Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke Ak, SITREP 11 (13)

TO All:

I did not write yesterday because I was out of all contact - no internet and my cell phone does not work in Canada - no ATT service. How's that for a bummer.

The weather was zero when we left Cool River, Sask. for our destination in Valleyview Alberta which is where I am right now.

There were two crashed sleds that needed to be recovered. I took one and that was another drive of about 300miles, half of it at night.

One of the sleds was skimming the ice and one ski fell in a two foot wide crack and was ripped off. The rider was bruised but OK.

Today, my fellow KCer is getting a bad chest cold and could not make the ride. I hauled him and his sled to Askabada, (bad spelling, but no access to my maps) which is in Alberta). I'm glad I have the "D" version of inflamation med and my prescription cold pills. Getting a bad chesk cold is to be avoided at all costs.

The terrain has changed from the broad vast prairie farms to heavily wooded forests of Western SAsk and Alberta. The roads in Alberta are much better than in Sask. The last bit of prairie in Sask was completely devoid of farm buildings or any signs of habitation. Talk about wilderness. The distance on the major highways for fueling stations is about 75-miles apart. I am carrying 20 gallons of spare fuel - just in case. Today, in Alberta, the farms and habitation is much more evident. I believe Alberta and BC are the richest of the Provinces due to oil.

The weather is warm here in Alberta and the snow is very lacking. One rider quit for a ride because he did not want to ruin his sled in the mud. I had to make a rescue today, but it was easy - on Hiway 55 at a gas station. That beats having to hunt for lost souls on unimproved roads.

Our team has spent a small fortune on repairs, Dick about 700 and Max - about 1K

The repairs are for sliders, bogey wheels, bearing etc. Every day, I try to search out dealers in the little towns for repair stations, Artic Cak, Polaris, Skidoo, Yamaha - often with little luck.

I am starting to run out of clothes and will have to do a wash soon.

The riders are exhauted (like Dick- he looks like warmed over death), yet these guys are obsessed to ride all the way. No one has decided to go home yet.

Diesel Fuel in Canada is 92 cents per liter, so an average fill up is about 60 dollars.

Well, that's it for tonight. Our hotel here has a hot spot, so in spite of awful ATT service, I can get something out

Take care..... Tom

Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke, Ak SITREP#10‏ (twelve)

To All: Today was a beautiful day. We started in -1 degrees and late this pm it was about 35 - as warm as it is in Goodlettsville, TN. We stayed in a nice lodge, but tonight we are staying in a fishing camp - with all it's sparseness. The fishing is from huts on frozen lakes.

The terrain on our trip (Prince Albert town which north of Saskatoon) is now changing from vast prairie to heavily forested areas (coniferious trees) and scrub.

It is rare to see homes in the countryside. Most of the land is wilderness in the forest with little evidence of habitation.

The riders are still on the trail. there it a PBS camera man who is going along on the trip for the past several days. I guess some of our footage will be shown on TV.

The attitude is still good with some apprehension about the lack of snow in Western Sask and Alberta. We still think we can make it on the snow. Each evening, the sleds are worked on by each other who share their knowledge and peculiarities of each brand of sled. The result is that there is a lot of commaradie among the whole gang who work together well and actually keep the sleds running. All want to make it to the end - no quitters yet!

Believe it or not, we stopped in a small town near Prince Albert (Wierdale) and the lady who runs the post office invited us drivers to have coffee and freshly made bread turned into toast (home made butter) that was delicious. The Canadians are so friendly. I think that they are underappreciated. When we fuel up, the ladies always man the pumps and wash the windows - strange!

Also, on the route, we stopped at an 18 wheeler wash station and cleaned up our vehicles which were filthy dirty. At least, now we can read the sinage of the sponsors.

No fights or incidents among the riders. We got a great reception at the fishing camp. It'l do.

Right now, I'm tired of driving. In spite of commaradie, it is getting weary. I'm looking forward to the end of this drill. The saving grace is to see the unusual terrain as it unfolds and to be with really "good" guys. By the way in the preceeding group, there are two women sledders. It's all male in our group.

So much for now......Tom

Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke Ak SITREP #8‏ (eleven)

Hi all:

This morning was a cold bugger (-27 degrees). I don't shiver now, but the air on my face, ears and fingers (in gloves) really sting quickly. The locals are used to the cold and wear light clothing. I usually wear three sweaters and a jacket, but exposed skin and fingers take a beating.

I spent most of the day hauling a broken sled and trying to catch up to the pack. I was on my own in Sask. unpaved roads for over 300 miles. I kept my fingers crossed for not getting a flat or truck trouble. There definitely is no AAA service out here. Fortunately, my SPOT tracker is registering on the central command center and I do have "on star" satellite reception on the truck. You can spot me by going to real time satellite tracking. My identifier is "Chase 2....).

The prairie in Sask. is much broader than in Manitoba and the Minn/ND farms. one can truly see to the horizon without seeing trees or the forest. I was on a sea of snow that seemed endless. This probably what the Arctic looks like. I need to wear my sunglasses to avoid having my eyes sting. Like in middle ND, The wilderness is both thrilling but also scary due to the vastness of the vista. Tomorrow, if I have time, I'll try to send some pictures

As exhaustion is setting in, the nerves of the riders is fraying. Arguments and insults abound. People get ripped if one sled touches another on the trail. Also the riders are in a set sequence in the column. I would recommend changing positions, but they want to ride the same everyday. Those guys in the rear have whipsaw to contend with as the space between riders and increases or decreases. The guys in the rear have to speed to significant speeds 60-80 mph in short bursts to catch up. Information for the day's sledding is sparse or nonexistent. These guys are sailing by the seat of their pants. I would have a morning brief (10 min) for all to know the day's events, route and contingencies. I guess that's my military training coming to fore.

Yesterday, the last guy in the column crashed by hitting a hole and severly damaged his machine, his knee and head. Fortunately, we got the sled fixed this morning at Lindlaw Sask. a tiny hole in the woods. His head is OK and he will start tomorrow.

A mechanic who was working on one of two sleds that I hauled indicated that there may be a lack of snow in Alberta. We'll see.

We do see some wild game. Saw a moose today, several deer, a covy of partriges, a fox and ptarmingen. I'm surprised that there is no road kill on the highways. The speed is posted at max 100km or about 61mph. I only seen one mountie that we met going to our town - Nipiwin.

Tomorrow, we go to Big River to the west of Prince Albert National Park. It should be a drive of about 250miles by road and by sled and is about 2/3rds of the way across the Province. The Canadians are so nice to us and so cheerful. I guess you have to be this way in the remote areas that we are passing through.

I have to get up ahead of the riders to open the trailer and put equipment out (oil etc.), then refuel with Deisel (with additive). Taking a leaf from Phil, I filled two jerry cans with 20 gallons for emergencies.

Well, that's it for tonight. Each day's routine is the same - get up at five to open, close at 6:30 for the night (with headbolt heater on) supper and sleep. I'm a bit tired myself.

Please disregard the disjointed narration, I just put down a "stream of conscience" of what struck me today. Maybe one day, these notes can be better arranged.

Take care......Tom

Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie to Toke Ak SITREP#8 (10)

This morning we left Russell, Manitoba and the temp was a minus 27 degrees. I haven't been so cold since our hike in the Yellowstone in 1980. We now have to have our truck hooked up to an electrical cord for starting again.

Right now we are in Preeceville, Sask. the day did not go well with the sledders. one crashed and hurt his knee. another had his mirrors cleaned off by hitting another sledder. Dick Emery's snowmobile lost his bogey wheels and I had to drive another 50-60 miles to Lintlaw, Sask to get it fixed. He will join the race tomorrow.

Our next destination is Nipiwin, Sask for tomorrow - a ride of about 170 miles (short for out schhedule).

When we talked to local Canadians, I could have been talking to Marie. They have the same accent and way with words as does Mariel. It's fun to listen to the people we met who exhibeted such cheer.

The drive from Russell was again breathtaking. the endless prairie with little or no trees. The "vastness" is much more so that in the States - would be a tough place to face a snow blizzard. Some farms in Manitoba are as much as 15,000 acres - hugh enterprises as compared to North Dakota farmers. I am amazed at the large tandem trucks driving the roads at 60-80 mph (although Canadians measure in Kilometers).

We have gone through very small towns. One town which was listed with a sign on the highway consisted of five houses.

All Canadiens that we met are still smarting about their Olympic hockey loss to the US. Perhaps they will get another shot by getting ahead of Germany.

The trip is starting to get to the sledders. One dropped out today (in addition to the above mentioned troubles above) whith engine problems. The drill is to load the sled in one of the support trucks and press on to dealer mechanics. The problem is that the primary dealers (Artic Cat, Yamaha, Polaris and Skiddoo, Bombardier) work on only their machines. That means that we have to drive hundreds of miles to find the right one with the right parts - just like the auto dealerships. Usually, there is only one dealer in a particular region.

We had a big supper and I am stuffed. Usually, I just have soup for evening meals.

In closing, the Canadians that we have met are unusually friendly and amazed at the trip that we a doing (Mich to Alaska). The locals usually use snowmobiles for 1-2 hundred mile affairs and for utilitarian means. It is not the level of sport as exists in the States.

Another amazing observation is that one can travel anywhere in the north (where there is snow) on the shadow "snow highways". Canada, just as in the States grooms the trails for snowborders.

Well, that's it for tonight. I'm looking forward to morning with a project temp of
-27degrees. The snow "crunches" when we walk and one can feel the cold on one's back - even under 5 layers of clothing, sweaters and coats.

Tom

Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie, Mi to Toke, Ak SITREP#8 (9)

TO ALL:

This will be a short one. We are in Russell, Manitoba in a ski lodge with a million teens. What a zoo.

The drive from Rolla went fine. Today the sky was leaden with snow flurries driving across the highways. Still, driving went very good. We drove along the sledders as they took the ditches. All of us made over 270 miles today.

The sledders are a bawdy bunch with a lot of "sexist" jokes. We we got word that the ND Wildlife Resources guides were female, all joked and laughed. Well, these two females rode at such speeds that our rocket pilots could'nt keep up and were promptly put in place. Their habit of "thumbs up" for OK to go with the pack all in formation changed to thumbs down.

Speaking of females, when I refueled in Mintios, Manitoba, a female pump girl did the work and washed my windshields. We didn't get this kind of treatment since the 60's in the U.S.

Everyone here is hughly disappointed about the Canadian hockey loss to the US. We went through custome in about 10 minutes with the customs guy asking me if I was a criminal. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

As we neared Russell, the snow was coming down in pretty hard. Driving across the prairie is still easy and fun.

The prairie in Manatoba is very like ND with a large snowpack across the fields.l

We went by the Turtle mountains and they indeed look like turtles sitting on a dish.

Tomorrow it's on to Priestpress Sask - a ride of about 150 miles so we will start out quite late - 7:00am.

My four riders that I support are starting to bond after a number of angry barbs. They are now sledding as a team and look great as they skim the snow.

So much for now, Take care......Tom

Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie, Mi to Toke, Ak SITREP7 (8)

To All:

This morning we left Hallock at 6:00am. We truckers left a bit later and the Mayor visited us. We got to talking about the area and I mentioned that our Mom's farm was still operative. Guess what? He knew Philip Schiller. That's three times our family was know to stangers.

We then struck out for Rolla, ND with a lunch stop in Langdon. The prairre was white to the horizons with heavy snow. I never remembered what it looked like when we were kids. Our farm was in the woods. Actually, this time, I could appreciate the immensity of the "white out" conditions with little blotches representiing copse's of trees. How beautiful!

The sleds rode along side us almost all the way to Rolla. I'm inclined to believe there is a lot of "fighter pilot" exxageration with speeds of 45 mph which I clocked and not 75
mph. Seeing the guys riding with such spirit made me so envious to be with them in the "pack".

I've been spoiled. My fondest wish is to do at least a learning short ride.

Actually, I'm starting to enjoy the trip. We drivers like to horse around with each other and help each other at stress situations. We travel as a convoy and stop if anyone has a bad event.

Our motel here in Rolla is bare bones. Since this was Sunday, nothing was open for eating. The innkeeper brought in some help and put together a tasty supper for the whole bunch.

Tomorrow, we depart for Russel, Manitoba. We have heard of harrowing stories with Canadian customs who really screw over people with incredible searches of our baggage. Well, we shall see how it goes.

My closing observation is to again laud the incredible beauty of the prairre in the dead of winter. The expanse just takes your breath away and gives pause to consider what possible blizzards must be like in this area. All in all, I'm proud to be a "North Dakotan". The sledders were similurly impressed.

Stay tuned for tomorrow

Tom's trip from Sault St. Marie Mi. to Toke Ak. SITREP#7‏

To All: Today was a great day and beautiful - particularly the north country of our past. We departed Bemidji at 6:00am and traveled north paralleling the snowmobile tracks. We passed through Newfolden with sign "11 miles to Middle River" and then on to Karlstedt and finally to Hallock. We passed through Thief River Falls right past our old house 717 Main. We stopped at the Artic Cat factory to pick up spare parts and when I mentioned to all (including the factory mechanic) that we lived there years ago. The mechanic remembered Mom as a French teacher in the HS. What joy and surprise to the trail riders. When we departed the motel this morning at Bemidji, I mentioned to a guy sharing the motel computer that I was born in Grand Forks, whereupon he asked my name and knew a Jim Myerchin (musician)- obviously a family member of Uncle John (Dad's brother). What a surprise to learn of "Myerchin" fame.

I am amazed at the warmth of the snowmobile clothing - totally no porosity with all skin areas covered. This is why they can go at high speeds and not get cold. Their fingers are warmed by heated handle bars. Without this protection, I would imagine a quick freeze to death.

My impression is that this sport is the most "people friendly" of all sports. The sleds are extremely stable - much more so than ATV'S and motorcycles. The riders in our teams average 59 years of every size and shape. Some way over 300lbs, have physical issues of every kind and are old. Yet, they can enjoy a sport that is as exciting as flying a fighter aircraft. If I lived in the snow belt, I would live on one of these. Sleds (correct term - snowmobiles)are everywhere with tracks every place in and out of towns. Trail always lead to the outlaying motels where the parties spend the night. Most of the trails are groomed often by the snowmobile clubs and all have signs regulating traffic much as a public roadway for autos.

Tomorrow we were scheduled to go to Belcourt and stay in the Indian Reserv. Hotel. The group ahead of us stayed there and had their trailers and trucks broken into and burgled by the Indians. So we will stay in Rolla, ND and the following day hit the Canadian border bound for Russell, Manitoba. We fully expect a painful shakedown by the Canadian border officials - possibily over 5 hours of being "screwed over".

In closing, it was so refreshing and sentimental to drive through such beautiful country close the farm of our youth. What a treat.

That's it for now and on to North Dakota

Tom

Tom's trip from Sault St Marie to Toke Ak Sitrep 6‏

Go to our web site to see current pictures. If you go to real time satellite tracking, you can follow my locations (Chase 2 G250..)

Today was a long day for driving. I went from Ishpeming to Bemidji (330miles)- not too far from the farm.

By the way, there are no Schillers listed in the Ish phonebook.

There was a bad snafu tonight when the destination was changed from Grand Rapids to Bemidji. We had a tough time getting rooms

Except for Dick Emery, no one has fallen out. We will try Dick's exchange sled tomorrow. If it fails, he is out of the race. I will try to recruit him as driver. This is a quite thankless job and I am starting to feel like a mushroom.

Tomorrow we go to Hallock Minn.

That's all, see you tomorrow.............Tom

Tom's trip from Sault Saint Marie to Toke Ak SITREP#5 (SITUATION REPORT)‏

To All:

Today was a day of headaches. I had to retrieve the broken sled about 250 miles from Ishpheming (Grand Marias) and bring here. I drove the rig on a narrow road most of the way - half in the darkness of night. What a strain. We finished all very safely and will travel tomorrow with the new sled to Ashland Wis (170 miles) and on to Grand Rapids Minnesota (another 180miles). If you go to our web site - michcanska.com and click on teams you can find me on real time during the day. Earlier, I gave you the wrong info. We are Group Two and inclusive Team Three. Click on these and on top to "satellite tracking", you will see pin tacks of where each SPOT Sat Broadcaster is located.

So far, there have been few incidents. Some got lost on the trail today and at least one sled turned over - no one hurt - and the sledding has been successful averaging about 200 miles per day. The group had to portage around (through) the town of Marquette where the city is hostile to snowmobillers.

Actually, the whole sledding thing looks like a lot of fun. If I lived here, I'd be a sledder. It's unique in that anyone at any age below 90 can do it. One of the riders (69 years)started this past Jan and is ridding now to Alaska. Two of the riders are 82. The equipment is quite expensive. Sleds run 8-10 grand, the clothes $500, helmet $120 etc. I am amazed at how fast the sled can go - well over 110mph in short bursts and on this race - averaging about 55-65 miles per hour. When the trails parallel the highway, I've been passed by sledders while I've been driving at 65-70mph.

The sleds are finicky in terms of tuning, fuel and oil injection. The new ones are going to four stroke (quiet and very little polution. There is innovation in the sport.

As I mentioned before, sledders remind me of the fighter pilots that I knew in Vietnam. They relive the day's activities over and over again describing maneuvers with their hands and one upsmenship over their buddies talking endlessly about the techical aspects of different brands and equipment. The analogy here is that the culture of each is similiar but different toys, techniques and technologies.

Well, that's it for tonight. I need to crash now 1130pm and wake up at 5:00am

Tom's trip from Sault Saint Marie, Mi to Toke, Ak SITREP#4 (17 Feb10)‏

"Note: Tom is sending me emails and I'll post them for him"

Today at 6:30am Team 2 took off with four sledders.
 The mood was jovial, the air cold and the riders
very cocky, holding their helmets as if they were
going to combat. As these guys took off, they stood
on the pegs as if in charging stirrips on horses.
It looked grand but a little too much on the theatrical.
 I knew trouble was ahead. Two wives were there to
take "send off" pictures for the local newspaper.

A number of them stayed up till 2:00am getting their
 courage in a bottle. They must have had headaches
(as Phil would say: a nail in their heads).

We unloaded each sled from our trailer this morning in
20degree weather. I am starting to get used to the cold.
 I didn't shiver as much today. That's hopeful.

The Mayer of Sault St Marie was there to watch the
three teams take off. The next team (last) will start
 this Friday. After take off, our team sledded around
 the stadium track to the applause of several people
 - not exactly a crowd.

We truckers are starting to bond. I got a lot of help
 from them as we rescued a member of our team (2) with
 a broken down sled. I  had to return drive about 75
 miles to fetch him on a country road. It was a miracle
 that I could find him and had to turn around in someone's
 driveway - a hairy task with a 36 footer. The guy froze
 a piston and scoured the cylinder liner. We are going
 back to to Sault St Marie to a big dealer with the
sled to try to get it repaired and leapfrog the next
 town and get back in the "que"

The weather was a medium snow with dusting on the
highway. Off the State highway, I had to drive in 4
 wheel drive. The truck will do this at 40-60 mph.

Today the team averaged speeds of 45 to 65 and  had
 to deal with bad trails. They were extremely tuckered
 this evening and should enjoy some sleep.

The overall organization is quite poor. Only two of
 the support trucks have CB's, so it's tough to
communicate. My Iphone with ATT is mostly dead and
has worked with a weak signal in only several
locations. Two of our four satellite phones don't
work, but we do have our SPOT devices if in an
emergency situation. By the way, if you go to
www.michcanska.com and go the team locations you can
 see the progress of the sledders. We have to
basically stay with them, not too far ahead or
behind in case of breakdowns.

Tomorrow, I will have to deal with the damaged sled,
 pick or arrange to have it shipped. SKIDOO will be
very embarrassed with one of their top notch machines
 being the first in the whole assemblige to break down.
 I think we can get it fixed. We wonder who is next
to fall out.

That's it for tonight.........Take care..........
Tom (call sign: trucker2)

Tom's trip from Sault Saint Marie, MI to Toke, Ak SITREP#3

To All:

Please feel free to send to our friends and post
on our blog.

We stayed in Montegue, MI last night and drove today
to Sault St Marie. I drove the truck with four sleds
and three of the "sledders". The weather was blustering
with about 6 inches of snowfall - lots of snow on the
road and several cars in the ditch. At first, the truck
owner drove, then I took over. He drove 75 mph with a
death wish. I drove a bit slower.

Getting ready this morning at 6:00am was cold. I am
still freezing my butt off. the locals are use to
the cold and one was in short sleeves this morning.
I can't believe it.

We got our safety briefing this evening and the
sledders will drive at an average speed of 65mph
all the way to Ishpiment (218 miles)tomorrow. I
will be on the road behind them but at least 40-50
miles away to handle machine breakdowns.

The first group that took off ahead of us has had
a lot of troubles. Two of the sleds were stolen at
the hotel where we are tonight and one was injured
on the trail. They have been denied permission to
cross a local Indian reservation and so will have
to make a 90 mile detour. They did not make their
first stop tonight by 8:00pm - so they are still out
- and cold.

Among our group, there is a lot of anticipation
and excitement. These guys really think that they
can make the journey.

They have the culture of aviation pilots and non
of the phony bravado of motorcycle types. I really
like their spirit and wish I had the experience to
ride with them. They spent hours this evening telling
war stories from their past. I can't emphasize enough
how these people are obsessed with riding. The wives
cheered us off this morning and two followed to SS
Marie to wish off tomorrow morn. ; we start at 6:00am
with the first stop at Grand Marias and then on to
"Ishp". I'll check the phone book for Schillers there.

My fondest wish is to get use to the cold and to
stop shivering. The problem is going from the truck
to outside and vise versa back to the truck for the
many little tasks.

I got the briefing on how to fix common problems
with diesal engines - fuel strainers, tire chains,
tire repairs if flat, empty fuel tanks and
"jerry cans" with lots of fuel gel and loose wiring.
I pray to God that nothing breaks down. Tomorrow,
I will use my GPS.

That's it for tonight.       Tom

Tom's trip from Sault Saint Marie, MI to Toke, Ak #2

TO ALL: I finally made it to Grand Rapids from
Minneapolis AP. It is snowing here and we went
over basic plans starting tomorrow at 05:00am.
We will meet with the other members of the Team.
They sound like good guys. The truck will need
some prep that I asked for (spare parts and other items)
By the way, these snowmobiles go betweenn 60mph
to 95mph. They all think that they can do the 200
plus miles per day  without a blink.  We shall see!
Two 82 year old's think it's a piece of cake.

We all drive to ST ST Marie tomorrow and put in
there. So we go across the big bridge with the
trailer and four sleds. I have moderate clothes
ready and am ready to jump into underwear later
in the week. The weather is quite mild down in
Mich (warmer than Nashville)

I'll sign off now. will update tomorrow. My 
Iphone is dead here, but I get some signal with
the computer card

Take care all...........Tom

Tom's trip from Sault Saint Marie, MI to Toke, Ak #1

To All:

Tonight (Valentine's day - 14 Feb), I am ready packed in
Santa Monicafor an early flight to St St Marie in
Michigan tomorrow.Then we complete all final preperations
and get ready for a 6:30am departure on the "snowmobile"
route. I am excited and just know
that this will be the adventure
of a lifetime.

We will start in roughly warm weather (5 degrees
above zero). This will be quite a departure from
the extremely wonderful vacation with the "bro's,
sister and niece/nephews.

What a way to get a great "send off"

Tom

Tom's trip from Sault Saint Marie, MI to Toke, Ak

This is the first email from one of the snowmobilers:

As some of you already know, in February I will be joining about 75 other snowmobilers in a snowmobile ride from Sault St. Marie, MI to Tok, Alaska, a distance of 4000 miles that we hope to cover in 20 days, The 75 will be divided into three groups and my team of 4 (plus our truck/trailer driver, Brother Tom Myerchin) will be in the second group leaving the Soo on Feb. 17.



This is a charitable run to raise money for diabetes research. If you would like to support our effort and contribute to this research, go to “www.michcanska.com/about/”. Click on the link to the right that says “2010 donation”. Fill out the resulting form and, if you like, put my name in the box at the end. If you have already donated, as many of you have, thank you.



If you would like to follow me on this ride, you can go to: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0Q0Ifl4SfsmGVNtj2xYjxF5UVyJZoXrl4 to track me (retains the last 7 days). As tests, this currently has my recent car trip to Cadillac and a recent snowmobile run to Hart, MI



You can also go to the “www.michcanska.com/about/” site and click on the “Group 2” link on the right. This will have pictures taken along the way and other items concerning our group that will hopefully be updated each evening and there is a tracking link on that page that will be a real time track of our journey.



Please pray that all of us will return safe and sound.



Dick Emery

testing tom's account