b'VAST NewsCHESTER KIDS RIDE A message from VAST Vice President Mark Reavesoffer much until the last week and a half when the snow returned, and riding was able to begin again. February again gave us some up-and-down conditions. There was never any lasting cold though. This meant that the ground never froze deeply. Areas that are usually reliably frozen stayed wet and some water bars never filled in at all. However, by the time February turned into By Joan Choinere March, reliable snow returned, On Feb. 18, the next generation ofand riding was available in most snowmobilers had a great time atareas of the state. While I dont Chester Snowmobile Clubs annualthink anyone is going to mark kids ride. Over 60 youngsters took thethe 2022/23 season as one of the opportunity to ride mini-snowmobilesgreats, it did redeem itself to a on a special track created for them tocertain extent for many.try out snowmobiling.For most itHave you ever had a song thatBesides the weather, my personal was their first time on a sled.Chestergot stuck in your head everycircumstances also lent an air Snowmobile Club loves to host thistime you thought about a certainof strangeness to the season. I free kids ride event every year as parttopic? A certain song playingalready chronicled the mishaps of Chesters winter carnival.on the radio brings you back towe encountered on my first a moment or memory from anattempted ride of the year. I earlier time. Maybe its the songdid get a couple of small 20-40 you danced to at your wedding, BAYLEY HAZENor one that was popular duringmile rides in before the weather smacked us around again and TRAILSIDE COOKOUT your senior year in high school.then I was fortunate enough to For many people, memories andbe able to take a trip to northern By Mandy Dwinellmusic are inextricably linked. AsMaine for a week in early The Bayley Hazen Road SnowmobileI sit down to write this columnFebruary. That was probably Club held a trailside cookout on Marchat the end of March 2023 andthe best snowmobiling trip Ive 5 near CA19 on Corridor 2 in Peacham.look back on the season thatsever taken, but it was bittersweet Burgers, hot dogs, cookies, donuts,nearly complete, there is onefor me. It was also the first trip hot chocolate and water were served.song, or more precisely, one linethat Ive taken without my son. Proceeds benefited the clubs groomerfrom a song that keeps poppingCarter is now working full-time fund. into my mind. What is it? Well,and couldnt come with me. even though I can by no meansRealizing your kids are growing be described as a Grateful Deadup is always bittersweet. Despite fan, there is a line in their songthis, I had a great time and rode Truckin that, to me, perfectly700 miles on some great trails. captures the personality of theLittle did I know that these were 2022/23 season What a long,the last miles I was going to log strange trip its been. in 2023. Not long after I returned What made the season seemhome, I got sick and ended up in strange? Lets start with thethe hospital for a week, ending weather. The season started offmy season in February. To sum promising with a big snowstormit up, this season contained in late December that allowed oursome of the highest of highs and clubs to get the trails rolled andlowest of lows for me. It was a ready not long after opening day.roller coaster of conditions and Unfortunately, the weather turnedemotions. In short, what a long, and by New Years Day we werestrange trip its been.shut down again. January didntMark Reaves, VAST Vice PresidentLate Winter 2023 | 5'