This last fall I was talking with my wife about my parents annual safari and that I always wanted to go (I might be crazy too), but never could find the time. After much deliberation, and soul searching, “Am I really ready for 2000 miles on a snowmobile and potential temperatures way below 0??” I decided to go for it. The first thing I did was go to the Cooper institute in Dallas Texas for a full physical, after getting positive results (i.e. nothing that a good diet and physical activity couldn’t resolve), I signed up with a personal trainer and started working out and eating right, following “The Zone” program. By the time it was time for the trip, I felt 100% better, with a lot more energy. I purchased a new 1999 Skidoo MXZ 600 in January, with the idea I would sell it after the trip was completed.

Too de-risk the trip, I drew from my technology background, and got an Iridium satellite phone that works, anywhere on the planet, a Global Positioning System (GPS) that shows exactly on a map, where you are, and all the latest high tech clothing, down to the waterproof, windproof lighter…. Basically all the essentials that any great explorer in the past 1000 years, would have given anything to have.

Top 10 things I learned on my first Pattullo2000

10) Before starting your snowmobile after a fuel stop, point it in a safe direction.

9) When the person riding in front of you kicks up a water rooster tail crossing questionable ice…. Find another way.

8) Don’t look back, when rounding a curve, a tree or moose might jump in front of you.

7) Don’t get off the trail, unless you are willing to give up the digital camera.

6) You only get cold, when you stop, or turn off the handle bar heaters.

5) When the rider in front of you, motions you to pull up behind them….. Don’t

4) Don’t stop in front of Betty when crossing ice. She will run you over.

3) Don’t eat “green” snow, I all ready knew about “yellow”

2) Don’t get the motel room below the restaurant/Bar, the bar closes at 2 and the restaurant starts getting ready at 5 A.M.

and the number one thing I learned on this adventure is:

1) This is the best-kept secret in the recreational sporting world!

I know of no other sport or activity that would allow you to see and experience this kind of scenery and unspoiled nature. Not boats, personal watercrafts, motorcycles, 4 wheelers, snow skiing or even hiking. If prepared correctly, with the right clothing, you don’t get cold, wet, hot and you don’t have to fight with the BUGS. Most of the trails we rode, are unpassable in the summer, due to all the swamps, rivers and lakes you would have to cross.

The biggest risk of this sport is the other guy. With most of the trails being very narrow and a lot of blind curves, the chance of meeting some “I gotta go faster then my buddies’ idiot is the biggest risk with this sport. It’s a little like driving down a dark winding narrow road about 1:00 A.M. on a Saturday morning, oh and theres a bar at the end of that road.

After having experienced the safari, I now consider myself an expert on determining the original questions, I was trying to answer: Why do they do this? Are they crazy? Don’t they freeze??
After extensive pondering my conclusions are: Some people spend their whole lives taking about what they will do, or spend it in front of a TV living life through soaps to sitcoms to Clinton’s definition of “is”. It’s very easy to go through life and not experience or accomplish anything. Now that doesn’t mean you have to go climb a mountain, or stand on the rail of a bridge, but it does mean you have to take some risk. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean you should go out and jump out of a perfectly good airplane. I mean the type of risk that comes with trying something new or adventurous. After having participated in the Pattullo2000, I don’t consider it any more risky then driving a car on a cross-country trip. So why do my parents do this? I believe it’s because my parents have refused to get old and sedentary. They have chosen to experience life and take some risk.

So now comes the question: Are they Crazy? That question is a little harder… My mom was extremely concerned when I brought up this question, and even got a little defensive. “I’m not Crazy” “Do you think I’m Crazy?”, well mom, if you are reading this… my conclusion is “NO” “your not Crazy” “Your full of life”. . My parents have figured out how to push the edge of life, experiencing it to the fullest. They both have always been driven, and have passed this down to us their children. Its going that extra mile, not giving up, picking yourself up after a setback, and can do attitude, that makes them appear crazy to the sedentary and unadventurous. “NO mom you’re not crazy, just having a good time!”

The last question I wanted to get answered is “Don’t they freeze?”. This question really boils down to: “Are they prepared?”. With all adventures, the difference between success and failure is being prepared and the resilience to overcome, when the unexpected happens. Not only did we not freeze on this trip, but we also overcame obstacles that others would have just given up or just thrown a temper tandrum.. This trip re-enforced my parents and grandparents lessons on persistence and perseverance. Just when you thought the adventure was over, Snowmobile destroyed, wrapped around a tree, engine blown, raining at the Soo, we overcame. That’s the most important lesson I learned on this trip.
 

Pete Pattullo