far from nome...

This coming weekend would've been our last event of the season...but was cancelled due to ice and unsafe conditions. Guess I'll have to gas up the "quad" and take the dogs out with that. We had such nice snow since the middle of December, which is not always the case in Michigan. I'm just not ready for winter to be over...not that the ice in the kennel and dog yard are appreciated, but it always feels kind of sad to put the sleds away until next winter. Most people love summer, and think anyone who doesn't is "odd". Michigan is a beautiful place to live, especially if you like the outdoors...but I HATE so many things about Michigan summers. It's fun to spend time on the lakes, but the humidity is hard to handle, as well as the mosquitoes, deer flies, and other tiny critters that want to suck your blood! It is always difficult to enjoy a season that causes so much discomfort and torment to the dogs, too. We are fortunate that we live on a hill...and have lots of trees. The dogs get swimming pools, and Ted set up a mist-er system to help cool the air when it is very hot.
When it is really hot, I feel guilty about being inside in the A/C watching my Iditarod programs while they are out in the heat and bugs! Such good dogs...wish they could ALL be in the house with me! Maybe this summer I can slip a few more in occasionally...but Ted is sure to notice if there are 4 or 5 inside! Hope we will have a new puppy to raise from Penny's (Maybe) litter.
She and Q-Ball made some awfully nice puppies in their first litter. I hope she conceived this time. Ted will probably want him/her for HIS team! Oh well, it would be nice to have a puppy to raise.
Today, sitting on one of the dog decks, with Zev and Ketna giving me kisses all over my face and neck, I realized that of the 21 dogs we live with, 15 of them were bred and raised here. The other 6 we bought as pups, or young adults. Sitting there, watching them interact, playing, and running around, made me grateful (again, and like I am every day!) that they are such a huge part of my life. There are few moments during the day that my mind is not occupied by something dog specific or dog related. I don't think I've gotten to the point where I'm "collecting" dogs...but watching all of their individual faces, and bodies...each with a unique personality makes me realize how much I truly love them. Some are more athletic than others, but they all will give all they can when asked to. Some are brave, or shy, or curious or snuggly.
Some are quick to lick my face, others are reserved and will only get goofy if they feel I want them to. They are all so different, yet have the same wonderful qualities! How can people ask how I remember all of their names? Of Course I do! I was with most of them when they came into this world, and taught them to sit before they got a pat, or their food dish. I named the majority of them, sometimes with Ted's and the grandkids input.
O.k. now I'm starting to ramble again,(yes, I did already take an Ambien....so should get into bed soon!)
Alaine took this photo in the back of the property last December 08. When I am really really old, I wonder if I will look at these photos with the same feelings I get now, seeing them. Remembering how it feels to be pulled along in the snow, listening to their breath, watching the dogs muscles ripple beneath their fur, and feel so thankful that I am able to do that...and never wanting to stop! I do plan to be mushing into my 80's, if my health holds up...and if it doesn't then that will be a good time to train a grand kid or two to drive a team. Michael is the most promising...maybe Noah too. I don't think Ben and Jon will want to, but one never knows who will be bitten by the mushing bug!!

"Training opportunities"

P

Another glorious weekend with the dogs, and our friends. Tara and I tried to run together for most of the Sweetwater challenge, and on Saturday we had a good time, just taking our time and enjoying the deep blue sky, white snow, golden sunlight, and of course, the dogs! Had some great "training opportunities" getting over a deer carcass on the trail, then what looked like another deer had exploded on the trail further on. The dogs that knew better couldn't stop the younger dogs that didn't...so we had tangles, and mouthfuls of fur flying and tugs of war going on with deer parts all over the place! But, as I said, training opportunities are how you have to view this stuff. Everytime I get on the sled, I expect a good run...but, life being as unpredictable as it is, that seldom happens. SOOO, you can look at it as "S--t happens, and why does it always seem to happen to me, waah waaah wahhh!" or, as a training opportunity. I prefer to consider it as the latter, not the former. Dean said something this weekend that sounded very wise..." one problem at a time." This was as our truck and dog trailer were stuck on the glare ice of the outbound driveway...and then Ted noticed a ticking in the engine...so that took the guys (Thank you for the GUYS!) to figure out, then fix it...then Tara, Dean, Ted and I spread straw from one of the empty dog boxes, sand, leaves and whatever we could find under the trucks tires to try to get up the hill. It worked, and we were on our way home. :(

It was a really interesting group...alot of laughing, good natured ribbing, (Yep, I think my brain has enough endorphins for a while!) It was fun meeting new mushers from other states, admiring each others dogs, and swapping dog stories. Tara and Dean, Patty and Demos shared the lodge with all of us, and we ate, and ate and ate, and hung out. Such wonderful people to spend time with, and they were very tolerant of Ted's new party game, "wear the drunk goggles and pick up this coin!"

Most of us were laughing, and eventually, everyone joined in. Tara, Janine and Karen are now the designated drunk drivers...(they did the "best" on the tests....NOT that any of them would ever drink and drive!!) Ted is always the teacher, and loves to hook up anyone that will allow him to with his "fatal vision" goggles, and other fun stuff. Not so much for the learning part of it...more for raw entertainment!

Rick and Linda, as always, put on another successful event, and made it possible for all of us to be out on those gorgeous trails. The weather was awesome, sunny, cold (especially on Sunday) and it looks as though that may be the last time this season for us to be on the sled. It is supposed to rain and warm up toward the end of this week, so our last race with MUSH will probably be cancelled. I hope not, but we will have to see what happens. The event next weekend is more of a fun thing...the Far From Nome last race of the season for MUSH. Sleeping bag start, poker runs, and just being with the MUSH "family" one last time with the dogs. If it goes off, I would love to have my daughter and granddaughter come so they could take photos.

Think there would be lots of great opportunities for interesting shots!

Howard Meyerson from the GR Press was in Baldwin at the Sweetwater Challenge to do a story on mushing. It will be in the GR Press next Saturday. He also took a video that can be viewed from the mlive site...not sure when that will be up. Check it out, if you are interested.

V.S

This is the "first" princess...Willow. She is going to be 11 in June. Fiona and Willow have gotten into it a few times since Fiona's been in the house. Well, last night, Ted (who likes to tease Fiona) took the polar bear from her, gave it to Willow, then threw it back at Fiona. Willow decided to take it, just as Fiona went for it. There was a scuffle, but we got it under control and no one got hurt. Those two girls just do not like having to share the house, the toys, or me.
Willow will jump up next to me, and then grouse at Fiona, who is watching...always. When Willow walks by Fiona to go out, or to get a drink, she grouses at her. Fiona is always quiet...but she can move like a cobra when she decides she's had enough trash talk from the "pretty" girl! Willow actually is the one that gets things stirred up...and she has an advantage because she has teeth. Fiona has broken off all of her canines, ( had to have 2 root canals last summer)...so she really doesn't have much to defend herself with. NOT that we condone fighting, but when Willow jumps Fiona, she will fight back. Never a dull moment when you live with dogs!

dog-god

Ever noticed how your dog will look you in the eyes, and seem to read your mind? Fiona has been a house dog for a few months now, and she has a very penetrating gaze. I stared her down last night when she was getting snarky with Gus...at least I tried to. She didn't blink until after I did so I guess she won.
Since she has been inside, she really took over the Queen of the house role from Willow. When Fiona leaves the room to get a drink of water, Willow will run out and grab Fi's favorite toy (a stuffed polar bear) and take it into the bedroom with her stash of toys, chewies, etc. Then when Willow goes outside, Fiona will take it back. That is the only toy that Fi really wants, and Willow knows it. Always a power play with the girls. Poor old Gus just lays down and pretends not to notice. He certainly doesn't want to be involved.
I wish that all the dogs could be house dogs...it is easier to develop deeper bonds with them when you "live" with them. As much as possible, I spend time with them, but it isn't the same as being with them inside, sleeping beside them and interacting with them as you go about your inside chores, etc. Well, that said, it's time to "saddle up the team" and get some exercise.

dog stuff

Had a good weekend at Lost Lake. Raced 6 dogs in the 7 dog class, 8.4 miles. I borrowed a couple of my son's Seppalas, Bear and Blaze. Fiona, Danya, Goose and Kirov from my team made up the rest of the 6. It was a great run on Saturday, cold, snowy (Had to wear the goggles for the 1st time) and we went out 14th, and passed everyone that took the 7 dog trail! It was fun to pass Ted, as he went out first. Heehehheee! I rounded a curve, and there was Ted and our friend Tara...of course, Ted had helped a musher who lost her team. (He got a sportsmanship award) Sunday's run was perfect in every way...o.k. a little slower, but the dogs did well, and we didn't get passed. A herd of deer jumped across the trail ahead of us, so that got up their speed for a while. Then we just settled in and enjoyed the trip! oh, and we won too.
Having the fastest Alaskan Husky teams in the U.P. running in the Jack Pine 30 helped! Thanks Brad & Stu! Anyway...enough bragging...but needless to say, I am very proud of my team!! (And Bear and Blaze, too! Bear ran in the 3 dog class with Jill's team, 4 miles each day, then ran in the 7 dog class with my team. He is a good dog, and a hard worker!) Thanks RJ!

Joe G. and his team are in my thoughts tonight. RJ too, as they are all in the UP for the UP200.
Joe had some trials during his 200+ race, and had to scratch 30 miles from the finish. I am very proud of him for getting himself and his dogs through everything intact...if anyone can do it, Joe can. RJ is handling for him, and so he gets to drive the dog truck and help with taking care of the dogs. Hope they all get home safely and soon! Can't wait to hear all of the stories and experiences from the race. RJ will be surprised that I won the 7 dog class, and will probably tell me it was because I used 2 of his dogs! (MAY be true!?!)

We have the Sweetwater Challenge this coming weekend...if we don't lose the snow that we have. I love the trails that we've run there. Am going to try to make it 24 miles each day depending on how the dogs (and me) fare on the hills. Really looking forward to this weekend, and plan to take some water & snacks for the dogs so we can take a break if needed. It will probably be me that needs a break, but I'm sure the dogs won't mind either, especially after doing a couple of those big hills! I hope to be out on the trail for the better part of the day on Saturday...not racing, just enjoying the time with the dogs.

I did it.

HA! I actually attached a photo...all by myself!

My lovely daughter took this one at Baldwin's last Wooden Nickel race. Thats my little Fiona in lead, with Ursula, Heidi, Kirov and Dan (wheel dogs). It was such a nice day to have Alaine there, and she took some awesome pics for many people in the MUSH club.

And years go by!

Wow...I don't have this blogging thing down yet, but my daughter has inspired me, so I'll take a swing at it too.
ummm...well, its been a couple years about since last time...and so much has happened but I won't bore with all that.
Should be getting stuff ready for the race this weekend. Yeah, I guess I should do that. So, bye.
(Hear that echo? no one is out there!)