I'm thankful that Fred's inlaws from the Hamptons gave him a set of used polo clubs for Christmas. 

I'm thankful we convinced Fred to play with a ball instead of baby seals.

I'm thankful the team now agrees that we play our very best snowmobile polo, with the greatest forward progress, when we hold the clubs in our left hands.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.

Two weekends ago, at the USXC lake cross-country race in Willmar, Minn., Team Arctic racers Ryan Simons and Brian Dick tested the sled they will race at the upcoming Soo 500 enduro.

For the first time ever, the duo will race a Speedwerx massaged 7000-Series Yamaha 4-stroke engine in the ZR R race chassis.

Click to read a few more details.

I'm thankful that Aunt Ethyl bequeathed to us her Lawrence Welk signature organ.

I’m thankful Northwest Piano & Organ switched from sled dogs to iron dogs for moving equipment from their truck to customers’ homes.

I’m thankful we’re doing this in January instead of June.

And I’m thankful it’s Friday, January 24, 2014.  

I'm thankful the authorities will be here momentarily.

I'm thankful they have radio communication with the K9 unit and the horse mounted officers.

I'm thankful that all of us scofflaws have agreed to NOT crack any 2-up-riding jokes once the authorities arrive.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.

While I can’t guarantee that you will win the above 2014 Arctic Cat F5, I CAN ABSOLUTELY promise you that by participating in the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Raffle, that you will support a truly great organization AND have a chance at riding away on the F5.

I like your odds!

The raffle is just one way to participate in the SHOF. Better yet, I recommend attending the entire 2014 Induction and Ride with the Champs.

Click for more info

I'm thankful this thing has a Hemi.

I'm thankful that I bought the convertible option... otherwise I have no chance of hooking up with her.

I'm thankful I didn't wear that stupid "I Bang Ditches" T-Shirt that I bought at Hay Days.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 10, 2014.

Yesterday the news came from P.J. Wanderscheid that he and his crew will not race at the upcoming Eagle River World Championships, or any other events this season.

The 4-time World Champion and his family made the difficult decision because his father, Dick, is locked in tough battle with Stage 4 lung cancer.

Click to read more.

Brian Dick’s Pro Stock win at the USXC cross-country in Detroit Lakes, Minn., almost didn’t happen.

Not because of the wicked pace of his teammate Zach Herfindahl, a miscalculation on sled set-up or a mental mistake that would have cost him the win.

Brian’s win almost didn’t happen because he almost stayed home to work on his other race sleds.

Click to read the rest of the story.

I’ll soon post the Team Arctic results and press release from the first weekend of racing in 2014, and it will highlight Tucker Hibbert’s historic win.

But the official press releases won’t tell what I think are two of the best stories of the weekend.

The first unfolded on Friday night at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.

Click to read about it.

I'm thankful that jumping a snowmobile over an measly automobile, with no landing ramp, was SO last week's news.

I'm thankful that Caeser's Palace was booked by that other guy who jumps stuff.

I'm thankful the PR department agreed to leave out the horses.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 3, 2014.

This morning, I raise my coffee cup to the New Year.

Wherever you are on the trail of life, and no matter where your tracks go, I sincerely wish you the best now and in the adventure that awaits.

Sorry to post this a few days late, but it's worth every bit of the wait.

A slightly twisted version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from my north-of-the-border friends, Hammer and LumberHead.

Click and Enjoy.

I'm thankful 10,000 people paid to witness the absurdity of this situation and, more importantly, that I get a portion of the gate.

I'm thankful the outfit I'm wearing completely obscures my true identity.

I'm thankful I can risk my life for the inglorious distinction of jumping just one single Caddy with my snowmobile.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 27, 2013.

So far, the winter of 2013-2014 has answered the hopes and prayers of snowmobilers living in most areas of North America.

Click HERE for the NOAA site, where you can find detailed analysis of anywhere in the U.S.

Merry Christmas to the unknown night rider from all those years ago.

(Click to read his story.)

(NOTE: You need to READ THIS for today's TGIF to make sense)

I'm thankful for the great experiences during my recent trip to Sweden.

I'm thankful the hotel in Farsnas didn't charge me extra for the bed sheet that got tangled in the track.

I'm thankful the guy was fumbling with his camera phone on my approach.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 20, 2013.

You can demo ride several 2014 model year Arctic Cat snowmobiles this Dec. 27-29 in Hazelhurst, Wis.

Click for all the details.

Merry Christmas from Arctic Cat!

It's winter in Thief River Falls (and most of the world, it seems), which I happily discovered during my trip to Arctic Cat this week.

Click to see what's going on at the home of the Cat.

I'm thankful the bitter cold that's enveloped the northland won't penetrate the comfort of my snowmobile cab.

I'm thankful that I can launch off this cornice in full confidence (and if an avalanche does occur, I'm safe inside my own snowmobile's biosphere).

I'm thankful that I can wear my wool suit and cap during this week's poker run.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.