Well, we're coming down to the wire now. It's 04:11 AM and as Mel Fisher would say, "Today's the Day!" This year's candidates have all been chosen, and are all on board. We have received everything our sponsors and donors have generously given us to make our ride a complete success.
Our stops along the way have all been on board, and we're going to have a great time when we get there. Stillwaters Bar and Restaurant in Star Lake, The Bear Trap Inn in Land O Lakes, and Gooch's A-One in Boulder Junction, are all awaiting our arrival. There was a prediction of new snow in the 10 to 12 inch range, and we got a good 8" of fresh, heavy, and wet snow. The temperatures dropped to eight degrees and the trails are in near perfect condition. As they say in Boston, "Dis yeah's ride might be the best yeah evah."
Then there are the folks who also made contributions of a different sort:
The Squeeze Box Stompers, of Winthrop Massachusetts, a Grammy nominated Zydeco band who sent to us a two CD set of their recordings for each of the Soldiers. Ralph Tufo, the band's leader and playwright does this each year without question. Thanks go out to Ralph and the other band members.
The Gary Sinise Foundation, where Gary himself sends a personalized photo to each of the men and women who participate. One time I happened to visit a Soldier's office at the National Guard Armory, in Medford WI, and noticed that the photo from Mr. Sinise was right there hanging on the wall, proudly, for all to see.
Ace Hardware in Woodruff, Wisconsin, who sent along nice woolen heavy duty winter socks and hand and body warmers for each of our new riders to stay warm and comfortable when they are out on the trails.
Stormy Kromer, of Ironwood Michigan, who each year equips our riders with warm woolen mittens. The quality of their clothing cannot be matched anywhere, and it's all made right here in the USA by the best people in the UP.
The Wisconsin National Guard who for the past three years has equipped each soldier with a new back pack stuffed with many useful items for continued use in daily activities.
The FXR Racing Team, Winnepeg, Manitoba Canada, who when we reached out to them they were quick to supply each and every soldier with a complete FXR Racing suit. We have been very lucky to have them on board as one of our sponsors. We really appreciate the opportunity to represent their brand, and we wear and display it proudly. Find FXR here:
https://www.fxrracing.com/
The New-tom Snow Fleas, Lake Tomahawk, WI is another snowmobile club who is supporting our ride this year with a visa card to fill the sleds with gas. They are responsible for the maintenance and grooming of over 120 miles of trails. We cannot thank them enough for their support. If you live in the Tomahawk or Lake Tomahawk area this is another great club to join.
http://www.new-tomsnofleas.com/
Northland Docks in Arbor Vitae Wisconsin, who supply our lodging at their "Camp Shed Horn" in Watersmeet, Michigan. Not only do they let us stay there, but they also provide us with two of their sleds to use for the week-end. Rene and Neal Anderson are very generous to do this for us, and we hope to continue this relationship year after year. Check out the camp here:
http://www.exploringthenorth.com/campshed/horn.html
Shoeders Marine in Rhinlander Wisconsin. This year we welcome a new addition to our fabulous lineup of sponsors. Shoeders Marine was very generous to donate a new HJC helmet for one of our soldiers to use and keep. The folks there are terrific! Find them here:
https://www.shoedersmarine.com/
Suzie's Designs, St. Germain, Wisconsin. Each year Suzie hand crafts a piece of jewelry or two for our female participants. Each year it is something unique and special.
Dr. Liesen and Dr. Pinzl of Woodruff, Wisconsin. For the past three years Dr. Pinzl and his staff have made sure that our soldiers have proper dental hygiene products for their use. There offices are here:
https://www.drsliesenpinzl.com/
Stillwaters Bar and Restaurant in Star Lake Wisconsin. For the past three years Stillwater is our lunch stop on our ride. Chuck Altamore and his wife Karen have fed the troops generously, year after year. They are always warm and welcoming. Chuck is a former Navy man and always says. "Anything for the troops!" Check them out here:
http://www.stillwatersstarlake.com/
The Sayner Barnstomers Snowmobile Club in Sayner Wisconsin. When we reached out to this organization they could not respond quick enough. Their generous donation will certainly help put gas in the sleds, and food on the table. When we personally thanked their President Mr. Dennis Horan, again he said, "Anything for the Troops". Dennis is a former Army Ranger. We cannot thank the Barnstormers enough. If you're looking for a great club to join, this is the one. And, you can save money on that trail pass if you belong to a club. Join them here:
http://saynerbarnstormers.com/
R&R Motorsports of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin is new to our list of sponsors this year. R&R will be providing a sled for one of our soldiers to use over the week-end. If you are an Artic Cat person, this is the place to go. If you're an ATVer, check out the new Textron Stampede UTV. They are an authorized dealer.
https://www.rnr-rentals.com
Ryden Marine of Minocqua Wisconsin. Each year for the past three years Minocqua Yamaha has let us use a snowmobile for our event. After Minocqua Yamaha was bought by Ryden Marine, our relationship continued. We hope this partnership will last for years to come. We personally own and use two Yamaha Venture two-up sleds. One is a Venture Lite and the other is a Venture MP. We have never had any problems with these sleds and this is the place that we have them serviced at. We trust these sleds and the last thing we need is a mishap or failure when out on the trails with new riders on board.
https://www.rydensmarine.com/
Trig's Grocery in Eagle River, WI. We met the store director Terry last week at the Snowmobile Derby World Championships. When Terry found out about Soldiers on Sleds and what we were all about, he did not hesitate to offer to help us out. So yesterday, we went to Trig's and did all of our grocery shopping for the week-end. With their generous donation, we were able to fill our baskets with all the needed items to make our stay at Camp Shed Horn. One of the things we learned while there is that they offer an online shopping service where you can shop, and they will deliver your groceries right to your door. This is a great service, especially if you are elderly. You can make sure grandma or grandpa is getting the nutrition they need by ordering items on line and having them delivered to their homes. Terry is one generous guy, and Soldiers on Sleds welcomes Trigs to our family of sponsors.
https://trigstogo.com/online/
There were also many individual contributors who also helped make this event the success it is. Mr. James and Kathy Kane of Lynn Massachusetts, Mr. Dennis and Dianne Dieter of St. Germain, WI, Mr. David and Dorothy Brosseit of St. Germain WI, Mr. Dennis and Anita Horan of St. Germain WI, Mr. Arthur Bourgeois of Exeter, NH, and all those contributors who dropped their dollars into our donation box at Stillwaters Bar and Restaurant. Without them we could not ride.
Being a soldier is something that is not easy to explain if you have not been in the military. There is a special bond that develops among them. It is not easy living in close quarters, especially in mixed company. Camp Shed Horn sleeps seventeen. That's a lot of people in a small space. You have to get along, and throw away your inhibitions. But it is very interesting to watch these men and women as they come together, some never having met the other, and quickly start working together as one team.
So today's the day. We'll pack the truck up and head on out to the Camp. Drop of items and drive back the 60 miles or so, load it up, and do it all over again. Meanwhile, we have heard from some of the soldiers who are planning on an early arrival. They are leaving their homes from all over the state this morning, and heading on up to Camp Shed Horn. By noon there should be a lot of them there. Tonight's menu: Jumbo Hot Dogs and all of the trimmings.
Keep looking here for updates as the trip and week-end progress. We'll post photos as we take them and put a new posting together...........
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