Happy New Year to everyone…I know, I know – a day late, but never the less – Happy New Year anyway. A huge thank you to everyone who braved the cold Tuesday night to help us ring in the new year and make little money for Gogebic Area Grooming by lighting off some sky lanterns in front of the Hoop ‘N Holler Tavern. It was cold…but it was beautiful! We plan to do it again next year so, again, mark your calendars and come join us.

As much as the country is gearing up for some record making cold temperatures, so too are we. We’re looking for a big heat wave on Friday and Saturday all the way into the teens for highs before the cold blast hits Saturday night. The highs for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are not expected to get above 0, so you can imagine how cold the night temps will be! These are serious cold temps, too. Nothing to fool around with; be prepared and cover all exposed skin. Keep your gas tanks as full as you can and travel with companions.

Our groomers are out on all trails, however for our driver’s safety they will not be out grooming at night during these extreme cold conditions. The good side of this cold blast is that the trails will be in fantastic condition as they pack really well in these kinds of conditions. To add to the 3-feet or so we already have we’re expecting snow almost every day over the next week or so.

I’ve been requested by law enforcement to mention that it is not legal to ride on any railroad tracks, most especially the tracks that run through Merriweather and Bergland. Stay on marked trails only, for your safety as well as others.

*Remember to be mindful that a bridge on trail 8, just east of Bergland, is out and it is marked. The trail will be rerouted over the dam at the north end of the lake where the trail was a couple years ago.

That’s all for now from Carolyn at the Hoop. I will keep you posted as often as conditions change. For additional information about the Lake Gogebic area we invite you to visit the only official website of the Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce at www.LakeGogebicArea.com or call us at 1-888-464-3242 (888-GOGEBIC). From all of us here at Lake Gogebic have a great ride as well as a safe ride.

Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce – 01/02/2014