What's up, everyone? Today we're going to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to an iconic Trailside stop on Lake Gogic for what some say is the best Reuben sandwich on Earth. We also have a couple of guests who, while very comfortable in front of the camera, will be behind the handlebars of a snowmobile for the first time. So stick around for the first episode of "Lunch with Levi."
Riding my snowmobile professionally for 20-plus years has taken my family around the world, but it's time for me to get back to my roots. It's time to trail ride to iconic places with great people. Oh yeah, I also want to show you guys the best places to eat along the way. So join me for sleds, food, and friends on "Lunch with Levi."
Today we're at AJ's Lodge with Michelle Young and Jack Leus. I know I've seen you guys on TV before, and my wife is pretty sure she saw you on The Bachelorette.
Michelle: Yeah, we've seen you once or twice too.
Levi: So, there's something that I know we have in common. You know what that is? Midwest, Midwest, Midwest. We are all from Minnesota. But you know what we do in Minnesota? We ride snowmobiles. And you guys, I've heard, have never been on a snowmobile before.
Jack: No, we're familiar with snow and a bunch of other snow sports, but we've never ridden a snowmobile before.
Levi: Well, let me ask you this: Are you guys thrill-seekers? Do you like fun and adventure?
Michelle: This one is the daredevil. I'm a little more reserved.
Levi: She's with me then. Well, this is going to be a blast. You guys are going to love it. I'm honored to be able to introduce you to snowmobiling. This is something that I've been passionate about my entire life, and I hope you have a great experience. So we're going to get out there. Let's get suited up. We've got a world-famous Reuben for lunch, or so I've been told. I'm excited to try it. I'm a Reuben guy.
Jack: I am too. I love Reuben.
Levi: That's a little advanced for your first time. Just remember to lean hard. If you're doing it, you're doing great.
Michelle: I'm finally getting the hang of it.
Levi: Yeah, you both look great out there. We did that little bit of riding on the lake, and you can just see you guys are getting more and more comfortable. Our next investment might be a snowmobile.
Jack: This has just been an adrenaline rush. I haven't felt this type of adrenaline in a long time. Just revving that engine, it's got so much torque. You get to be outside, be warm, and do something fun and exhilarating. I totally see why people get hooked on this.
Michelle: I just can't get over your record jump.
Levi: Oh, the record jump? Yeah, that was like 412 feet. A football field from goalpost to goalpost is 360 feet, so I would have gotten two field goals at once. That would have been six points.
Levi: All right, what do you think of the ride so far?
Michelle: Unbelievable. So much fun. I didn't know snowmobiles went that fast.
Levi: As far as all the different things you've ridden, do you feel like snowmobiling is harder or easier?
Jack: I feel like it's in between an ATV and a jet ski. The ATV is easy, and the jet ski is a little harder to maneuver. I feel like snowmobiling is right in the middle.
Michelle: Yeah, give us another round, and I feel like I'd be super comfortable. Even at the end, I was watching you because you were leading. I'd be able to really lean into it. We were both leaning well. I noticed how slow we were going around the corners and turns in the beginning, and then towards the end, we were keeping the speed.
Levi: It's super noticeable from start until lunchtime. At first, I would be looking back and kind of waiting, and now I look back and you're right on my bumper. It's been fun to see the progression already. As you get more comfortable riding, it just gets more and more fun. It's fun to see that, especially as a veteran snowmobiler, sharing that passion with you guys is cool.
Michelle: Oh, look at that. Oh my goodness, wow. Amazing, thank you.
Levi: Just being around this culture here, everybody snowmobiles. We passed so many people, and snowmobilers are all like a big family. Everyone's always looking out for each other. If you ever see anyone on the side of the road, you ask, "Y'all good?" and they're like, "Yeah, we're good, just hanging out."
Jack: That's so cool. I saw them doing all the hand signals. I was trying to pick up on your guys' hand signals. I don't know what it was.
Levi: Depending on how many people are behind you, that's what you signal. If there are three people, you go three, and then they know three more are coming.
Jack: I was just messing people up because I was like, "Peace, what's up?"
Levi: Well, should we dig into the world-famous Reuben?
Michelle: I'm laughing because normally you can't eat on camera, but I'm willing to try.
Levi: Cheers.
Michelle: Cheers. Oh wow, that's good. The Reuben's phenomenal.
Levi: Thank you. It is so good. So, George, tell us a little bit about the place.
George: Well, I started here. I farmed in Illinois, and we had a drought, so I decided to change my life. I came up here and looked for a place to buy, and I found the Hoop. Carolyn and I started working with the grooming and everything else. Now there are four trails just north of here that access the lake. They have to go by the Hoop. On a lot of weekends, we run maybe 3,500 sleds a day.
Levi: Wow, it's a great trail system and a great place to come ride. Let's get back to the Reuben. What's the secret here? Why is this the best one I've ever had?
George: Well, I can't give out the secret. I suppose if you buy the place, I'll tell you.
Jack: I got a question for you. We just got engaged. How do you keep your wife happy throughout your lifetime?
George: A happy wife, a happy life. Heard that one?
Jack: There we go. I've heard it a million times.
Levi: We all agree this is the best Reuben I've ever had. Unbelievable.
Michelle: I hope so.
Levi: Again, I just want to thank you for everything. This has been great.
George: Thank you.
Levi: All right, so we're going to head back to the house now. What do you think, did these guys do good?
George: Oh well, that's it for "Lunch with Levi." Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time.
