Happy New Year

Let's hope that 2011 brings good things for everyone.

Now that all of the festivities are over it's time to get back to business.

The rain on New Years Eve didn't stop our outdoor activities but it did knock the crap out of the snow.

Since when does a chance of showers become 24 hour downpour!!!

I haven't seen any trails in a few days but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that they are trashed.

Thankfully today the temperature has dropped and light snow is falling off and on. There is snow if the forecast for the next 6 out of 7 days and the temp is not to come above zero either.

This should improve conditions. I will update in a couple of days to let you know how much has fallen.

Here's a shout out to Brad from Picton. Sorry that there were no butter tarts or rice pudding the last time you were here. Hope you guys get up again when things are looking better.

I guess that's about all to report for now. Better days are ahead.

Cheers
Nancy

Greetings from the land where rubber boots are considered casual footwear.

It is with great regret I report that grooming has come to a halt until more snow falls. I don't know the reason for this I just know it is so.

The weather is mild to day and yesterday also. Rain is in the forecast and the only time it is right is when it's something we don't want.

None the less it has been really busy the last couple of days and there are no real complaints about the trails. The rail bed is getting beaten up but bush trails are not too bad.

No point in blathering on when the news is bad so I'll end here.

I will update as soon as conditions improve unless there is a touching story to share.

Have a great and safe New Year. I hope to see you back soon.
Cheers
Nancy

One last update before Christmas.

We haven't had much new snow. A little is falling today, but not enough to make a big difference. The long range is calling for sunny and cold days until the middle of next week. Great travel weather but after the weekend I am starting the snow dance again. I don't care who I tick off.

The groomers were out yesterday. One went to Whitney the other left at 7.00 am for Bancroft and didn't get back until 4.00 pm. What a long day that would be.

The trails that have been groomed are in good shape. Roger D and Dan C rode to Whitney, Madawaska and back down yesterday. Most trails were good except from Madawaska through the dump at Cross Lake. They said it was like sledding in the 70's, pretty rough. The rest was just fine.

The diner will be closed Dec 24 & 25 opening at 10.00 am on Boxing Day. So unless the sky falls I won't be updating before the 27.

The log trucks will be running the Mink Lake area on Wednesday and Thursday the 28 & 29. So if a sign says watch for log trucks-DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD. These guys take no prisoners and they are bigger than you are.

Happy Holidays to all. Have a great weekend. I look forward to seeing everyone in the new year if not sooner.

Cheers
Nancy

What a great weekend we had. Good weather, good conditions = good times.

It was really nice to see so many familiar faces back sledding again. Thanks for stopping by. Thanks also to all the people that said they read the blog. It soothes my fragile ego and let's me know that you came this far is because of what you read. It also gilts me into updating regularly.

The trails were in good shape on Friday but with so much traffic on Saturday by Sunday they were toast. No grooming was done on Sunday night so its still pretty rough out there.

I haven't heard when grooming will resume. One of the groomers was undergoing repairs this week. If they start up again I will let you know.

It didn't snow much over the weekend so no new snow yet. It is overcast and my sinuses are all plugged so that may mean more snow.

New this year to Bancroft are the Snowmobile Races. February 5 & 6 there will be two days of racing. The track is being built just across the road from Cafe BC in Birds Creek. I am not sure of the details but check out www.highspeedmotorsports.ca or call Harold Foyster (705) 457-2278 for more information. When I find out more I'll share with the class.

Don't forget that we have fuel in Lake St. Peter now. Go figure--a gas station that actually sells fuel AND all kinds of other stuff!!!

I am happy to report that Jim had his new sled out last weekend and returned home unscathed in one piece not needing any repairs. Now his new friend Gin Boy-well that's another story. I'll just say that he is much nicer at breakfast than later in the day.

That's it for now. I'll be back when I have more info to report or maybe a sad and touching story to share.

Cheers
Nancy

The picnic tables on Monday after the big snow fall

Well it goes without saying that we got snow. However unlike other parts of the province we get our snow in sensible amounts. Just a few inches every day or so. We have had a good amount this week. I took a really great pic of the snow on the picnic tables but I misplaced the camera cable on the way from the house to the restaurant. That is why I am not allowed out with any substantial amount of money or other valuables.

The groomer has been busy this week. It was out last night to who knows where and out again today to Martin's Mill. All riders in today said that things were great. The creeks are still sloppy but the trails are well covered. Most riders have come from Bancroft or Mink Lake but we did have some in from Barry's Bay today.

I'll keep my ears open to see where else the groomer has been. But so far all looks good.

This is a great chance for some early riding so if you don't have family commitments this weekend load up and hit the bush.

That's it for now.
Cheers
Nancy

Grampa enjoying some quiet time now that Gramma is gone

The reindeer being arrested by the C.S.I. Maynooth officer

The whole gang getting ready to head to the parade

It is still snowing like crazy. The trails are in pretty good shape for early in the season.

There have been riders in both Saturday and Sunday. All are saying good things about conditions. A group of four just left that had ridden from Madawaska. I would guess that the groomers will be out tonight if the temperature stays cold. It's hard to tell just how much has fallen. Enough fell that the lot has to be plowed.

FYI if you see something orange heading your way at mach speed get the hell out of the way. Jim M just got his new 1000 Arctic Cat. Lets hope he has better luck this year than the last two in the repair department. His buddy's have gone out and bought a fancy orange tow strap so that he is colour coordinated when they have to bring him home! After all looks are everything.

We had a great time last night. It was the Maynooth Santa Claus Parade and we put in a float. Thanks to all the staff and friends that helped build it and participate in the parade. We had a great time and continued of at the ANAF after. We took lots of pictures and if I fiddle around long enough I may post some. Our theme was Grandma got run over by a Reindeer. It was awesome and we took third place in the judging.

I guess if the snow is going to stay I have to keep this up on a more regular basis from now on.

The dish had to be cleaned off in order to access the internet today so if you don't hear from me real soon it's because I haven't found a tall enough person to clean it off again.

Well I'm off now. Firefighters Christmas dinner is tonight.

Hope to see some familiar faces sledding in soon.

Cheers
Nancy

YEA------GOOD NEWS

The groomer is heading to Whitney tomorrow.

It has snowed every day since last Tuesday. The sun came out for the first time in a week and it's bloody freezing!!!!!

Got to go. Snooker tonight at 8:00.

Cheers
Nancy

Well-The weather outside was frightful.

And---It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Even better we had our first two sledders in last night.

Now let's not get all excited but if there isn't any more rain and the snow stays things will be looking good soon.

We have had three dumps of snow, all substantial but a couple days of rain washed it all away. SOOOOOOO Let's hope that this one is here to stay.

It is a great day today. The sun has finally peaked out and it is quite cool.

I'm not sure if my snow plow guy has left town or just hasn't taken the snow fall seriously. But if he doesn't show up soon he will be my ex-snow plow guy!!!

The water in the lakes and creeks is higher than anyone can remember because of all the rain and the pesky beavers. The culvert on the highway just past the diner is blocked up and is being repaired. The guy fixing it wanted to start Monday so that the trail wouldn't be all dug out over the weekend. They were working on it Friday, so let's hope it gets finished soon.

The trail should be smoother now though because the snowmobile club and the township both graded the rail bed.

The diner will be closed at 3:00 pm next Saturday, Dec. 11 because of the Santa
Claus parade in Maynooth. We are putting in a float and then we arranged for music to be at the ANAF in Maynooth afterward so that we can have a little party. So join us for the festivities next weekend. The parade starts at 5:00 pm and the carry on some time after that.

Well I'd better end now. It has started snowing again. Shelia will be getting all cranky because she is already tired of shoveling it. Feel free to pick on her the next time you are in if she starts whining.

See you soon.
Cheers
Nancy

I'm baaaaack!!!

Greetings all. I am sorry for the long delay in posting but I had someone scrutinizing everything that I wrote and it took all of the fun out of it. Can you imagine me trying to edit myself? I think not. So probably no more sad and touching stories and bone head plays unless they were done by someone else. As usual you are all fair game.

The summer was great with lots going on. Many strange visitors and amusing stories to the diner but it's too late to go into all that now. If you were here you got them first hand.

My family has grown with the addition of two new granddaughters. One in Maynooth and one in Nova Scotia. I have also acquired a golden retriever puppy. He is 1 1/2 but he still acts like a puppy compared to the 15 year old dog that is not impressed with the new addition. I must say that the cats are not amused either but they are getting used to him.

Brian and Jim behaved really well this summer and did not leave me with any funny incidents. Thanks guys for taking out the air conditioner.

Not as many ATV's around this fall like most years. There have been more since Thanksgiving weekend.

The religion known as Moose hunting started here today. So things will be pretty quite for a while. With rain promised for every day this week it will be a soggy hunt.

Snow flurries are predicted for Thursday so I may have to rethink my sandals. I'm not putting them away just yet, it's not that far to walk to work. I did wear them most of last winter.

Fall came quickly and the trees were almost bare by Thanksgiving. So if winter comes as early as the spring, summer and fall there should be snow by the end of the month or November for sure.

The snowmobile club has purchased some land on Boulter Lake Rd and is finally getting a real home. They will eventually put shop on it so that repairs can be made on the equipment more easily. This couldn't be done without all the people that purchase trail permits from the Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers. So way to go Snow Skimmers and all the club members.

Well I'd better sign out. Not that it's busy, but baby Ava is here for visit and I am obligated to fuss over her.

Back soon, I'm just not saying when.

Cheers
Nancy