Our winter storm yesterday brought us a lot more snow than anticipated. Which leads me to a funny story....Craig and I decided to go grooming for a few hours last night. We bundled up and jumped in the groomer. It was 9:00 PM and 1 below zero. Along the trail we came across a huge tree that had fallen over the trail. Usually Craig can push fallen trees with the plow but this tree was above the groomer so he had to put a tow strap around it and pull it out of the way. Anyway.. after the job was done a few small branches were still on the trail so Craig decided to get out of the groomer and toss them off the trail. I watched Craig step off the trail into the ditch beside the trail. All the sudden I saw him drop down to his waist and he was flopping around frantically. I was laughing as this was quite the scene to watch. I assumed that he was being swallowed by deep snow as this is a common occurence. It didn't take long for me to realize he was not in snow but up to his waist in freezing water. OK, now I am no longer laughing and I figure I better get my butt out of the groomer and help him. I was afraid he was going to drown.
By the time I got myself out of the groomer Craig had managed to get himself out of the ditch and he was laying flat on his back in the middle of the trail. Ok, now I'm laughing again. I was trying really hard not to laugh because I figured Craig was in no laughing mood. There he laid soaking wet in sub zero temps and his carhart pants were quickly turning to solid ice.
The first thing he says "I'm Done!! Were going back home now". He took his carharts off and drove home with wet jeans and soaked boots. Inside the groomer is nice and warm so he wasn't too miserable on the ride home. Craig later asked me why I didn't get my camera out and capture the event. I would have loved to but it happened too fast.
Today we are having a good laugh talking about it. Tonight we are not going out in the groomer. Instead we are taking the sleds out for a ride.
5 comments:
Oh that's funny. Of course it is only funny because he is all right. Hope you have fun riding.
Pretty soon you guys can write a book-"Groomer Stories" Seems like something always happens when you take it out lately! Glad he's OK- I would have had a hard time laughing too, once I knew he was OK.
So, what is the difference between a snow plow and a groomer? (Spoken like a true East Coast Mason/Dixon gal) What do you groom? Paths or roads? Just wondering..
Hi Margaret....
The groomers are like big enclosed tractors with 2 seats. They have a plow on the front of them but the plow is only used in big drifted areas or to move objects off the trails. What does the grooming is a big drag that is pulled behind the groomer. It's about 18 feet long with a series of blades in it. It fluffs and smooths the snow. It does not remove the snow. So I guess you could say... a plow removes snow and a groomer leaves the snow and makes it's nice for the snowmobiles.
The club we are affiliated with puts in and maintains 50 miles of trails. These trails are mostly on farms, woods, and old removed railroads. Although, our club is only responsible for 50 miles there are many clubs in Michigan that maintain approximately 3000 miles of trails throughout the state. Snowmobiling is a big part of Michigan tourism.
All the groomers, fuel and maintance of the trails is state funded through grants.
My husband is the treasurer of our local club.
Now you know more than you ever wanted to know about grooming.
Actually, that was perfect! Thank you.
Thats funny!!!
I was going to ask you what Margaret asked you!
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