Warm Weather Continuing

And the warm temps continue... fortunately with some winds for cooling, but no runs for now. Can't see much snow in the forecast either... don't give up YET, Winter!!
Lots of free running but not as much fun as hookups.

Ordinary Day

It was an ordinary day... we fed 31 dogs at 6:30 AM, ran the trail with Skinny, Sierra and Buddy; cleaned the pens, free ran all dogs, hauled the waste, gave out the medicines, and went for 300 lb of dog food. Photo is of our 'buddy', blue eyed, regal Buddy. He had a coat to match his eyes, but his penmates ate it, so he wears one of theirs.

Photoshop

One thing I've wanted for a long time is a stained glass window with one of my great dogs' faces on it. Closest I've come is working with Photoshop on some of my photos. But it appears I can't upload it for some reason. We can print them, however , and it gives a really interesting detailed look at a team from an artist's view. This is the photo but not the artistic view.

Hot Weather for Racing in Upper Michigan

The first team across the finish line at the Jackpine 30 had a dog in the bag today... temp at 38 degrees at noon in Marquette, MI. Add the sunshine to that and it was a very too warm day for racing huskies. However, all of them made it in good spirits and there were 13 finishing teams. Attached are a few of the photos from today. Congratulations to the Jackpine Mushers and Club for another great race. The winner was Bib 12 with Bib 11 hot on her heels. See : http://www.up200.org
for details on finishers for all three races.

UP 200, Midnight Run, Jackpine 30 this weekend

The UP200 and Midnight Run are taking off now and we'll go up to see the finish of the Jackpine 30 tomorrow. Hope to get some photos. It is 28 degrees (warm) at the Start in downtown Marquette, MI.

Old Friends Fun Day

Yesterday was a fun run day for all kennel dogs. When we have busy team running days, some of them just sit and watch, surely thinking of the days when they were going for a team run, too. Photos are of siblings: Glory, King and Power, pups of our original Scuba, and their niece, "Balto" (actually Glory is a bit of a look alike to the original Balto). These dogs are what I call "deep snow" dogs... they find it and relish it, and are known to dive into it even with a sled behind them. They are still very powerful dogs.

Fast Fotos

As the only handler and also the photographer it gets a little dicey trying to troubleshoot the run behind the team and take some photos... so I get a lot looking for one good one. Also, it looks like I always take the photos in the same places...
I have to be fast enough to get ahead for a frontal view. These are from today.

Rob and his two six dog teams: Zeus, Buffy, Eos, Medio, Kiddo and Matilda
Ruthie, Buffy, Sherpa, Matilda, Herman and Quattro

The first team was fastest and strongest.

Grooming Trails; p.s. UP 200, Midnight Run and JP 30 this weekend

We got some nice new snow, about three or four inches, so kennel friend, Rob,
came out to run the drag today. Tomorrow he'll go out for his second run with us, choosing six dogs... Zeus, Buffy, Eos, Medio, Kiddo and Matilda. Hopefully, he'll run a second team as well, giving a few more dogs a chance to run. I ran my faithful Lillen and Eos duo today and my usual Skinny, Sierra, Buddy run. We have GRREAT TRAILS!

New for Eos

DOGS: Skinny (sled), Sierra, Buddy and Eos

Eos (red coat) is a gee haw command leader and is a very cooperative and talented dog. Since she resides in the house nights (short coat, surgery recovery) we usually leave her inside until we return from our morning 'house dog' run. Yesterday I decided she had earned the right to go with us, untethered.

Not only did she prove to be 100% reliable, she had a great time. She did work her way up to leading and ran home ahead of us. We run just half a mile since Skinny (retired gee haw command leader) has some spinal problems . He is hooked up to the sled as he is still powerful and willful... if he were free he would be off hunting in the hinterlands, blind eye or not (not safe for him). Having a brake is much better than having him on a leash.

It's been very warm weather (even in Alaska)for winter, but we have been getting great runs in and the trails are picture perfect.

Great Winter Runs

Early morning was perfect for running yesterday. We took six to Florence (six miles)
and it was just as we returned that it was getting a bit warm. We ran another team, too, but then the sun came out so we switched to free runs for all. A great day for dogs! For once, I drove the six dog team on the long run, as well. I'm usually the handler/photographer.

Team One: Zeus, Buffy, Eos, Medio, Matilda, Kiddo... seven miles (grade plus loop)
Team Two: Buffy, Ruthie, Rosie, Medio, Herman, Quattro... three miles

On the Road Again

STRAW BALE COUNT: 50

Tomorrow we'll take a nice team on a long run as we've had some new snow to make the trails better for their feet (out of the kennel).

In the meantime, the usual, free running dogs in twos, threes, fours and general maintenance, dragging trails, etc

Race season is in full swing: Yukon Quest in action, Denali Doubles starts tomorrow, the Wisconsin sprint races ongoing..

Running with Music at Aliy Zirkle's

Don't miss the running with dogs, under the moon, with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata... what a wonderful way to take a virtual trip on a team in Alaska.
Thank you, Macgellan and Aliy!

http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/

More fun runs

Dogs today: Zeus, Ruthie, Buffy, Matilda (leaders); Medio, Sherpa, Rosie (team);
Herman, Kiddo, Quattro (wheel)

Fun Runs: WE LOVE WINTER

It has been unseasonably warm and we've been taking it easy with fun runs of all sorts with the dogs.

Unfortunately our batteries were dying and it was such a great day for photos, so we did the best we could.

Jim, 79 years young, is still the king, driving six fast dogs.... Zeus, Buffy,
Medio, Ruthie, Matilda and Kiddo.

Julie took two retiree females, Lillen and Eos, for a fun run and Sierra, retiree female, felt she must herd them along, the whole trail. Sierra did a great job.

Lily the Bear with new cub

It is interesting to watch the live video of Lily the black bear in Minnesota and her newborn cub.

http://www.bear.org/website/visit-us/lily-den-cam.html