Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Wistful Wednesday : Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling.  Years ago snowmobiling was all the rage in Minnesota during the “snow” years.  There were many groups of people that would get together on the weekends to snowmobile.

My parents had first one snowmobile..then two so they could each drive.  I believe this is the first snowmobile they had.

Connie and Julie Ann 1969 

Me and my sister Julie in 1969.  I was almost sixteen when she was born..so there is a big age difference between us.  The photo is taken at the farm where I was raised.  We didn’t take the snowmobile too far ..just around in the surrounding fields.  It is a wonder that us girls got a turn..my brothers were always on it.

Far Guy’s Dad had an old snowmobile..he worked on it..it ran good ..I think it was one of the early ones.

Old Larson snowmobile

We saw one at the Osage Fishing Derby a few years ago..and I had my camera..imagine that.  Far Guy says he thinks it is about a 1963 model.

The seat lifted up and you could store hot dogs and buns and marshmallows inside the seat until you found a good spot to make a campfire and have lunch.  We have some funny old 8mm film footage showing Far Guy’s Dad zooming around the farm. 

It snowed here..we have 9 1/2 inches plus of new snow.  So the snowmobilers will have a fun weekend…they deserve at least one good weekend during the winter.

When Far Guy and I used to take the old Larson out for a ride we never took it further than we wanted to walk back.

We now have fiber optic fancy smancy Internet and it has been giving us fits..so if I disappear it is because we have lost our connection completely..newfangled stuff…when it works, it is just fine ..but I get a tad  a bit  very  extremely cranky when things don’t work like they should.  :(

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13 comments:

lisa said...

Snowmobiles are the rage here, that is when we have enough snow. We have snow, but not very deep and we have been getting rain, then it will snow. We are supposed to get some major rain and wind today and tomorrow. Watches are out for both. I miss having just the snow. I don't like rain in the winter. I need to talk to you about your tubing you used for your woodstove. The hubby would like to find out how you actually did it.

linda m said...

Snowmobiles are very big here in WI. Just haven't been getting the snow we used to. Hope your newfangled internet gets to working better for you. I really get crabby when new things don't work the way they are supposed to.

Beth said...

I hope the internet service starts working better for you.

MTWaggin said...

Those sure are vintage snowmobiles. They are still all the rage around here...those and the 4 wheelers and there are some pretty dedicated snowmobilers in these parts.

Primitive Stars said...

Ahh yes, that great winter sport.....Love the picture of you and your sis, priceless.....So neat to see the vintage sleds, now, rock um sock um power......Blessings Francine.

Karen said...

I get cranky too when the internet isn't working:( We suffer from the occasional copper wire thefts in the area, the phone lines, and lose our internet for the day. The guys repairing it have a sandwich board sign they put out on the road, that tells us it is due to a copper theft.
Snowmobiling is a big thing in snowier, colder parts of the province. And every year, some die in avalanches.

Nancy said...

Your photos bring back memories of snowmobiling on the farm. My brother had a Ski-do, and we gave it a workout in the pasture and around the buildings. I have some old movies somewhere of one of the outings. Thanks for the memories.

Anonymous said...

Up in the north of Sweden, snowmobiles are the only way to get around!

Gail said...

That's about how much rain we've gotten this month. I hope the good moisture continues for both of us.

MJM said...

I remember when I was in grade school/junior high (in Minnesota in the 60's) when the weather was exceptionally bad the school buses would not go out. However, the town kids still had to go to school, and some of the country kids would snowmobile in to school. As a town kid, I always wondered why those country kids would willing give up a snow day!

RURAL said...

That's a great pic, love the vintage look to it.

We were always out snowmobiling when we were kids, and we loved it...those vintage machines are the right era for us. And I remember the chocolate bars and hot cocoa my Dad would pull out of the seat area...what a treat.

Jen

Red said...

The old snowmobiles? Narrow tracks that were not separated by large rollers. Their power was safe too...not so much that you could reach lethal speed.

Country Gal said...

Oh I remember the good old days of snowmobiles on our farm as well ! Yes hot chocolate in a thermos was a real treat for us as well when out riding the snowmobiles ! They were handy when we had bad snowstorms and couldn't drive on our country roads with cars or trucks we would go to the seed mill and general store in town by snowmobile and sleds ! Now these machines are just for fun only as back then they were used for both fun and transportation to places you couldn't drive a vehicle to in the winters ! Awesome post and photos ! Have a good day !