I purchased a 2006 Yamaha SX Mountain Viper, and it has been a great sled!  I still have my 1999 Yamaha Mountain Max 700, which has now primarily been a backup sled.  I purchased the Viper new, and before riding it, I started with the customizing.  The first thing on my agenda was to get fresh paint, so I could decide on everything else I would want.

The color scheme I chose for this sled is black metallic with charcoal metallic flames.  Then added some clear black to give the flames some dimension.  The result… some seriously sick ghostly flames.  Unless the sun is at the correct angle, you have no idea the flames are there.

View Photo Album: Winter 07-08

Plastics were easy to choose after finally deciding on paint.  I thought yellow would be the best choice, so I ordered SLP Powder Pro skis, with yellow loops of course.  After installing a yellow skid plate and seeing how this sled was turning out, I knew I chose the right combination. 

To shave some weight, I ordered a Boss Seat, which anyone who orders one of these knows about wait time for completion of your special order, and all the options you have.  I kept my seat quite simple.  The seat has been great!

I ditched the stock handle bar and went with a Fly carbon fiber straight bar.  To get my height back, an eight inch billet aluminum riser, and aiding in better handling, 45 degree billet aluminum hooks on the outside. 

I have also installed billet aluminum wheels and next to be installed, lightweight trailing arms.  I’ve had lots of compliments from people on the trails and I really enjoy listening to what people have to say, so please feel free to leave comments.  Also if anyone is interested, one of these 2 sleds will be up for sale.  I haven’t decided which sled yet.

Has everyone checked out Autolog yet?  As I said before it’s a great way for businesses in the auto industry to get their name out to the public otherwise out of reach.  At the same time, you can also create a profile for yourself showing your vehicle, joining club, and meeting new people.  I think it’s a brilliant idea, and others should get on board.  I have my own profile.  Yes, redwinegoesbig is autologged!

At the same time, there is  twresourcegroup that has a blog talking about their goals and ideas they want to accomplish on autolog.  Movie clips are included for you to see as well.  Its worth your time to check it out.  Don’t forget to leave a comment.  I left one.

Now, remember me saying that I would pay for my actions the next day, I did indeed.  Having to catch an early flight out of Moscow was not the best plan.  In order to arrive back at work on time, I didn’t have any other alternatives. 

Mav woke me up and I was very much, still intoxicated.  Two weeks later, I would ask who it was who woke me up.  HAHA.  I thought it was the driver who woke me up.  Trying to find where I was supposed to be for check in wasn’t that bad.  It was standing in line waiting to check in that was very miserable.  After about 45 minutes, I was checked in and walking to customs. 

Once I was cleared of customs and in the international terminal, my first stop was the pub for an early adult beverage to aid my recovery.  My hangover was intensifying with every passing minute, and I knew what I had to do.  In thirty minutes time, I had nursed the first drink, and consumed a couple others.  Feeling refreshed now, I boarded the plane for my departure from Moscow, and my journey back to work.

My friend Toby introduced me to a website where you can create a profile for your vehicle.  This site offers you a place to keep your maintenance records as well as meeting people and joining groups.  It’s a fun site to be on.  I made a profile for my 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.  If you are looking for a better way to keep your maintenance records organized, or you just want to meet other people interested in the same vehicles as you, there is no better place.  Check it out!

After Alex, Mav and I returned to their place from seeing the sites in Moscow, we sat down for some lunch.  Mav brought out some beer he brought back with them from their trip to Thailand over Christmas.  I knew I had better pace myself since I hadn’t drank any alcohol since my first arrival into Saudi Arabia.  It didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped.

Mav and I traded pictures taken earlier in the day, and relaxed for a bit while their daughter took a nap.  Since the food here isn’t the best, we decided on a restaurant for dinner.  An American owned restaurant that Alex and Mav enjoy eating at.  Arriving to the restaurant, I was already feeling the effects of the alcohol from the few beers I had at the house.  The food was out of this world, and the waitress kept the beers flowing.  The manager came over and talked with us for a while as well.  I was very impressed with the restaurant and would recommend it to anyone visiting Moscow.  Alex, I can’t remember the name of the restaurant, so please leave me a comment.

Now, at this point I am quite intoxicated.  On our way home, we stopped at a kiosk that sold alcohol.  These are located on almost every street.  Its brilliant! HAHA.  Our driver drove the Tahoe off the road and onto the sidewalk cutting off a few people arriving there as well thus ensuring we were served first.  Making our selection from the variety of beers (Mav choosing since I had no knowledge of the beers there) we bought 6 more beers for the house.  As soon as we finished our purchase, the kiosk closed and didn’t sell to the others waiting.  Talk about perfect timing.

We sat back at the house enjoying our adult beverages and music, talking more about things we’re involved in at this point in our lives.  It was great conversation.  The time with my friends was great, I couldn’t have asked for a better day.  The next day, I would pay for my actions.

The time I spent with Alexandra and Mav was perhaps the best part of my trip.  It was so very nice to see my friends again.  The first thing we did was sit down for coffee and breakfast, along with catching up.  The pancakes were so fantastic!  They asked my lots of questions about my time here in Saudi Arabia, and I also asked them many questions about their living in Moscow.  During the conversation, we also put together a rough plan on what our agenda was for the day.  Of course Red Square was on the list of places to see in Moscow.

Leaving their house, we drove through the city and as we were approaching Red Square, Mav pointed out the building that was once used by the KGB.  This was a wake up call for me.  As we turned a corner, St. Basil’s Cathedral stood in front of me glistening in the early afternoon sun.  I was amazed how Red Square came out of nowhere.   I couldn’t have asked for a better atmosphere for winter, the sun was out and snow was falling.  We didn’t stick around too long.  After walking around St. Basil’s Cathedral, we headed over to the mall and caught up with Alex in the mall.

View Photo Album: Moscow

Tea time in the mall capped off my visit to Red Square.  It’s amazing that when you are in the company of your best friends, it doesn’t matter what you do, it’s being together that really matters.  I didn’t do any shopping, Moscow is a very expensive city.  Besides, I purchased everything I wanted in Volgograd and Volzhsky.   After tea, we made the rest of our rounds at Red Square, and we walked into the Underground Mall on the other side of the Square.  Both malls were outstanding.

Our next stop was on top of the hill by Moscow State University.  The view was wonderful and it’s also the site of the Olympics ski jump.  More pictures taken and there was vendors selling items here.  Having looked at everything, I purchased a few t-shirts, and a present for my friend Toby.  Can’t talk about this, it’s still a surprise for him.  Sorry Toby, HAHA.  You have to wait a while longer. 

This concluded the sites trip for me.  Only being there for one day, I wasn’t too worried about seeing everything.  I am already planning another trip to Moscow to visit Alex and Mav again.  With the sightseeing trip over, it was time for Mav to introduce me to the wonderful beers of Russia.

When the time came to leave Volgograd and Volzhsky, I wished I could stay longer.  The time to return to work was approaching.  Instead of thinking about returning to work, I concentrated on the time I would spend with Alexandra and Mav in Moscow.  I always try to look at the bright side of things.

I planned my arrival time into Moscow for early morning so I could do as much as possible in the one day I would have there.  I wish I would have planned more time in Moscow.  Lesson learned.

My flight returning to Moscow was on Aeroflot Airlines on the same type of aircraft as I arrived on.  After we took off, I felt the same flight characteristics as when I had arrived and realized the same pilot was flying for my return.  This time, I would be prepared for the landing.  A wise decision since he floated the landing at Sheremetyevo 1 just as he did before in Volgograd.  The ride was as wild as the first time.

I stood around for about 30 minutes waiting for my baggage to arrive.  Luckily my baggage was the first to arrive and I got out of dodge fast.  I found the driver Alexandra and Mav sent me easily and within minutes we were on our way.  The excitement and anticipation of seeing my friends again was overwhelming.  Thoughts of American style pancakes Alexandra was preparing for my breakfast raced through my head.  It had been years since I have seen my friends and I couldn’t wait to see them once again.

When we arrived to the apartment complex, I was shocked to see FSB agents (Russian Federation version of the KGB which stands for Federal Security Service, and I should add, have more power than the KGB did) in the parking lot.  Audi A6’s, Mercedes, and BMW 7 series cars painted black with the single blue light mounted on the driver side of the roof.  I wanted to take a picture but I was warned by my driver not to pursue or I would be in a world of trouble.  I was easily persuaded.

In realizing the Soviets couldn’t be defeated in a single campaign, Hitler made plans for 1942.  The offensives that Hitler planned for the summer of 1942 would have been devastating to the Allies if he succeeded.  Hitler had two objectives in the east and one objective in the south.  General Halder would push east to capture the rich oil fields in the Caucasus as well as food and industry around Stalingrad.  Field Marshal Rommel would continue east defeating the British Desert Army, sweeping northeast capturing the Middle East and join the German armies in Russia.  From this point, Germany would attack Moscow with forces from the east and west.

Hitler not understanding the full concept of global warfare made vital mistakes during the summer of 1942, one of which was to dangerously expose the northern flank of the Sixth Army for 350 miles along the upper Don in Russia.  Another vital mistake was the continuing delay in capturing the island of Malta in the Mediterranean. By neither neutralizing nor capturing the island, Field Marshal Rommel could not be adequately supplied to continue the conquest.  The third, but not last mistake was when Hitler ordered Army Group A to capture the oil fields in the Caucasus simultaneously with the campaign of Stalingrad.  These three mistakes Hitler made started the cascading effect which allowed the turn of the world war, from the American landings in Western Africa behind Rommel, the resistance and victory in Stalingrad by the glorious Soviet Red Army, the British Desert Army pushing Rommel back, along with Nazi Intelligence misguiding Hitler, gravely underestimating Stalin’s reserves.  I personally believe that many people in the world today look too directly at one incidence claiming it was the turn of the war without realizing everything together, is what actually turned to tables against Hitler.

On November 8^th 1942, the Soviet Red Army began an offensive which broke through the Third Army and the Forth Panzer Division to the northeast and south of Stalingrad.  Four days later, continuing to push west from the north and south, the Soviet Red Army joined together forty miles west of Stalingrad on the Don bend.  With the Sixth Army now surrounded and without a supply line, it was only a matter of time for the Soviet Red Army to recapture the city.  Hitler yelling “I won’t leave the Volga!” denying the Sixth Army to retreat, sealed their fate as the Soviet Red Army began to retake the city in the concentrated street fighting.

The Russians gave more than one ultimatum to General Paulus and the Sixth Army, the first ultimatum on January 8^th 1943 read:

            The situation of your troops is desperate.  They are suffering from hunger, sickness and cold.  The cruel Russian winter has scarcely yet begun.  Hard frosts, cold winds and blizzards still lie ahead.  Your soldiers are unprovided with winter clothing and are living in appalling sanitary conditions.  Your situation is hopeless, and any further resistance is senseless.

            In view of this and in order to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, we propose that you accept the following terms of surrender….

The terms which were enclosed were honorable terms, normal food rations, adequate clothing, medical treatment to anyone wounded, sick, or frostbitten.  Personal belongings, badges of rank, and decorations, would be retained by prisoners.  Hitler refused the Sixth Army to surrender.  Hitler ordered, to the last man and the last bullet.

On January 30^th a squad of Russians led by a junior officer entered the command center and demanded the surrender of the German Commander in Chief.  General Paulus accepted.  Now, only one last pocket was left for the Soviet Red Army to mop up and on February 2^nd, surrendered as well.  Later in the day, a German reconnaissance aircraft flew over Stalingrad and reported no sign of any fighting in Stalingrad.  The Battle of Stalingrad was over.

The Battle of Stalingrad, along with the British and American forces in the deserts of Africa marked the turning point of World War II.  Because of his mistakes, Hitler would never again hold the upper hand, and with this came the inevitable fall of the Third Reich.

My visit to the Underground Museum in Volgograd (Stalingrad) where General Paulus surrendered to the Soviet Red Army was surreal.  Located under the department store, which has long since been rebuilt, the Underground Museum captures the peril that General Paulus was in, as well as displaying many German relics located in the basement.  Displays showing the infamous MG-42 as well as other German weapons of the time can be seen there.  Pictures, medical supplies, and other German military property are preserved.  Cameras were not allowed, but I did sneak a few pictures.  As you walk into the exhibit, you feel as if you are demanding the surrender of General Paulus.

View Photo Album: Underground Meseum

I can’t begin to explain my feelings as I stood at the same location that General Paulus once stood, where the Soviet Red Army defeated the Nazis in Stalingrad, showing the world that Hitler and his Nazi Regime could be stopped.  Knowing that I was at one of the locations in history where the turn of World War II began, thus ensuring the people of the free world a promising future, its overwhelming.  The underground Museum is a bit difficult to find.  It’s located next to Fallen Fighters Memorial.  Once you enter the department store, follow the footsteps on the floor, which lead to the Underground Museum.

I visited the Central Embankment a few times during my visit to Volgograd and Volzhsky.  This particular spot in Volgograd is a feast for your eyes to see the history of the city along with architecture and a great view of the Volga River. 

Upon arriving we first walked over to the Fallen Fighters Square and the memorial with the eternal flame.  Before the revolution, this square was named Alexander Square until 1920 when the Soviet Red Army took control.  Many communists were executed in the square after the resistance took back the square in 1919.  This memorial is for the memory of the fallen comrades which are buried in a common grave after their execution.

View Photo Album: Central Embankment

As you walk toward the Volga River, you come to the Alley of the Heroes.  This is where the names of fallen soldiers who lived in Stalingrad are honored.  As you walk toward Central Embankment, the names are written on both sides.

After the Alley of the Heroes, you reach Central Embankment.  This is where locals and tourists alike, come to walk and enjoy the day.  A stage is located at the bottom by the Volga River for entertainment.  Festivals, and holidays are both celebrated here, as well as fallen comrades are honored for their sacrifice.   Everything is peaceful, and truly is a spectacular place to visit.

The Planetary Museum, also known as Planetarium Museum was another place I visited.  Located in Volgograd, the museums interior is well decorated with paintings, and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.  I was particularly impressed with the mosaic of Stalin. 

As you enter, there is a board with information about Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, along with other important breakthroughs.  Through the next doors, you enter the forum where the mosaic of Stalin is hanging directly in front of you.  With the walls painted on either side, and models of Spudnik and various probes hanging from the ceiling.  The interior was truly awe inspiring. 

View Photo Album: Volgograd Planetary Museum

Natasha and I paid for the tour, which was only 30 rubles, if I remember right.  Along with the tour came the lecture in the planetarium casting up the star field.  The lecture was fascinating, but I wasn’t too impressed with how they represented the constellations.  The museum displayed mythological drawings of the constellations, but didn’t show which stars they represented.  Obviously the trained eye knows when looking up, but I only knew about 8 of the constellations.  I wish they would have brightened the stars which made the constellation, so it would be obvious.  Everything else about the tour and planetarium lecture was great!

Don’t forget to check out all the paintings hanging around the building, as all are works of art, and must be appreciated.

On one day, Natasha and I headed out to Volgograd to see some other sites I hadn’t seen yet.  We walked around stopping at lots of places, including the Volgograd State Panorama Museum.  Located next to the Old Steam Mill and across the street from the Pavlov House in downtown Volgograd, it stands with remarkable architecture.

During the half year battle in Stalingrad, the entire city lay in ruins.  The Old Steam Mill, built by two German Businessmen and destroyed in 1942 by the Nazi Germans, is the only building saved as a memorial to the fierce battle and the victory of Stalingrad.

The Pavlov House was originally an apartment building, named after the Junior Commander and his men.  Pavlov and his squad were the first to fortify the building and later, more men defended with them and mines were placed around the building.  Nazi German Maps marked this location as a fort.  This building stands as a memorial.

The Volgograd State Panorama Museum was amazing.  As the name suggests, on the top floor there is a panorama painting which completely surrounds you on the wall of the building.  Painted by seven painters working together to depict one day of fighting in Stalingrad.  The Panorama is absolutely unbelievable and you have to see it to believe it.  You are allowed to take pictures for you memories of being there, but you have to see it with your own eyes.

Also located there are some of the most prized items during that time.  One of my personal favorites was to see the actual sniper rifle used by Stalingrad War Hero, Vasily Zaitsev.  There is by far too much to see there, and I cant talk about all my favorites.  If you have the opportunity to go, it’s a must see!

That evening, after returning from the Motherland, we had an absolutely delicious dinner!  We drank more red wine and beer.  Talking about what I saw, and liked the most about the Motherland was one of our topics, I didn’t really have an answer, after all, the entire site is a great place to visit. 

A couple of Natasha’s friends met us outside her house and we walked down to the Volzhsky Square, where Lenin’s Monument was located, along with the secret of this particular statue has.  Our first stop when we arrived was the Christmas tree with lights in the square.  We took some pictures with her friends camera in front of the tree.  I forgot my camera on this occasion.  The one and only time I forgot it.  I hope her friend sends me the pictures.  Seeing Christmas lights was awesome, since these Christmas trees in Volgograd, and Volzhsky were the only light I was able to see.

After this, we walked to Lenin’s Monument and Natasha showed me the secret, I was laughing so hard when I saw it.  If you want to see it, check out a future photo album of Volzhsky.  The rest of the night we walked around the square, talked and on our way heading back, we bought some food and tea to enjoy before going back to Natasha’s house.  It was indeed a very relaxing time, and unfortunately, I never saw these friends of Natasha’s again during my visit.

Natasha and I headed out to the Motherland.  We walked to the bus stop, paid our fair and set out for Volgograd.  We left Volzhsky, crossed over the hydro-electric damn that links the two cities, and into Volgograd.  When we arrived, and exited the bus I was confronted with an amazing site.

A gigantic statue amongst an enormous monument dedicated to those who fell during the defense of Stalingrad against the Nazi regime, as well as the victory during World War II.  It was here the Soviet Red Army broke down the German Wehrmacht and showed the world that Hitler could be stopped.  Many of the men who lost their lives in defense of the Motherland at this location are still buried on the hill, and if investigated underneath the surface, many relics as well as human remains would be found.  The same hill the memorial park is build on is the site of one of the most important battles of Stalingrad.  This hill changed hands between Germany and Russia many times.

When it came time to build a monument, Stalingrad was of the utmost importance.  The walk up the hill takes you past many pieces including Crying Mother, a statue of a mother clutching her dead son.  You enter the Hall of Valor where a hand holds an eternal flame.  The names of the soldiers who lost their lives are written on the wall as you start the way up and around the outside edge and outside above.  The centre piece is Rodina “Motherland” holding her sword in one hand to fend off enemies while her other hand reaches out in invitation to her sons and daughters to follow in the defense of Russia.  There is also an Orthodox Church build in the honor of those who lost their lives as well.

The visit was amazing with lots to see in every direction.  Grave stones are located there as well as you walk to the base of the Motherland, including the soldier which will not be named.   I couldn’t help but take lots of photos during my visit, and I also got to witness the changing of the guards in the Hall of Valor.  This site is definitely a must see. 

It felt great to arrive into Volgograd, and above all, to be with Natasha.  I had been traveling for 20 hours, although I was surprised I wasn’t tired.  It was cold in Volgograd, enough to make my shiver, but there was no snow on the ground.  The temperature change from the Middle East was dramatic, and my body was feeling it.

The taxi driver took us to Hotel Volgograd, where I registered, and informed them I would be staying somewhere else.  They took care of all the necessary paperwork.  For anyone interested in the hotel, and visa assistance, I suggest going through this hotel.  The hotel seemed really nice and the employees are extremely helpful in every aspect.  I would stay there anytime. 

Now that this was done, we headed to Natasha’s house in Volzhsky.  Driving through Volgograd was great.  I felt I had returned to civilization.  We drove by the Volgograd Train Station, which the architecture was amazing (Picture will be posted later in conjunction to a future blog), along with lots of other great sites.

We pulled into Volzhsky and we passed the Lenin Monument.  Every city in Russia has a Lenin Monument.  The Lenin Monument in Volzhsky has a secret it shares.  Perhaps I will share it with everyone later.

After arriving at Natasha’s house, I showered and got into more comfortable cloths.  The choice for wine was red or white.  Not a hard choice, I chose red to go with dinner, ha ha.  We toasted to my arrival and talked into the night.  The food at Natasha’s house was always great!  It was so nice to have a home cooked meal for a change.  We talked a bit about plans for the next day as well, and then we retired for the night.

The third and final flight was with Aeroflot Airlines from Moscow to Volgograd.  After being dropped off at Sheremetyevo 1, I found that I had 2 hours to kill before checking in.  I went to the restaurant and ordered my first meal outside of Saudi Arabia.  Salmon and potatoes were my choice, and it was absolutely delicious!

We took off from Moscow heading for Volgograd, and the flight was very smooth.  Since I ate at the airport, I chose not to have the meal on board, so I can’t tell you what the food tasted like.  I did have to relieve my bladder and after entering the restroom, I found the toilet seat on the aircraft to be made of plywood.  That was weird.  I don’t want to know what the rest of the aircraft was made of, ha ha.

Landing in Volgograd was an adventure.  The pilot made a great approach and after crossing the thresh hold he blew the landing by floating over half the runway.  Once the aircraft finally touched down, the pilot layed on the brakes so hard, I thought the tires were going to blow from heat build up, or go off the end of the runway.  Luggage and other miscellaneous items tumbled down the isle toward the front of the aircraft.  What a wild landing!

We departed the aircraft and headed to the terminal.  We were dropped off in front of a gate and I found Natasha and her father immediately.  Claiming baggage in Volgograd was really strange.  They bring the bags on a trailer being towed by a farming tractor, where everyone dives into a room where you grab your bag off the trailer and head out.  As you leave, someone checks your tag to make sure you have the correct bag.  After retrieving my baggage, Natasha, her father and I headed for the taxi waiting for us.

The second leg of my journey to Volgograd was on Lufthansa Airlines from Frankfurt, Germany to Moscow, Russia.  After arriving into Frankfurt, I checked the board, and found I had to walk to the other side of the airport.  While on my route, I checked out a few stores, but purchased nothing.  I only had 10 minutes to wait for boarding after arriving at the gate.  I had great timing.  I was grateful to see that no sick Hajj pilgrims were on my next flight.  It was at this point I felt like I was on vacation.

On this flight, there was enough turbulence to even make my quite nervous.  It takes a lot to bother me.  I could tell the pilots were changing altitudes frequently attempting to avoid it, but were unsuccessful.  The flight was full, and otherwise, very uneventful till landing in Moscow.  Crosswind is to blame for this.  After touchdown, side to side motion worried me that we going off the runway.  The pilots made a great recovery and taxied to the terminal.  I definitely prefer flying in helicopters.  Again I need to say that Lufthansa Airlines is great and recommend them to anyone flying.

I went through customs, retrieved my bag from baggage claim, exchanged dollars for rubles, and headed out to meet my driver.  Alex and Mav sent me there driver to transfer me from Sheremetyevo 2(International Airport) to Sheremetyevo 1(Domestic Airport).  I found him with no problems and we headed out.  To anyone traveling to Moscow, watch out, the taxi drivers are vultures.

The flight with the Hajj pilgrims to Frankfurt was not fun either.  80-90% of the people onboard were sick.  Fortunately, the person I was sat beside was very nice, and I learned a bit about his life.  It’s a small world.  I wish I could talk about it, but for now, I will keep it to myself.  I was so happy to get into Frankfurt to head for my connecting flight.  Note to self; never travel within 2 months of Hajj.

Hello everyone!  Today, a few of us left base and took a drive along the waterfront of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  It was great weather, as always, and the sites were great to see.  Jeddah has lots of monuments all over the city, some are authentic planes, cars, and boats, while are much more artistic.  There is even a drag strip.  I have posted a few pictures in the album for people to see the area.

We started out on the south end and drove north until we were out of the city.  Along our route, were many monuments, consulates, mosques, and of course, the Red Sea.  Some places, we have to be careful where we point the cameras, so I only took pictures of the obvious tourist areas.  I hope everyone likes the pictures.  Later!