March 04th, 2010

Three "snow dogs" collected the Bent Skag trophy at the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA) Winter Rendezvous in mid-February.

As always, MSPN, the official publisher of Minnesota Snowmobiling, the publication of MnUSA, has encouraged sledders from around the state to ride to the Winter Rendezvous. At the event, riders tell of their "Mud Dog" riding journeys and the best stories are awarded the Bent Skag trophy for the year.

This year's recipients of the traveling trophy were Chuck Hausladen, Ed Kuklock and Jeff Hoppe. They traveled 610 miles in three days from Freeport, Minnesota, to Hinckley, Minnesota, where the Rendezvous took place. They are members of the New Munich Snow Gliders in Freeport. Here is their winning essay, written in the form of a poem.

This year, several riders took part in the annual Mud Dogs ride and submitted many great stories. MSPN staff members had a difficult time choosing whom the Bent Skag trophy should be awarded to. In the end, it was based on a good story and number of miles driven. Look for other Mud Dogs essays in the coming months on Sledder.net.

Wednesday, February 10
Depart Freeport, MN, at 9:30 a.m., arrive at Ed's cabin in Vargas, MN, at 10:45 p.m.
A very long day for the musketeers three,
Who started out the trip as anxious as can be.
Found beautifully groomed trails in Minnesota's heart,
But the tales of their adventure were just at the start.
They saw an eagle wins easily over a bunny,
And sometimes their trail smarts were rather funny.
Ed claimed to be a master of the lake and road ditch,
But really they found he didn't know which way was which.
So around open water, combines and farmers land,
They found themselves turning sleds around by hand.
After moisture so thick they rode with shields open wide,
Finally they reached the cabin's warm inside.

Thursday, February 11
Depart Vergas, MN, at 11:45 a.m., arrive at Chuck's cabin in Longville, MN, at 10 p.m.
A bit shorter day with a much later start time,
Jeff's sled needed a jump but then started just fine.
Ed's balance this day must have been a bit down,
Because he toppled right over in Parker Prairie's town.
Chuck's cabin they found after a few missed trees,
Was not warm like Ed's, it was only 20 degrees.
So they fired up the stove and headed to the Anchorage Inn
And ate some fine food till just before 10.
By then Chuck's place had significant heat,
They all hit the sack, as they were pretty well beat.

Friday, February 12
Depart Longville, MN, at 9:30 a.m., arrive in Hinckley at 7 p.m.
This day seemed too easy, all sleds running well.
But, of course, Chuck makes it interesting so we will tell.
He seems to break down more often than not,
Good thing his mechanic skills surpass the lot.
He had his spare parts that were needed by luck,
And borrowed the socket set from a bar patron's truck.
This break down was lucky or we would have missed out,
On this great Tower Tap Bar we knew nothing about.
A few minutes later, he was the mechanical winner,
And we all enjoyed the most fantastic walleye dinner.
So we finally arrived at Hinckley our end,
610 miles later and some how we're still friends.