In recent years... (recent years meaning being on the smarter side of 25 🤠).... i haven’t had much, if any walking. Luck or wisdom? Time will tell.
One memorable occasion however, maybe mid-March 2017 to close the end of snowmobiling season I took my ex to the UP. We stayed just out side of Calumet at Trailside. Pretty sure we were the ONLY ones there. It was Sunday, travel home day with some real nasty freezing rain falling. Getting that ever-so-precious ‘last ride’ in wasn’t a hard call even considering the weather (or snowless trails leading up the peninsula). We had 1 mission, make a quick run for breakfast, stop for a bloody, and do not load until a minimum of 100 additional miles were added to the already decent season total.
We busted the ice coating covering the truck (gear was locked inside) and pre-heated machines. Off we went heading for Slims Cafe. We were met with baffling looks of awkwardness upon entering...I’m sure all the locals ended their season a month ago! We ordered, ate, settled our debts, and it was off like a rocket to nowhere other than Gay, MI for a Bloody Mary. Braaap!!
We were greeted with the same unwelcoming glances upon entering the towns namesake bar. There was a bartender and 3 locals across the bar as we pitched our helmets down. In an effort to ease the tension, I broke the awkward silence, “how much mud do we have on us”. Well it worked, we were immediately welcomed with laughter as well as being the brunt of a few ‘non-resident, late season snowmobiler’ jokes. It was alright though as we seemed to fare well with the local. One of the older fellows gave us his number and demanded our return in summer for some guided fishing or next winter for some boondocking adventures only the locals know about.
When the cheers finally ended we parted way. The plan was to run a quick loop, pass back through Gay, and back to Trailside to load and go. Time wasn’t on our side, although the freezing rain was easing and the roads were improving.
After our loop and after having passed back through Gay, we were on the home stretch. We had good tight trails and riding hard. A ways up the trail I noticed some non-sledders on the sled trail and signaled to the trailing rider I was slowing. The two people in the trail were cross country skiing and politely we slowed down and gave a friendly waive. Once around the next bend.....Braap. We crossed a road about 6 miles later (maybe more, it was a blur). I noticed a Subaru parked at the crossing and the light popped on, that was the skiers car parked there. We crossed the road and get back on it! Home stretch for sure, I remember thinking. Braaaap.
About 4 miles after the road crossing, the disappointing sound of scattering metal coming out of corner was as unwelcome as anything. Idle down, flash brake light, and pull to the side (we’ve all been there). As I shut the sled down I was met with the dismay of that pleasant odor - gear lube! A quick trail side assessment was something scattered in the gear box and blew out the bottom, however, the chain and gears still intact. We hadn’t many options and for the first time ever, loved the idea of cross country skiers sharing our trails. Back to the road crossing to plead for a ride!!! Braaap. (While we weren’t ‘race ready’, we also weren’t inoperable)
The 2 gentlemen were very stand off ish at first. Then the driver said, well you were respectful and slowed down passing us, hope in. While the sexuality of the two men will forever be questioned in my mind, they DID get me back to my truck in Calumet, as awkward of a ride as it was.
The moral of the story, I’d take the coyote hunter anytime!!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!!
All kidding aside, I've been through quite a few tows, but I haven't had to walk one out too far. The last hitch hike was similar. Not many takers, but someone eventually stopped. The truck was a real rust bucket and a couple dogs crawling all over the cab. Super friendly driver that wanted to keep right on talking. I did the nice thing and listened for awhile. He would not take cash for the ride, so went in and got some cuts out of the freezer.
