This is easy for me. I've only got one summer of actual Hydrodyne use under my belt, unless you count the years I spent watching them in ski shows in northern WI or the time, as a kid, that I practiced with some guys from the Manitowish ski team on our lake and did the slalom course behind their Hydrodyne. (I do count those, by the way, because those are some of my best memories). But, I would have to say that my best memory so far was the day my brother Steve and I took our boats, our families and our parents, to Lake Minocqua and put the boats in for the afternoon. My brother has a '56 Crosby that he restored. It's original era engine had a few small "issues" throughout the day but got the job done. What fun. My boat got the kind of attention from onlookers that made me, well, proud. Not because it is a nice boat, but because I rebuilt it with my own hands, and with the help of my children, who now hopefully will have a lifelong, personal investment in it. My parents had never been out on Lake Minocqua by boat (they were out there on snowmobiles once, with me, of course). My Dad had a blast taking turns driving the boat with my youngest son. I would have to say, though, that pulling my oldest son through the Minocqua Bats ski show course that day was a highlight for me, and sort of a dream come true (As a kid, about his age, I really dreamed of driving a ski team boat through that course - and now I was doing it - pulling my own son). Enjoy the pictures from my most memorable Hydrodyne day! Mark
Nice memory Mark. Sounds cool. I couldn't help but notice the gas prices on the sign in the background. Kinda big difference from a year ago huh? Geez! I am worried about these ski teams this summer and them surviving with the cost of fuel. It is gonna be hard for some of the little guys out there.
Gas prices are indeed going to make this a tough summer. The prices in the background in the photo would be much higher than prices in town, too, because the picture is taken outside of Wards supermarket/bait shop and gas station along Highway 51 in the middle of nowhere, between Woodruff and Manitowish. Prices are always high there. Before being Wards, it was called "Umbachs," and before that it was called "___________" for many, many years. Anyone know the original name? I'll bet at least one person on this website will know. My parents used to bring all 5 of us kids in there to pick out a flavored "Jolly Good" soda when I was a kid. It was a huge treat. We used to pick blueberries and the supermarket would buy them from us. Anyone know the original name? I'll give you a hint.... it is located right next door to the Rustic Manor.
This was from one of my most favorite memories. This was on the 4th of July in Eagle River. The other guy in the photo was Bill Steger. When I was little he taught me how to ski behind his aluminum fishing boat with a 9.9 on the back. I pulled him skiing numerous times that day behind the Hydrodyne. Not only was it special just for that reason, but because it was the last time that I saw him. Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer and then passed away.
