b'VAST NewsFIRST RIDEBy Tom Potanovic It took until mid-January, but I finally got my first ride of the season. The snowmobiling itch, as it were, had been scratched, but this itch never goes away - which is fine because you never want to stop scratchin!My first ride of the 2020 season came later than I hoped, but Im always grateful and glad it came, as mother nature has been known to be stingy with snow some seasons. We started at Martys in Danville, and down the LVRT we went. The pristine grooming everywhere we traveled kept theTom and Marionsmiles on our faces. We had a terrifictime seemed a little surreal. We wereAs night fell, we began our drive day, riding up towards Coles Pond andactually riding together! As our grouphome. Heading down their driveway, then down over to Groton for lunch atpulled out and began our cruise downwe turned to see Marion and Steve, the Upper Valley Grill. Corridor 14, twenty-three years ofsmiling and waving from their living This first ride reminds me of anothersomeday was finally washed away.room window as they saw us off for a first ride. A different kind of first ride.Our first ride actually happened!safe trip back to New York. This warm, One much more significant than anyWe switched up sleds and at onesimple gesture after a wonderful first ride of the season I ever had. point even rode two-up for a bit. Aouting of snowmobiling is icing on the It occurred in the 2019 season andday of snowmobiling, which, by itselfcake. It always reminds me of just how wasnt a ride that kicked off the seasonis inherently wonderful, just becameblessed I am to have them not just as for me. In fact, the timing of the ridemore so. It wasnt a long ride, but itfriends, but as great friends. And that, had no bearing on what made the tripwas a ride I will long remember.I cherish, every time.a first ride but rather the special person with whom I rode. In 1996, I met Marion Gray. She and her husband Steve hosted a snowmobile fundraiser ride for Cystic Fibrosis at their home in Calais. My wife and I attended it and became instant friends.Marion and I went on to organize four Vermont Border to Border in 24 Hours Rides for CF from 2003 to 2009. In all these years, we never got to ride together. We talked about it, but it never materialized, which I found nearly unbelievable. Over the years, the Grays have shown us absolutely incredible hospitality and generosity, inviting us to ride out from their beautiful home. At days end, they have always invited us in for dinner (which dinners, by the way, are amazing).We always talked about riding together but something would always, without fail, prevent it from happening. Then came March 1st, 2019. The stars aligned, and there was beautiful snow cover, time to ride, ready sleds, and bluebird skies. We set out from their home, and although it was on trails which I have ridden many times, this 6 | Snowmobile VERMONT'