Again on the trail and this time breaking it!Fortunately the trail was the only thing getting broken out there but I fear with my team getting as strong as they are with these new pups on board that something is bound to split other than my runners through the snow... Im hoping for the best...
Robert and I headed out, our plan to run our own trails and hopefully meet up along the way to swap out trail duty.It was hard, hard work so I was glad to see him meet me shortly after I came onto the power line. But with my team being so strong it was best that I stay up front most of the time.
Its strange, last year and the years before Robert has always been the fast one waiting for me, this time it was different. I miss my time in the rear but being up front had its moments.
I'm a mother at heart, a protector of my fur-kids and of my dear friends... in that respect it was fulfilling knowing I was breaking through the worst of it hopefully making the path for Robert and his dogs a bit easier to manage.
But no matter how we looked at it the trail was tough, for the front team or the back, I don't think it mattered it was all hard, hard work...
Hera, my go-to girl, showed signs of really being tired. It was hard to stop the team and rest since everyone else was looking so good but when we did stop I realized their good looks were only on the surface. Hera was the only one outspoken enough to say, "Hey, Im pooped..."Shortly after stopping the pups eventually laid down as well as the adults. It was a quiet serene moment and as Hera closed her eyes for a quick nap I realized what a great idea it was to stop even if we were only about a mile and a half from the truck (our total mileage 15).
Just as everyone was getting relaxed Robert and his team came up... that was a neat sight, my entire team laying there so calm, so peaceful totally not hearing the silent footfalls of the ten hard working huskies creeping up behind them. Soon enough one of the pups heard and gave an alarm bark... everyone was up like a shot, rest break over!
When we were on our way again everyone in the team was looking great. Hera was back at work and the sight of the familiar homecoming trail perked up everyones spirits.
I had three of four pups in for the entire run and boy did they work! They are super little troopers each and every one!
Hermes had his first taste on the gangline but we made it a short lesson since it was his first. The rest of the time he ran with a harness on and followed us well. Thanks to one of Robert's dogs he also learned to stay within the safety of his own team. A very, very good lesson.
I'm still amazed that we had to break trail in April... thats one for the record books!Over all it was a beautiful day, nice and overcast, ten dogs on the line, two loose, temperature around 20+ and fabulous company both human and dogs alike!
I think this run really drove home the point that we are such lucky human beings. The scenery out there was amazing, the wildlife tracks beautifully laid out on top of sun crusted snow, both teams of dogs such dear friends to us... so many bodies out there, so many souls enjoying the beautiful wilds of Alaska.
I think Robert put it best... "Where else can you take 22 dogs for a walk!" and a 15 mile one at that! : )
To see a fabulous photo from Robert's point of view go to this link: www.flickr.com/photos/dr_ozda/2419938304/
Total miles= 15
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