To My Good Friends....

[JD600]

I have been talking to some friends this evening about my excitement to get up early tomorrow morning to go to the IVSA winter show in North Webster IN, and the question always comes up, "Why?" "Why do you spend almost every evening in the shop instead of going out with your friends?" Why do you spend countless hours and dollars on outdated sleds when the money you have tied up in your collection could easily buy you a brand new sled?" "Why do you want to leave your warm bed at 4am to go look at a bunch of old snowmobiles?" "WHY?!?" For a long time, i had no answer to this question, but tonight, it finally came to me. Its not about the working on the sleds, or riding them. Its not about bringing something back to "Like new" condition that some farmer gave up on long ago. Its not about hearing the roar of an engine that was seized up, and now runs better than the day it left the factory, or showing my latest restoration off at a show. Although all of those things do bring me great joy, the thing that has brought me the greatest joy about this crazy hobby, turned addiction, turned disease is the amazing people i have met and the amazing friends i have made along the way. This group of people right here is unbelievable. I know people from all corners of the country (and lets not forget our friends to the north), many i have never actually met face to face, but i consider them friends. It amazes me that one of my best friends, and countless other friends were met over the internet! Who would have ever thought? I know i'm just a young kid to most of you guys, and i haven't been in this as long as most of you, but this is what JD Sleds mean to me. Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way and every one who will help me in the future. And a special thanks to Matt for bringing us all together. Sorry for the long post, this was just something i wanted to say.

DE

[JDT]

Dustin I think your feelings are echoed all across the board.

Well said.

[atomc40]

Amen!

[TOYMECH]

Amen and WELL said, Dustin......VERY well said.

I wanted to post some information on this thread about something that happened to me this week but did not want to hijack or change the direction of your original topic but it somewhat relates so for anyone curious, here is a link to my post.:

http://www.jdsleds.com/community/viewto ... =1&t=13304

[400brian]

I recall a comment made by Don Amber one of the first times I met he and Bob.

To paraphrase: Don said, " I just don't know how I'm going to tell everyone back home about the great time I had with a bunch of guys I met on the internet!"

[Matt]

[harleysportster]

Dustin I think your feelings are echoed all across the board.

Well said.

What he said....

[nick80lf]

Well said Dustin

[lwb140]

well said great post wade

[skoalmint]

DITTO!!!!!!!!! Brock

[cledussnow77]

Those are almost the same exact words I was thinking , and after a day like today at the show thats what I have to say to.

[dator]

It's great to have such good friends, Even ones we haven't met...
Thanks Dustin for the Great post.
Bob E

[WinnipegStPaul9]

And this site has given us the opportunity to meet our hero's!!!!

DA

[liquitisplit80]

To making new friends!!

[TASKY]

And this site has given us the opportunity to meet our hero's!!!!

DA

It was nice to meet you to Don.