Well it’s been almost a week since I posted “Part 1″ of the Michigan/Northern Indiana weekend…guess you guys thought I had forgot. On the contrary…it took me this long to get caught up on my rest! Seriously…it was amazing, from front to back. I think at last I left you we had rolled into the hotel in Muskegon in the wee hours and were anxious to get to Saturday and the potential of snowmobile rides…well…it happened!

Saturday we woke up a bit later than expected, but when you go to bed when dairy farmers are waking up to milk the cows, we needed a little nap time. It was snowing still and there was about 10″ or so on the ground right there in downtown Muskegon. As we traveled north toward Hannah’s house the snow got progressively deeper, and deeper…the road went from clear, to not so clear, to one lane clear on the Interstate, to make your own lane in the snow. Even on the main highways north of Muskegon there were snowmobiles on the road and all over the place. We brushed up on our snow driving and were glad Darrell had insisted on some deep groove all-weather tires back in the summer. Hannah met us at a retail dairy store and off-loaded us from the van and took us the rest of the way in her four-wheel drive (a Mercury of some variety….looks like an Explorer except nicer). Her driveway was solid snow and it was vertical….kind of like the chalet driveways in Gatlinburg if any of you have ever been there. We got to the top with ease and rushed inside to get warm. Beautiful home and a beautiful spread of food waiting for us. We ate a while then heard the whine of snowmobile motors as they climbed her driveway…alas our trusty steeds had arrived via Ike (our snowmobile coordinator and instructor) and others. Four total were out front calling our names and we wasted no time getting all dressed up for the occasion. What do you wear to such an event you might ask? Everything you brought from Tennessee…and then borrow some more stuff just in case.  

Ike was great….he taught us to lean when turning (like a Jet Ski if any of you have ever ridden on one) and to not stop unless you were out of the deep snow (and we found plenty of deep…like hip deep in spots snow). Scott and I launched out with Ike to get our snow legs first, which we quickly found and started to get confident. That was until Ike suggested we hit some trails. I found this to be akin to four wheelers with a dash of Jet Ski….which was WAY too much fun. In fact it was all fun and games until I forgot the whole lean/turn thing and went wide on the trail. I discovered that the trail was “the trail” on purpose. Get outside “the trail” and you might find yourself in a snow drift deep enough to say….bog down a snowmobile. Yes folks….I was the first to discover the intense workout you get when your snowmobile is completely covered in snow. God bless poor Ike….he had the patience of Job. He parked his and came back and helped me get mine un-stuck. Of course my misfortune had caused Scott to have to stop on the trail in deep snow…so now he was stuck (you know Ike was thinking “amateurs” the whole time). Once we got going again I paid extra attention to the lean/turn thing and had an uneventful afternoon. Jess and Steve on the otherhand did not have such an uneventful day. We headed back and traded out so Jess and Steve could embark on the journey. Several minutes later Jess returned. Scott said “there comes Jess”…to which I replied “no, that’s not Jess. He was wearing a khaki jacket. That driver is wearing white pants and a white jacket”. Silly me….it wasn’t white…it was Jess and he was covered from head to tow in snow. Steve came back rolling with laughter as Jess explained how he managed to get snow not only all over him, put inside his helmet as well. Seems Jess was trying to get the whole lean/turn thing when he took a sharp turn while forgetting to lean and was thrown from the snowmobile. Steve estimates he rolled for about 30 feet and the snowmobile continued about that much farther past him. Would have given anything to see that! The white outfit look was priceless though. A special thanks to Ike for making sure the snowmobile time was perfect, and a thanks to Hannah and all the Dunkards who made the wonderful meal and just made the afternoon special. We owe you guys!

Saturday night we headed back to a familiar spot in Muskegon to sing, but it had been over three years since we were there. We sang at Dalton Baptist Church north of town and were stunned again to see all the folks come streaming in while there was well over 12″ of snow on the ground now. Got to visit Russ’ Restaurant after we sang and Jess got his favorite Meat Loaf sandwich while I had a grilled cheese so I could save room for their awesome Peanut Butter pie. Great night and great to see all our dear friends in Muskegon again. Special thanks to Deb and Krishelle for their incredible cookies. They were gone by Gary, IN later that night…and they brought two plates (can you say “diet”?).

Sunday morning found us at our last stop for the weekend in Gary, IN at a new place Barbara Roach helped us find…Black Oak Baptist. Had a huge shock when here we were at a church over 7 hours from home and while we set up someone walks up and introduces himself as the nephew of a dear friend back home in Nashville. Who’d have thunk that?? Craziness. The church was lively and we had a great time. Hated to see the last singing go in the books, but we were all looking forward to seeing our families. I know Steve the newbie had to be suffering some major cravings to get home and see his sweet fam. Great trip and great to see all our pals up north….now my daughter is leaning on me to take her up next time so Ike can hook her up with a snowmobile jaunt into the woods. If we can work it out…I’d trust Ike to be her guide.

Don’t have a singing to attend this weekend, so we will be chillin’ at home. Well, most will be. Steve’s daughter Lindsey is in a talent contest in Somerset, KY singing her little brains out. Good luck sweetie! We will all be rooting for you to smash’em! Okay…maybe “smash’em” is a bit aggressive for a church related talent contest…but we’ll be pulling for ya. Hoping to hear the good news from daddy that she did as well as we all expect. With a dad as talented as Steve…I guess she didn’t have much choice to be great….right?

Have an awesome weekend and be sure to check our schedule. We are adding dates left and right and hope to be adding more as time goes by. Enjoy the Super Bowl. For Ike I’ll say… “go Steelers”! Honestly though, I’m cool with whoever…just as long as it is a good game.

God bless and talk to you soon….

Von and the guys at CO4