The work never ends during the summer months for the SAM Executive Committee. I’m guessing the same is true for many clubs. Rather than bore you with all that, let’s talk about one of the most enjoyable SAM events of the year, which happens to take place in the summer! It’s the SAM Campout. Yeah, I know there’s no snow, but what could be better than a group of sledheads talking about snowmobiling around a fire in August? This year was pretty memorable due to several interesting events… beyond the usual wiffle-ball, volleyball, horseshoes, swimming and various card games going on all at once. It wasn’t always easy deciding what to do, but there was an event that no one passed up: the annual potluck dinner. The potluck seems to have turned into a contest, as the main courses and desserts have gotten better every year. It is rumored to be the biggest and tastiest buffet west of the Atlantic. So big in fact, that they blocked the road at Peppermint Park for the 50 folks that attend the feast. This year’s meal looked to be in jeopardy as rain started to fall around noon. It was nothing heavy, but enough to get the cakes soggy. It looked like we might have to eat in the main hall, which isn’t that bad, but everyone clearly wanted to be outdoors. (It’s a snowmobile thing, as much as it is a camping thing.) About an hour before the BBQ’s were lit, we took a final look at the radar and decided that we should go for it. We quickly moved 10 picnic tables onto the camp road and within 45 minutes there was a huge line at the food tables. After an hour of pigging-out, we cleaned up, just as the clouds started to look real mean, Dirty Harry mean. The downpours began, like they have so often this year. Thunder and lightning made it even more interesting as everyone took shelter in tents and campers, creating a great excuse to take a nap after overdosing on desserts.

The storm quickly blew over and produced one of the most brilliant rainbows any of us had ever seen. Campers sat around for a good half-hour, simply gazing at the arch of surreal colors, running from cloud to cloud. The color faded as the sun fell and the smell of a campfire got the sledding stories going again. A few strangers started to chat around the flames and soon realized that one of them had towed the other’s broken sled last winter at the vintage ride. Talk about coincidences! This led to even more vintage tales, and the night went on-and-on like that. Around 9:45PM, all the lights went out and everyone ran into the field. Anyone watching would have suspected an illegal act was about to take place, but in fact we were all searching the skies for what was advertised as a perfect view of the International Space Station. I know this sounds kinda geeky, but there is something about the sky that is indescribable when camping. Actually, everyone who rides a sled at night knows what I’m talking about. After confusing small planes and satellites for spacecraft, a very distinctive, and bright object zipped overhead as everyone pointed and made gasps of approval. It lasted maybe 30 seconds but the brain took hours to register the fact that there was a group of men blasting 200 miles over our heads. It may not snow in August, but the skies revealed everything else: rain, lightning, vivid sunshine, rainbows and spacemen. The only flakes were a bunch of snow enthusiasts on the ground, all who plan on being there again, July 31st, 2009. Mark your calendars now!

Dan Gould
President