Jay Richards

We missed out on the big snow action to the south but still plenty of snow in the woods for some late season winter fun. Personally I was hoping we either get blasted or nothing because new snow just makes for slow skiing this time of year. The next two mornings will be groomable than calling it a year on the grooming. However, I don't think MN is out of the woods with winter weather, in particular MSP. With all the weather stuff I look at, I think there will be another snow event before the month is over and it was quite cold in Alaska last week which will push this way eventually. Short lived, but be ready!!

Still lots of snow on the north end of Sugar Creek road as riding this past weekend found. Finally got on the road first time this year. Had to take a vehicle to DL so road back into lovely head wind, 30 degrees and probably teens windchill. There is no faking it on the road and I have my work cut out. Three weeks of snow riding has been fun though and good way to ease into the longer rides to come (hopefully)
Think there was 3-4 days in March that cheezed out the ice rink but after Saturday warm spell, everything re froze and last three mornings Jon and I have been skating and passing around. Tomorrow morning should be good and hopefully we can sneak in one more skate Thursday morning before it probably goes south on Thursday with 50's forecasted. But to be skating this late has been a treat.
We even trained Lucky for resurface action.


Jonell cranking out some home made noodles for home made chicken noodle soup. Like a lot of things, the older you get, the better you get at. Especially cooking.



Cranking out a beef roast in a cast iron skillet. Iron skillet is a great way to cook a lot of things plus it doesn't hurt to get a little extra iron in the system. Takes a few years to get a new pan seasoned but the best bet is to go to an farm auction and for sure there will be a box full with some. Jonell's parents have this huge skillet at the cabin that hasn't been used in a while that you could make eggs, bacon, pancakes, hashbrowns all in the same pan and feed about 10 people. Back in the early days of racing I told George Hayes I was going to write a cookbook cooking with a cast iron skillet and he said he would be the first one to buy it. I wonder what George is doing now. I'll never forget the time we drove from MN to Mt Spokane for a Norba National. When George took the wheel I thought I was going to die. He would not drive slower than 100mph. I kid you not. If you have been in the car with George you can confirm. He would only drive during the day. Sure enough when it was my turn to drive at night, I get pulled over outside of Missoula. You get used to those high speeds and 70 feels like 50. When we hit the mountains he would be doing 80 on these 15mph switchbacks. It was complete nuts. We were at a race in Iowa, Volga I think, and Gino got a flat and they called the race director and said they were late. The race director said they couldn't really delay the start but once the racers knew George was driving, they said they would be there within an hour and think in 45 minutes they rolled to the line.

Two step process to cleaning the cast iron. You don't want to use a scratchy pad or something of that nature as you loose seasoning so the dog works nice as it adds a bit of flavor and then take it to the sink with a little soapy water, rinse and little oil rubbed in til next time. Don't recommend a cat. If your cat is anything like our cat, where I have seen it lick is not a pleasant thought.