Thursday update

There were a lot of riders in today, bless them all. Most had ridden up from Bancroft but others had come from Coe Hill, Haliburton, Harcourt and L'Amable.

The Paudash trails had not been groomed lately. The two groups that had come that way said it was a tough go because the snow was so deep and they were breaking trail. I guess that's better that hitting rocks and dirt. Grooming started at about Martins Mill. The groomer went north this afternoon and had done Martins Mill and Bancroft last night and today.


Everyone in today said that all the trails were in great shape. Of course that is because we have about 50 feet of snow!! Well almost.

No more snow today but more is expected. The temperature is holding below zero all day and getting quite cold at night.

If nothing exciting happens tomorrow I won't update til Saturday or Sunday. There's not much more to add.

Hope we see you on the weekend. Don't forget to call if you need accommodation information.

Cheers
Nancy

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood!!

There's nothing like the day after the snow has ended when everything is sooooo pretty. You can finally get out of your driveway and the highway is cleared for more than 20 minutes at a time.

I tried to post three times yesterday but I don't know if it was the computer or the satellite but I would just get finished and it would kick out and not save any information.

So I was very witty three times yesterday and no one got to read it.

Well we officially have snow up the ying yang. It snowed for two days straight. Not rain for us up here, just snow.

About 14 inches fell just on Tuesday. That is on top of what we got on Monday, on top of what was already here which was a lot!!!

The trails were groomed up nicely on Monday but I don't think anything has been done since. I'm sure everyone is still busy shoveling out. There have been two snow days this week, four in the last two weeks for the school buses.

Now that life is returning to normal grooming may continue. Paudash groomed last week but closed the gates right after. I guess they wanted to let the trails set. If I hear that the gates are open I'll let you know.

I have taken a series of pictures of the official snow measuring stick to show how much we have. Unfortunately if I can't get my computer to cooperate I won't be able to show you that the snow is now covering the measuring stick to the top.

So trust me when I say that there is enough snow to do some great riding. Get that shopping done so that you can take a day and enjoy a great sled ride before the new year.

I'll be back by Friday if the roof doesn't cave in.

Cheers
Nancy

I think I may have figured out the camera.

Circle Road on my walk this morning.

This is the freshly groomed (last night) with no sled tracks on it yet.

Same tracks other side of the road!

Friday update

The chance of flurries just keep on falling. Off and on all day it has snowed lightly.

The groomers have been out all afternoon and are still out now. Before today they had groomed to Whitney, Bancroft and Martins Mill. No secondary trails had been done yet but then they haven't been used much.

Riders in today were very pleased with the condition of the trails except for the nasty bit between Maynooth and LSP. The whining has started all ready. Why on earth didn't the powers that be grade that part of the trail before all the snow hit.

I think that everyone that gets jostled down the trail should call the pres and ask why it wasn't graded. Nothing like stiring the pot right off the start. I just thought I would be the first to complain before everyone complained to me.

That being said, any riding you get in before the middle of December is a gift from the snowmobile gods and will be appreciated. It sure was by the folks in today.

I hope that you can load up and get a ride in soon. The weather has been perfect.

See you soon. I'll keep you posted.

Keep the skis on the snow!
Cheers
Nancy

PS The diner will be closed Dec 24 & 25, reopening at noon on the 26th.

Tis The Season-for grooming that is!!!!

The good news is there is snow, the bad news is there is snow!

On my way home yesterday I noticed that you could start riding at about the Lighthouse Resturant on Hwy 62. It looked like there was good coverage all the way up to the hub (that's for Brian & Jim) in Lake St. Peter.

It is snowing now and everything looks sooooo pretty. We haven't had the driveway plowed since Monday but if our "chance of flurries" keep coming down like they are we may be plowed by tomorrow.

When I figure out how I will post pictures from my new camera. The snow is up to the top of the official picnic table snow meter. So that is an accumulation of nearly two feet.

The rail bed has been groomed but I don't know how far south they went. I noticed they crossed the highway and into the bush just south of the village at Helmers Road. When I talk to one of the groomers I'll update again with more info.

It looks like we are getting a good start to the season.. The shore of the lake is still frozen so the temperature is not dropping enough for a melt down.

Ooops I must be taking to long doing this the snow has stopped and the sun is out. I'm sure that if I wait ten minutes it will change again.

We are still doing the music thing on Saturday afternoons. So if you are in the area sled on in have a drink and relax for a while.

Again if you want to be missinformed in person call the diner at 613-338-3043 and we will lead you astray as best we can. White Pines and Silver Birches are both open for accommodation this winter.

Get all your shopping done during the week so that you can come up and play on the weekend.

I'll update again as soon as someone sleds in here and gives me the downlow first hand.

Cheers
Nancy

Greetings from the wilds of Nevada

I am glad to hear that the snow keeps falling while I am away. It was great to hear that we had seven sledders in on Saturday. I hope this keeps up. I was not able to get a feel for the conditions. But with more snow coming tomorrow it should help.

The Thanksgiving sales were all they are cracked up to be. Even if you don't go at the break of dawn. That is just crazy!!!!

Here's hoping that some of you can get a ride in before the holiday season.

If you want some info first hand call the resturant at 613-338-3043 and the girls will update you.

Well I'm off to Lake Tahoe today. These drives through the mountains have proved to be a little hair raising but fun all the same.

Cheers
Nancy

Here we go again.

Well we had our first snow last Sunday and it has snowed every day since then. Not enough to have the driveway plowed or anything just a little skiff each day.

Now just how much snow is there in a skiff? I'm not sure where the dividing line is but I'm sure you get my drift. (No pun intended)

If this is to be the same as last year when we got our first snow in November it didn't stop until April. So let's just see.

There have been a few sleds out on the rail bed. Mostly guys just getting them fired up for the season and going for a little toot.

The lake is starting to freeze over already. Each day the frozen crust is farther out from shore.

I will not be adding anything new for two weeks. I am off to visit my son and his family living in the wilds of Nevada. Where the hell is Yerington, NV. Well I'm about to find out. It may not be in the heart of red neck country but is sure is a suburb.

I will update when I am back and broke after spending all my money shopping at the great Thanksgiving Sales.

So get your sleds tuned up and ready for another great season of riding in Hastings Highlands the hub of all the best sledding in Ontario.

Cheers
Nancy

Here endith the first week!!

Well the first week of the religion known as "The Deer Hunt" is now over. There are alot of stories, some happy, some not so much. I must say our gang has not done so well this year but there is always next week. I did get a shot off on Thursday. My first time as I've only been hunting a few years. But I learned a few lessons this week. One being do not use a two inch tree with leaves on it for support when it has been raining. Good life lessons all the same.

Things are pretty quiet around the old diner this month. Most of the cottagers are gone. Sad goodbyes each week when another leaves for the season.

Thanks for Gerry for letting me know that someone is still reading the blog. You made my day.

Well I did it. I ordered my generator from Home Depot and two days later it was delivered. It is now wired to the electrical box and all gassed up ready for the next power outage. So bring it on Mother Nature and those dasterdly beavers that keep chewing down trees over hydro lines. I'm ready for you now!!! (If I remember what it is I'm supposed to do.)

Another confusing day here grey and warmish, rainy and cold, snowy and windy, then sunny and cold. Now it's just cold. I can't believe that it can change so much in a few hours.

The music on Saturday evenings is going well. We have a great mix of musicans. A nice little crowd each week. One day someone may drive all the way up from Bancroft. Who knows.

It was nice to see that the ATV'ers are still around. Keep it up.

Well that's all the news fit to print for today. Back next week.

Cheers
Nancy

Is winter trying to sneak up on us early again!!

It's hard to believe that not only is summer just a memory but fall has fallen and winter is just around the corner if you look out the window today.

This will be the seond snowfall so far this season. The wind is whistling and the trees are spinning in those scary little circles.

I have finally given in a am buying a generator. Every time the power goes out I say I will by one. But this weekend was the last straw. The dam beavers down the highway were snacking on a tree and took it down on the power line. Fortunatly it was repaired in short order and we were only out for a couple of hours. But enough is enough. Home Depot ship me a generator.

We are continuing with the music on Saturday evenings. It is going well. Singles or duos with a rotating roster of talent. If you are in the area drop by from 5 - 8.

Snowmobile permits are available at the diner or by contacting the club directly.

It's pretty quiet in the neighbourhood this time of year. The annual dear hunt frenzy is upon us. So good luck to all heading out this weekend.

I'll keep you posted when the snow hits for keeps, but this is just toooooooo soooooon!

Happy Halloween
Cheers
Nancy

It's about time I got back to the old blogspot.

Well if that was summer I guess we've had it!!! Not much to write home about.

Here's an update about what's going on in and around the diner.

Our next mud run is October 4th. Same format as before. Cash prizes, random draws, good food, FABULOUS staff, great route and good weather. I will demand it.

So plan a weekend getaway and come on up. Phone us if you need some numbers for accomodation.

Riverland and High Country are also having runs on the two previous weekends.

We are also starting entertainment on Saturday afternoon. From 4-7 pm enjoy a great mix of tunes. Different talent every week.

It's sad to see the lodge gone. It was a land mark that can't be replaced. The land is now up for sale, so I guess they are not going to rebuild. We will miss it very much.

Well I wll post now as I am heading to the bright lights of Maynooth for the Maynooth Madness and Loggers Games. I just go for the parade and the beer.

It's on Sunday that I have to help with the Mud Bog. A great day of fun in the mud.

I will try to keep posting a little news as things happen-if anything happens.

But for now Cheers!
Nancy