2009 IDITAROD

Yes, indeed, the Journey that is Iditarod 2009 has begun. The Core team has returned from "Summer Camp" on the Glacier where they worked giving rides to tourists and are now adjusting to life back here in Two Rivers. We will give them a week or so more of Rest and Relaxation and begin training in earnest. Looking out at the group now spinning around in the yard, I am impressed by the view - probably the best version of the Black and Blue team yet!

In the meantime, while they rest, I will prepare the lines and harnesses for a new season and hook up the dogs who did not work all summer. We had seven adults and eight yearlings at home this summer, so they need to catch up to the condition of the Glacier dogs. Teva, our star leader, stayed home so she could raise her two pups, TuTu and Tundra, as did Tina who raised four Olympians, Michael, Dara, Trickett, and Bolt.

I hooked up the yearlings five or six times times in August and really enjoyed the ride. Named after Harry Potter characters - Hermione, Hooch, Muggles, Merlin, Weasley, and Wizard - they are impressive. Although still difficult to harness because of their enthusiasm, they are all business once on the line and very smooth moving like their Mom, Wilma, and Dad, Zorro (Lance Mackey's main dog).

We also have Oak and Holly who were born in December 2007 so are technically still pups. We probably won't hook them up until snow flies although they really want to join the fun now. Holly and Oak were born on the winter solstice and thus named for the two solstice trees. Learn more at http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/winter_solstice.shtml.

Temperatures at night are dropping to reasonable numbers, between 25 and 40 degrees, so we should be able to train early mornings or late evenings. My handler, Louie, does not arrive until October 1 so we will have to work around our work schedules until then.

All for now.