Things you can do in your Dwight Jacket: Part 2 Snowmobile

(I know I owe you the mother of all blog posts re: Paris…but sit tight and read this for now)

As you might recall “Things you can do in your Dwight Jacket: Part 1” was ice fishing. I’m here to bring you a more fast paced activity you can do in your Dwight jacket—which is soon to be a collector’s item.

Beth and I went to visit our dear friend from high school, Frank and his wife Anna. Despite Frank’s coworkers suggesting we not go snowmobiling, because the conditions were crappy, we went anyway. Friday we drove over to Lancaster, NH…literally just over the Connecticut river into NH. Stayed with them Friday night, and bright and early Saturday headed to Pittsburg, NH, about an hour’s drive north. Total, we rented two double snowmobiles, so we all took turns riding and driving each others. We ended up driving 84 miles through a white wonderland of really well groomed trails. We were all pleasantly surprised at how helpful and courteous people were. We learned the hand signals to let oncoming riders who’s behind you. When you come to a trail intersection there are really great maps, helping you figure out where in the “great north woods” you are. At one intersection, we chatted with this really nice couple that told us about a warming hut, so we made our way up there. It was basically like walking into a living room, with a woodstove (well, minus some interior design) they had all kinds of snacks, soup, and various food for sale. I will say Anna, Beth and I stood out just because we were girls, and on top of that we weren’t wearing snowmobile gear. Whatever!

pittsburg(h) warming hut

We then road up to the Canadian border, didn’t cross, but paused for some photos, and that is where I attempted and failed at putting the sled into reverse. 

almost to Canada border

at the border

We cruised around for a few more hours and made it to Happy Corner Cafe. Though there were some cars in the parking lot, the vast majority of patrons got there via snowmobile. I have never experienced anything like this. It was like walking into a ski lodge, and everyone has ski gear on, but it was a real restaurant and everyone had snowmobile gear on. There were signs saying where you can/can’t put your helmet. A whole new cultural experience. 

coat rack in restaurant

helmets on restaurant steps

We headed back to the rental place, where the owner seemed to be impressed at the mileage we racked up, so that was a boost! On our way out we chatted with a group of guys up from Boston doing a bachelor party weekend. When we saw them in the AM, they had a group of about 6. When we were leaving, there were 2. They told us some broke down, some were out of gas, and some were missing. “is the guy missing the one getting married” “yeah. And he’s my brother” Awesome….

 Highly recommend this winter sport….sure there were times where I was really scared, like slide off the road and go off a cliff scary. But slow and steady wins the race, or at least lives. Haha! I was pleasantly surprised my the people we met, and how courteous the other drivers were, especially because we (ok…I) wasn’t going as fast as others.

yup. pretty sure that's a lake we went over

from another planet?