Current and former state legislators making the 300-mile snowmobile trail ride to promote the sport stopped in St. Ignace Monday, January 19. Pictured are (from left) Senator Jason Allen of Traverse City, House Leader Kevin Elsenheimer of Bellaire, Representative Jim Stamas, Representative Wayne Schmidt of Traverse City, former Speaker Rick Johnson of Leroy, former Representative Tom Casperson of Escanaba, and Representative Geoff Hansen of Hart. "We're having a ball," said State Senator Jason Allen of the three-day snowmobile trek current and former state legislators made this week. He spoke to The St. Ignace News a stop in downtown St. Ignace Monday, January 19.

This is the seventh year legislators have taken the trip, covering different areas each year. The event showcases snowmobiling, which is important to winter tourism in northern Michigan. Senator Allen chairs the state's tourism committee.

The trip provides the opportunity for legislators to travel around the northern part of the state, promote the area, and talk about the region's issues.

"It's an opportunity to spread the gospel of snowmobiling," said Republican House Leader Kevin Elsenheimer, "and the economic impact that it has on northern Lower Michigan and the Eastern U.P. It has a huge economic impact."

The group enjoyed the wide snowmobile trails in the area and they traveled over the ice from Cedarville to Hessel. From St. Ignace, they were heading to the Mackinac Bridge, where the Bridge Authority will transport the sleds to the Lower Peninsula.

"We're trying to publicize that, too," said Mr. Elsenheimer of the transport service, "so that people know they can get the whole gamut of northern Michigan. They don't have to just stop at the bridge, they can go up to the U.P., too."

During the trip, they traveled to Sault Ste. Marie and met with the Rodney Lowman, president of Lake Superior State University. In St. Ignace, they met with Mayor Paul Grondin.

Riding with Sen. Allen are House Leader Kevin Elsenheimer of Bellaire, Representative Jim Stamas, Representative Wayne Schmidt of Traverse City, former Speaker Rick Johnson of Leroy, former Representative Tom Casperson of Escanaba, and Representative Geoff Hansen of Hart.

Legislators were joined by members of the Michigan Snowmobile Association executive board.

Stops during the trail ride included Gaylord, Indian River, Cheboygan, Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, Cedarville, Hessel, Pellston, and Alanson.