Where It All Begins Each Year

It's that time of year again. Where cooler weather prevails, harvesting is in full swing, the leaves are beginning to change colours and mushers..well..their thoughts turn to fall training and the upcoming race season. Of course for the dogs and I , being a recreational team has it's advantages. WE don't' have to worry about how many miles we have to put on before that first big race or how we are going to get enough sponsors to help with the cost of raising, training and racing sled dogs. We run when it's cool enough and just have fun. Exactly how I want it to be. To date we have done two runs with the quad. We have been together for over a year now and things were much more relaxed hooking up for the first time this year as compared to last fall. Although the dogs were still earth shattering loud as I opened the end gate it was music to my ears. We hooked up and ran just over 4 miles the first day and the dogs did great.

The team: Thunder & Ochocco in lead, Lucy & Jazz in swing, Jitterbug & Fox Trot, Prophet and Cha Cha in team and Siboon is running single wheel.

It was about 9 C and with the drought this summer I always have to carry water. About half way through the run we have a long rest for everyone to catch their breath and have a drink.

Today Aimee and I took the dogs for a 5.5 mile run...it was a little cooler and again we had a great run. This group seemed to gel better and Lucy and Thunder were on top of every command.

Aimee is geared up for this season. She was wishing for snow so she could run her little team with her sled.

Happy Rhonda =)

Aimee was chilly and wanted to see if she could keep up she said it was good practice for The Cross Country Running Club she participates in at school.

The Team today got their individual pictures done...but I noticed that I missed Cha Cha. She will have to get her very own photo shoot next time.

Leaders : Thunder and Lucy


Ochocco was in single swing today

Jitterbug is camera shy but her partner Siboon is a ham.

The ole boy Prophet who ran with miss Cha Cha again today..she is a little more nervous and I concluded if she ran with the steady rock in the team maybe she would feel more comfortable..seems to be working so far

and the girlie's in wheel Jazz and sister Fox Trot. Jazz is the only dog in my yard with black spots on her tongue..I love them.

Stopped for a little break.

We don't see a whole lot on these runs as they are short and we are mostly on the road but this morning while passing a canola field I noticed a set of antlers sticking up over the crop. He was still there on the way home just watching us through the canola. He finally got up and bounded away to the dogs extreme excitement. A very nice sized Mule Deer.

Back in the dog yard with Lucy and Fox Trot.

I am very excited for this season and will definitely be keeping you all updated on all the goings on as we extend our miles and the dog get more fit.
See you on the Trail.