It's a little late in arriving (sorry about that) but the final push of my summer vintage sled road trip with Jim Dimmerman and Tom Rowland saw us meet a legend of sorts: Gordon Rohde.

Rohde is a name that surfaces when talking about the mythical 1982 Arctic Cat prototypes, as well as other rare machines from the early 1980s.

A former Arctic Cat (and Harley-Davidson) dealer, opportunistic salesman, promoter and race fan, Rhode has owned or touched A LOT of historic Arctic Cat machines.

We caught up with him for a few hours at his shop in Wausau, Wis., where he answered a slew of questions about his career and rare Arctic Cats that have passed through his hands.

Click to read the story.

I'm thankful the guys from Marketing used creative copywriting to compensate for Engineering's carved-from-a-bar-of-soap styling.

I'm thankful I took a Ski Whiz before I attempted to dicker and deal.

I'm thankful that I still see headlines like these through the eyes of my 14-year-old self.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Sept. 12, 2014.

The big news from Arctic Cat at Hay Days was the unveiling of a new cross-country race sled powered by the C-TEC2 6000-Series DSI engine with EFI and electronic oil injection.

Built to satisfy the 91 Octane/oil-injected intent of new cross-country rules, the 2015 ZR 6000R XC is aimed directly at the USXC Winnipeg-to-Willmar I-500, as well as other USXC races, USCC East, CorPowersports and other cross-country events.

Click to read about the new racer.

I'm thankful we were the first snowmobile company to offer diversity training to go along with twin tracks (free if you purchased your sled during the spring-only, extra-early program).

I'm thankful that it's our differences (and NOT our similarities) that make us different. Huh?

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

If the past is the best predictor of the future, then Arctic Cat will use this weekend’s SnoBaron’s Hay Days to unveil something.

So my question to all of you is, what do expect Arctic Cat will unveil this Saturday at Hay Days?

What do you want Arctic Cat to unveil?

Click to read and see more.

I'm thankful we can get together with like-minded friends, far away from the watchful eyes of PETA.

I'm thankful NOBODY LAUGHED when we introduced the new Arcticwear Collection

I'm thankful the absurdity of moon boots is still a few years away.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 29, 2014.

(Have a great Labor Day weekend.)

The snowmobile season officially started for the several thousand people who came to the Rum River/Outlaws Swap Meet and Grass Drags in Princeton, Minn., last weekend.

Click to see some pix.

I'm thankful for the wind-in-my-hair feeling I get while floating over yonder hill and dale (I just wish I could see where we were going).

I'm thankful for the versatility offered by the accessory Wing Kit (part # 5205-393, $395.95 U.S./$525.95 Canada).

I'm thankful that Yeager will attempt to beat the sound barrier instead of me.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 22, 2014.

The 1993 Arctic Cat ZR 440 (and 580) are among the all-time great snowmobile model introductions. The competitive achievements of this first-year model set the tone for one of most commercially successful machines in Arctic Cat history.

Aboard these purpose-built machines, Team Arctic racers rode roughshod over the competition in cross-country, snocross and oval events.

Kirk Hibbert's victory in the St. Paul to Thunder Bay I-500 cross-country was perhaps the most significant win for a ZR that season.

This is that sled.

Click to see some pix and read a little about it.

I'm thankful for the fame and notoriety I received for driving my Chappy snowmobile across the U.S. during the summer (the babes weren't too bad either).

I'm thankful for the rugged dependability of my Rockwell engine and PolyTrac track.

I'm thankful for the stop I made in Cheyenne, Wyo., to get these sweet cowboy boots.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, August 15, 2014.

Some inventors ask "Why?"

Others ask "Why Not?"

I'm not sure what question to ask about this craigslist-of-the-month find.

Boy in the bubble?

Really, REALLY love the smell of 2-stroke?

Click for a few more great images.

Last week Arctic Cat built the 2015 Tucker Hibbert Edition ZR 6000 RR models in Thief River Falls.

Tucker stopped by to check out the process, fist-pump some of the people doing the assembly, snag a sweet pair of safety glasses and place a "SOLD" tag on one of the machines for himself.

Click to see a few pix.

I'm thankful that Ronald and Nancy Reagan agreed to test-ride my snowmobile (before he became President).

I'm thankful he ignored his conservative nature and simply went full-throttle.

I'm thankful Nancy and my wife eventually shut their mouths.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 8, 2014.

I'm thankful it's August and the summer snowmmobile drag season is upon us.

I'm thankful for the RUSH I feel when dragging on a cig while also dragging my sled.

I'm thankfull all those suckers behind me are eating my dust.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.

Part two of the Vintage Road Trip to Wisconsin had Tom Rowland, Jim Dimmerman and myself making an impromtu visit with vintage Arctic Cat collector Randy Springer at his shop in Wausau.

The stuff we saw of Randy's was thrilling, surprising and enlightning.

And as was the case throughout this trip, it had us laughing and grateful fo continue reading ...

I'm thankful I bought the sled on the extra-early spring program, because we used the CatCash to buy matching jackets.

I'm thankful I opted for the touring model featuring the 4-up seat, tall windshield and fiberglass overload springs.

I'm thankful Hank brought his rifle and pistol.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 25, 2014.

Recently I joined my friends Tom Rowland and Jim Dimmerman on a 2-day road trip to Wisconsin whose theme was "1982 prototype snowmobiles" from Arctic Cat and Scorpion.

During the trip we revisited CPC; uncovered a '82 Scorpion snowmobile; snagged a proto '82 Arctic Cat; met with Arctic Cat collector Randy Springer; and had an enlightening conversation with Gordon Rhode.

It was a road trip of epic laughter and education.

Click to read part one of the trip.

Once in a while I hear a story of an Arctic Cat rider's passion for snowmobile, and it moves me to tears.

This story from Kyle Hofland about his great uncle Doug (above) is one such story.

Click to read a truly wonderful story about passion and family ties.

I'm thankful that when the snow melts to reveal the sand dunes, my trusty steed is ready to adapt via a front-end-wheel kit.

I'm thankful I can scout out the sweetest sand cornices and jumps and, once identified, that I can air it out while wearing my straw hat.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 18, 2014.

I'm thankful for the sheer joy and adventure of backcountry boondocking.

I'm thankful my new watercross race sled is ready to rip.

I'm thankful for Outdoor Life magazine.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 11, 2014.