With breakfast over and done with and the turkey in the brine for its big day tomorrow, I am almost ready to head out onto the trails.
Kellen arrived from Saskatoon this morning as he was working a night shift last night so grabbed a few hours sleep before travelling up here. He brought me 20 pounds of briquettes as I have no idea where I put the last bag I had. Perhaps I left it in Arizona.
We were all ready by 1:00 o'clock to start the ride and took off down the North Grid to 3 mile corner. We were to meet the trucks at the corner on the East road. The quads were going to do the 3 mile trail and then head down into the block.
Before we even got to 3 mile, there were issues with Riley's quad and we ended up leaving it in a farmer's yard along the North Grid. Oh well, at least it is safe and sound and can be picked up tomorrow.
Once we got onto the trail, the guys all got stuck in the first mud/muskeg hole and I knew immediately that this was going to be a day where we will not be making any miles!! It took 3 quads and their winches to get the commander out of the mud!!!
I continued on down the trail to inform the little trucks that the group was stuck up to their axles in the muck and mire.
It wasn't too long before I too was stuck and had I bothered to put the damn quad in four wheel drive when I hit the nasty stuff, I may not have had to use the winch.....twice. It wasn't until after the second time that I realized I was in two wheel drive!! Rookie mistake - again!!
I eventually made it to the trucks and together we waited for at least another 45 minutes before everyone finally arrived at the corner.
The rain had started to fall and I was sure glad that I had brought one of my umbrella - ella - ellas with me!! Everyone laughed when they saw me put it in the jeep but there sure were a lot of folks standing under it on several occasions during the day!!
With the troops all back together, we headed down the road towards the block. One of the quads was overheating and Deer Lake was handy enough to nose into and clean the radiator. Jace had to show Gloria (who was riding with him) how his side by side can swim and before too long, she was up to her ass in water. It is a good thing that she was wearing chest waders!!
We decided to head down Lilac Trail and once everyone was pointed in the right direction and off down the trail, I sat and waited for a couple of stragglers, one being Tyson and his sister Maddy and the other was Kylee. As Kylee arrived he did a 360 turn then headed off down the trail. Tyson also did a 360 but ended up tipping the quad on its side. Jesus, Mary and Joseph!!! Maddy had her seat belt on so there were no injuries thank Heavens. The three of us managed to get it back on its wheels only to discover that the rear tire was completely off its rim. Oh Dear!!
I got the little air compressor out and Tyson and Maddy cleaned the rim making sure that the bead was especially clean. The jeep and sami had arrived on scene by this time and out came the high lift jack. With the quad lifted off the back tires, we were able to pop the tire back on and we were once again ready to head down the trail.
We eventually all made it to the warm up shelter where Kylee had just finished a complete rollover of his own. Jesus, can these dumb asses not keep their quads on their wheels. STOP IT WITH THE DONUTS!! Kellen was riding with Kylee and the first thing that came out of his mouth was "I'm not hurt"!! Kylee managed to hurt his little finger but for a complete rollover, they both came out of it smiling.
John had managed to get caught up in some of the deep ruts in one of the nasty spots along the trail and had the jeep practically on its passenger side. Apparently Bernie darn near ended up in the mud and was yelling at John to "grab my beer" all the while trying to hold himself in the jeep as his door had popped open!! Now that, I would have liked to have seen. Fortunately, Shirley had her camera handy and got some "tell tale" pics. It is a good thing that the sami was behind them as I do believe their winch was needed on two occasions!!
While at the shelter, we met up with another group out of Big River. They were having a family reunion and were enjoying the forest as well despite the lousy weather. their group consisted of several quads, a few jeeps, one samurai and a chopped up Ford Fiesta!! OMG, a Ford Fiesta!! Of course I had to get pics!!
We headed for home after the shelter as it was getting late in the afternoon and with this bunch, there was probably some drama left to play out!!
With all the rain that had fallen throughout the day (it has finally stopped) the trail was super wet and the water holes were full. We made it to the bridge at Slideout only to find Tyson buried in the creek. Now how many times do these boys need to be winched out of that creek?? THERE IS NO CROSSING IT!!! There is a bridge there for a reason!!
Kylee's quad was in "limp mode" so I decided to stay with him for the ride to the lake where we would leave it and pick it up later tonight with the truck and trailer. The rest of the gang carried on. The trucks had left earlier and were ahead. We were to all meet at the top of the hill, at the cattle guard.
With Kylee going so slow, I was able to stop once in a while, and pick up a few cans along the way. Eventually, Kylee's machine started to overheat and I put a tow strap on him and towed him to the pick up point.
Some of the guys took a small detour and climbed up to the look out while I was towing Kylee so we were in front of a few of the quads.
At the pick up spot, we ended up waiting for Chris and Kimmy. Don came along and said the Chris had broken 3 of his studs on one of his rear tires and all but lost the tire. More drama!! See, I knew it wasn't over yet!!
Long story short.....Kellen rode into Leoville to pick up his truck and trailer, Jace, Chris and Kylee took our quad back to Chris's to drag it to a spot where Kellen could get to it with his truck, winch it onto the trailer then stop and get Kylee's quad and bring them home. Everyone made it back to the yard safe and sound.
Steak, baked potato and caesar salad was on the menu along with left over potato salad and macaroni salad. Before this though, Don brought out some TexMex marinated moose meat and proceeded to bbq it as an appetizer. Oh Man, was that ever delicious. I could have had a meal of just that.
We didn't travel very far today but after all the flips, rollovers and breakdowns, and after an awesome meal, tiredness set in and most people called it quits for the night and headed to bed. I was with that bunch, but John and Casey partied on!!
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| Getting ready to head out |
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| Bernie relaxing |
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| Gloria and Kim |
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| Dave and Shirley |
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| Putting the tire back on the rim |
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| Marie and Shirley |
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| Smoke that stogie Kimmy |
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| Jace |
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| Yes its a Ford Fiesta! |
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