was able to connect a jump-start battery |
him in my headlights ripping his jeans out |
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pack to the battery in the hopes it would get |
from inside his track – a loose strap must |
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us to the nearest stop to assess the situation |
have wound itself in , and sucked the bag |
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further . |
under ! |
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The fix provided the start-up needed |
Despite strong winds and dropping cold |
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for the moment , but unfortunately didn ’ t |
temperatures , the remaining ride to our |
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last long . About 15 miles later the sled went |
lodging was a exhilarating experience . In |
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dead again , and now both the jumpstart |
the distance , we could often see the gleam- |
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and battery were dead – a tow was the only |
ing lights of distant towns , or the single |
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solution in sight . |
lamppost to illuminate a trailside sign . At |
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With the sled paralyzed , the plan would |
one point , we came across a groomer who |
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need to be altered . Both Gary and Denny |
did a donut in a trailhead lot and waved |
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worked to assess every option available for |
to us as he left a trail that had just been |
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Larry , his sled and the group as a whole . Eventually it was determined that a local |
groomed – a clean , hard-packed stretch of 18 miles that was a true delight at night . |
One of the final local stops on the trip , the Relais Mont-Apica was reminiscent of a clubhouse with a kitchen along its back wall . |
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dealer could pick up the sled and fix it by |
The Auberge Caracjou is a unique build- |
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tomorrow , while Larry and Phil stayed in |
ing to see . Again , the architecture is remi- |
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the city of Chicoutim that night ( still about |
niscent of an overgrown Inn , but the appeal |
ple there that night , and as I reached the |
not be suitable for print . Nearing the end of |
60 miles from our intended location ) while |
is in its countryside charm . |
upstairs or main level , I was told to occupy |
the meal , the chef came out to ask if every- |
the group pressed on as originally intended . |
After parking sleds along its driveway , |
whichever room I wanted . |
thing was all right , then bid us goodnight . |
The sun was now down , we continued |
you walk past a stack of chopped wood |
The dining room had a long , clothed |
The following day we would reconnect |
to weave through Chicoutimi over the |
into a mudroom where you can take off |
table full of decorated cutlery on which |
with Larry and Phil at the lunch destina- |
Saguenay River to where we would spend |
and hang all of your gear . In the lower level , |
the staff served all homemade food . From |
tion that was originally plotted as a stop . |
the night at the Auberge Carcajou , located at |
there ’ s a bar with foosball and an air hock- |
the menu I chose a lamb chop with rabbit |
The day ’ s goal would be roughly 110 miles , |
the foothills of Monts-Valin . It had become |
ey table for entertainment as well as stools |
terrine and vegetable soup , completed with |
which was less than what we had just |
a longer day than expected by a handful of |
at a bar for both sitting and standing while |
rhubarb upside down cake with a candied |
done , so we decided to sleep in and not |
hours , but morale was still high for a spir- |
conversing . In the basement there ’ s also a |
stick of rhuhbarb – all of which was great . |
meet until 8 a . m . instead of 7 a . m . – after |
ited night-ride . |
massive housed fireplace with a chimney |
Throughout dinner the group recalled |
all , we were on a vacation , and “ eight prints |
Only 8 or so miles into the day ’ s final |
that rises through the entire building , heat- |
the day ’ s adventures and how we are able |
better than seven ” ( a joke we made to jus- |
stretch , Max slowed to a stop in front of me . |
ing each level throughout . |
to make decisive actions as the need arose . |
tify the later start time ). |
This time , when the dust settled I could see |
Our group members were the only peo- |
Of course , there were a few jokes that may |