As luck would have it, the weekend picked to hold the fifth Liam’s Sleigh ride for Kids was to be the same weekend of the Revelstoke Snowarama and Easter Seals Ride. It was also Drew’s last weekend, in fact the last day, before he was to head to Vancouver for hip surgery.

Removing from his mind the events of the upcoming surgery or any physical discomfort, he was determined he was coming riding. He was able to make it with the generosity of family friend Jim Martiniuk, who accompanied Drew while his parents Marnie and Cliff Derosier made preparations for the long stay on the coast.

It was five years ago when Liam Francis, afflicted with general dystonia, was doing his rounds at the Calgary Snowmobile Show and encountered the gregarious Krazy Canadian Dan Davidoff and Randy Swenson of Yamaha Canada, both superstars of the Thunderstruck Films extreme sledding fame. Liam left the building with his wheelchair loaded down with Thunderstruck and Yamaha booty, and the promise to take him out sledding in the mountains. The folks in Revelstoke have welcomed us ever since.

Gearing up

We have aligned the weekend with the BC Lions Society Easter Seals Snowarama as both Drew and Liam are Easter Seals camp attendees. Our sleds have been generously provided by Yamaha Canada. This year to Drew’s delight, Randy Swenson brought a couple of turbo Nitros. The Snowmobile Revelstoke Society made sure the trails were immaculately groomed and Kathy Burke of the Revy Snowmobile Club rode safety for us. Another real treat was Herb Shaede, who has come out of burger flipping retirement each year for us to delight us with his famous Herbi Burgers at the newly constructed Boulder Mountain cabin.

The day is clear but windy with that persistent Arctic air making preparations at the Boulder parking lot somewhat unpleasant. Reports were that temperatures at the cabin were much better, so there was incentive to get things going. Drew had with him a mitt full of pledges for the Easter Seals ladies. All those with pledges are given a ticket for a free Herbi Burger up top.

As we climbed out of the valley and up the mountain, the temperatures became very much more tolerable and we arrived at the new Boulder Cabin to a day reminiscent of the first time we did this ride. Burgers were on the grill as we got Liam and Drew all settled down for lunch. Our time up on the mountain is limited to the boys' endurance and comfort level. We still had much to do before we hit that line and had to head back down.

Taking the reins

Liam’s highlight has always been the chance to drive the sled around the meadow. With my assistance on the throttle and steering we made a bunch of loops along with some cat and mouse with Drew and Jim, who were also making loops. Drew was just giddy over the awesomeness of the turbo 4-stroke he is on and didn’t want the fun to stop.

Checking the energy level of the boys, we get the thumbs up to continue further into the alpine. The groomers had given us a smooth trail up into one of the first smaller bowls where we stopped for pictures, views and more opportunities for the boys to drive the sleds. Randy gives us some hill climbing displays. Of course us being Thunderstruck fans we know this is barely warm-up type material for him. Randy pleased the crowd. Drew remained ecstatic over the growl of Randy’s hill-climbing Nitro.

My surprise and thrill came when my daughter Tasha, who Randy has been doubling with, jumped on back with him for a run up the bowl. And to further the surprise, they swapped places and Tasha drove the two of them back down to the waiting group. My kids never cease to amaze me.

Wrapping it up

We then hit that line where Liam, my passenger, started turning into the wet dish rag between my arms and legs, he was pooped. It was time to head down despite both Liam’s and Drew’s protest they were not done yet. Easy for them to say as they got to sleep on the ride down back to the parking lot while Jim and I worked to keep them from falling off the sleds.

So Drew, this one was for you. All of our thoughts and best wishes are with you. We will see you next year.

The video of the day’s events can be viewed on YouTube. It was produced by Matt Rakach, NxS Films.

An update: I got an email from Drew’s Mom, Marnie this morning; Drew is back at home with a half body cast and doing fine. No doubt he is being his usual spunky self.