Back On Track

The Dog Truck..Thanks to my dad for the new Dog Box

Okay...so no excuses I just have not been making the time for my blog lately and I apologize. In the past month we have had some great successes as well as some dissapointments but it seems we are back on track for now. Here's what you have missed..in January we travelled to Elkford B.C for our first race. I entered the 10 dog with a 12 mile trail which seemed just perfect to get out feet wet. It was a long drive, thanks to my hubby for driving, with some interesting scenery and weather, we drove south of Black Diamond, AB and the wind was so strong we had a hard time keeping the truck on the road and even came upon a Semi Truck that had been blown right off the road. The first day of the race was nerve racking, exciting and warm. Aimee raced in the Junior division about 1 mile with leaders Ochocco and Thunder and she did an excellant job. My class was second to last so I had alot of the day to visit with and help other mushers. Finally it was our turn and off we went down a beautifully groomed wide logging road trail. We had a few hiccups right off the bat when I pulled over to let another musher past me and his dogs passed on the wrong side and then decided to jump over my team...he got them sorted out and then my wheel dogs tug line busted...but all in all the run was a great one with beautiful views of the mountains and my dogs rocked at the headon passes. The second day was much the same but cooler and I managed to shave 9 minutes off my day 1 time.

Leaving Day 1

View from the Runners - Day 1

Darian decided she needed to run with Aimee in the Junior division and so we enjoyed watching that. In the end I was voted most Sportsmanlike Musher and received $204. What a great experience.

Darian's run with Lucy and Mari

Aimee's Run with Ochocco and Thunder

My husband and I then jetted of to the Dominican for a holiday in the sun and enjoyed our time there immensley. We did lot's of tours, snorkeled and relaxed on the beach and then.....Back to Reality. The kids lives get busier every year with 4-H, Highland Dance and this year Basketball so it took me awhile to get back in the swing of things..when I did was I in for a surprise. Crashing my sled became a regular occurance and I even ended up chasing a run away dog team 2 miles after my gangline busted right behind the wheel dogs...so a new plan was formed. I made a new 6 dog gangline and finally had a good run. Aimee joined me and as nervous as I was leaving the dog yard I knew it had to be done or I may as well sell the dogs. 6 dogs turned out to be the magic ticket..very easy to control and just enough power to make it fun and now I can enjoy the new sled, that I was considering selling and buying a smaller one. I am back "REALLY" enjoying the dogs. I took all the girls the other day and had Jazz in lead the whole way...every time I put her in lead I am amazed and have to remind myself that she is only 1 1/2.

Aimee snugged in the sled bag on our 3 hour run

View of a musher from the sled bag

View of the dogs (all girls) from the sled bag

Today I ran the three boys with Lucy, Jazz and Fox Trot..halfway through the run I switched Lucy out of lead for Fox Trot and was again amazed..I have not put her in lead since fall and she is another one that just loves to be up there..Those little girls are quite amazing and I hope their future keeps looking so bright. I think that brings you all up to date and my goal is to be better at keeping this updated.

So till next time

...Happy Trails and Wagging Tails.....

Video from Day 2 of the Elkford Race

Head On pass with Deana Wanamaker and an old flipped over car.

Video that Aimee took on our run the other day....