More than 200 smowmobilers enjoyed the day and the bean soup at Jordan River NFH

The friends group sponsored a Snow mobiler Stop at the hatchery on February 26^th.  The event featured a fire pit and “bean pot”; yes I said a bean pot.  Apparently, this is a common activity amongst snow mobilers so we all said why not?  Jon Sumner, vice president of the group was the chef. The pot, hung from a wooden tripod and fashioned from half a fuel tank from a semi truck held forty five gallons of some pretty tasty soup.

The visitors were treated to tours of the hatchery while slurping hot chocolate and coffee and of course soup!.  And, we got lucky too! You couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful winter day in northwest Michigan.  The official tally was two hundred and ten snowmobiles with nearly three hundred visitors enjoying the day at the hatchery.

The Pinney Bridge and West Elmira snowmobile trails run behind the hatchery to the west right along the Jordan River.  There is an access trail to the hatchery parking lot allowing sledders to stop and warm up at the visitors center.  Therefore, visitors milling about in helmets and boots is not an uncommon site at the hatchery.  Jordan River NFH has a partnership with East Jordan and Antrim County snow mobile clubs.  The clubs donate  coffee, hot chocolate and tea made available at the visitors center.  These clubs are great supporters of the Jordan River NFH, often volunteering for our adopt a highway cleanups and participating in hatchery outreach events. Thanks to all who helped make this day a success!