allowed. Book it for 6-12 hours before your departure time LESS the 72 hours.  We booked 2 tests in case one was late or got lost and sure enough 1 got contaminated. Might be worth doing a dry run before your trip to check the process.
Accepted tests:
·       PCR - Polymerase chain reaction, Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs), Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
Under the 72 hours before departure, take your test, close as you dare to make sure you get the results back in time or you’ll start the whole process over again.
When within the 72 hours of your border crossing download and fill out the ArriveCAN app on your phone, (You can put up to 8 people on the one ArriveCAN APP).  If you don't get to the completion page with the QR code, you did not complete it and are NOT ready to cross the border!
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html#a3
You need to check the box of where you will quarantine if you are given the random Canadian Covid test and it comes back positive.  Put in your first night’s hotel address and contact information.  You will also be allowed to go home if you don’t have positive symptoms.  If you are given a random test at the border it comes in a box with instructions.  When you get to your hotel you call and do an online deal with a Canada nurse who facetime watches you take your sample.  You then leave your sample with the hotel and they pick it up.  Currently they are saying that .14% of the folks crossing by land that are vaccinated are yielding positive results from the random test.  This means you got Covid in the 72 hours since you got your test at home.  This is 1 out of every 714 tests conducted.  This is a lot of work looking for a very small problem IMHO, and cost a lot of $$$$ to do.
To cross the border, bring your passport, and printed copies of your negative test results that are under 72 hours old, a vaccine card, (you need it to enter restaurants and any indoor setting), and a printout of the QR code from the completed ArriveCan app, (On your phone is fine too if you are more happy paperless).  We wore our Masks and asked the agent if he wanted them on or off, he asked we take them off.  As always best to not have your dark sunglasses on either.
Example:
·       You want to cross the border at 1:00PM on Friday December 10.
·       On November 30th, book your Covid test for between 5:00PM-8:00PM December 7th
·       December 7th take your test(s) keeping in mind the 72 hours.
·       Sometime after 1:00PM on December 7th download and fill out the AP, (You can put up to 8 people on the one ArriveCAN APP).
·       December 10th cross the border with a printout of your negative Covid test and a printout of your ArriveCAN QR code you get once completed along with your passport and vaccine card.  On your phone is fine too.
Very simple process once you do it once.
 

The Cabanon dozers (club du Royaume) have started grooming today. From what the lady say in the facebook video, they start creating a trail loop in the Mastigouche reserve (trail#23) that will pass near koubec to give a total 150km loop. From what I Know they don't have tons of snow but the last drop end up with pretty compact stuff excellent for trail base.
facebook video here
https://fb.watch/9LI43_LRbr/
 

Exactly right
He has had his character destroyed and should be rewarded handsomely for the damages. I agree sue them all. 
 
not one looter of arsonist still sitting in jail for any of last years peaceful protests.
however plenty of patriots still in solitary confinement  since Jan 6.
Justice?