SnomoGary

I agree with Bob. The social aspect of the sport is very important.  I  really enjoy the stops at the relais's for coffee and food and rest, as well as going out to dine at night and hitting the hotel bar at night.
l

Wow!  Thanks for all the replies.
Northbound, the Tylenol did help last night.  I woke up once and took another Tylenol but I did sleep.  12 Hours in bed and it felt so good.  
Farmerold,  I'm so glad you are still planning on coming up.  We are looking at RDL for next trip.  Maybe Jan 11th we will drive up.  And for the vintage thing, I'm not that far behind you.  Buttercup?  You remember how much I like butter!  😄
MrGutz and Iceman, so far the Tylenol has taken the edge off of the pain.  I can move my arm this morning.  I was looking for Advil but I'm guessing the grocery stores don't sell that in Canada.  The grocery stores in the U.S. sell everything.  I will keep the pharmacy at the Jonquiere mall in mind.  We went there one year for Sandi.  The pharmacist at the store called Sandi's doctor in the U.S. and was very helpful.
MrGutz, what are 2-2-2s?  I've lead a sheltered life apparently.
smclelan,  today I feel like a few miles are in my forecast.  It is nice to be  back in Quebec after no riding last year.  Not even in the States for us but that is another story.
blackjack1,  smclelan likes to put his two cents worth in.  It shows that he really does care.
MikeRider,  I was looking for something other than Tylenol but that has helped.  Thanks.
Playhard,  interesting link.  Looks like the procedure is repacking the joint.  I had the left shoulder replaced a couple of years ago and that worked out good.  I think I'd like to do the same with the right shoulder.  We will see what doc says.  As a side note, I had both knees replaced a year or so before the shoulder.  Those are working great.  Before the knee replacements, I could only stand on them for about five minutes and then have to sit because of the pain.
SnomoGary, good to hear from you.  I'm feeling better now.  The weather is looking good today and we are going to ride.
Thanks again for all of the responses and comments.  Just reading them makes me feel better.
A lot of grooming was done last night.  The groomers are doing as much as they can with New Year's Day coming up.  They probably don't want to be out for the holiday.  They deserve a day off.  Thanks to all the groomers!
I think we will go on the north side and see how that is.  We haven't been to the blueberry fields yet and that is always a nice ride.  Maybe go up to the old ScoobyRaid.
We will post tonight.
Jack & Sandi

Hope the meds kick in soon  Jack and you feel a bit better .  Like what been said at least you're riding...  and listen to Dr Sandi  ...   lol 

Hope the meds kick in soon  Jack and you feel a bit better .  Like what been said at least you're riding...  and listen to Dr Sandi  ...   lol 

I don't like being the weak link in the chain, but I am this trip.  My right shoulder has been bothering me for a while now.  Doc says its arthritis.  Probably.  It does run in the family.  I had my left shoulder replaced about 2 years ago and that one is fine.  The right one doc said isn't bad enough yet.  That was a year ago.
We drove up Tuesday and the shoulder kept me awake most of Tuesday night.  I took an ibuprofen but that didn't do anything.  It may have been a little past the expiration date! 🙄 
Yesterday we made a short day.  Again I didn't sleep much.  Today I'm tired.
So this morning, breakfast in the restaurant.  I look at the grooming map and 83 and 368 were groomed.  Good.  Lets head towards Mt Apica.  On the sleds and as we leave the parking lot, the groomer was here.  He made a pass in from 83.  The spur is now officially open.  Yea!  This brings a smile to my face.
We get to 83 and turn left.  Sandi can go first.  A few sleds have been out before us but the trail is nice.  A few thin spots in the corners but most of the trail is in good shape.  We get to the junction with 368 and turn right.  Same thing here.  A few thin spots in the turns but very smooth.  Not as many tracks on 368.  I don't where the sleds went because 83 is still closed at La Baie.  All of the traffic would have to come this way.  Oh well.  Nice ride.
My shoulder is letting me know it doesn't like the sled tugging on it.  Keep pushing on Jack.  You can ignore it.  Down 368 and we cross route 175.  A really nice ride for December.  I remember other years that there was no snow in December and it was trailer to Mt Valin every day.  The front desk at the Sag said last year the snow was poor.  I'm glad we can ride this year.  I hope the border stays open.
We continue on 368 but the shoulder is hurting.  Before we get to the junction with 23, Sandi pulls over for a break.  We chat a little.  I tell her I'm just not up to it today.  Between the shoulder and lack of sleep, I don't think I want to go to Mt Apica.  So we decide to u-turn.
A few sleds passed us while we were stopped.  On the way back towards route 175, two more sleds hammer down, coming towards us.  We continue along.  We get back to Chicoutimi and tank up the sleds at the Ultramar.  Not many miles today.
We stop at the Metro grocery store to get a bottle of Tylenol or Advil.  Nothing.  The shelf is empty.  Only a couple of bottles of aspirin.  That isn't going do it. 
We get back to the Sag.  Sandi asks at the front desk and is told they can't hand out any medications.  There is a Walmart down the street.  Instead I decide to walk across the street to the Super C grocery store.  The place is packed.  After a little searching, I find the Tylenol.  Not much of a selection but Tylenol is worth a try.  Back in the hotel I take one Tylenol and lay down for an hour.  It seems to have helped.
I call my shoulder doctor back in Connecticut and I've got an appointment for  Monday Jan 10th.  We were going to go to RDL for that week.  Maybe we will drive up on the 11th or wait until the following week.  Choices but we have to plan ahead for the covid test and ArrivCan.  Its not as easy as pre-pandemic.
Sandi and I were talking about when we first came to Quebec, you only needed your driver's license.  Boy things have changed.  Sleds didn't have hot grips back then either.  That was a few years ago. ☺️
If I get a good nights sleep, I would like to head across the river and maybe go up to the old Scoobyraid.  See what that is like.  I think it was Iceman that posted the newspaper write up about the change of ownership.  Thanks Iceman.
Jack & Sandi

Good morning,
I have to get back into snowmobile mentality.  I forgot to check the grooming map yesterday and even the weather.  I have that bookmarked now on the new laptop.
Yesterday by chance we did hit many trails that were groomed within the past 36 hours.  There isn't a huge amount of snow to work with but there is enough especially as you get toward Mt Valin.  We saw one groomer over by Carcajou / St David with just the blade on the front.  He was riding the edge of the trail pulling in the snow from the side of the trail.  Thank you Mr. Groomer.
We are going to ride out of the Sag again today.  The trails around Jonquiere had their nightly grooming.   93 has been groomed from St Honore to La Chappelle.  Some f this may have been the groomer with just the blade.  Not for us but the Pelchat trail was groomed from the Les Escoumins side half way up.
For anyone on the south side, Riviere du Loup is grooming.  5, 35 and 55 saw a groomer last night all the way west to Beauceville.  It does show some open water though in places.  Keep the skis up and the throttle down.
The Sag is no longer giving out drink coupons at the front desk.  They said the restaurant stopped the practice last year.  That was a nice little bonus.  What am I going to do with all the coupons I squirreled away?
That's it for now.
Jack & Sandi

Love  the report Jack,  sat here on the sofa riding along with you seams like old times....  can't wait to be there..👍👍

Love  the report Jack,  sat here on the sofa riding along with you seams like old times....  can't wait to be there..👍👍

Love  the report Jack,  sat here on the sofa riding along with you seams like old times....  can't wait to be there..👍👍

Love  the report Jack,  sat here on the sofa riding along with you seams like old times....  can't wait to be there..👍👍

Love  the report Jack,  sat here on the sofa riding along with you seams like old times....  can't wait to be there..👍👍

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

Good morning,
A few changes at the Sag.  Here is the list I was e-mailed before my arrival.
Status of facility services

Hotel, rooms and reception: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Tropical atrium (pool, sauna and spa): Atrium and pool OPEN with restrictions.
Pool: Open, restrictions apply.
Spa: Closed
Sauna: Closed
Restaurant: Dining room open for lunch service only.
Evening meals: Takeaway meals, to order.
Video-Poker Bar: Closed
Room and Mezzanine Areas: Open
Training Room: Closed
Business Centre: Closed
I imagine this is to comply with mandates from the government.  There was a questionnaire along with the above info.  A few questions regarding covid and our travel.  Then a few questions about our info, phone arrival time, etc.
Last night the restaurant was open for sit in dining which we did.  We had to show our vaccination card from the U.S.  I think Canadians have a vaccination "passport".  The waiter was going to take a picture of our card but the waitress said he didn't have to.  I'm guessing he didn't have to because we weren't Canadians.  This maybe for contact tracing if someone does come down with covid.
Not many people in the restaurant.  While we were there, we noticed that there was very little traffic on the roads.  Quebec isn't shut down but people aren't out and about.
The e-mail also stated that the restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday evenings.  So with that info, Sandi and I have brought along some chili and sausage and peppers.  A little home cooking if we can't or decide not to go to  the restaurant.  Plan ahead.
These are the vaccines that Canada accepts.
 
• Pfizer
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca
• Covishield
• Janssen (requires only one dose).
 Housekeeping has changed too.
 
*** 2+ nights stay ***
Due to the current COVID situation, to reduce contact, daily housekeeping of occupied rooms is currently not available.
Everything you may need during your stay is available 24/7 at the reception of our property.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 The front desk said that since we are staying 6 days, we can ask for housekeeping and someone will clean the room while we are out.  The front desk has all the supplies that housekeeping would normally have.  Just ask at the front desk.
So things have changed but just something to adjust to.
It sure feels good to be back in Quebec.  We will have breakfast this morning and then go out for a ride.  Nothing big planned.  It will just be nice to be on a snowmobile again.  Last year my only ride was from the dealer's parking lot into the trailer.  Ugh!  Sandi's one year old sled has no miles.  It is time to change that.
Jack & Sandi

This is good that I'm posting this late.  It means we made it thru the border.  😅
We were asked for our passports.  The agent scans them and I'm sure all of our history comes up on his screen.  It probably includes what we ate at the Brown Cow restaurant in Derby, VT a half hour before.  Then we were asked for the ArivCan confirmation sheet.  He asked us if we were feeling well, no covid symptoms.  He asked where we were going and the purpose of our trip.  Remember to answer this according to what you put on the ArrivCan website / app.  The agent is looking at it.
We first go to Valcourt to pick up the trailer and snowmobiles but I didn't go into to that.  I just answered that we were going to Chicoutmi.
The rest of the questions were typical from previous years such as, weapons, knives, pepper spray, cannabis.  Are we leaving anything in Quebec?
It didn't take any longer than before.  I'm still a little gun shy from being turned away on my first attempt on Dec 1st.  I'm slowly getting over that.
A little background on the trip up.  No snow on the ground until we got 50 miles or so into VT.  Pretty good snow banks above St Johnsbury going over Sheffield Mountain.  In Quebec, the Eastern Townships had snow cover but not enough to ride on.  After Drummondville the snow got better all the way to Quebec City.  Motel Bernieres had snow but only one trailer in the lot.  L'Etape had many snowmobiles, cars and trailers.  Looked like a typical day at L'Etape.  Snow on the ground all the way up to Lac St Jean.
It was freezing rain a little overnight in CT.  From VT on up we were in and out of the snow.  Nothing terrible heavy.  Just nice winter snow.  Thank you Mother Nature.  Gas around Quebec was $1.47.  Here in Chicoutimi its around $1.35.
There are sleds here at the Sag.  Not packed but a dozen or so trailers.  I spoke with someone that just came in on their sled and asked them about the spur going out to trail 83.  He said it isn't broke but you can get to 83.  It goes thru the parking lot behind the stores instead of way back at the edge of the woods.  The groomer hasn't come thru yet.
I spoke with the lady at the front desk.  She said what she has heard from other snowmobilers is trail 368 south is OK.  There are a couple of thin spots but it is passable.  You can't get thru La Baie on 83.  It sounded like there isn't enough snow there yet.  There is snow in the forecast though.  She said it is better to trailer to St Honore and then ride to Mt Valin if we want to ride on the north side.
You have to wear a mask everywhere and also show your vaccination card for entry like at a restaurant.
If you are planning on Quebec this year, I would recommend doing a dry run on everything you can.  Get a Covid test.  I like the NAAT test by Walgreen's  Our results came back in two hours this time.  I think the test is free everywhere in the U.S.  See how far ahead booking an appointment takes.  See  how long it takes to get the test results back.
Get on the ArrivCan website or app.  Step 1, create an account for yourself.  Step 2, take a look at the itinerary part of ArrivCan.  It says not to complete it if you travel isn't within 72 hours.  I think you can still go thru it and then delete it at the end.  Do as much as you can to get familiar with all the steps.  I only had to create an account for myself.  Then I could put Sandi on as a traveler in my "group".
Ask me any questions you have.  I may not have the answers but someone else may or I will try to get an answer for you.
So that is what we know so far. 
Be safe.
Jack & Sandi

Some our gang headed north yesterday, unloaded in Lac Etchemin area in the Chaudierre region, just North of Jackman Me, and rode to the Universal-in RDL for the night.  They logged in 180 miles of good solid, flat going. One of the members got the random rest again and it will be picked up at the universal today as they are saddlebagging. Another member pcr tested on Dec 23, got a positive result back on the 25th...Merry Christmas😜,..... and will not make this run but is feeling good health wise.
 
 Also he is happy with the fact that with a positive test, after 10 days, soon the change to 7, he will be ok to pass the border without testing for the next 6 months!
The boys also like the beer vending machine at the Universal!
 
To summarize, these guys are saddlebag riding for,the week  just as many others are posting on QR now! it just a bit different, lets hope restrictions stay the same or get easier thru this season.
RR
 
 

Merry Christmas and Joyeux noël  to all QR members......  think snow 

Great first day on the sleds this season. Trails super here. 
One problem but no worries. The restaurant Bouleau is closed. Apparently the chef has covid. So no breakfast this am. Hotel has no continental breakfast either due to covid restrictions they told us. 
We hit the trail at 8am. This is a no stress trip. Got all day to go not far and come back. Not what I am used to but it is a nice change. Loving seeing the wife enjoy riding her sled and learning more each time we ride. I wish it was much simpler to just give her a few years of my experience but it does not work that way. 
That said she is a rider and though she probably will never see a 500km day does she really need to? No. 
Got to build her up slowly so she can get to the 300 plus KM per day. So we can cover some ground. 
Great conditions for December. Not cold but cold enough. Beautiful trail flat and fast. The usual early conditions with lots of sticks poking through on the right and the occasional place needing to be filled in as they will groom in more snow. 
2 hrs 45 minutes to Forrestville today. Gas Lunch and 2 hrs and 20 minutes to return. The horses always run faster when heading to the barn.
Club grooming an already perfect trail near Longue-Rive and crossed 5 sleds headed west just before Forestville and about 8 headed east on the ride back after lunch. 
Sleds running great and new rear shock did not work hard today on these trails. Very flat. 
Tout va bien. 

Hi Everyone,
We didn't snowmobile at all last year.  We are driving up to the Quebec border this morning via Rt 91 thru VT.  I hope it all goes well.  I think I have everything we need.  I brought the snowmobiles up Dec 8th.  The first attempt was Dec 1st and I was turned away because I didn't complete the ArrivCan form.  The 2nd attempt on Dec 8th went much smoother.  I went up by myself.  Sandi couldn't go.  Work gets in the way sometimes.
With that said, I went back on ArrivCan for this trip.  I added Sandi as a "Traveler".  When I finished the form, only Sandi printed out on the confirmation.  I had to delete that form and do it again.  I forgot to put a check mark next to my name so it only printed out Sandi.  Everyone has to be listed on the confirmation form.
I hope the next post from us is while we are sitting in our hotel room at the Sag!  😊
Be safe.
Jack & Sandi

The “Jays” couldn’t wait to see us

Hi Steve I'm absolutely fuming,  1st  I'm  a Lewis fan .2nd  i don't particularly like Verstappen , Horner,  or marco what ever he's second name is... the stewards got it wrong and panicked that the race would finish and more so the title would end under the safety car . The car's unlaping should have come  round to the back of the pack before the restart.  Anyway it is what it is  I'm really pleased Lewis got his knighthood from prince Charles so hopefully  Sir Lewis Hamilton can do it next season when there  all in the new  spec cars.. (always assuming Lewis doesn't retire)  rant over  lol....

Hi Steve I'm absolutely fuming,  1st  I'm  a Lewis fan .2nd  i don't particularly like Verstappen , Horner,  or marco what ever he's second name is... the stewards got it wrong and panicked that the race would finish and more so the title would end under the safety car . The car's unlaping should have come  round to the back of the pack before the restart.  Anyway it is what it is  I'm really pleased Lewis got his knighthood from prince Charles so hopefully  Sir Lewis Hamilton can do it next season when there  all in the new  spec cars.. (always assuming Lewis doesn't retire)  rant over  lol....

Merry Christmas and Joyeux noël  to all QR members......  think snow 

Hi Steve I'm absolutely fuming,  1st  I'm  a Lewis fan .2nd  i don't particularly like Verstappen , Horner,  or marco what ever he's second name is... the stewards got it wrong and panicked that the race would finish and more so the title would end under the safety car . The car's unlaping should have come  round to the back of the pack before the restart.  Anyway it is what it is  I'm really pleased Lewis got his knighthood from prince Charles so hopefully  Sir Lewis Hamilton can do it next season when there  all in the new  spec cars.. (always assuming Lewis doesn't retire)  rant over  lol....

Merry Christmas and Joyeux noël  to all QR members......  think snow 

Merry Christmas and Joyeux noël  to all QR members......  think snow