Saturday, February 21, 2009

Great Race

Sorry if those last posts sounded a little whiney. The Canadian Challenge is over for this year, and it looks like it was a great race, and I am truly sorry not to have been a part of it. Every single musher in the 12-dog class finished for the first time ever in the history of the race. The times were fairly fast, too, indicating ideal conditions.

Here is a typical scene between Prince Albert and La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Some of the trail runs in the ditch beside this highway. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the lake running, which is really scenic, especially Lake La Ronge with its hundreds of islands. When I was racing, it was way too cold for a camera to function.


Here is a typical scene right after the race finish. (This was my handler from 2006.)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Ideal Racing Weather

Just as I expected, now that I am not racing, the Canadian Challenge is experiencing near perfect weather - cold enough for the dogs to do their best and warm enough for the mushers to be reasonably comfortable. They are also reporting excellent snow conditions.

Here at home I am dealing with wind, snow, and sleet. I think I will just stay inside.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Following The Races

My husband did not want me to race this year, so for the first time in many years I am at home and able to follow the Yukon Quest on the internet. I will be glued to the computer for the next week and a half, following all the updates and articles and photos. I am what you call an armchair fan of the Quest and the Iditarod, but it does make me yearn to follow a trail through the wilderness myself. In a couple days the Canadian Challenge will be starting, and I am sad to be missing out this year. There will be more bush trails and lake running, and I bet it will be warmer this year.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Fruits Of Summer

Wild gooseberries turning colors as they ripen.
The ripe ones are purple.Here is my friend Cathy Blair enjoying a ripe gooseberry.