Ole Pappy
When I tell most people I spent last weekend watching a, “Watercross,” in Grantsburg, WI they usually say, “What’s that?” So I explain, “These snowmobile racers drive their snowmobiles around a water track and compete for big prizes.” They look at me funny and the usual comment is, “Doesn’t that ruin those machines?” The answer is, “No.” If they sink (and that’s what everybody seems to like the best), these pontoon boats rigged with winches pulls them out and places them on shore.
They simply drain the water out, dry them out and go again. It’s about that time I get this stare that kinda says, “Okay, this is a joke, right?” Well, hey, it’s no joke. They call it the “World Championship Watercross,” and it’s held every July in Grantsburg, WI. If you don’t believe me, ask Minneota Attorney John Engels or his wife Amanda.
They attend every year as a break from their regular lives. In fact, it’s John and Amanda who allow my two worlds to collide once a year. When I am in Minneota, I never seen anyone from Grantsburg. When I’m in Grantsburg, I never see anyone from Minneota. That is, except John and Amanda.
The only exception I can remember was when a relative of Lois Van De Putte of Minneota stopped me in Minneota because he recognized me. Apparently, the Van De Putte family has a home on Big Wood Lake near Grantsburg. Anyway, back to the Watercross. These drivers race their snowmobiles around Memory Lake in Grantsburg — going in an oval pattern about six times. The fun is when a driver tries to cross over or follow the wake of another driver.
Often that maneuver ends with the snowmobile sinking into the lake. He has a rope attached to his snowmobile with a flotation device on one hand so the snowmobile can be quickly attached to the pontoon and pulled out of the water. They call this event, “The Fastest Show on H2O.”
It’s fun — but after watching these machines go around and around for many years, it gets a big repetitive. And oh, is it noisy. But not as noisy as the bands playing music all night long (it seems like all night long) down at the Watercross grounds.
Most folks at home can hear it while they try to sleep. My wife kept hearing this pounding and finally figured out it was the band. Our best friends Greg and Cindy live just above the lake, so they really hear it. Cindy said she didn’t get to sleep most of the night because of the noise. Yet, this event draws thousands of people and lots of money to the community. As you might guess, a lot of cold beverages are sold during the event.
Friend Greg holds a Sunday Morning Worship Service every year on his hill overlooking the Watercross. It’s a beautiful event and great time to worship. However, not many Watercross participants find their way up the hill.
By the way, some of the best Fireworks I’ve ever seen happen on Saturday night at the Watercross. A couple next to me said they saw the Fourth of July Fireworks at the Golden Arches in St. Louis and they were NOT as good as these. So, that’s the “Fastest Show on H2O.”
LAUGH A LITTLE: Tractorville What do you call a bunch of tractors parked in front of McDonald’s on a Friday night in Iowa? Answer: Prom.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “A friend who understands your tears is so much more valuable than a friend who knows your smile.” Ole Pappy understood my pain and he had a very soft shoulder to cry on. He always knew he was more valuable to me in the tough times than in the good times. Thanks Ole Pappy!