Full moon fever. That's what one rider called the new years weekend. Boy did stuff happen. I think by now that any member that was in the area already knows what all happened. Because of this I don't think we will need little birdy this month. I guess I will start with Friday night. I don't know all the details as a matter of fact I know very little. Here's what I heard, one rider had to go to Mineral Comm. Hospital for a split chin, another rider was off loading a sled from atop a pick sled carrier when something went wrong. Crash, one split open head and a broken nose. He got a ride to the hospital via the big van with flashing lights and IV's. OK, now on to Saturday. I was aware that most every one of the clubs that regularly rides were riding somewhere, with some group. I did not hear of any incidents on Saturday other than what happened to one rider from the group I was with, he was from Coulee Dam. 13 of us were headed up to the Rainy-Dominion Loop. I stopped at the bottom of Rainy Creek where the Hiawatha bike trail starts. There is a very steep but short hill climb there. I flew up it on my sled and was turning around on the top to go back down when I saw this rider flying up on a Arctic Cat 800. I didn't have time to tell him to let off the power about 80% of the way up or he may stab the bank on the other side of the road. Well he didn't stab the road instead he did a 180 over the top and his sled barrel rolled 7 times, one end-o and stopped at the bottom on it's skis. (Sound familiar Mark)Well the good news is that the windshield popped off and was reinstalled with no damage. Amazing how flexible sleds are now days. On to Sunday , that seemed to be the worst day. I was riding with the same group again. We were to take a easy ride to St. Regis by way of the old RR track and back through Camels Hump. We did just that but then decided to go up the Thompson Falls -Deborgia Trail. You see there is a nice semi clear cut to play in near the top. The group went ahead of me because I stopped to talk to the Stevens brothers. I then followed up the trail. As I approached the hill I noticed a sled stuck. I was told the rest of the group was up the hill and had a fire going. It was rather foggy and I couldn't see the group or fire from there. I proceeded to climb and follow the tracks in hope of leading me to them. With no depth perception I continued to climb then it happened. There was a road, I was going to fast to stop so I hammered it hoping to jump to the other bank. Success, I made it to the bank but what I didn't know or could see was the stump under the snow. I never came to a stop so fast in my life, not even when I hit the sign on Lookout in November with my Buick (that's another story for another time). The damage was not to serious, two badly bruised shins from hitting the handlebars as I jettisoned over the top of the sled. A new bumper brace, bumper and exhaust pipe and I am back on the trail. While I was busy doing this Brooke was getting off her sled up on Bouillon when it decided to go for a ride by it's self. I guess after awhile most sleds think they know the way home alone. Her sled was dyslexic, it went backward down the bank to the bottom of the ravine. Two + hours later and lots of human muscle the loving Polaris came back to Brooke sadly crying and apologizing, it promised not to do that again. Brooke forgave it. While Brooke was busy forgiving three other riders, with a group that went to Avery and was on their way back to Saltese, decided it would be more fun to two up it back. I should say their sleds decided that they should two up it. The Polaris, Ski-Doo and Arctic Cat (no not one Yamaha, but then there probably was not one in the bunch) wanted to rest so they self distruct. Mark claims this was the only time he had bought an extra warrantee, boy was he glad. The other riders- I don't know because I am not sure who they were. OK enough is enough-right. Wrong. As I came limping home I noticed the groomer was out of the garage and someone was fueling it. I went down and found Mark on it. I showed him my booboo on my sled and then he told me about the three dead sleds. Since he couldn't ride and the trails got so beat up he decided to groom. I told him I had nothing to do and I would keep him company and ride shotgun. Away we went, looking forward to non-eventful 10 hours. We made it about 8 miles (just past Saltese). As we were about to cross the St. Regis river the right back boggie bearing broke and the wheel fell off. Shortly after that the track broke jackknifing the groomer off the bridge towards the river. I remember telling (yelling was more like it) "I'm out of here, see ya Mark" as I opened the door and bailed out. With Marks cat like reactions and experience with heavy equipment he was able to stop the unit before it fell of the bridge into the river. Thanks to Don Garr's thoughtfulness we had a sled on the Maxey. After much work (the hydraulics didn't work to drop the sled off) we muscled the cat off and cheerfully rode two-up, Marks second two-up ride for the day, back to Saltese. How's that for a weekend to remember. May new years 2003 be better. On to more club news. We had our January meeting at the Old Montana Bar, Saturday the 5th. See the minutes for details. I can say my luck must have changed because I won the drawing and received a great looking Nightriders Club hat. Bet ya didn't know we had hats and sweatshirts. After the meeting we had a club poker ride from Saltese to the shelter then to Bouillon Pass and back to the bar, see pics below, This is where my luck changed back. I did not win any hands. The winners were: drum roll please, low hand-Deb Warren she won $5,000 . Next was the 3rd. place-no not again- Deb Warren again she won $6,000. Next was the 2nd. place hand. This time it wasn't Deb but Ron Warren- something is fishy here. Ron won a new Ski-Doo Summit. Last but most was 1st. place. This hand went to Alan Sotterling (what not a Warren-maybe it wasn't rigged). Alan rode away with the Million dollar pot. Alan of course bought every one a round so it was a little less then $1,000,000.Nice to have so much money for a club ride. As you may have notice I embellish the prizes a bit.
Fun was not over yet. At seven PM we got back together at the OMB for our holiday party. A blend of Christmas and New Years. We had drinks and Prime Rib. Thanks to Marsh W. and Shirley Garr for the excellent cooking. I notice one important fact. When the members were asked to bring certain food groups base on their last name we ended up with a ton of deserts (Q-Z) and very little salad or potato foods. WE need to check the mailing list and divide up the groups differently. We had another drawing for the members there. My lucked changed back- I won a new snowmobile suit (a compass and thermometer and safety light). Alan S. won a big money belt to put his million bucks in (whistle and hat). Also Gene W. won a new digital movie camera (a disposable camera). Bruce Copps won a helmet worth over $500 (hat and a whistle).Phyllis won leather seat covers for her new Benz (lighter and club patch). Last but not least by any means, Jerry W. won a leather recliner to relax in (can of peanuts). What can I say, it was a wonderful Party. If you weren't there- it's because you weren't there.
Many of the members are carrying small Motorola type radios. They are inexpensive and could save your life. At the least let someone know where you are stuck or broke down. We monitor channel 12. You should look into getting one for each rider, especially if you are an off trail rider.
See ya at the Snow Cross Sno-Boss on the 19-20. Be there for all the action. We still need workers, by the way you will be rewarded for working-no joke, contact Brooke 406-678-4242. Next meeting will be the SECOND Saturday in Feb. because of the Poker Ride. We need help there to. See Brooke. Saturday the 9th. at 11:00 AM MST at the schoolhouse. Be there, we will have a ride to follow, if it doesn't stop raining we go on a cruise instead, someone bring a boat just in case.
Also don't forget, my son has finished the new web site and it looks very professional. Best site in the state. Take a look at http://blackfoot.net/~nodsllew . Remember it is a tilde ~ not a dash-. We are going to put club member, Rhonda Nelson's link to her snowmobile pictures into the gallery section. Watch for it.
See ya and keep the snowy side down. If anyone has a picture of the groomer incident and/or the party please e-mail, snail mail or drop them of at my house or the Silver $ bar in my name, thanks. Nod

PS If you are to lucky let me know, I can fix that. I called my brother in Louisville yesterday. I explain my bad luck for the last month, he called me today to inform me that MY luck should change to the good. My bad luck rubbed off on him. After we spoke he had to run some errands, he backed into a car in the parking lot. If that wasn't enough his car died and would restart, he then had to call a tow truck. I don't think he wants to hear from me again. If anyone can guess who this headless rider is (for the exception of those on the ride who knows) I will

buy them a drink.. Pictures thanks to Rhonda Nelson. Look for her site on our gallery soon. BY the way the headless pic actually came out that way, it was not cut. The head is behind a branch. Look at third pic. Now we no who the REAL mechanic is, it's Sally.