Saturday ride

 On Saturday 1-30-21 the regular crew (Art, Gib, Jean) and myself decided to take a ride south on trail 18 all the way down to the Chippewa Flowage. They rerouted part of trail 18 this year from near the dam on the Tiger Cat flowage down to Chief River road. We made a stop at Arts house for some refreshment and then continued our ride using trail 3 across the flowage to trail 9 to head back home. The ride covered 47 miles in a clockwise route. We took trail 3 until we got to Sisko's (the black circle with number 81) then we followed the shoreline to the boat launch. From there it was only about a 1/3 of a mile to Arts house by road. We encountered one slushy area on the flowage about 50-75 yards wide. When you encounter slush you just keep the power and speed up, don't stop because you may have trouble getting going again. The trail conditions remain not very good. There was alot of sledders out enjoying the day. We did run into a few snow showers but they really didn't amount to much, not enough to make a difference in the trail conditions. We need snow.

Todays route. Arts house is the X on the map.

The new dam that regulates the level on the Tiger Cat flowage and the boat landing where we leave this flowage.

The Chief river just alittle ways downstream of the dam.

Trail 18 in the woods and crossing Callahan Lake in a light snow.

Trail 18 running next to Cty rd CC. We turn left here to get down on the flowage 1 mile down the road at the R&R Bayview Resort.

Down on the flowage, stopping at intersection 95 to discuss the best way to get to Arts house.

Getting ready to depart Arts house after a refresment break. Nothing better than a Crown Royal and Coke to go with a couple mini donuts. Then it was back on the road.

At intersection 89 where trail 3 and 9 split.

Crossing Osprey lake on trail 9.

Crossing Little Round lake. Not far from home now.

This was taken at the north end of Round lake after running the length of the lake at a nice 70-80 mph.

Lots of sledders taking a break at the Blackiron Resort bar and grill. I would say that there were 30+ sleds in the parking lot. So much for social distancing. This year we decided that we would not be stopping at the bars and restaurants because of the Covid Plague. We do miss stopping for a drink or a bite to eat but it is not worth the risk.

This is one of 3 Bald Eagles we saw sitting near the shore in front of Jean and Gibs. Gib got some deer carcuss parts and has been putting them out for the Eagles.

That was our ride for today, all in all another good ride.

Hope to get out again on Wednesday.