Using your sled: Snowmobiling at New England Outdoor Center

There are appropriate times to ponder on life.

Like when you're at the office, say, on a blizzardy Tuesday and the constant snowfall out the window reminds you of an ample pouring of salt and you start feeling like a steamed green bean being seasoned by the great salt shaker in the sky. Maybe you wonder why Mother Nature uses so much salt - but then it makes sense why two-thirds of the Earth is covered by oceans, lakes and streams, because Mother Nature clearly has a water-retention problem on account of all that sodium.

But there are also inappropriate times to let your thoughts wander.

Like when you're riding a snowmobile for the first time, seemingly at the will of it's jumpy 500-pound motorized mass.

Last Sunday a friend and I headed north to New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket for a guided snowmobiling tour. It was the first time either of us had ridden a snowmobile. And I quickly learned that full-on attention is required.

"Trail Master" Dan Anderson led our group along the extensive trail system in and around Baxter State Park. And while snowmobiles always seemed to me to glide along the frosty top layer of trail snow, I had trouble encouraging my sled to keep steady.

It wanted to veer right, like a frenetic horse itching to bolt into the woods.

With the rumbling of the sled's engine drowning out all else and my fists like tightened clamps on the handlebars, I could think of little else but, "Keep right, keep right - No! Not into the snowbank!"

But after a while, when I'd grown more comfortable with the steering and the side mirror watching, I could turn my eyes now and then to the scenery. The musings on Mother Nature's use of seasoning, however, would have to wait.

NEOC offers a handful of different packages for experienced and would-be snowmobilers. They offer a three-hour guided tour (either 9a-noon or 1-4p) and full-day guided tours. There's also a moose shed tour, where riders seek out moose antlers, or you can simply rent-and-go. The cabin views of Lake Millinocket are nothing to scoff at, should you choose to stay the night.

And for folks on a budget who want to give the sport a ride, NEOC is offering two-hour tours over February break for only $59 per person. This includes safety info, helmet, sled and guide.

And once you've mastered the trail, you can take your sledding tricks to Snodeo this weekend in Rangely:

FMI on NEOC: www.neoc.com or other guided snowmobiling tours: www.mesnow.com/Services.html.