50 | Snowmobile VERMONT By William Thomas Sr. & Fellow Snowmobilers Why I Volunteer and Snowmobile It’s never easy to start riding the opening day of the season and weeks later the same trails are closed. Over the last few seasons, the on-again off-again situation of club trails can make for a long wait between snow storms. Winter is a special time for those of us that wait patiently for the first snowflake to fall from each approaching snowstorm. This winter, the season started on a positive note with many areas having enough snow for opening day, only to see many areas closed within the first 30 days of the season. The glistening of snow on the pines after a good storm is a welcomed sight and always warms the heat to those that cherish these moments. The passing of each season seems to always hold fond memories of that one special ride you had with friends or family or that one big storm that made the difference in your season. Whatever keeps you coming back for more, you know, year after year, that good feeling remains. For those of us that can never get enough and always come back for more, we welcome hearing from you and Why You Snowmobile. Please send your stories and high resolution photo files by e-mail to vtsnowmobiler@outlook.com. Greg Hentnick – Maryland This is the story of my addiction. In December of 1982, John Coward and Teresa Solak of Southwick, Mass. were dating and in high school.  I was just an elementary school- aged kid from Westfield, the city next door. Our families are close friends. Back then, winter seemed semi-predictable. Snowstorms occurred in December far more frequently than they do now. We would often be invited for dinner at John’s parent’s house. As the snow would start to fall, I would be silently praying to myself that there would be enough snow on the ground to have John take me out for a ride after dinner. I couldn’t wait for dinner to end and for John to say “I feel a ride coming.”  I would bundle up in my winter coat, snow pants, gloves and a hockey helmet that I so conveniently brought in the car. I would watch intently as John would crank over his yellow and black 1980 Ski-Doo Blizzard.  Teresa would often have her sled there as well and my brother would take a spin with her. Back then, a ride was through the woods and farm fields in Southwick.  I couldn’t see much beyond John’s back, but the fact was, I was out for a ride. The trails weren’t exactly VAST quality, but it didn’t matter.  I can remember it seeming to be very fast. Every once in a while I’d catch a glimpse of the trail, some snow covered trees and the light from the snowmobile making the snow glimmer.  The ride never seemed to last too long, but long enough to know it was so much fun and that I was hooked.  I’ve probably replayed the ride in my memory a hundred times in the past 35 years.  I’ve since moved to Maryland. There’s not much snow down there, but luckily I’ve been invited to Vermont for the past 15 years. In the late-90s, John and Teresa had found the absolute best place to stay and snowmobile in Glover, Vt. at Lakeside Haven with Gwen Maynard. Gwen is always so welcoming and treats everyone she meets like members of her family. In 2003, I experienced trail riding along the VAST trails for the first time.  I can remember thinking that it was incredible and how I had to get back up here and do this again.  Thanks to some really good friends that I call family, the experiences of snowmobiling were introduced to me as well as my own family. Snowmobiling is more than just riding. It’s about family and friends, the new people you meet, laughing, relaxing, sharing stories and making memories that last a lifetime. Thinking of it now puts a smile on my face.