Staff Writer
ASHLAND – For two decades a group of friends have gathered each winter, spending several days together snowmobiling, sharing laughs and just having fun in the outdoors. This year is no different, as the group prepares to set out on Monday on their 20th group ride.
“Our 20th year sled trip is departing from the Ashland Motor Lodge on Feb. 9 around 9 a.m. It’s hard to believe we’ve been riding together for 20 years already,” said Pat Long, of Ashland.
The rides, according to Long, have had their fair share of adventure, with weather differences from year to year creating a variety of conditions, from snow creating poor visibility to lack of snow causing limited trail access. The group will have plenty of snow for this year’s ride and, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Web site, skies are predicted to be sunny for Monday’s departure, with highs in the 20s.
The core group of riders has remained the same since the beginning, with additional members taking part as their schedules allowed.
On a sad note, Long said the group lost one of its founding members last fall, so this year’s event will be dedicated in his honor.
“The sad part is we lost one of our original riders this fall. Father George Pelletier passed away this fall. His passing left a very empty hole in our group, to say the least,” said Long.
Long said the group has filled that hole with several of Pelletier’s nephews.
“We’ve also done up shirts and decals in his memory,” he said.
Over the years, Pelletier had earned the nickname “Puff” for his ability to go off the trail.
“We called him Puff, as he was always going off the trail, not from speed but because he was a looker,” said Long. “He had to look around all the time.”
At least 12 riders were expected to head out on Monday, with more possible.
“In addition to myself, the following individuals are planning to take part: my brother, Dick Long, of Presque Isle; Dr. Roger Pelli, Presque Isle; John Thyng, Ashland; Andy Belanger, Portage Lake; Allan O’Clair, Ashland; Scott Thoist, Old Orchard; Pat Connelly, Nashua, N.H.; Alex Pelli, N.Y.; and Scott Leonard, N.H.,” said Long. “In addition, Scott Leonard’s father, Lynn Leonard, of N.H., is riding, as is a friend of Scott Thoist’s.”
Participants range in age from 22 to 58.
“My brother’s the oldest, with me close by,” said Long.
If an emergency arises, they’ll be well-prepared. Several members are involved in health professions, ranging from Long, who is the ambulance director in Ashland, to Pelli, a local doctor.
This year’s ride is expected to take nearly a week and cover about 1,000 miles. It’s roughly the same route the group took the first time.
“We are doing the same trip or close to it as we did the very first time we started riding together. We call it the ‘Crown of Maine’ and it covers approximately 850 miles all over Aroostook County. We’ve got a very good group of sledders who want to be involved in this ride,” said Long.
Riders will set out from Ashland Motor Lodge on Monday, headed for Millinocket. From there, they’ll ride to Houlton, head north to Caribou, then Fort Kent and Grand Falls.
“Grand Falls is our last-night annual location,” explained Long. “Then we’ll head home on Saturday morning. The trip will take about five and a half days to complete.”
Long said nothing, not even higher fuel prices, can keep the group from the ride dedicated to Pelletier.
“At this point, it wouldn’t matter if it were $5 per gallon, we’re going. This was a big loss to our group and we are not stopping because of foolish gas prices. This was what he loved to do and looked so forward to doing this each year. So as snow continues to pile up, it looks like we are set to go,” said Long. “We can’t wait.”
Photo courtesy of Pat Long
BUNDLED UP for their annual snowmobile trip last year are, from left, back row: Andy Belanger, Alex Pelli, Dick Long, Scott Leonard and Pat Long. Front row: Allan O’Clair, John Thyng, Father George Pelletier and Roger Pelli.
Photo courtesy of Pat Long
FATHER GEORGE PELLETIER was affectionately called “Puff” by fellow snowmobilers for his habit of going off the trail due to sightseeing. To celebrate the group’s 20th year of riding together to various locations in Maine and Canada, members decided to dedicate this year’s ride to Pelletier, a founding member who passed away last fall.