Great Day on the Trail

It was another great day on the trail. No complaints from us. We both enjoy being able to get away and just let the wind, air and sun envelope us with the sweet scent of freedom.

We headed out about 10 am up trail 7 north. A few bumps in the little gully just before Mancelona Road. This is a narrow stretch so you're not going that fast anyway for the bumps to cause any major inconvenience. As you come up out of the gully.. you can see Mancelona Road ahead;

we both noticed sled tracks where people have cut across the railroad tracks right there (instead of following the trail on down to Mancelona Rd and then cutting back south on trail 4). Apparently, they forgot or did not know this is illegal, dangerous and could cost the use of the railroad land for the trail! .. Just take the extra few minutes and cross at the road.

Have you noticed that the trail sign turns to 47 from this point along Old 27 South? Mike says its because this is both trail 7 and 4. BUT, further down towards Lovels there is a stretch labeled 47 too... its rather confusing.

We traveled on into Gaylord. The closer to Gaylord, the dirtier the trail. Its still ridable, smooth, and snowcovered... but very dirty snow. Crossed over the trail at Extreme and continued along Trail 4. Great ride.

Until we reached the intersection of 404/North Loop and Trail 4 headed south. We continued along trail 4 into Lovels and from this stretch on it was rough. I gave it a 2-3 ibuprofen rating (first I've had to do this year!)... and ibuprofen being the snowmobilers drug of choice as evidenced by the many bottles of ibuprofen seen in guests rooms. Less snow also.

Every other time in the past when we've taken this portion of the trail to Lovells we've seen deer. Nothing this year. I did spy a little mouse! ... it must have been traveling across the trail. Neither one of us hit him, but Mike (who was in front) blew him across the trail when he passed and the poor little guy was rolling across when I saw him... rather disoriented, but he shook himself off and started back into the woods. First time I've spied a mouse in the winter woods.

We ate lunch in Lovells and then began the return trip back. When we reached 404 we took it north and had more enjoyable riding.

All too soon, we were home and time to get busy. Busy walking Sparky, feeding Sparky and then playing with Sparky. He's not shy about letting us know he wants attention.