Copper Harbor Snowmobiling Trip!

Todd and I took a snowmobile trip on Saturday to Copper Harbor. Talk about COLD!!! I think it was 7 without the windchill. It was already planned so I couldn't back out of it because of the weather. We had a room reserved at the Fanny Hoe Motel. I rode on the back of Todd's snowmobile. He wants me to get into snowmobiling so badly. I feel bad for him. Here's the scenario of why snowmobiling is not fun for me:

Clothing: Long johns (top and bottoms), 2 pair of socks, jeans, sweater, mid layer jacket, outer (heavy) jacket, snowpants, boots, gloves, balaclava, helmet. How many pounds is that?

First I drove, that wasn't so bad, except he was getting mad at me because I was going 20 mph, then at one point I thought I was flying and I look down and I'm going 40! So after about 15 minutes I have a line of snowmobiles behind me (not from our group) and my thumb/hand is aching from trying to keep the throttle pressed. I pull over and get on the back while he drives.

So we are FLYING, I saw 60 mph (at one point he said we were going 90!) I'm holding on for dear life and praying out loud thinking "Why is this fun?" My face feels like it's going to freeze off, he tells me I have to "lean" on the corners, but since I have 50lbs of clothes on and my boots are slipping on the running boards so I have no traction or balance, so I can't do a good job of "leaning". Also, in order to lean I have to be able to see the corner up ahead, but his helmet is in my way, so I'm trying to look around him, but my right glasses lens is iced over and my helmet shield is fogging up, so it was a little hard to see anything.

Then I get hit in the head by a Branch with a capital B. He says "you were supposed to duck!" So I have an instant headache/neckache to go along with the coldness and the hanging on for dear life and trying not to worry about more snowmobilers coming at us around the blind corners on a "narrow trail" (there is actually signs that say this, and I don't think anyone pays attention either). We were almost clipped by oncoming twice!!!!

Finally I see a sign that says "Salvation" or "Copper Harbor 5 miles". YES!!! Needless to say for the ride home I called and begged Holly to come and pick me up with my van. What a relief that she said yes.

Amidst all the terror there was a bright spot. Here's the scenario of why I like snowmobiling:

Todd took us "off trail" at one point. So we are cruising along in the powder snow, everything is untouched and beautiful and it feels like we are riding on clouds. Very awesome and undescribable.

It'll probably take me another year to forget the terror and I'll agree to go on another ride with him. Pray for my safe return! Oh, and don't tell anyone where I work.