Lindsey's Version of Georgetown Lake mobiling
We wanted to go to Cooke City. Who wouldn't? As the day would have it we slept in and stayed closer to home. Derick called Georgetown Lake and a woman answered, "yes, there is enough snow, the cat is grooming it right now." It was bound to be a good day. Derick without snowmobiling is a fish out of water.
At 11:30 we left Missoula for this snow playground. The cast included a beater suburban, a make-shift trailer with a twenty-year old sled, three dogs, a young, happy couple and a mishmash of gear.
The directions to get there go something like: "turn right before the ski area." It was vague but we followed the snow and there it was, a giant parking lot tucked into the woods with one other truck and signs of sled-life--tracks!
Derick didn't wait to bundle up or pass of instructions before climbing onto his toy and jetting around through the lot, up over the hills and back. I pulled out the camera quickly, still hiding from the cold in the back of the suburban, and took two pictures through the dirty windows.
I got dressed, no details necessary, and hopped on board. Trailed by three pups we found the cat path and went full throttle into wonderful, fresh white. After a few miles the retrievers were returned to the car. Lena, my princess pit cross would follow us for a total of twenty miles (her choice).
I can't recall it all for you, my eyes are recovering from the wind and my brain is a little high on the exhaust but IT WAS PERFECT. In the three hours we were out, we found nice stretches of pedal-to-the-metal, open areas for getting-stuck practice, hills of powder for some wild verticals, trees to weave, and a cool old guy and his crazy mobile being towed by the cat.
I noticed the headlight on the snow, signaling nightfall and Derick put a foot into a hidden creek so we returned to the vehicle REALLY satisfied. 52 miles of life done well!
A location-appropriate bar/restaurant just outside the park filled our bellies.
I'll end there... so pleased and ready to ride again.
