February 12th, 2012 
admin This past week has been difficult for me as my noggin’ went spinning for a variety of reason. As suggested by a friend I opted to do something different to break the cycle. Do something I enjoy. I love vintage anything it seems these days; tractors, cars, Jeeps, airplanes and even old magazines. You didn’t see a lot of obesity in the general population when these machines were used. They took work just run or operate them.
As it would happen my calendar had should that the Great Eastern Whiteout was occurring in Fulton, NY, about an hour and a half from my home. I made a couple calls and sent a couple texts to see if anyone was interested in a short road trip – no takers. So, some gas, a Coke and the road with occasional lake affect snow down SR 104. The Fulton Area Snow Travelers
put on a great show, if you like the old iron. I strongly recommend this journey. I was removed from 2012 and thrust back in time for an hour or so ( I was dressed properly to stay out longer) and it sure was worth it.
Easy enough to find, parking a little tight, pleasant girls taking my $10 in cash to support the sponsoring body Fulton Area Snow Travelers. I walked into a sparsely occupied room and past the concessions area and found a disappointment, There was nothing! Then I read the sign that the sleds were all outside, and the drag racing was cancelled this weekend due to insurance companies requiring 12″ of ice; fat chance of getting that this year. By the time I was done skimming the grounds of the Fulton Was Memorial, I would guess there had to be 3-400 vintage sleds. nothing new at all. Maybe mid 90′s was the newest onsite, a couple handfuls of late 60′s, but so many from the glory years of snowmobiling in the 70′s and early 80′s. Some barn find fresh waiting for restoration. A few that were complete restorations. Some daily riders. 
There was a Ski Doo Olympique that was brought back to better than factory new. It was stunning. Every possible details was completed in flawless perfection. Museum quality in high order. More pull behinds than I have seen before, Cat, Ski Doo, Polaris all had representatives, but I was drawn to the SkiRoule “Cariol”. I had never seen one and it was in good condition. Snowmobiling was a family sport in it’s hey-day.
Another beautiful coral of sleds were from Merc and a full contingency of race sleds all done up in factory colors of white, red, and black. But I was drawn to a trio of Evinrude’s. Gorgeous high quality restoration to better than factory new, clothing and accessory on display just like a car show. I was never an Evinrude fan, but I think ole Ole would have been proud. Amazing execution and plenty of on lookers. 
There were also several manufacturers with early rear engine mounted machines. Impressive maintenance, well cared for. There were some oddities, the Bolens, the custom fabricated drag sleds, a PUG, and a id 70′s Ski Doo that was equipped with atv tires and wheels all the way around thanks to some ingenious mounting of a motorcycle swingarm. It garnered a lot of attention as it was ridden all over the grounds. There was a large swap meet, with some basket cases on trailers, hopefully they will make it back to the show in their former glory. 
The food was that same as at any concessions stands you’d find at race tracks or high school football games. They were raffling of what appeared to be highly custom painted Polaris from the early 70′s, maybe late 60′s, my Polaris speak isn’t so fluent.
All in all, a great trip out, and it actually snowed this weekend which added some ambiance to the event if you ask me. I think winter should be cold and snowy, and full of snowmobiles. Nothing like a sniff of starting fluid and some used 2 stroke gas fumes in crisp air to remind you of one of winter’s greatest pleasures in upstate NY.
