Early days, late days...

... who the heck can tell the difference?

Its no secret that we've all been busting our tails around here. As James L appropriately put it, 'We need to get this stuff done as soon as possible, before the rain or our first snow when it will make everything wet and miserable to work with.' Its that transition into winter that is wonderful to watch but can be very tough to work in.

I'm trying to weigh everything out and prioritize the things left to do. Its a bit hard but makes more sense with it down on paper and realizing that we don't really have a whole lot more to finish up before winter hits us completely. The summer has gone by so fast and my mind is still in whirl of all we have accomplished and all those who have stepped up to help us through this journey. The idea that there is even more yet to come is really amazing... I just hope I have more time to enjoy the winter and the fruits of our labor without being so tied up in the whirlwind I have been in all summer long.

The show at the Yukon Quest took a lot more out of me than I realized but looking back on all we accomplished, all the labor and time was well worth it. Its a good bet we will be back again next year though this time I am planning on having a bit more help. Leah has been awesome as my helper and I hope she will be back again next summer as well as being on the trail with us this year. We have a few more helpers in the wings and I am anxious to see what they can do and what skills they are eager to put to the test for us and for the dogs.

Yesterday our dogs from Kantishna came home (it is soooo nice to have them back!), we gathered up more donated building materials for the Spock Shop from Scott and Maureen Chesney (thanks guys!!) and put away more building material for next years projects that helped us clean up the entrance to the dog yard. Just a few more sheets of plywood to remove staples from then the front area should be all set until we put up the spruce poles for the grand entrance.

The new dog truck is also on its way to the house very soon and is one of those things on our list to get done. The old box will need to be converted to the new rig, a bit more paint touched up and the roof fixed then we will be mobile again with a more reliable form of transportation.

For the first time, in I dont know how long, I sit here at a loss for words... sit here in the silence of all around me in my office gazing at the old railroad ties we took off the property on the Parks Hwy, thinking of all we have planned for down there, listening to Ajax chewing on his bone being so thankful that I have a moment to relax and enjoy the sound, watching the leaves fall from the trees outside as it slowly turns to fall... thinking of all the wonderful help we have had this summer and the realization that we have not only a building to show for it but a clean dog yard, happy dogs, meat in our freezer, good friends and a whole lot of hope to put towards the winter to come.

Just last night I was out watching the aurora dance in the night sky loving the shift of color waving its way across our property like waves on the ocean. It was so welcoming to watch it dance while it was so warm out. The dogs had just been fed, given their regular meat suppliment (thanks to the Home Grown Market!), cleaned and loved, all ready to turn in for the evening. What a great way to end the day...

A window rests on the outside of the Spock Shop waiting to be put in as the roof stands strong shinning in the sun.

James putting the window in from the outside while James L and Mike set it from the inside.


The meat shed looking NICE with our new freezer (generously donated by James L!) and new half doors put up (also thanks to James L!). We are in the process of getting a few more shelves put up and the upper part of the doors installed. So close to crossing this kennel project off our list! Very excited!

Juno keeps the ladder steady while we work on top of the conex storage container putting up another roof for more winter storage.

Juno and Calypso lead this group out on our fun training day in the rain. James L was a HUGE help with his heavy duty four wheeler. We are not on a solid running schedule yet since the heat of the day came back but we are very close to it. Looking forward to bringing Leah out for more of this kind of fun once we get a better schedule!