Greasemonkey

I learned a valuble lesson one time trying to cross into Canada at the Thousand Islands crossing. There were 4 of us in the vehicle. We had all the money we were going to exchange in 1 bank bag so that when we got to the bank to exchange it, we could just do 1 transaction instead of 4 seperate, wasn't my idea. We all put in the same amount. Anyway, we caught a border guard who was forced to work a double shift because his relief called out. It was 3 am and he was miserable. He was pulling every other vehicle over for a random search. The officers inside told us he was doing it all night. As we were inside doing the paperwork thing, he comes in with our bag of money that we had in a briefcase. Well it seems that you are not allowed to carry $10,000 in one envelope without declaring it. So..... we were denied entry AND, the money got confiscated! He would not listen to our claim that the money was all 4 of ours, not one persons. So, after 2 hours of trying to reason, we turned around and headed back south, It took 2 months but we finally got our money back through the Consolate in NY.

Welcome aboard and abroad. Must be nice to leave your driveway and get right into the trails. You hang around this forum long enough, you will feel like you know all the snowmobile system in the province, even if you never been there. And don't forget when you're doing those garage renovations, to keep the bar stocked up too!! Good luck with your new home and good riding.

I just spit my coffee out all over my laptop laughing so hard. I never would have believed that could happen. Good thing the track wasn't studded. I like Jackstraw's idea.

That just totally sucks. Poor little girl never got to enjoy life.

Agree 100% Shane. I have had numerous arguments with people about this. This is one reason I will not take my wife and kids to Canada to ride. I know that's a little extreme but when you walk into a relay in the middle of the day, even mornings and 3/4 of the guys in there have the table full of beer bottles, one has to wonder the possible outcome. The speeds that are the norm up here makes it even that much worse under the influence. I love to pound down my share when I get to the room but, I for one, will not drink one drop during riding time. People have to realize even if someone else causes your accident, if you were drinking, you will pay. Condolenses to the families involved in these tragic accidents. It's just ashame that more people don't learn from these occurances. Just curious, does anyone know the penalties for sledding under the influance? Does it go against your drivers liscence? Is it an automatic impound? Is it retro active back to your home state? To me, the way it looks inside the relays at times, there must not be any penalties.

Always look forward to your reports as we usually start our season around the St. Zenon area just to warm up before we plan our long rides. You are very lucky and I agree, the Quebec tourism people should look into your efforts. I believe if your reports actually got seen outside of this forum, it would probably give snowmobilers who never made the journey a glimps of what they are missing. And, the area you ride in is probably the best area to start. Gas availability is easy to find. Plenty of rest stops within easy riding distance. Nice motels. Maybe it gets a little crowded around there but at least you can get a feel for the Canadian adventure.

That is such a tragedy. I don't know if I read the article correctly but did it say a vehicle swerved into her or was she swerving? This is why i can't work up the guts to take my kids up there riding. Too many variables as compared to say Old Forge, which is where they ride. I hope she didn't suffer. Keep us posted on the investigation. I too would like to learn how this could be avoided. R I P little snowmobiler..

Yes I remember that hill quite well. People use to hold everyone up while trying to get a running start at it. Saw a lot of people not make it. Were you the gang that had the same guy go out every morning and start everyones sled then when they were all ready to leave, the guy would go out to the middle of the street and stop traffic and direct everyone across? I beleive we hijacked this post.

I remember you guys now that I thought about what you were saying. I remember how I use to get up xtra early to try and get a table for our gang in the sunroom at breakfast. The brothers who had that 6 place open trailer. The car dealer from Quarryville, Pa. Tim Benders father. Of course everyone knew Don Auger. All the regulars that were at La Glacier at any given time. Rosie's down the street. Lou Lou's Steak House. The old lady who ran Koubec's. This was some of my favorite times in Quebec before we discovered saddlebagging. I also learned to like the median strip down the center that the Federation groomers use to make in the Parks.

Roast Beef and Bread Grill and Ceasar Salad at La Glacier Roast Pork at Koubec Lumberjack Special at Cabane Hill Pepper Steak at Lou Lou's Any hot soup and cheeseburger you eat at a relay when the odometer says 200 miles so far and it's only 12 noon.

Was on a trail in NB just north of Fort Kent, Me one year, and we were headed northbound after dark, Perfectly flat trail and I am motoring pretty good. All of a sudden I hit a frozen ball of snow and ice with one ski. Don't have to tell anyone that result! Anyway, we found a small dealer so I can at least replace my shattered shield. He proceeds to say that there are a bunch of kids that are going around and putting these softball sized ice balls on different areas of the trails just to see the wrecks they cause. Now that isn't anywhere close to a cable hanging across but it's just another example of the sick minds some people have. We did have cases of wires strung across known dirt bike trails down here in S, Jersey. They resulted in numorous broken necks until the people were caught.

duck, elk and moose are quite good.

That place has been a bad spot for thefts for years. When we lock our sleds, we intertwine the skis first then cable them all together and we wrap the cable so that it is as tight as possible when we lock it. Harder to cut that way. A lot or the reason that these events don't get that much attention from the police is that a good deal of these thefts are made by groups of Indians.

WTF!? I can almost understand this if he had logs on and made a wrong turn off the logging road, but a big rig carrying cars? Gonna really suck if a groomer has to end up towing him out.

Great job, Alain. This whole area, between here up through the St. Zenon area is where I got broken into Quebec snowmobiling. When I see all your pics of the areas you ride, they bring back many fond memories. You always seem to catch the trails at their best. I know that the trails around Nortre Dame and St.Come and St.Donat can get pretty beat up. One time up on Black Mt, it was snowing and the Jays were hungry. Anyway, a buddy of mine put a piece of cracker on my head, helmet was off, and I didn't know it and a Jay swooped down and grabbed it and pecked my head! I am sure he didn't mean to hurt me but that bird made everyone laugh! Keep up the great work. I can't ride this year due to back issues so I am enjoying looking at everyones pictures.

Can't agree more. I have owned them all, 3 Cats, 6 Doos, 2 Poos and 3 Yammis, the last 2 4 strokers. I can honestly say that I have my Apex GT set up so you can't even tell how heavy it is. And, it handles like a dream. I find it very hard to ever see me on a 2 smoke again. The Yamaha motor is so smooth and the power just keeps on coming. And bullet proof is an understatement. They are set up right.

JMO, but if this is your first touring trip and your wife's also, I would do the Gaspe loop. The towns are not as spred out in case you want to quit early and there are plenty of gas stops. You can start from the Universal in RDL. Now, right now, I am not sure of the conditions. That area is usually better later into the season. Groomer would know that answer. Also more scenic. Only thing is you might want to think about making reservations. I know that at times, it can be difficult to find a nice place.

Defianatly a nice expierience, especially if they have to break ice as they go. You can go up front and watch the ice breaking and the docking procedure up close. Last time I was on it, 3 pickups pulled on coming from Labrador loaded to the hilt with caribou. I am talking like 4 or 5 per truck. That was a site.

Hey Viper2. Were you doing a summersalt when you were taking those pics?

Wishing everyone this relates to a Happy Father's Day. Hope it's safe and relaxing for you.

Wonder if they would mount on any make sled? I would like to try them on my Yammy. My sled is not marginal conditions friendly.

Oh boy, this is really going to be interesting. We all agree that permit fees will go up again, that is a given. But as was mentioned, why do we have to always be the pawn for the politics that seems to be cropping up each year with this sport? I will be the first to admit that I have had to cut back on my trips because of the exchange rate. IMO, 1 year without snowmobiling in Quebec will cripple them. I like the bombardment with emails idea. Maybe everyone should also include a rough estimate on what they spend each winter there to show how much will be lost. I think I will sit down and figure that out tonight. (I might scare myself!) Looks like Maine, N.B. and Ontario might be in the plans next year. Sno Train here I come! Seriously, I believe this will be settled in time, just like the farmers situation was. Somewhere along the line, though, this will be a lose/lose situation.

Man, that report just sealed the season on a spectacular note. For some reason, my throttle thumb started twitching about half way thru the posts!

Yea, I have heard the stories. 13,870 miles, no doughnuts, 2 bogeies and a mudflap! Backed into a snowbank. In all honesty, if you keep ahead of the maintinance, the 4 strokes should last a long time, no matter what brand. I too think the extra weight of the Yamaha is actually a benefit on the long rides, just don't ditch it!

Get a Yamaha. Bulletproof. (sorry, just had to throw my $.02 in). Actually, this new Doo does seem interesting.