The Never Ending Winter

Snowmobiles finding plowed road

Multiple snowmobile turn arounds

last of front porch wood

Well today is the last of February and the wood on the front porch has made it through the cold weather as Lee predicated. We still have wood on the back porch for what should be the down side of winter the next few months. Although, the official end of Winter is March 21st the end of using firewood often does not come until May. We have had many below zero temperatures this winter and are hoping this morning's -12 is the last of them. Unlike the winter of 2012 when winter never showed this winter and last has had cold temperatures driving the depth of frost deep.  Last year there was still ice on the ground in April and I had a hard time getting water to start in two of the camps I take care of. This year is more of the same. We are very much hoping for the above freezing temperatures promised for next week although that will lead to the dreaded melting March combo's of mud, ice, rain, snow and whatever mother nature can think of.

For those of you thinking of driving your regular vehicle through the State Forest I would advise against it for now. No one will pull you out and it will be April before the road is plowed again. When the weather gets above freezing the nice packed snow you might have driven on will become a deep wet snow trap. One winter Lee and I spent 4 hours making the trip from Cedar Run up to the house and I walked the last 3 miles to get the snowmobile so I could pick up the groceries and Lee. Once the road refroze over night driving out again became possible. Best to wait a couple months, or plan on skiing, hiking, or snowmobling into camp for now.

We have more snow in the forecast for Sunday then a nice warm up next week.  Today we are enjoying the comfort of a good fire listening to the snow come off the roof and the snowmobilers turning around at the sight of plowed road from our house up. Enjoy the weekend in the woods safely. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Strike up the band!

Leetonia Band

It is hard to believe Leetonia once had a band. But in the early 1900's they made music in  Leetonia. Now the only music that is heard is the sound of the stream bubbling downstream or roaring in a storm. This time of year a new sound is heard the sound of snowmobiles buzzing  through the woods. We have had barely enough snow to cover the ground but those who had a long weekend pushed their machines to the limit today just to get out and about. If you have a snow-cooled machine or don't like the sound of gravel, I would avoid riding until we get some more snow. The road is still passable coming up from Cedar Run, but it can change in an instant if we get the rain we are supposed to get tomorrow. I noticed some hardy folks from the Ruins camp were up and it was a below zero night last night so I am sure they kept the wood burner fed. Seems like on days when the nights are cold it takes most the day for the house to start feeling warm again then we go to bed. One good thing the days are now getting longer minute by minute each day there is a bit more sun and that always helps my attitude. I am not a fan of these short days no time to walk in the daylight.

Not much else new in the middle of the forest. Just be careful and make sure you have a set of chains and nerves of steel if you decide to wander away from the plowed roads. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Porky pining away in Leetonia

Nap Time for Porky

Pettite's Camp

Steele Waters

Pine Lined road

Valley Hi

Leetonia

It was a perfect snow day to cross country ski down to Leetonia. The snowmobiles were running but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't share the road with them. It was a beautiful day to be out and on silent skis I see a bit more than the faster noisier sleds.

The first thing I saw was a deer about a half mile from my house who decided I was too strange to take a chance on and headed back up into the woods. Then as I approached the sharp turn before Mick's old place within ten foot of the road sat a porcupine no farther than about eight foot above the road. He was sound asleep and it was hard to tell that he wasn't dead. He just hung there breathing slowly and from the looks of the hemlock tree he might of been dreaming of the bark and leaves he ate the night before. I often see porcupines up in the trees during the winter sleeping but they are usually much higher so I was able to get a nice picture of him before I headed on down to Leetonia. 

There wasn't a living soul in Leetonia, but I always feel the presence of old residents especially when everyone else is gone. Everything is white sprinkled with tall green pines and quiet except for a few snowmobiles.  We have had so much snow I am starting to go a bit winter blind. I am definitely ready to see some other color beside white. I skied down to the Ruins and back getting a short video of a few snowmobilers. I was surprised to see my sleepy little friend still resting on the low branch even though several sleds had noisily ripped by him. 

Cross country skiing on the snowmobile road isn't bad but you do have to watch out for them coming around the corners. Also it is a bit rougher than a trail groomed for skiing, but not as bad as going across unpacked snow which is now over two foot deep in some places. If I am not too stiff I may get out again tomorrow. It always feels good to breath the air and see the animals of Leetonia. Mountian girl, Paula, logging out.

Snowmobile Paradise

Wood dogs buried

White Out

"Speck get out of your bed, I know I can fit."

We got a good sixteen inches of snow Wednesday and it took three hours using the neighbor's four-wheeler to plow out. The four-wheeler plow really doesn't like anymore than a foot of snow and the only way to clear the snow off was in layers, starting on top and working my way down. Since we had some freezing rain/sleet under the snow it causes the four-wheeler to get stuck more than once. But after much pushing, pulling and one snapped cable we got it done at 8:30 PM. Four-wheelers don't cushion the blow of hitting a big pile of snow so after three hours I ached all over. Thank goodness this snow was light or I don't think I could have moved it at all.

The next day the temperatures plunged again below zero to -18. It did warm up to the 20's during the day and has stayed about the same temperatures for the last couple days. Today it again started snowing and the 1 inch we were supposed to have has already turned to 2 and likely to be 3 before it stops. So it looks like more plowing tonight.

The good news is for the snowmobilers, skiers and lovers of snow. It is perfect for all to play. The snowmobliers have been running like buzzing bees all over the mountain. I would have to say this is the best it has been for snowmobiles the entire season. It doesn't look like anything will change during the next week as temperatures will stay from slightly below zero to mid-twenties all week. The deer are having a rough time moving through the deep snow and will be more prone to winter death from starving and other animals attacking them. They have been herding up as usual for this time of year to aid in clearing snow. They get on the road and don't like to jump off into deep snow, so try not to run them with vehicles anymore than necessary.

I haven't been down the road towards Cedar Run since this last snow and am not sure it is passable. There could have been some slides with all the snow being light and coming so fast. My suggestion is snowmobile only except in plowed areas.

Leo has been trying to take over Speck's bed the last few weeks. For some reason he thinks he should fit in this tiny bed. I don't think Speck appreciates the invasion. We are all looking forward to a little warmer weather soon as cabin fever has affected many in the area. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Frozen in Leetonia

Home sweet home

Approaching home

Leetonia Rd.

Pine tree Hooke camp

I threw in a little video that you will have to view at the blog site to enjoy. We awoke to -8 this morning and the sun rising to warm it up to the low 20's today. When it gets below zero I have to let the faucet drip all night to keep the water lines from freezing. My grandfather buried the water line to the well a bit too shallow for full time living up here and dripping is the only way to keep it from freezing.

We got about 6-8 inches of new snow on Thursday and Friday bringing the snowmobilers back to the mountains. Although our road is plowed they didn't scrap it down to the grave so a few snowmobilers have been buzzing by the house this morning. Most of the snowmobiling is on the pipeline and other unplowed roads. You can hear them buzzing like bees in the trees as the sound bounces through the mountains.

The sun made the mountain like a postcard today with the blue sky above and the fresh white snow below. I put on my snow pants and just laid on the side of the mountain for a while looking up at the few white wisps of clouds passing over. The sun doesn't rise far over the mountain to the South of us during this time of year. In fact, it just comes up in the valley and follows the top of the mountain until it sets, casting a long shadow in front of the mountain. Fortunately, our house is high enough to get sun most of the day and that really helps warm it up and brighten things a bit during the short days of winter. 

We did two puzzles over the holidays. The first was a 1000 piece one on Christmas and the second a 750 piece one on New Years Eve. I got down to the last piece to put in at 2 min before midnight and it was missing. My searching didn't find it before midnight and I had to settle with finding it under the recliner the next day. Thanks I believe to a mischievous cat pushing it there. There is a lesson about goals and how they don't always go on your time schedule. 

I have never had a indoor cat before and I can tell you they are much more mischievous than the dogs. He is however catching the mice which has eliminated my need for poison or traps. Of course he likes to bat them around the house for a lot longer time than I will tolerate before I throw them outside. Speck investigated the one he had this morning and after sniffing it and seeing it wasn't moving didn't seem to understand why the cat was still interested in it at all.

Tomorrow it is supposed to get above freezing and possibly rain before again turning to snow Sunday through Monday morning. The possibility of rain in between the snow never thrills us. The ground is so cold it will instantly turn to ice and make driving very dangerous.Then it is supposed to go so cold the first few days of the week it will make last night seem like the Bahamas. Chains and four-wheel drive are still a must if you are to travel anywhere up here this time of year. Have a great 2014 from the Mountain girls and boys. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Winter Safety

The recent snow of eight inches plus has brought with it all the joys of winter sports. Along with those joys are the dangers. I received a message to pick a friends snowmobile up that would not start even though he had it recently tuned up.  After picking it up and heading home with my trailer, I was flagged down by a frantic woman and child on a snowmobile.

She had been lost since 10 am it was now 4 pm and the worst part was she had a four-year old riding with her.  I had a quick flashback to my first experience with a lost snowmobiler shortly after we moved here. He had left his wife and child in the middle of the forest, when her snowmobile wouldn't start. Then he drove completely around the forest without the knowledge of where he left them. Finding them involved getting the Fire Department and Forestry on sleds looking for them. They were found but not at all close to where he described and well after dark in the cold.

The lost woman of this recent event started to explain in lost person terms where she had been and where she needed to go.  "We started near a gas pipeline at the bottom of a steep hill." That narrowed it down to about six places I could think of off the top of my head.

"My husband and friends took off and I couldn't keep up. I lost them and couldn't figure out where I was." You could visibly see the frustration, exhaustion and fear in the woman's face as she wondered if she would ever find the rest of her family again. "Then my snowmobile stopped," she said. "My daughter and I walked for about four miles until we found someone who was able to start it for us. We have been driving around the mountain ever since." I couldn't imagine walking that far with a four year old in snowmobile clothes.

"Where is your camp?" I asked her.

"It is on the other side of highway 6," she replied.

"Well, you can't drive the snowmobile to it from here," I explained to her, "this is a plowed road from here to six. I can load you up and drive you there if you want."

She agreed and we loaded the snowmobile up and I turned around heading back towards Gaines on Elk Run Road.  Just as we got to Pine Creek Vista Campground she yelled, "That's my husband!" and reached over to my horn and pushed it. I slowed down and he stopped and backed up. She was practically crying and jumped out to greet him. He wasn't as happy and immediately yelled at her for getting lost. I just kept thinking everyone has there own way of dealing with fear and this person's way was obviously anger. Once they settled down he told me where they had started, which was up Elk Run just past the Lick Run intersection. So I turned around and drove the snowmobile to Lick Run where we unloaded it and they continued on their way. I am sure they spent most of the night exchanging blame for the event.

This whole thing reminded me how most people  who travel our forest are ill prepared. Remember if you are driving any vehicle it can stop working.  Cell phones don't work except on a few high ridges.  You can become separated from others in a group and there is a possibility you won't see anyone after that.  I really like my "Spot Messenger" for this reason. I can turn it on to live track and every 10 minutes it sends out a signal as to where I am. I can hit Check OK when I arrive and it sends a message either email or txt to a list of people I have as my safety net. And in extreme circumstances I can hit 911 and it will send my gps coordinates to the local 911 responders. I have found it works most places in the forest with the exception of a few bad valleys.

If you don't have this technology, you can still plan. Have a State Forest Map with you. Make a plan ahead of time for what you will do if separated. Keep track of where you are. Have warm clothes with you and even some water/food if you can. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.  Stay in one place if you want to be found. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. The best thing is to stay in a group, not everyone's machine will die at the same time and there is safety in numbers.

Not a winter goes by that someone isn't hurt or killed riding a snowmobile in the State Forest. It is a beautiful place, but it can become deadly with a few wrong decisions. Stay safe this winter. I have included a link to the left of the snowmobile trails in our forest and surrounding ones. Print it out and keep it in a plastic bag in your machine. Have a safe, happy and fun winter. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Monday is beautiful

Dozer at logging road

Top of Cedar Mt at snowmobile crossing

Gasline Snowmobile crossing

Monday's are the days most people have gone home so I thought it was safe to walk up on Leetonia Road to the top where the pipeline crosses. There were a couple straggler snowmobilers still out but for the most part it was quiet, sunny and beautiful.
There is a Bulldozer up above us parked at the logging road. He has plowed the snow out for the loggers, but I have yet to see them cutting anything behind us. They are taking out mostly pulp wood and according to the Forester will be working until April. It is always a bit nerve wracking to meet a logging truck on snowy roads so I am not anxious for them to start.
So far the weather has been mild and is expected to warm up over the next few days above freezing. Hopefully, we won't get the rain they promised a few days ago as that would make a horrible mess. You can see in the last two photos where the snowmobilers cross Leetonia Road on the pipeline trail. A place you definitely want to slow down and make sure one isn't flying over the top before you run your car through. Although, I haven't had any close calls there hitting a snowmobiler with my car is one of my worst nightmares.
The snow has packed down to 4 to 6 inches in the places where there has been car or snowmobile traffic. However, it is still a bit tricky anywhere it isn't plowed for a car and I don't recommend trying it without chains and nerves of steel. Also, make sure you have the ability to walk for help if you get stuck.
Time for a bit of a rest after my four mile walk. But I always feel so good after being out in the fresh air. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Snowmobile Weekend

Scooter

Barry

If you get this post by email you have to go to http:// lostinleetonia.com to see the video.

Well it was a busy weekend for snowmobilers there was a constant hum of machines running up and down the roads through the forest. Barry stopped by and bought the cargo sled so all of my snowmobile stuff is gone. I have mixed emotions about it cause now I am limited to where I can walk, or ski during the winter to see things, but with the lack of snow the last two winters it is for the best.

I talked to the guys at Sunlite camp and they said one of them had come up from Cedar Run it took them 2 hours of misery to go the 7 miles. So at this time I am sticking to my recommendation of not driving a vehicle up from Cedar Run unless you are the adventurous type that doesn't mind getting stuck a few times. By the end of the week it looks like it will warm up and rain so it is anyone's guess as to what shape the roads will be in for next weekend. 

Scooter and I took a walk up to the "Triplets" and back recording the snowmobiles racing toward us. He is such a good dog by himself and it makes me sad I have to find him a new home. So if any of you know of someone who would take good care of him let me know. For now he and I are getting in some winter walking and cross-country skiing while the snow is good. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out. 

2013 starts cold and snowy

Add caption

Cargo Sled

Snow pile over firewood

Seems like everyday it has snowed a little during the past week. The result is a quickly disappearing firewood pile under the mounds of snow and less and less places to push the snow out of the way. It has also gotten colder with temps in the teens at night and highs in the mid 20's.

This is the year we are also saying goodbye to our snowmobile. We have put 3000 miles on it during our 11 winters in Leetonia, most of which were done during the first five years when our road wasn't plowed. It has hauled in more than its share of groceries, and building materials for jobs I did during the winter months. I am also selling the cargo sled if anyone is interested in that. Now that our road is plowed we haven't used the snowmobile at all the last two years.  The insurance company changed our insurance on it from $25 to $90 this year and that sealed the deal. We have never liked just riding around with it and used it primarily to get the things we needed to live back here. I will always remember it fondly when I think of my learning curve running it. The many times I flipped it or got stuck thinking I could drive it places it wouldn't go. The scary trips down roads that iced over and the late night trips to Cedar Run Inn to work. Once I learned its limitations it never failed us and owes us nothing as we bid it farewell.
Now that the snowmobile has been sold, I am sure we will get a lot of snow the rest of the year, cause isn't that just how life rolls. We had decided it was time to start clearing things out of our lives we don't use. It is easy to accumulate of lot of extra things and space to store them is very limited here. So 2013 is a time to go lean and smarter for the Mountain girls.
The dumped off cat is still hanging around eating the food I put out. It doesn't let us see it much and is quick to run at any noise. A response that might save it from some of the predators roaming around. I have seen quite a few bobcat tracks in the area and that is probably a small cat's biggest threat. Hope everyone has a great 2013. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Snowmobile Paradise

Snow House

11"snow

 Well, we had 11" of snow last night and I am sure 3 or more inches on top the mountain. The weather is near 32 for highs so the snow is getting heavy fast. It was hard to clear with the four-wheeler. I made it only cause I cleared about 8" last night when it was lighter.
The snowmobilers are out and I am sure it will be a great weekend for them as more snow in smaller amounts is scheduled for the weekend. If you are planing on coming up the only road plowed is from Parker Hollow on Leetonia Rd to the intersection of  Cedar Mountain Rd., otherwise you will be dodging snowmobilers on very difficult roads.
The Chihuahua, Speck, is not at all happy about the deep snow since it is taller than him. He sticks to the plowed areas and Lee Anne's lap or the fireplace most of the day. Whatever you do enjoy the snow...it is more than we had all of last winter.
Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Buried

Snow Leetonia Style

The Forestry Department stays busy when it snows in the State Forest. Last night in the late hours of the night, flashing lights went by the cabin. I looked out to see the bigger blue snowmobile groomer going by on the road, getting ready for the weekend.

The groomers even out the snow nice and smooth after the snowmobilers churn it up into mounds. When we have a big weekend of people up it never seems to stay smooth long. The biting cleats of the high powered snowmobiles dig the snow into
piles, until it is like going through a rough sea.

Before the road was plowed, I remember literally feeling beat up inside my car as it plunged up and down over the mounds of snow. Sometimes these mounds get a foot and a half or more high. My neighbor after snowmobiling his groceries home one day found he had scrambled eggs by the time he arrived home. I know I never filled the gas cans full because they would slosh out and make a mess. I was lucky to get 4 gallons in a 5 gallon container.
Now with the roads plowed that issue is over. We have to be careful not to run into any of the speeding snowmobilers who easily forget a car might be on the road with them. I have had horrible thoughts of ever hitting one for the damage would certainly be the worst to the snowmobiler.

The brief visit of above freezing weather lasted for only a day and we have again returned to the teens and single digits. It however was a beautiful sunny day and the snowmobilers were having a great time playing in the snow. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off and putting another log on the fire.

Back Home in Leetonia

I am back! Leetonia Lee did such a good job while I was gone we might have to get her to write a little more often.

Looks like the excavator left by the township will be with us for the winter. They waited too long to move it and it is pretty much snowed in. The stack of firewood for next winter is also feeling a wintery blanket of snow.

The snowmobile is ready for any problems the township may have with getting us plowed or getting to cabins that never get plowed from here. Our snowmobile is pretty old and doesn't have some of the smooth riding features of the newer models. So I have to say we don't ride it for fun. I use it to make a trail for my cross-country skis and for short trips around Leetonia.
When I drove back to the woods with Lee, Sunday, I felt good again seeing the trees and the mountains. I just don't feel at home without them.

My first day back was greeted by a cold artic blast. Thirty mile per hour winds took our cabin to a brisk 48 degrees when I woke up Monday. Leetonia Lee should be called Polar Bear Lee because she likes it cold. I am sure if I or the dogs didn't complain not much firewood would be burnt above 50 degrees in the house.

We are a spoiled lot compared to the pioneers of the area who often had frozen water in their buckets to melt before they could make coffee. Of course they didn't have to worry about pipes freezing, since they didn't have any. They kept on heavy clothes and didn't take baths in the winter. I am sure by Spring it was a pleasant change to get really clean. This time of year brings a lot more work to my work. It is harder to get materials into jobs and to get to the jobs to do anything. I think often much of my work involves getting to work and setting up rather than getting much done. We passed the shortest day of the year on Sunday so with more light everyday we will have more and more time to get things done. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

President's weekend means snowmobiles

Before I start this article, I want you to know I updated the previous article to include a front picture of the Wilsbach camp so you all can compare it easier.

This weekend being long and the first one we have had enough snow to snowmobile for a while has encourage a constant stream of snowmobile traffic. Today the weather is going bad with rain and freezing rain which is going to put a damper on the good times. The first picture shows a few of the snowmobiles at the Sunlight Gun Club just a few hundred yards up the road from me. I took it yesterday during a nice sunshine streak and everyone was in a good mood. I have decided to attached a copy of my first years experiences up here snowmobiling for you all to enjoy. A few things changed this year as we now do not have to depend on the snowmobile to get out since the road is plowed, which has been a big relief. Enjoy and have a great Leetonia Day!

Snowmobiling Lessons by Paula Martin (written in 2002)

Living in the backwoods seven miles off plowed roads requires some planning for emergencies. One of these plans was to have a snowmobile to ride out to get the mail and to the car parked at the plowed road.

I will be the first to admit I knew nothing about snowmobiles. I only knew I wanted one that could carry two people and be reliable. I hoped to spend $500 on a nice used one. That dream was quickly shattered, $500 machines looked like they might be better as lawn ornaments than something to ride. In October, we found the machine we wanted a two-seater 95 Polaris with reverse. Tax, licenses, and two helmets it came to a little over $2000.00. Over budget, but confident we had a machine that would get us out of the woods when we needed it. We hauled it home.

On a warm October day we put our helmets on and climbed onto it waiting for the snow and glad no one drove by to see us. The snow started early in November and by December we had enough snow to give it a try. I went to start it. Nothing. Time to read the owner’s manual. After following all starting instructions to the tee, I figured the battery was dead. So I placed it on the battery charger and impatiently waited. Once charged it started sputtering slowly getting warmed up ready to run. I looked down and noticed it was frozen to the ground. Now I had to get it loose. I pried, jumped, pushed and finally freed it from its icy prison.

Ready to move, I found the large beast needed a large area to turn in and I spent as much time backing up as going forward. Then I started down the road, trying to get used to a feeling of being bumped and slide along with the forward motion. Okay, I thought, lets see where it will go. Six inches of soft snow had fallen over ground that wasn’t totally frozen. Snowmobiles can go anywhere there is snow. I reached the top of our mountain and decided to divert from the trail. As soon as I went off the trail I noticed the snowmobile slipping more and more I decided to head back up to the trail. I started to spin a hole through the snow to the ground below and came to a stop. I couldn’t go up and looking down at the steep slope below decided not to go down. I got off and pushed. The sled was heavy and I could only move it about six inches at a time. After about forty-five minutes I had uncovered more dirt and moved in the wrong direction. Discouraged, I turned the machine off and walked back to the cabin.

Fortunately, we could still drive our Subaru up the hill not far from the snowmobile. Two people pushing and driving the snowmobile freed it up. Lesson one: Don’t drive in deep or soft snow.

When the snow packed down it was easier to drive the snowmobile. The forecast was for freezing rain. Rain matted the snow down into a wet slush and then a temperature drop froze the whole mess. I broke the snowmobile loose from the ground again and started it. The skags gritted against the ice and the machine seems to bounce from rut to rut. I ran between five and ten miles per hour and tried to drive on any snow I could see left by the storm. Then I hit a slight incline of pure ice. The snowmobile started to go sideways towards the drop off side of the road. I slowed to a stop and stepped off the snowmobile to inspect the situation. I hit the ground as fast as my feet touched it. Half holding the snowmobile I pushed and slide it to a small piece of gravel and got it past the ice. Lesson two: Snowmobiles do not like ice. Later, I found out you can have ice spikes put in the track that helps with this for about $300.

I am an avid cross-country skier and we have a lot of nice trails near my house. However, storms have a way of littering them with trees. I decided the snowmobile could carry with my chainsaw and gas to the sites I needed to clear. I cleared the first trail without problems. The second trail was narrow and had several trees across it. I cleared them and tried to put the snowmobile in reverse it wouldn’t go. I moved the lever back and forth several times without luck. This meant lifting the beast around. I tugged at the skags and inched the rear over until I thought my back would break, and headed back.

Then the snowmobile started making odd sounds. Clinkty, clinkty, clank, and it came to a fast skidding halt. The track wouldn’t move. I got out and looked for any foreign objects stuck in track and found nothing. I pushed and shoved it. It wasn’t going to move. I turned it off and carried my chain saw the half of a mile home. Tired and with little knowledge of snowmobile mechanics. I went home and called the dealer.

“Did you check the track?” He said.

“Yes.” I replied.

“Well it is probably the chain drive.” He stated. “It’s in a sealed unit to the right side of the snowmobile. But once you open it all the oil will come out and you will need more to fill it.”

I hung up the phone and realized my car was seven miles away and I would need it to get parts and oil for the snowmobile.

“I’ll walk out.” Lee said offering to make the seven-mile walk.

“No I’ll go.” I said reluctantly. “I’ve a better chance of making it before dark.”

Walking out of here is no small task. It’s not a leisurely seven-mile walk. It is an up and down mountain walk in snow. I put on my best hiking shoes and a backpack filled with water, extra snow clothes and the mail to go out. I left at 1:45 pm.

Snowmobiles roared past me constantly. At 3:15 pm I was close to the top of the first mountain. I’d only gone two and a half miles. I still had five and a half to go and it would be dark by 5 pm. If one of these snowmobilers slows down, I’m going to hitch a ride. No sooner had I finished that thought then one did slow down and I asked him to drive me out to the road. I’d been dressed for walking not riding a snowmobile. I didn’t have a helmet and wore light hiking clothes.

I got on the back of this machine and we were off. I soon realized I had chosen the ride from hell. I am a conservative snowmobile driver. The fastest I ride a snowmobile on these roads was 25 mph, which is the car speed limit, and for good reason. The roads are winding narrow, icy, steep, and dangerous. The trees became a blur and I struggled between hiding my face behind the driver to avoid the wind chill or looking so I could anticipate my death. The man leaned through every curve and my fingers clawed his jacket. I saw two logging trucks and thought we were dead. Somehow he stopped the sled in time. I took this opportunity to voice my opinions to the driver.

“You’re scaring the life out of me.” I told him hoping he would adjust his speed. He did. Faster. It took less than ten minutes to go five and a half miles, and it seemed like the roller coaster ride from hell to me.

The green sign proclaimed my freedom at the end of the forest. Stiff with fear and cold, I exited the death machine. “Thanks for the ride,” I said shaking “and sparing me my life.” He smiled, turned around and sped off. I hopped into the car and warmed up with the heaters. Lessons three and four: Snowmobiles break. Use caution accepting rides from unknown snowmobilers.

After fixing the snowmobile, I went for a long time without incident, riding the regular fourteen-mile round trip to get mail and supplies. It was a long winter with lots of snow and I got to walk two more times before the end of it.

The first time I crossed over a drifted area while turning, the outside ski sunk and the snowmobile flipped on top of me. Although unhurt, I could not right the snowmobile myself and walked home. By now the sight of me walking to the cabin had Lee dressing and asking me how far the snowmobile was this time.

Our last walk was the longest one-mile carrying a come-a-long and enough cable to pull the snowmobile out of deep wet snow. During my first year snowmobiling I had been stuck five times. I am hoping for some redemption this year.

Note: I have continued to improve over the last 5 years and have made fewer and fewer mistakes. I don't take ride from strangers! Guess my mom was right!

Snow, snow, snow

Okay, I am starting to wonder what happened to the Spring weather last week. We got down to single digits and it is snowing as I write.

I find myself looking at every flake wondering how much heat it will take to make it melt. Even the animals are upset. Red-winged blackbirds, robins and others flying around in disbelief. I think I heard one of them ask, "Are we in the right place?"

In December, the snow is beautiful and seems to add to the majesty of the woods. Now it just seems to be in the way of getting anything done. I dress up like a large stuffed pepper and push my way through the snow to the snowmobile, strap everything on and hope I get to the worksite with the things I started with. The snow is not flat on the road. The weekender snowmobile riders take great pleasure in patching out and making mounds of snow like waves on the road. These waves create a roller coaster effect that is more like being repeatedly punched in the ass. It also jars things off the snowmobile that you tether to it. I can't even seem to get the dogs to stay out long. They bark and push at the door as soon as they have eliminated their bladders outside. Then they park as close to the fire as they can get without smelling like burnt hair.

Jack warming up today

I find myself wanting to be just like the dog planted in front of the fireplace and not doing anything else. And that is the life in Leetonia today. It is supposed to warm up for the weekend and we can start the meltdown again.

Mountain Girl Road Advisory snowmobile preferred. 4-wheel drive vehicles are dangerous to use today.

St Patricks Day in Leetonia

Those nasty Leprechauns
I think the Leprechauns played a trick on us and decided we needed another taste of winter before they would grant us a real Spring.

We had anywhere from 8-12 inches of snow Saturday and we had to go somewhere with the dogs. Needless to say they are jambed into a dog crate for the 9 mile trip to Cedar Run to get the car.

I don't think they are too happy about the idea of riding in the crate, but they are happier than being left behind.
March is the month most likely to make us wonder why. Why do we live somewhere the plows don't go? It takes so much extra time to load everything into the snowmobile then unload it into the car and do the same thing on the return. Working up here in the winter on cabins takes twice as long and you get half as much done as you do when the roads are clear.

Today upon returning "Sunday", the roads had been somewhat packed down by the weekend snowmobilers. The road is still a little iffy for vehicles other than snowmobiles and there are places where the road is starting to show through...bad for the snowmobiles. Welcome to the March In-betweens. When you don't know how to get in and out until the hour you are ready to go. Things change in an instant with rain, snow, freezing or thawing. Even with the hassle looking at the blue sky with a few white clouds and the beauty of the woods somehow gives you the courage to face it another day.

Mountain Girl Road Advisory: Snowmobile preferred...vehicle possible but dangerous.