Just as I get old and cynical, I find the world is even smaller than I thought.
I have a Russian co-worker (several of them, but only Sergey is relevant to this discussion) who goes on an across-the-middle-of-nowhere trip every summer. He sent me a video of an ATV trip. These were not normal ATVs. They were YUGE.
As an aside, it was a very American video. A bunch of guys driving their toys through the countryside, set to metal music. The biggest difference: Vodka instead of beer (or whiskey).
Last Thursday, The Laird and I went to Summer Nights with the dance group. It was first-responder appreciation night, or some such thing. What should I spy but a YUGE ATV, which reminded me of Sergey’s.
After taking the picture (I needed to be in it for scale), I noticed Cyrillic writing on the tires. Of course, it was on the bottom, so upside down. After the necessary mental gymnastics, it said “шерп” (sherp). I was fairly certain that was the brand of tire Sergey had mentioned to me.
I sent him the picture and he not only confirmed that, but also knows the inventor. Here’s the story:
It’s in Russian, but it’s short and not that hard to figure out the general story, even muted. My Russian is basically gone. I only caught a few words here and there.
What are the odds of Pennington County Search & Rescue having an ATV invented by an acquaintance of a co-worker of mine – in Russia?!?
I wonder what they’re doing about parts now that all things Russian are off limits.
Marked Up 