Jackson hole is full of friends!

We are all done with the Jackson start. A crisp 5 degrees here, the dogs are loving it. We headed home tomorrow nice and early. Lots of things to get ready for the Lander events. The mushers have a meeting at 1:30 pm the have to be at. Then it on to the caravan of dog trucks, we will be stopping downtown in the 200 block. So, not much to report. All the dogs are doing great! Eating, drinking …. Water that is! We got to visit with Tiger Stuber…. The dogs love him. He is their chiropractor. You will see a picture of Bruce Magnusson, Peekaboo, Elwood with his crazy ears, Frank Teasley making an announcement. Well, time to drop the dogs for their last potty break for the evening, then to bed it is. Ps. Still using the iPhone . Hope is working good.

Almost to Jackson

We are almost to Jackson, just a couple of miles out of town. From there we will unload the dogs. At that time the vets will come around for “the vet check.” we are using modern tech via my iPhone. Pretty interesting! Stay tuned for live shots of the vet check.

Drifting one day – nice the next!

 

The day started off with a fall on the ice and a dog bite. The dog was trying to cheap shot another as we were passing her house on the way to the truck. To her surprise it way my leg and not the other dogs butt. None of our dogs are mean they just get overly excited at times when they think they might get left behind that day.

Today we ran the race trail from Sinks Canyon to Granier  Meadows and back. A 42 mile run and the trail is shaping up nicely. The dogs kept looking at a large rock cliff that the trail parallels between Fiddlers Lake and Louis Lake . We have seen bobcats there in the past.

Right after that we met a snow machine and that was fine. Then after I got back to the pickup here came the snow machine and the guy said, “did you feel as though you were being watched today?” I said, “yes it happens often, we are in the forest.” He said,” right after he met me there was a large mountain lion that came down off the cliff and was following you.” He came face to face with it around a corner and it did an about-face and was off. Yes, I am always packing. 

Going to do the same run tomorrow with the rest of the dogs. Off to get some rest and doctor my daily wounds.

So, it’s Deep Blue  on the back and Helichrysum on the calf. doTERRA essential oils are the best!

Blowin & Goin

We have been training up Sinks Canyon all winter and this is our first trip to the old training grounds on South Pass.  The usual wind greeted us with gusts in the 40 mph range. Not too bad as it really started to BLOW after we got back to the trailhead. It was way to strong to put dog bowls out for food so I just held two bowls at a time with a litttle water, then on down the mountain to the home kennel to feed, water and check feet. All is well.

12-29-2011, another windy day on the trail

http://youtu.be/3c6YvHKW4cY

First Race of the Season

Beautiful weekend in West Yellowstone. We got 2nd place in the 12 dog 32 mile (per day) race.

Jerry arrived on Thursday of the week past in the small town of West Yellowstone. The weatherman was calling for minus 2 temps with 100% humidity. For once, he was not to far off.

The town welcomes this race in full force. Approximately 4o musher lined up, some decked to hills with holiday decoration to participate in the ”Winter Carnival.” Or at least that is what Jerry is thinking it might be called… lol

Great to see old friends and meet new ones. Mr. Soot went to live with Mr. Bilbo in Gamble, WA at Laura Daugereau’s kennel. She is a distance musher, who has run the Iditarod and competes in many distance races around the country. www.nightrunnerkennel.com

Now it is back to training runs at 27 miles per day with the race team, yearling included. Last night the kennel was a little noisy. The six month old pups are now big dogs. They have their own hay filled house’s, water and feed bowls. This also means they had to sleep all by themselves last night. Little Miss Glady was the only one to have a problem, crying throughout the night. Sorry to the neighbors.

The dogs are all looking really good and loving that it is “THE SEASON,” mushing (mooshing - translation for the Magnussons) season that is.

Next race…maybe the Flat Head in Montana on January 6 – 8 2012.  And of course, the Stage Stop starting on January 27 of 2012.

All our best to you and your family this Holiday Season!

Music Video April 28th 2011

Two yearlings in wheel, Little D and Aliana. Oh, what fun!

3-30-11 still having fun!

Saturday in Stanley

Oh, well let’s see where we should begin? All 20 dogs are harnessed, Jerry has his 12 ready to go. Tells the nice man, “No thank you, we will be fine getting to the starting line on our own.” Two minutes to go, we head to the starting line. I have a hold of the leaders, Jerry unhooks the dogs and off we go.  Around the corner, blowing past the staight shot to the starting line, the dogs make a right turn, I do a drop and roll to get out of the way. As I am picking myself up off the icy parking lot, I watch Jerry go down, get drug by the team through the parking, headed for the highway.  

Thank goodness a very agile young man throw himself in front of the team and saving the day. Jon Bunderson was a good help too! The team gets turned around (with the HELP of 5 or 6 nice people) an off we go to the starting line. Yes, we made it just in time for the count down and Jerry the team were off and running.

Back to the truck I run to help Lady Miriam. She has recruited help (SMART lady) and is hooking up the dogs. I take her and the team with the help of a very nice man to the starting line. We thought our times were correct, but all of a sudden we are late to the starting line or at least cutting it very close. With 15 sec to spare we made it and off she goes.

I helped a few more teams to the line, got the chores done and had a few minutes to spare before I see Miriam coming down the hill. She hits the flats and I look through the binocular and guess who I see? Yep, Jerry is coming in right behind Miriam. I get Miriam to the truck and take back running to the finish line, just in time to turn back around and run back to the truck with Jerry’s team.

Both Miriam and Jerry said the trail was gorgous. Beautiful country! Jerry finished 1st for the day and Miriam placed 4th today.

We start at 9am tomorrow…remember the time changes tonight. After the we are done with the race, we will be headed home. The 10 hour drive will proof to be a long one, I am sure! So, I may not be able to post anything until Monday morning. Until then, enjoy the picures.

Bob the Bear!

 

Miriam went around last night with the camera and took this while I was blogging last night!

 

Professor Bath instructing Miriam on the finer points of the "Iditarod Insider." : )

 

Bob is such a lady's man......Miriam just had to have her picture taken with him.

 

Okay I give, he's just a great guy.

 

The mountain where trying to peak out this morning.

 

By afternoon the view was great!

 

Start/Finish line.

 

Meet Jim! Cindy Bunderson's cool little man!

 

This is a shot of the behind the scenes today. Fun in the sun or should I snoozing in the sun!

 

The good news was no drooling happened this afternoon.

 

Jerry was not the only one resting in the sun today! The pups enjoyed themselves as well. I have a shot of Miriam coming in today, but it is on the other camera and guess who forgot the cord for that camera? ME!!! So, those pictures will have to wait until we get back home. Good night all! Remember, final postings on Monday morning.

Stanely Idaho – Last Race!

 

There she blows! The wind helped us to get on our way to Stanley Idaho. Made one Red Paw delivery before picking up Lady Miriam just outside Jackson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we made it out of the wind, we were happy to see the snow plow! Roads were just a little icy, not too bad!

 

There's a fence there somewhere!

 

Look closely! Growing snow, Wyoming style.

 

Wow! Look at that Moose!!!

 

Them Canyon we went through today! Great photo Miriam!!!

 

Idaho is really good to their Elk. Why forge the river the old fashion way, just take the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

Miriam handing out treats to Cowboy and the rest of the gang!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out to have some fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rat doing his stretchs. ood reminder for us! This is a two day race, starting tomorrow. Miriam will be running 20 mile each day (8 dogs), Jerry is running the 30 miles each day (12 dogs.) Looks like we get to start right from the motel. Motel, food, bar all in one place. Looks like we will enjoy the weekend. Here's to everyone saying prayers for a healthy happy team (s). Until tomorrow.