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Last Updated: Monday, 06-May-2013 11:05:31 MDT

Snowmobile: 1995 Polaris XLT 600

Winter in Minnesota means snowmobiles! There are more snowmobile trails in Minnesota than there are highways and freeways combined! I wasn't planning on owning one. But a friend of mine talked me into attending an auction. Next thing you know, I'm bidding on a '95 Polaris XLT 600. Bidding at an auction is such a rush! The power, the excitement! The snowmobile was a blast this past winter, however, I was a bit rough on the machine after jumping the thing every chance I had, plus I rolled it once and completely busted up the windshield after nose diving off the end of a four foot snow drift. FUN STUFF! The Lord has blessed me with the ability to own the snowmobile, and I look forward to sharing. Sounds like a reason to visit Minnesota this winter!

Lean into that high speed turn!

Over the hill!

Tight fit through the trees!

Catching a little air (reality)!

Catching a little air (in my dreams)!

Don't you just miss snow!!!!

Boat: 1993 Ranger 361V

What do you do in Minnesota when there is no snow? FISH!!! When in Rome, you need a fishing boat. So the week before I moved to Minnesota, I bought a Ranger 361V bass boat with a 150 hp EFI engine and all the trimmings. I bought the boat in Virginia, then hauled it up to Minnesota. (NOTE: For an interesting experience, try hauling a boat through downtown Chicago). Now, this is my first boat. I picked a big boat to learn on. The first time I launched the boat (and the first time going in reverse with a trailer -- luckily, I only had to go forward between Virginia and Minnesota), the boat launch was total pandemonium. People trying to get in the water, people trying to get out of the water, jet ski water craft every where, little kids swimming in the boat launch area, etc... Talk about pressure!!!! I could just see the news story about a crazed boater (me) who ran over some innocent kids (in white swimming trunks most likely) dicing them to bits, then ran down a few jet ski water craft for good measure. Well, I really wanted to get this boat into the water, so I took my time (annoying some other more experienced boaters). I backed the boat into the water without too much trouble, beached the boat, parked the truck and trailer, started the boat and was puttering in reverse away from shore. So far so good. (In this context, good is equated to "Nobody is dead"). Then I get the bright idea that I should give it just a little gas. This is the first time I've I have operated this boat. I'm going in reverse and the motor is tilted up (basically, the propeller is near the top of the water since I'm in shallow water). I ease the throttle back and nothing is happening, nothing, nothing, then, all of a sudden "WWWRRAAAA!!!!" the 150 hp motor roars alive with life! Gallons of water pour into the boat as I take a brief and embarrassing shower/bath. If this were a cartoon, there would have been several fish flopping around the boat and one or two in my pants. I was hoping that no one saw me, but I did a good job of drawing attention to myself. "Just filling the live wells!", I said. I don't think anyone believed me. I was so embarrassed, I wanted to get out of there, so I turned the boat around and pointing the point in the direction I wanted to go and gave it the gas. I forgot the motor was still trimmed to the top of the water. Next, the tip of my boat was point high into the air at about 60 degrees. I cut the motor and made a splash. Calmly, I adjusted the trim and proceeded on my way. Lesson learned.

I was thinking the other day, and realized that my boat is longer than my truck, wider than my truck, has more storage than my truck, has a motor which is bigger than my truck, its worth more than my truck, the trailer has nicer wheels than my truck, etc... Something doesn't seem right there. I get confused sometimes and I don't think I deserve it, but basically, I am tickled pink that I have it. I'm still pinching myself. I've been blessed and I thank the Lord everyday for the opportunity to own it. I never thought in a million years I could own something like this. I am thrilled and I look forward to sharing this gift with all my friends. Now all I have to do is find some water to fish. Mmmm. Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes. Not a problem! So, if you're ever in Minneapolis...

Must get to the fish!

Making a deep turn!

Making a high speed turn!

SOLD! June, 2000.
That's right. A sad day indeed. I've gone from sleeping in the boat the first night I owned it, to turning my back on it like a traitor. Turns out, 1) I need the money (kinda), 2) I'm too busy to use the boat and a boat like this deserves to be in the water 24x7, 3) I bought the boat to share with friends and family, but I live too far away for anyone to visit!

You are missed. (However, I'm much safer and alive without you.)