Snowmobiling (for the Beauty, ride, and show)

Sunday, January 9th 2011, I had the opportunity to go snowmobiling with my dear friend Kristina. Andy was suppportive and stayed home with all the kids. I got away solo. I was completely free. I brought my camera on this adventure because that's what I do when I'm free...create images of what I see.

Outside, it was in the low 20's. Everything had ice crystals formed and the air was frigid. 2 of Kristinas kids came for the ride, one was 11 the other 6. As we are driving down the road, the 6 year old asked me:
"Do you take pictures all day long?"
...I said, "Yeah. Pretty much. I'm a little different. You will come to find that out in your life." Nuf said.

DAN MOLER AT THE BEGINNING

We pulled into the parking lot and I noticed there were quite a few vehicles there. This is a main trail that many snowmobilers use. I sat infront of Justin (Kristinas husband), as we started up the trail. The first 50 yards up the trail was pure ice...and we got stuck. Justin told me to get off and walk up the hill. 15 minutes later, us and 6 other sleds had made it up the icy hill...we were on our way.

Within 5 minutes, my perspective of snowmobiling was starting to evolve. It was amazing to go through the mountain, passing snowcovered trees, going so fast you can feel your stomach in your throat. There was untouched beauty right there on all sides of me. Then, Justin would start to go really fast and head towards a jump, (without a second thought) and I was SCREAMING like a little girl...(no, more like a mouse that just got trapped in a mouse trap. I don't have the best scream of excitement) Yes, it was a rush I tell ya.

LIVING ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

(click on picture to see full panorama)

There are these people that call themselves, sledheads. These people live for the winter sports, thrive on the rush, and love the sound of the engine.

It's quite an easy going group of people...which is why I could be one. They took me to the top. The top of the mountain...in the middle of winter...in Alaska. The view was something I had never seen and was amazing. It was about -50 with the wind blowing sideways (this is just an guess). Ice was on the trees in different shapes and the sky was as blue as blue can be.

I knew at this point, it wasn't just the ride, it was the destination that made this sport a choice activity.


JUMPS
And then, I got a show. (Beauty, ride, then show. Who...I SAID WHO would ask for more?)

 Ok, well I did ask for 1 more thing. A picture of me, a warm cabin, and another trip.