Little Miss Learns to Ride/Pikkuneiti oppii ajamaan

We took a family snowmobile ride yesterday, and had a really fun time. It was cold out, but we were bundled up in our Michelin Man layers. I was probably the coldest, but only after I had to use the snow bank facilities, and just could not get warm again after that point. Of course it didn't help we were on top of a mountain where the wind was blowing insanely it was quite breezy. Hot chocolate had never tasted so good as after that ride!

Anyway, half way our ride the Captain asked Little Miss how she was enjoying our snowmobile trip. Her response was "so-so". It really isn't as much fun to be riding behind someone, you want to be riding your own sled. So for the rest of the ride, Little Miss rode in front of the Captain, steering his sled! The Captain kept his finger on the throttle, and helped when needed (his machine is big and heavy), and finally Little Miss was starting to really enjoy her trip.



So today, the Captain had a big announcement:

He and Mr D were taking Little Miss out on the smaller Sabercat to teach her how to ride a snowmobile by herself!

She didn't waste any time in getting her gear on.



The Captain and Mr D were perfect teachers! Encouraging, firm, and clear in their instructions.



Someone is getting soooo excited!!!



Instructions were given.

At first she was to ride with Mr D, having him control the throttle, and Little Miss steering her sled as they followed Daddy.



They did a few loops like that.



Then the Captain showed her how to work the throttle, and how to be very careful not to bump it while idling, so the machine wouldn't rocket off when you aren't ready for it.



She started the engine, and took off with Mr D sitting right behind her, ready to help if needed. And Daddy following in his own sled.



She did GREAT!!!



After a few loops like that, Little Miss was ready to try alone!



With Daddy following her.

 
Oh my, she thought it was the funnest thing ever!!!



So she pulled her visor down, started her engine again, and took off!



That's my baby! My seven year old!!



She must have been out there for at least a couple of hours, following the loopy 'trail'. And at bedtime tonight she was planning on going out there again tomorrow, before school (yeah, right!).

Here are two short video clips of Little Miss riding. Both were taken from inside the house, so the quality isn't great, but you can see her on ice and navigating coming back from lake to the house. Well done, sweetie!

I think we have another snowmobiler in the family!!

See also: Ten Snowmobiling Tips for Girlfriends
               Why I Love My Snowmobile

               Snowmobiling Laws in Maine

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Kävimme eilen moottorikelkkailemassa poikien ja Pikkuneidin kanssa. Oli todella kivaa, teimme noin kolmen tunnin reissun, mikä oli juuri sopiva aika. Meillä kaikilla muilla oli omat kelkat, paitsi Pikkuneiti istui Kapteenin kelkan kyydissä, Kapteenin takana. Puolessa välissä isä oli kysynyt kuinka tyttö nautti reissustaan, ja kävi ilmi, ettei Pikkuneidillä ollut kovin hauskaa. Isä siirsi tytön eteensä, ja lopun reissusta antoi Pikkuneidin ohjata moottorikelkkaansa! Hänen kelkkansa on iso ja painava, joten Kapteeni kaasutti, ja auttoi tarvittaessa ohjaamistakin. Jo alkoi neiti nauttimaan reissusta!

Niinpä tänään Kapteeni ja Mr D opettivat neidille kuinka ajaa itse moottorikelkkaa. Talon edessä jäällä oli paljon tilaa tehdä rata neidille, ja käytössä oli pienin moottorikelkka mikä meillä on. Ensin Mr D kaasutti ja Pikkuneiti ohjasi, sitten Pikkuneiti teki molemmat itse Mr D:n istuessa hänen takanaan, valmiina auttamaan.

Ja lopuksi Pikkuneiti lähti yksin ajamaan! Ja nautti! Kuvista varmaan näkeekin:)