Musher Gathering

** photos posted here are courtesy of Brendan Wolff (Thanks Brendan!) **

On Sunday I was just going to pop in to Laura and Dale's to drop off their dog hair hat order, share a few of our fresh chicken eggs, say a quick hi and get back home to work. When I got there though it was hard to leave.

We've gathered together so many good people over these few short years through the Alaska Recreational Dog Mushers and Laura and Dale do a wonderful job of keeping us all together. We have been meeting like this at least twice a year, swapping mushing stories and catching up on the latest gossip. Its really been a wonderful time to reflect and enjoy each others company.

So I thought, just a soda then I'm out... then, just a short talk with Jasin then I'm out, then I had to connect with Kathy to sort out details of our hiking day, then I found myself giving and receiving hugs and slowly moving toward the door but the step that Robert was sitting on just seemed so lonely... so I had to sit, just for a moment... I ended up being there for three hours! And it was well worth it. : )

Since forming ARDM I have been a bit bummed that it didn't develop into all the really big things I was hoping it would but sitting there watching everyone interact in such wonderful ways, feeling as if I could walk away and that it would never die was a wonderful feeling.

Ive been told by many of these folks that they are so grateful I brought this core group of caring people together and how they love all the connections they have made. But even after hearing that so many times I never felt worthy of such praise... that afternoon though, I finally did...

I cant quite describe it but the realization that I could walk away at any time and know full well that these people will continue meeting, will continue connecting and sharing each others time and friendship was just wonderful. I finally felt as if I had completed all I needed to do with ARDM and that I was free to move on knowing that this wonderful group had a life all its own.

Left to right: Bill Cotter, Laura Katuki, Scott and Maureen Chesney, Dale Anderson, Jasin Spracklen
Second row: Kathy Tassy, Stephanie Littlewolf, Me
In front of me: Robert and his newly adopted shelter dog Musky
(sorry, I didnt catch the name of the woman and girl in front)