57 WINTER 2024 VOL . 05 / ISSUE 02 SNOWGOER . COM
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This groomer and drag , operated by the Alcona Parks & Recreation Commission , is one of six that keep the marked trails throughout the region in tip-top shape
were on hand to welcome us – an impressive turnout for a Monday morning !
After chatting awhile amore about the glory of our ride so far , we said our goodbyes and continued our eastward journey to the Au Sable River .
After crossing on a road bridge , we paused alongside the swiftly flowing waterway and learned about the Au Sable Canoe Marathon , one of the world ’ s most grueling races . Started in 1947 and conducted annually at the end of July , the Marathon is an overnight 120-mile , 15-hour paddle downstream from Grayling to Oscoda that draws competitors from around the world .
Like the river , we continued eastward through the woods and soon noticed one of the defining features of the Huron National Forest – numerous forest roads and fire lanes laid out in grid-like fashion every mile . Although we stuck to the main route , it was obvious that these secondary roads offer sledders plenty of opportunities for exploration and side excursions .
It was time for lunch by the time we reached the outskirts of Oscoda , where the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base ( 1923- 1993 ) came into view . Today , this sprawling facility is the municipal airport and the maintenance base for Kalitta Air , a worldwide cargo hauler .
Our route took us away from the airfield and across the Au Sable River on a road bridge below Foote Dam , where we stopped for photos and enjoyed the view before making our way to the area ’ s most popular pit stop – Desi ’ s Taco Lounge .
Desi ’ s was established in 1958 and was serving tasty Mexican food well before the first snowmobile arrived , but it wasn ’ t long afterward that this classic roadhouse became a favorite stop for recreating sledheads . Our group ordered a variety of items from the extensive menu and thoroughly enjoyed them all .
With lunch literally under our belts , we
The entrance gate of the Broken Wheels Motorcycle Club picnic grounds tells you you ’ ve stumbled across something special .
started our westward return trip on Trail 6 , which hooked back into our prior route after a dozen miles . Along the way , we stopped at the AuSable Valley Trail Riders Association shelter , where a dozen members were on hand to greet “ the Snow Goer guys ,” which was a genuine honor . After exchanging trail stories and posing for pictures , we resumed our journey .
The afternoon skies turned cloudy and before long a light snow was falling , which grew in intensity as we made our way back through the hills . We had 127 miles on the odometer when we returned to the OHSC clubhouse and all of it had been on smooth and well-groomed trails , putting our day in the A + category .