Every winter I get together with nine of the ‘Valley Boys’ for a weekend snowmobile excursion to some distant point on the Ontario Trail Plan. This year was no exception.

Mike Biglow, Chris Dugas, Dan Monahan, Mike Souliere, Conrade Mazerol, Richard Lalond, Mitch Chenier, Roger Colette, Kevin Gibson and I boarded our snow machines on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. and returned on Sunday at 4 p.m. While much of what went on will remain a ‘Club Secret’ under the ‘Boys’ Code of Secrecy, we can tell you that we had a terrific four days on the trails covering over 900 km on the well-groomed Ontario Trail Plan. Our first stop was Elk Lake where we lived like royalty at the Long Point Lodge. The hospitality of the owners, Gord and his wife, was out of this world as we were treated to a hearty dinner, a full breakfast, a packed lunch and a comfortable night at the lodge, for only $55 per person! 

The next morning we headed for Timmins where we received the same type of treatment from our host J.P. and Natalie Moore, Rick’s son-in-law Ha, Ha, I got it right this time.

Then Saturday morning at a blistering minus 44 degrees Celsius, we headed for Three Bear Lodge in Shining Tree where we received the same type of treatment from Cindy & Brandon. What a meal it was! A 22 ounze T-Bone steak, breakfast and accommodation for only $62.00 per person. We even had a bit of unexpected excitement as we helped put out a late night fire in one of the guest cabins - not one that we were staying in, just in case anyone wants to know. Mike Souliere even saved the Lodge from losing its source of hydro when he disconnected the wires before the fire caused a transformer to blow. 

We also had a very memorable stop at Sawmill Café on our way home. Raison pie anyone?  That is a story that the boys will have to tell you themselves, right, Mike?

All-in-all, it was a great trip with only one minor breakdown and no other incidents. A perfect winter break for ten snowmobile enthusiasts from Valley East who have been waiting a long time for a winter like this. And in light of all of the bad accidents that have happened to snow mobile riders this winter, it is nice to have a story with a happy ending.