SUMMER PLACE KENNEL

Moved to our Winter Blog

2009-09-18T16:27:00.002-05:00

Winter at Summer Place will be our winter blog this year: http://winterspk.blogspot.com
Join us there!

Blog Book and Moving On

2009-05-03T18:37:00.004-05:00

THE CALL OF THE WILD, Robert Service (selection)

.... "Have you broken trail on snowshoes? mushed your huskies up the river,
Dared the unknown, led the way and clutched the prize?....

Have you suffered, starved and triumphed, groveled down, yet grasped at glory,
Grown bigger in the bigness of the whole?
"Done things" just for the doing, letting babblers tell the story,
Seeing through the nice veneer, the naked soul?

Have you seen God in His splendors, heard the text that nature renders?
(You'll never hear it in the family pew.)
The simple things, the true things, the silent men who do things ...
Then listen to the Wild, it's calling you.

They have cradled you in custom, they have primed you with their preaching,
They have soaked you in convention through and through,
They have put you in a showcase, you're a credit to their teaching...
But can't you hear the Wild? it's calling you.

Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us,
Let us journey to a lonely land I know.

There's a whisper on the night wind, there's a star agleam to guide us,
And the wild is calling, calling...let us go."

This blog is being printed as a slice of kennel life at Summer Place Kennel. it will feature three years out of the fifteen years that we have been here. As we let this blog rest to be printed,
we are moving to our summer blog, Summer at Summer Place, http://www.spksummer.blogspot.com/
Join us at the summer blog. We will return to this one in the fall.

"There's a Summer Place, where it's safe and warm and free from harm, from all cares...."

Summer Place Kennel, a home for retired sled dogs and some rescued dogs in need of a safe and warm forever home. We also provide a conservative oasis, a people free zone for the local wildlife.

"Two roads diverged in the wood and, I, took the one less traveled by, and it has made all the difference." Robert Frost

Wooded Land and Dry Conditions

2009-05-01T05:43:00.004-05:00

The neighbors are cutting the acreage adjacent to ours pretty heavily. I noted yesterday, on our three dog run, that , even with the recent heavy snow and driving rain, the woods with downed branches are very dry again. Our open fields are crunchy, once again.

The swamp still has some good water in it from winter meltdown. Every run for the dogs is an adventure of smells . Our 'people free' zone is a haven for the spring wildlife with the adjacent lands being logged.

Hauling Boulders

2009-04-30T06:12:00.003-05:00

The digging weather is at its best for these industrious huskies. Already they've excavated many summer dens, although some of them are just inside the gate for me to step into as I enter. Today's work is hauling boulders from the upper field. Thankfully many years ago a hard working farmer stacked them all as he cleared his fields.

The winds have downed quite a few dead trees in the wooded areas.

Photo: Tsunami in his 'digs' from last year.

And now it's 75 degrees, and tomorrow...? Schizoid weather.

2009-04-24T18:33:00.003-05:00

We had ten or more inches of snow; then two days later, 75 degrees; thunder and lightning this morning and tomorrow to be forty degrees. The deer are hanging around closely as in this photo with Sierra or near the deck with Skinny.

'S no fun!

2009-04-21T17:58:00.006-05:00

Sierra, below, before Ruthie tried to tear off her ear. Sierra is the self appointed herder/guardian and Ruthie tore through a chain and a bungee to run about, not in her turn.

Turkey on left, deer in center, waiting by the corn can.

Tanni (below) and Evalina, watching the morning unfold.
It was hard for the dogs to see out/see each other. This is Yo.

I shoveled the houses off to give them each a semidry perch.

While it was beautiful, there were branches falling off of the heavily laden trees. It snowed for 24 hours straight (or more). I don't know the actual accumulation, but the photos speak for themselves. The dog tempers flared today, too, leaving Sierra (in photo before the action) with a torn ear and wounded feelings. The deer and the turkeys came right up to the house to get their corn and carrots. Everyone was out of sorts , it seemed. And tomorrow we're headed for warm weather and back into the 60's again, so imagine the muddy mess about to present itself out here. Ah, Spring!

Nonfunctional Snow!

2009-04-20T16:25:00.002-05:00

The worst kind... after all the pens are set up for Spring with tarps, etc and now about seven (at least) inches of this heavy wet concretelike snow. Arghh. And more to come tonight...stop the snow dances , it's late April! If we can't use it, don't snow, please!! The good side of this is that my granddaughter (age two) LOVES snow and this delighted her today. She wanted to spend her time with her little shovel.

Early a.m. photo

2009-04-18T06:02:00.000-05:00

Wildlife Wandering

2009-04-18T05:58:00.004-05:00

Just saw two big coyotes or small wolves wander through here down by the deer corn. Temps have been warm (74) so all the critters are out hunting. I took photos, but it was too dark. The dogs were all loud last night with noses all pointing toward the driveway, so I investigated and found nothing. Possibly these were their visitors. There are a lot of great smells for Skinny on his daily ATV runs and he pays very close attention. Maybe the field cameras got something, will check later.

The Black and White Look

2009-04-17T19:38:00.006-05:00

Photos: Top, Scuba out of Butcher's Elan; Middle, Buddy, Redington lines (blue eyes); Bottom, leader,

Skinny (black/white), Zirkle/Louden/Attla/Swenson.

Spring Lists

2009-04-16T05:43:00.002-05:00

This the list from last year's blog in late April. Seems like we're just a bit ahead this year, but this is a good 'to do' list for me to reference. (this year not headless rabbits, but headless birds lying about). And much of the same going on. Last year we had 17 inches of snow about this time, but we are DRY here. Of course, we can always get another snow storm. We have started the straw hauling, the slow slow process.

Last year's list:

Feeding dogs, of course. (hauled in multi pounds of food from the truck).Clean up food dumped by dogs who say they've had enough high fat content. (switch to lower fat mix).Scooping straw from ice, pitching into containers for hauling. (major part of the day)Hosing out concrete pens as straw pitched out.Washing mud off of my face/teeth (several times).Cleaning all pens, of course.Connecting/draining the hoses. Cleaning water pails, watering all dogs, twice.Hauling the waste on the snowy, icy, muddy trail on the ATV.Getting ATV unstuck.Putting up tarps in half the pens for shade (70 degrees, sunny). (dogs help by jumping, on me)Charging battery on 2nd ATV and moving to shed for hauling. (hook positive first!)Moving several dogs for different reasons. (full moon, dogs coming into heat, again; dog eating gate)Starting and moving lawn mower.Fixing broken chains for two dogs that need to be tied. (fence leaper, gate eater)Cleaning the cat's room, washing the boxes.Airing the house dogs' beds.Meds to dogs with allergies enhanced by Spring. (Balto may need surgery on ear)Hauling rocks from the upper field to fill newly dug holes. Ground very nice for dogs' digging.Cooling overheated ATV from hauling.Riding all the trails, to check for downed trees (none over trail, hooray! but numerous downed in woods from heavy snows)Getting ATV unstuck.Treats to dogs, late day. Answering their questioning looks about why they can't come out to run. (porcupines, skunks)Chasing Skinny into the woods when he returned to the house at night. Setting trail camera to look for predator leaving headless rabbits.Today, more of the same.
Posted by Julie at 5:58 AM 0 comments
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Easter

2009-04-13T04:32:00.003-05:00

We had a beautiful Easter Day, starting with a wonderful sunrise, taking some longer runs with the house dogs, watching the dogs sunbathe as we started putting up shade tarps and ending the day with a great family dinner.

Photos: Skinny (above) and Easter sunrise. Low fifties , temperature, bright sun.

Muddy Run with seven dogs

2009-04-09T05:32:00.005-05:00

We took seven dogs and three humans on a very iron ore muddy run yesterday. The temps were in the 40's and the sun was high so it was just about too warm to do that. The bridge over the river had some washout but our team was already committed to crossing, which we did safely and then did a turnaround (a bit of a test, luckily we had two guides and one driver).

All dogs were very excited to go for the run, but think they were happier to get home. The dogs and harnesses were iron red when we returned. With the dry weather and winds we've had I thought it would be dry and cool but it was not. We'll just hangout with free runs awhile longer here this Spring. Our kennel wooded trails are still deep with snow and ice.

Dogs who ran with great spirits, all, yesterday were: Buffy, Rosie (lead); Medio, Kiddo, Herman,

Quattro and Copper.

Photos: Upper, seven dog team enroute home. Lower, Ore encrusted harnesses in the 'dishwasher'.

More snow

2009-04-04T06:14:00.003-05:00

Not lost here, just busy with Spring cleanup and then more snow. Trails change from day to day, but we are running ATV on them. Recent snow was wet , now icy. The pens were nice and dry and the huge wet snow made them into muddy ponds again. Today more sun. We give up, go away winter!!

Dogs all fared well through this long winter, even the oldies are bouncing around in the warm sun (when it shows up).

Photo: House pals take a run in the fresh snow. Sierra, Skinny and Buddy

March goes out like a Lion

2009-03-31T18:13:00.003-05:00

Just as our trails were getting clear and we've started running with the quad, whoopee, it started snowing like mad at about 4PM, already accumulating two to three inches. More snow predicted for next few days. The dogs love snow but even they look a bit surprised after the main meltdowns/schedule changes we've had. The deer aren't too happy either. Good thing I left a snowmachine out for just this kind of happening. And the WIND is roaring. Not Spring yet, no matter what we thought.

Mt Redoubt and Mushers and Dogs

2009-03-25T06:23:00.002-05:00

Heard from a friend that mushers had to scramble/ are scrambling to get their dogs out of Nome. Redingtons could take their dogs on the flight they took, haven't heard about Aliy's dogs... planes were rerouted through Fairbanks with dog trucks in Anchorage, so some were borrowing trucks or cars to transport dogs.

This photo was sent by a Fairbanks friend, Phillip Albert, who received it from a friend in the Kenai peninsula , I believe.

Iditarod Wrapup; Volcano delays flights out of Nome

2009-03-24T05:35:00.003-05:00

While volcanic ash from Mt. Redoubt, AK, falls on Skwentna, all mushers are finishing the race ahead of that. But, flights are grounded out of Nome for now, so dogs and mushers get to spend a few more days there. Norma from Skwenta reports that it looks like a moon crater out there and she tastes ash even inside. That's something we don't have to worry about in Wisconsin!

Aliy Zirkle finished in 17th, Allen Moore in 33rd, Trent Herbst in 48th with the Most Inspirational Musher Award. Karin Hendrickson was the third rookie in and had a good race, too. Congratulations to all mushers and their great dogs.

Twenty minute trail in meltdown

2009-03-15T19:23:00.004-05:00

Skinny's and my favorite 20 minute trail is all but disappearing in the warm weather today. We took our 7PM run just as the sun hit the 'lights out'.... the whole bottom trail was a river/pond, much more deterioration since yesterday. Hopefully, the solid ice base we've had will see some more snow before we say good bye to winter. The plus of this is that the ice is fast . These clips are from yesterday with Sierra and Buddy and Skinny. The deer were wading in the 'pond' at the bottom of one hill. The pens are starting to drain .

Sunrise

2009-03-10T06:54:00.002-05:00

With the spring forward of time, comes breakfast before sunrise. We are starting to ease back on fats in their diets, but will have a cold spell this week. The dogs seek out the early morning sun in their pens.

Daily Kennel Life, The Howl

2009-03-10T06:34:00.005-05:00

Herman takes his breakfast very seriously.

He is one of few dogs needing to be tethered for feeding, but he runs right to his chain , eats till finished, even though his kennel pals are already howling their 'let's start the day' howl. If not tethered, he runs , excitedly from dish to dish. His pen pals, Buffy, Medio and Rosie eat enthusiastically too.

Iditarod 2009

2009-03-09T05:36:00.003-05:00

The main site is www.iditarod.com and Aliy's/Allen's blog is : www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com
(updated well! by Macgellan). The teams are off and running and at this time Aliy is at Mile 85, crossing Onestone Lake with 16 dogs at 7mph. The Iditarod Insider package for us includes GPS in each sled, very helpful when the standings at the main site are giving only checkpoint info. Macgellan has some great photos and commentaries as the events unfold. He'll be in Rainy Pass hoping to catch both Aliy and Allen and will have blog photos and updates.

Back at the Ranch

2009-03-06T06:00:00.004-06:00

We have had mild temps the past few days and Skinny (retired gee haw Quest leader) has been bummed in the house. I took him for his morning sled run (which he ran fast and happy), then chained him in a pen with the other guys and gals, so he could feel a part of the daily action. Five minutes of that and he had broken his chain, ripped open the gate and, after stopping to 'holler' at a male at the fence, ran back to the house. So much for Skinny's unsupervised pen time.

Photo: Skinny's pen of two years ago. Since then he's not lived in a pen.

Iditarod Bib Numbers?

2009-03-06T05:26:00.002-06:00

Aliy's/Allen's blog says that Aliy is Bib 24 and Allen is 6. Looking at the main Iditarod website I find different numbers, so for now we'll go with them as reported on Aliy's blog... theirs is a quick video clip, takes you right there. Thanks, Macgellan!

Anchorage Daily News, www.adn.com is a good source of race info but they don't have the bibs up yet. They do have bear info, one black and one brown wandering around.

Iditarod Trail: some waist deep snow

2009-03-05T05:34:00.003-06:00

Around the Rainy Pass area there is some heavy, waist deep snow, as reported by Craig Medred in The Anchorage Daily News. This presents a huge task to the many volunteers who work at keeping the trail open. Mushers are required to carry snowshoes and may need to use them this year. Climbing a mountain pass with a sixteen dog team with the musher on snow shoes is a daunting task.

Photo: Rainy Pass terrain; red jacket on right is Gwen Rodman. Gwen's daughter, Karin

Hendrickson is running her rookie Iditarod this year.

Aliy Zirkle

2009-03-04T05:38:00.003-06:00

Aliy Zirkle is a well known sled racing competitor. She won the Yukon Quest in 2000 and still remains the only woman to have won that race. This is her ninth Iditarod and she is heading out with a great team. Allen Moore, Aliy's husband, is heading out with a great B team. They have trained hard and we are eager to watch their progress.

We are fortunate to have some of Aliy's retirees, Martin, Skinny and Frita. Frita's daughter, Bullet, is a main leader for Aliy in the race again this year. We like Moonpie on Allen's team too, a young 'un. We like all of their dogs!

This photo (for which we owe a photo credit but not sure to whom) is of Aliy's champ team in Yukon Quest 2000. Martin is the hearty white dog in a team position. He is a bit less agile these days but going down hills you can still see his mountain experience, he digs in and keeps you safe.

This sport is, of course, so much more than about racing... the life with the dogs is so incredibly rewarding. We are not racing much here anymore, but we have the wonderful opportunity to live out the retirement days with these mighty dogs. I'm sure nothing is like their climbs over the Alaskan trails, but we try to make each day a good one for each of these grand dogs where they can run about free and sleep safely dreaming of their great running days.

Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

2009-03-04T05:32:00.002-06:00

Remembering Susan Butcher as the Iditarod starts up, this is the clip from the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.

SUSAN BUTCHER (Dec. 25, 1954 - Aug. 5, 2006)
Susan Butcher grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, began dog mushing in Colorado, and became a legend in Alaska with four victories in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race between 1986 and 1990. Tutored by race founder and good friend Joe Redington Sr., who announced to the world Butcher would become a champion, the hard-nosed competitor was renowned for her single-minded focus and checkpoint acumen.
Her record-setting three victories in a row between 1986 and 1988 have been equalled, but not surpassed. Twice Butcher set speed records in the 1,100-mile race between Anchorage and Nome and she won a variety of other middle-distance mushing races. Butcher made herIditarod debut in 1978 in 19th place. In addition to her Iditarod victories, Butcher placed second four times,third once, fourth once, and fifth twice before retiringafter the 1994 race.
In 1979, Butcher and Redington, accompanied by a photographer and aided by mountain guide Ray Genet, performed the seemingly impossible feat of driving dog teams to the summit of 20,320 - foot Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America.
In three of Butcher’s Iditarod triumphs, the key lead dog was Granite, perhaps the most famous canine leader in race history. One of her other special huskies was Tekla, whom she credited with once saving her life and for whom she named her first child.
Butcher’s record-setting mushing exploits earned her anational reputation. She was twice named the Women’s Sports Foundation Professional Athlete of the Year. In some quarters of the Lower 48, for a time the Iditarod was known as “The race that woman wins.”
– Lew Freedman
Highlights
Four-time Iditarod Champion, including three in a row
Two-time National Women’s Sports Foundation’s Professional Athlete of the Year
U.S. Victor Award for Female Athlete of the Year two years in a row
Named as one of the “100 Greatest Female Athletes” by Sports Illustrated
photo courtesy of The Anchorage Daily News
Alaska Sports Hall of Fame 14815 Echo Canyon Road Anchorage, AK 99516
Damion Design. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

Wildlife in Races

2009-03-03T05:16:00.002-06:00

Yesterday the frontrunners in the Fur Rendezvous sprint races were challenged by the downtown wildlife, out near the Campbell strip as I understand it. Both Streeper and Erhart's teams were charged by a cow moose, injuring a number of dogs. Later in the day a trail helper searching for a lost camera met a grizzly bear standing tall in the trail.

Another reminder that Anchorage differs from being in a lower 48 city. Wishing safety next Saturday to all the Iditarod as they go out on those trails in the Iditarod Start.

It Takes a Team

2009-02-28T05:20:00.003-06:00

Photo: Josie looking on from the pen, Jim, Dr. Pauline Schroeder, DVM, Michelle, IMAH technician and Buddy.

It takes a team to raise a village of dogs... not quite the saying, but the idea is there.

We did receive about 7 inches of new powder snow,light but deep. The morning was spent taming it and getting the usual work done. Dr. Pauline Schroeder and tech, Michelle, arrived about 2PM to do a round of vaccinations and wellness checks. All went smoothly and we are lucky to have a great team.

The storm left behind beautiful trails, which are all groomed and ready to go (not quite like magic, a few hours and manpower to do it, but they are great!)

Storm on horizon

2009-02-26T06:10:00.004-06:00

Photo: Glory , age twelve, one of our original Scuba's pups... she's still running like a pup.
She raced at Nicolet when she was nine (in lead with Skinny).

Estimates of our snow to come vary, but minimum of six inches it seems. Add to that 28mph winds and today is a busy day (this week is a busy week).

We laid in more straw yesterday and will line all houses with a new fluff today. Temps in below zero area tonight although it has been mid thirties. The most wintery winter I can remember in recent years.

Friday, if she can get in our driveway, the vet comes for a house call (aged dogs checkup, cat's rabies shot, various items on agenda). And the food supplier had not received our shipment , so we're running for that , somewhere today. Just the usual busy of the kennel.

Iditarod starts on Saturday, March 7th. Stay tuned for info on a possible dog visitor. Meantime, I'll be shoveling my way into gates for a couple of days.

Two Teams, Iffy Trails

2009-02-17T03:51:00.003-06:00

Two teams took off on a warmish day. The trails could have been worse, only one huge divot which the dogs skirted nicely and a few rocks kicked up, but it was a great run out there. Tim and Shanna were hardy and skillful drivers.

Returning home we took a six dog team on the internal trails which were fast and dicey (icey) and the drivers handled them well.

Dogs run: Buffy, Matilda , Sherpa (lead), Medio, Kiddo, Rosie, Zoom (team), Quattro, Copper, Herman (wheel). Ruthie ate her way out of her pen to be a leader, but it wasn't her day, sorry Ruthie.

Choosing dogs for teams

2009-02-15T19:02:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow we have two adult drivers running dogs. Both have some experience. We think our first team out will be: Buffy, lead; either Ruthie or Matilda, lead;
Medio and Herman in team and who in wheel??

Copper (Iditarod, 06) is just chomping to be on any team out. He's great but his nipping would upset Herman so Copper might go on the 2nd team or Herman may be replaced, although he's earned a spot, for sure. ( a hard puller, no nonsense, let's go and go, dog).

Kiddo should go. She's an experienced racer, fit and ready. We've overlooked her a couple of times and her pen mates. If we run a 2nd team, they should all be on it.

Quattro is a wheel dog and runs well next to nipping Copper (she lives with him and rules the roost). Sherpa is a steady dog as well, a bit smaller, but no nonsense like Herman.

Lillen would love to run but it's to be a bit warm and eight miles might be too much for her shaky hips. She'll be mourning if we don't take her though, maybe on a 2nd team.

So my first guess right now is: Buffy, Matilda (she needs lead experience, would not put her here with a beginner); Medio, Kiddo, Herman (solo wheel), a five dog team. There's some strength for the 8 miles, some speed and good experience, on the whole. Sorry, Copper!!

Winter Sports Mecca

2009-02-15T18:43:00.004-06:00

What is your favorite winter sport? You can probably find it here in NE Wisconsin/Upper Michigan. Because it is such a great winter spot, we sometimes have competing events, causing us to have to make choices between them.

Yesterday we chose to run dogs early and then to spend the day at Pine Mountain Ski Hill

watching the Continental Cup ski jumps. Some of our dog drivers are very involved in that competition. The Austrians had the longest jumps, one of which I saw at 431 feet. The hill record is 468 feet and I haven't heard if they broke it today or not. I've been watching these jumps for many years, but am always in awe of these jumpers, WOW!

Tomorrow we are planning to run teams on an eight mile run into Michigan, weather permitting.

The trails are hard packed and nice with just about two inches of new snow packed, but the railroad grade is icy from a Valentine's weekend of snowmobilers. We think we'll try it , though.

Skinny, Sierra, Buddy and I just came back from a dusk run... perfect and memorable!

Race Season

2009-02-13T05:37:00.003-06:00

We are watching a lot of favorites, but not racing any teams from here this year.

Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore, http://www.iditarod.com/ and http://www.aliyzirkle.com/. Wishing them a great race. Their blog is really informative.

We have others to watch in Iditarod as well, including Karin Hendrickson, rookie, and Trent Herbst, veteran and Karen Ramstead, veteran.

Karen and Mark Ramstead are running the Yukon Quest 300 starting this weekend, http://www.yukonquest.com/ . Martin Buser is running his first Yukon Quest.

Beth Castaldi won the four dog class at Land O Lakes sprints last weekend, running the 2nd day with three dogs... yea, Beth! yea, Beth's dogs! http://www.sleddogcentral.com/

Race Results, Midwest sprints.

Photo: Beth and partners at LOL, 2008.

Ice, Rain, Slop

2009-02-11T05:39:00.001-06:00

Ice, slippery+ rain, meltdown = SLOP. Wear Yaktrax!

Meltdown Continues

2009-02-10T05:26:00.002-06:00

The temps have been up in the high 30's, low 40's and it is currently raining. The trails and pens are icy. Skinny and I did take our sled run yesterday , the icy trail making it easy for him to zip along. 29 dogs got their runs, skidding here and there. We have a scheduled long run for next Monday but not looking so great for trails so far.

Our winter sports friends are busy. This weekend the ski jumping tournament at Pine Mtn is scheduled to be a 'go', hopefully this meltdown won't wreck the snow packed scaffolding and inrun.

Iditarod heats up as only 25 days to go. We still holdout for someone to do dog care so I can go, but everyone is busy with their own winter stuff. If we don't go, we'll be watching via cyberspace.

Dog Return; Update on Redoubt Volcano

2009-02-08T05:16:00.002-06:00

Tanni and Evalina returned for breakfast at about 7AM. Tanni slept the rest of the day, with no apparent ill effects of his morning adventures through deep snow.

Update on Mt. Redoubt: (from the site)
Comparing the time frame of pre-eruptive activity in 1989-90 (the only other eruption for which seismic data were available) with the current unrest, we would expect such an eruption to begin within the next few days or weeks. It is likely that the onset of an explosive eruption would be preceded by a further increase in seismicity. An explosive eruption would be accompanied by a sharp increase in seismicity. Should earthquake activity or other monitoring data suggest that an eruption is expected within hours, or is underway, AVO would move Redoubt from its current Aviation Color Code ORANGE to RED, and Alert Level WATCH to WARNING.

This is one of the scenarios that could occur, not necessarily what will occur.

Springlike Antics

2009-02-07T05:22:00.003-06:00

It is 5:23 AM and thirty degrees. Tanni and Evalina dug out of their pen at 3:12 AM and are off running into the hills. Not my favorite way to be awakened. I imagine the nearly full moon has added to their eagerness to be out and about. Tanni is twelve and should not be running about like this. It's nearly impossible to find him at this hour.

This warm spell should last another few days... hope our trails can stay intact. Right now they are still hard packed and well groomed, with a deep base.

Volcano Activity Watch by Iditarod

2009-02-06T05:14:00.002-06:00

The Seavey Iditarod racing kennel, which we visited last summer, is watching the heightened seismic activity of Mt Redoubt volcano. Ref: an article at http://www.cnn.com/, (thanks, Donna Quante for the link), the Seaveys are contemplating having to move their 100 dog kennel to the North to the grandfather's kennel. That's a huge undertaking at any time, but especially just prior to Iditarod when racing kennels already have a full schedule.

Current reports indicated heightened seismic activity and a Watch for Mt Redoubt. It is located

overland and across Cook Inlet from the Seavey kennel which is just out of Seward.

The photo is of foothills enroute to Seward, not of the volcano.

29 Dogs

2009-02-05T05:19:00.009-06:00

29 dogs ran yesterday. Wind chill was minus seventeen, temps hovering around zero. Today we'll be into a warm up (twenties, thirties). Our original Butcher dog, Scuba (deceased, 1998), still has three running pups, Power, King and Glory . They took to the trails with great heart yesterday.

Skinny and I continue to take our one dog sled rides so he can check his route.

Skinny and Me

2009-02-03T04:36:00.003-06:00

Skinny is the main man in the house these days, but he screams to go for a walk each day. Former Quest leader, mountain climbing dog, adventurer, etc. , it must be very hard for him to spend most of his day on a pillow, watching other teams! I hate it for him. Some times there are 'walkers' with strong backs (he can still pull very hard), but both Skinny and I have some touchy disc problems, so my walking him w/o an ATV is a bit dicier, although I do it, pleading with him , "Easy now".

Yesterday he was so eager to go, I did hook him to a sled. He usually wears a ManMat harness

(easier on the back) but he was SO excited I just grabbed an x back and off we went, Skinny and me. We stopped at every tree, went into snow banks in his hunt, etc, but he was thrilled to go . Today we will get some help from Lillen in our 'run'. We have tried him with teams but he wheezes and coughs... he just can't do the 'real' thing anymore. This was a half mile loop and I walked most of the way, the sled was just the go between .

Mt Redoubt Activity (Volcano, AK)

2009-01-31T05:57:00.004-06:00

Mt Redoubt , an active volcano, has had some increased activity recently. Will try to copy the URL for checking or go to http://www.adn.com/ and check it out. Last August when my granddaughter and I visited AK, there had been some ash spewing from volcanic activity , shutting down the airports up there just prior to our trip (did not affect us). Redoubt is on Cook Inlet, southwest of Anchorage. The warning level is at Orange for now, with some increase in seismic activity in the last day. Hopefully, it will settle down before all of the Iditarod traffic.

When the volcanoes erupt, it causes air quality problems of all types, including for dogs outside.

www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt/php

Photo: Flying a bit north over Redoubt area, winter.

Cold Weather Gear, Here and in Alaska

2009-01-26T04:38:00.007-06:00

At minus fifteen this morning and chatting with all going to Iditarod about warm gear, it's timely to review our favorite winter gear items. I will be wearing this hat as I go out to feed dogs this cold a.m. In 2000 I took a dog sled class/ camping trip with Aliy and Kaz Zirkle out of Two Rivers, AK. Temps reached minus thirty out there, but Aliy/Kaz had provided a great gear list for us and we were well dressed for our adventure. I am repeating some of this here, with credits to Aliy/Kaz, !

Natural Extremes. Take a trip with them! www.aliyzirkle.com, www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com

In the photo are three items I take to winter Alaska each time I go. The beaver hat has ear flaps that fold down and keep your cheeks warmer in bitter cold. This one I bought at the craft fair in Nome at Iditarod 03... that is a not to miss event, reasonable prices. Layer under it with a balaclava AND a neck gaiter (which you can turn as it frosts up).

The Outdoor Research overboots have a warm foam foot base and are surpisingly stable for walking. I wore them all day at the Finger Lake checkpoint and was very glad to have them. I purchased these on sale in a small gear store off Spenard Ave in Anchorage. Mushers sometimes carry these in their sleds, they are lightweight. Mine are size Large to fit over my mukluks or Sorels. (I wear a size 7.5 in boots).

The large mitts are useful for many outdoor outings. I have them strung together with leather shoestrings and put them through the sleeves of any jacket I'm wearing. They are large enough to not have to fumble when your fingers need a QUICK warmup. I put handwarmers in the thumb and hand parts. I also use them on the dog sled or on the snowmachine when going for long runs with the dogs. I will also be wearing this a.m., as a base layer, my expedition weight poly t-neck underwear tops and bottoms. My favorite outer pants are detachable bibs from Cabela's. They are out of them now or I would have a second pair. (I threw away the bib straps as I find bib straps a nuisance).

Hands: Gordini lava wool gloves with windproofing and leather/vinyl palms, REAL Ragg wool gloves or mittens (some Ragg mittens have leather palms), REI windproof fleece tightfitting gloves. I find I need all of the above for warmth, photo shooting, standing around AND the big mitts in the photo. You can layer the Ragg gloves with small tight fleece ones underneath as wool is not windproof. Nothing is perfect for hands but these are my favorites. Fingertips do still get cold in Gordini's but I put ToastiToes in the palms. (And I have tried expensive and inexpensive multiple types of mittens/gloves... lots of $$ in experimenting, these are my best, but not perfect, for hands.

Avoid COTTON in anything (sweatshirts, tee shirts, socks, etc.)

Socks: My new favorites (and I'm out every day in all weather, no matter what), are LLBean men's boot socks. I buy a Medium, wash and dry them and they shrink to a nice warm cushioned fit. (don't go by this suggestion, shrinking just works for me). I hardly, if ever, wear two pairs of socks (too tight, feet cold). I never wear sock liners and I never wear fleece socks or silk. But , we're all different so whatever works, it takes experimenting.

Not to be forgotten are the ThermaCare warmers sold in WalMart, etc. They are stick ons for neck, back, knees , wrist, etc. I carry a couple of them for checkpoints to add extra warmth , if needed (or if you have to sleep on a floor somewhere out there). Also , of course, handwarmers and ToastiToes for gloves, mittens and feet. They cool off quickly in below zero temps so a good supply is essential.

Another favorite item is the survival sheet that you can buy in camping sections. They are pocket sized folded up reflector sheets that give immediate protection from the wind. We have used them wrapped around us waiting for a plane on bitter cold lakes or airstrips. Also nice to have, easy to carry in an emergency ( or to sleep on a floor if stranded at a checkpoint).

Do you have our breakfast?

2009-01-25T05:30:00.006-06:00

In a cold spell here, but not as bad as the last one. Minus seven right now with wind. The deer herd that yards up in the swamp over the ridge still counts sixteen, this year's fawns still looking good.

What it Takes

2009-01-24T06:16:00.004-06:00

A sled dog kennel is a farm, 24/7/365 attention. We are never 'off duty'.

E.g. at 4:23 AM today, loud screaming came from the pens. I was already up, but I hurriedly grabbed my pants, boots, headlamp and went out the door with the three house dogs running ahead. Two dogs who never 'break out' were running in the valley. Luckily, ever vigilant Sierra, (Elkhound) was off and running, rounded them up and herded them back to their pen.

I would love to know what she 'says' to them to accomplish that. I could smell fox musk yesterday and again this a.m. so I'm guessing a fox came too close to the pen and they chased it.

Schedule, daily:

4AM I usually get up about this time and start the soup (cooked meat and rice).

5AM House chores, answer email, etc.

6AM Feed house dogs, finish soup, head out.

7 AM Feeding, checking health, pens, etc. Feed wildlife. Give the meds.

8AM If running teams, setting up, if not running teams, start the free runs. Clean the pens.

10AM Either still running teams, or doing catch up around the kennel, repairing gates, fences,

still free running dogs.

11AM Hauling more straw,grooming trails, cleaning out straw, hauling waste pails to pit, all the chores.

Noon If finished running teams, time for errands, loading up on supplies, hauling supplies.

Afternoon Sometimes running teams, hauling supplies (bags of dog food, meat, straw, fencing, etc.)

3PM Prep and soup or feed all the dogs, wildlife.

In below zero temps we go back out to pens about 7PM to check each dog. If very cold, we coat the dogs who will wear them.

And then there are the surprises, often daily, that require some kind of attention.

Well done

2009-01-21T18:51:00.003-06:00

Enjoying salmon soup after a long run.

Snow Dogs

2009-01-21T18:10:00.003-06:00

Each and every dog here loves snow. This week's great snow has them revved up to run.

Look at this six dog team all smiling. The two leaders are pen mates , Buffy and Rosie.

They race each other each a.m. in the free runs. Buffy has raced in Alaska. Rosie is fastest but Buffy is the leader.

Rosie runs lead well, as noted in this photo, but doesn't yet know her commands.

The two swing dogs are Sherpa and Kiddo. Kiddo is a veteran of numerous local races.

Sherpa is the youngest dog in our kennel and is Skinny's granddaughter.

The two hard pulling wheel dogs are Quattro, age seven and Copper, age four. Both dogs have racing experience, Copper in the Iditarod (06) and Quattro in sprint and 30 mile races.

Sixteen Miles, Granddaughter and Grandpa

2009-01-21T05:20:00.005-06:00

No funny stories or shenanigans yesterday, just postcard perfect trails and sixteen miles of running with enthusiastic dogs. Katie ran four dogs (Ruthie, Buffy, Medio, Herman) and Jim ran six dogs ( Buffy, Rosie, Sherpa, Kiddo, Quattro and The Man, Copper). Three deer leaped from a high snow bank right out in front of Katie's team over by the Michigan turnaround, wish I had had my camera out, but the little pros didn't bat an eye at them, just kept barreling down the trail.

On the second run we met seven snowmachines but all was smooth. Most machine drivers are very courteous and like seeing the dogs. We always pull over and hold the dogs for a clean pass.

On blind curves our machine goes out in front.

Family Day

2009-01-18T18:21:00.006-06:00

It was a great day for the dogs and the people; 20 month old Fina was being introduced to dog sledding by her Daddy as her Mama took to the trails. Fina and Skinny (aka Ninny) are friends of sorts.

The trails were perfect for running, fresh snow and hard packed base. The dogs were stomping to go. Temps were in the upper teens.

We ran two four dog teams and one six dog team. Ruthie ran lead on all three teams, sharing the spot with Buffy on the other two. Aging Lillen did a great job in lead, as always, on the 1st team. Matilda had a pulled muscle so she was sidelined. Kiddo, Sherpa, Ruthie and Buffy made the first team out; 2nd team was Buffy, Ruthie, Medio and Herman; 3rd team was Ruthie, Buffy, Medio, Herman, Copper (what a guy!) and Quattro. All were really into pulling today, not fence running. Thanks to Tim, our visual fence is working!

The dogs who were left behind did make it known they were not to be forgotten. Yepa scaled the fence into Buffy's pen, twice. Next time we'll take her , she's made her point.

Playtime; Coat Count

2009-01-18T05:16:00.004-06:00

New snow and more running. Yuki ate another coat (red, recycled). Her laceration is not healing and she will not keep anything on it to protect it. Now that it's warming up , we'll try something different.

We had 27 dogs running yesterday. My son groomed the trails and it just kept snowing, 5/6 inches or more, snowed all day. Next will be the gate chopping, always after a big snow. It's a bit warmer today after those minus windchills. All coats will come off today. We'll run at 11AM, small teams, good trails.

Frita and Family

2009-01-17T06:05:00.002-06:00

Frita and family (Yuki, Yepa, Swix) wait their turns to run. Frita is a great leader sidelined by a hip problem, but she is still all heart. Her other pups are Yo, Zoom, Yeti and Tsunami in other pen families.

Flying Low

2009-01-17T05:35:00.003-06:00

Ruthie and Josie remind me of small airplanes when they get out to run/warm up. They take off 'flying' and all other dogs warm up as they cheer, waiting their own turns. They are not coat eaters, but the count is up to ten coats eaten now. Some dogs do appreciate them.

The cold is abating a bit and we have snow on my unloaded straw :( this morning. Caught me off guard.

The Bell is Ringing

2009-01-15T19:04:00.003-06:00

We have a bell in a tree that signals a windy night/day. It is clanging away. The temp is minus four right now and predicted to reach minus twenty or more again tonight, up to minus forty windchills.

The toll (other than the tolling bell ) of this weather:

8 coats have been eaten : Quattro (blue, new), King, (green, recycled)(swallowed the WHOLE coat), Martin,(new blue), Yuki, (tan recycled), Matilda,(yellow, recycled), Ruby,(red, new) Lillen, (red, new), Frita (red, new) (most of these are racers who should know better). Just a reminder that these dogs are wolfy ('wolf' down their 'things' so others can't have them, territorial about their coats? or just don't want them). Not so great for digestive tracts: cordura, velcro and fleece.

15 bales of straw have been distributed, for houses, for nestling.

Yuki took a hit of who knows what on her side, looks like she was scalped, but not bleeding, so she got a trip to the vet. About four inches long, one inch wide. We have a wrap for her and a new coat (hope she still has the coat in the a.m.)

Cooking twice a day for them: meat and rice for breakfast (with kibble); meat/rice for soup, p.m.

Machines are all still starting up.

Next week: meltdown predicted... NO, NO, we have great trails right now.

Photo: YO, with early a.m. icing, minus twenty.

Deer herd and the schedule

2009-01-12T05:13:00.004-06:00

Last night the buck and his family stood on the trail and watched as I gave soup to the dogs, never wavering when the house dogs set up camp next to them. But let a stranger appear and they're out of here...dogs fine, humans, uh oh!

That finished, they led the way to their feeding station. Dogs first, deer second. After supper they hung around the house, bet it radiates some warmth through the logs? or was it 'cause I spilled the corn, the whole barrel ? (slid into it with the snowmachine:( It's nice to be able to give them some support in this fairly tough winter .

Most dogs ran yesterday. Cold is coming (it is already cold) starting today? Thursday looks to be the worst day ahead.

Meantime the reports from the CB 300 are amazing, voice reports from the trail by Bridgett and Macgellan on http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/. Their bitter cold continues .

Savage weather

2009-01-11T20:23:00.003-06:00

The Anchorage Daily News reports that mushers in the Copper Basin are dealing with savage weather conditions: dogs are happy, but methods to keep them covered including using fox tails for the males. The trucks are not happy and must be kept plugged in or running. The humans are using every bit of gear to prevent frostbite including handlebar covers/shields.

At this moment Lance Mackey is leading and Allen is in the top four, but it looks to me (what do I know?) as if he's in the top two, for now. Photos on www.cb300.com show it all, whew!

Copper Basin 300; sled dog updates

2009-01-10T04:44:00.003-06:00

Copper Basin 300 starts today, http://www.cb300.com/

We will be watching for Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore. Allen is the defending champion and will be running the A team for their kennel, http://www.aliyzirkle.com/ and http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/ updated by Macgellan. Allen drew Bib 3, Aliy drew Bib 23.

Lance Mackey , defending champion, withdrew from the Yukon Quest. MUSHING magazine reported this month that he has a major problem with circulation, a side effect of the treatments for cancer he had a few years ago. He has the amazing string of two years of winning both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. Last year his great leader was hit by a snowmachine in the All Alaska Sweepstakes.

The cold is predicted to be coming here on Tuesday but last night it got to ten below with that bright full moon and cloudless sky. (nothing like Alaskan current cold).

Plans, ha , ha, ha and ha !

2009-01-08T18:18:00.007-06:00

We had a plan to take a six dog team on a six mile run, at about 8AM. As often happens, it had snowed a bit and we needed to re-drag the trail, put up a safety fence (visual guide to dogs to close off a trail) and shovel out an exit from our land (where it had been plowed high). All takes time, but we are methodical and we had our plan. (1st HA!) At 8:30 we took off with the first team, a bit late. All went fairly well, but on leaving the shoveled exit we had to choose the 4 mile trail rather than the 6 mile to avoid a car coming along. Fine with the dogs, they were flying. and after that run, we came back to hook up a second team.

Knowing that a tour of snowmachines was coming on that trail at 10 AM we decided we'd run our own trails. (Plan B). We moved the fence, again, to signal to the dogs that we're not going out the gate. (2nd HA!)

We hooked up five strong raring to go dogs and took off. I was driving the machine and the sled driver had decided there was no need to ride the drag as the dogs would 'get' it, the change of plans, because we had our safety fence as a visual guide. (3rd HA!) I couldn't catch him and next I saw the sled was tipped, he was being dragged and the dogs were going UNDER the safety fence .

The sled hook was bouncing upward. I jumped off my machine and threw my body over the tipped sled (not quite a HA, but ha ha!) I said, "Jim, the sled hook is face up." He was buried under the sled with his hat over his eyes and he could not get up. He said "I can't see."

I planted the hook as best I could in the punchy deep snow (it didn't hold). He managed to right himself to his belly, and there we went, both of us 'old coots' on our bellies, hanging on ( you know, never let go!) taking the doggoned fence right with us. I started to laugh and couldn't stop when he said, " Careful, Julie!"as we barreled through the fence, (4th HA, ha ha ha ha ha... how could I be careful?)

I saw a big brown UPS truck barreling down the road. And, as I was being dragged with the safety fence totally wrapped in the sled, I remember picking pieces of the fence out of the brake, and he kept repeating, "I can't get up" (meaning he couldn't swing onto the runners.;)... kind of like we were on a journey together... me picking out the fence, him trying to drive, like in slow motion, both hanging on with an arm.

It all happened fast, of course, and next I knew he had dumped me off in knee deep snow (somehow) and was flying away with the happy dogs , through the shoveled exit and back to Michigan , again.

So, according to the PLAN, I was the machine driver. I ran back , got on the still running machine and chased him. Other than a few more small glitches, it got just a bit more intense, but I couldn't stop laughing .

The greatest photo would have been of the two of us hanging on to the sled being dragged on our bellies, with the blaze orange safety fence, flying like a sail as we ricocheted toward the big brown UPS truck, dogs laughing. But there is no such photo, just this one of the snow covered driver returning home and his still happy team.

When we returned there was a package on the porch from UPS and I started laughing all over again. Guess you had to be there.

Then, we had a conversation about planning, sled control, clear voice commands, requiring the dogs to obey our commands, the brake versus the drag, swearing, etc. Seriously, all of the drama was preventable if one of us had been in control , ha ha, ha ha, .....!

BTW four of these five dogs have had numerous races (experience).

Run run

2009-01-07T04:55:00.001-06:00

Yesterday we didn't hook up teams, but most dogs got a run. Early a.m. it was cold (minus teens) but no wind to make it worse , some dogs wore coats all morning , but the afternoon warmed up, with nice sun and all were out sunbathing. Buddy took a late day walk on the hard trails with me.

Over night temps were not expected to get below plus 14 so it should have been a comfortable night. It is snowing a bit now, nice for our trails.

Photo: Ruthie and Josie still wearing coats in mid morning.

The Big Chill?

2009-01-06T05:20:00.004-06:00

Alaska is experiencing a big chill. Saw a thermometer from Aliy's kennel hovering around minus fifty eight. That is cold. See via the blog , http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/,

that they have headed to the 'hills' for warmer (minus 25) training temps, in prep for the Copper Basin race.

It is minus thirteen here this a.m., a balmy day in comparison, but we coated several dogs, and added more straw. Unfortunately, one of the coats was eaten yesterday, (as was one glove, one handkerchief) some just don't like their coats. Lillen won't move if she has a coat on, just stands in place, glaring. Today's temps, however, are expected to reach high twenties, so in the roller coaster of weather, we hope it doesn't get to melting.

All dogs are running well.

Happy Dog New Year

2009-01-04T06:15:00.002-06:00

The dogs were almost laughing with glee yesterday as they hit the trails. Trails were groomed like a superhighway, nice and wide. The drivers did a great job!

Great Day

2008-12-29T06:52:00.004-06:00

The rain didn't hurt too much other than the gates (chop chop) and the trails hardened up nicely.

Skinny got his run with the snowmo (line is looped to shorten it, he's wearing a Man Mat harness ), 20 of the dogs got runs and I even got a short xc ski run in. Calendar like field photos for sure.

It will get a bit chilly this week but love it for setting the trails. Come run with us!

Rain :(

2008-12-28T06:23:00.005-06:00

Well, it is raining on our great trails. The plus side is it will harden them up. The gates I chopped yesterday will be just ready to be chopped all over again this morning.

Our weather can't even get into the ballpark in comparison to the weather on the Gin Gin, though. We have wind, but it sounds like they have typhoons and frigid temps. Hope the mushers and dogs are all OK.

Side note: AMY/KEN , send me your new email :)

Photo: Buffy watching Frita's kids finish breakfast...l to r, Buffy, Yepa, Frita, Yuki (back).

These dogs combine some great Alaskan heritage. Father of Yepa and Yuki (Martin) was on Aliy's YQ champ team. Father of Buffy is Skinny , YQ leader (Louden, Zirkle); Mother of Buffy is Iditarod leader, Liller (Butcher kennel).

Gin Gin Race, Aliy and Allen

2008-12-26T06:02:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow is the Gin Gin race out of Paxson, AK. They have separate divisions for women and men. Allen just won the 50 mile Winter Solstice in Two Rivers and we'll be watching both Aliy and Allen in the Gin Gin. Whew, they are busy! Check out: www.aliyzirkle.com
or scroll to their blog for great updates by Macgellan.

What do you mean, we're retired?

2008-12-25T05:59:00.003-06:00

\

Photo:
Sherpa (left),
Skinny, Buddy, l to r

"Don't we get a vote?"

Skinny and Buddy look on as Sherpa takes her free run. Unfortunately Skinny can't free run because he goes for four hours, always ending up in the same place, waiting on the road for me to pick him up in the truck.

Yesterday was the first time I've run a dog with a snowmachine. It's too dangerous with the ATV now, so with short time before Christmas Eve dinner, I put a long lead off the Ski Doo.

Skinny is such a pro, stayed lined out and ran at a good clip. We hope he can run in the first team on Friday.

Merry Christmas !

2008-12-25T05:05:00.004-06:00

Christmas comes and goes so quickly! We had Christmas Eve with my son's family... so much fun through the eyes of children.

Three dogs celebrated inside with us, Skinny, Buddy and Sierra.

The weather outside is....

2008-12-23T05:02:00.001-06:00

Kind of crazy weather, one day wind and minus thirty windchills, next great snow, then back to the frigid stuff. It is all coming together here, although we are slow this year! The dogs are free running and still using ATV for some runs, although a bit more challenging now with deeper snow.

My son has been prepping trails and we now have a great wide hardened base. All in time for Merry Christmas!

Photos: Buffy and Rosie in their morning 'race'. And, the resident deer family.

Sheep Mountain 150

2008-12-15T05:18:00.002-06:00

It was great to 'watch' the Sheep Mtn 150 this weekend in AK. Allen Moore placed 2nd with the SPK A team , behind Jessica Hendricks, also of Two Rivers, by six minutes. Aliy ran two year olds and placed 12th, cooling it with the two year olds. GREAT JOB!! (and after some truck trouble enroute).

Meanwhile, back at this 'ranch' it rained on the nice snow base yesterday, but this morning it's back to snow and WIND. We will start trail running soon!! Got both machines going yesterday and ran the icy trails. Dogs free ran as if they were let out of school!

This morning will be spent replacing icy straw in their houses.

On with it!

2008-12-04T06:38:00.001-06:00

Trails are lightly snow covered/slippery for ATV, but finally the rifle season has ended. Black powder is still on, but we feel safe to fun our own trails. It feels like winter this a.m. at nine degrees. (nothing compared to Fairbanks!)

Opening Day: Two Degrees

2008-11-22T05:11:00.004-06:00

In about one hour the rifle shots will start up. We have the dogs protected, fresh chicken soup to distract them, new straw, and we've given the deer their early a.m. feeding. Hopefully it will be a peaceful day on the 'ranch'. It is currently two degrees above zero... there's a light cover of snow.

Michigan's opener (one mile away) brought in six more small bucks, all spikehorns. They leap the river and come across. Today they'll hunker down in our swamp over the ridge.

I've been out of town for a week, very nice! to be back.

Countdown, Slowdown

2008-11-10T17:27:00.003-06:00

Only five days until Michigan deer rifle season (Michigan is one mile from our kennel) and 12 days to the Wisconsin opener. We have a small herd still coming in each day . Today one of the smaller bucks came in, but we haven't seen the big guy since before the weekend .

Today brought our first real coverage of snow and some accidents on the roads, very slippery.
We're in transition, still using the ATV for hauling but trails too dicey for a team. It may melt , however.

Here's to a safe hunting season for all, especially the dogs!!

Photo: "Our" big guy, last seen on the weekend. Dogs are wearing orange tags now.

Links

2008-11-05T05:47:00.001-06:00

We have several links on the sidebar, so check them out. Recently added was The Anchorage Daily News. We will add the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, as well.

Majestic Bucks

2008-11-04T05:52:00.003-06:00

Seems like this 'guy' likes it here. Another four or six point was in with him yesterday.

Frita's Family

2008-11-01T06:35:00.002-05:00

Frita and Lillen are leading. As leaders they rank right up there with the very best, for sure. Yepa , in wheel, is the carbon copy of her father, Martin, hardworking and focused. Yuki and Swix take it all in stride. Frita and Martin came from Aliy Zirkle's kennel as retirees. Lillen retired from Susan Butcher's kennel. We are VERY happy to have them.

First Families

2008-10-31T19:08:00.004-05:00

The first 'family' we ran today was Frita's. Lillen gave Frita great support in lead, followed by Frita's kids, Yuki, Swix and Yepa.

Our second family run was: Ruthie, Buffy, Medio and Josie and 'uncle' Buddy . Buddy tried to chew the line (normal for him), but our biggest challenge was, as usual, Josie. She is so sweet and eager to run, but doesn't want a harness. Ultimately we hooked her with just her collar, but she pulled it and led the team most of the way. The team wasn't fazed by her free wheeling. We know we shouldn't allow it, but she will not be a regular team member.

Landen took the third good team alone. Buffy and Matilda led, and except for resisting a reroute at the front gate, the whole team ran well for him. Zoom and Medio were in swing and

Kiddo and Sherpa were in wheel.

Late day, I went to join my family, granddaughter, Fina, in her pink poodle Hallowe'en costume.

Photo: Oops, you're going the wrong way, Josie.

Snow and Two Coyotes

2008-10-28T05:36:00.002-05:00

We had our first large snowflakes with a slight accumulation in the woods yesterday. Driving home with straw, we ran into a whiteout.

At 6PM two coyotes came into the deer feed area. The larger one was limping on a hind leg and the smaller one was agile.

Tamaracks Turn

2008-10-24T19:15:00.004-05:00

When the tamaracks turn yellow we know winter is not far off. We have predictions for snow on Monday. Heard that it is 3 degrees in McGrath today (Alaska). Hoping for a good snow winter! (both in Alaska and here)
The tamaracks and pond are on the trail into Michigan. We also had a few inquisitive deer on the trail.

Ten Dogs and Eight Miles in the Rain

2008-10-24T18:15:00.008-05:00

Today was a nice run but it was MESSY. We toweled off the dogs and washed the harnesses to get rid of the red residue from the wet ore embedded trails.

We met a truck along the trail , but they pulled off and waited while our ten little pro's ran right by them. Every dog looked good today. They enjoyed some salmon popsicles at the turnaround point.

Dogs in team: Buffy and Matilda, lead; Lillen and Ruthie, swing; Kiddo and Copper, team;
Medio and Sherpa, team; Herman and Quattro, wheel.

Frita's Rocks

2008-10-20T05:49:00.004-05:00

This is a photo of one of the houses in Frita's pen. She guards it and adds and removes rocks regularly. Wolfy behavior? Territorial? Are they to retain heat? How can she sleep with them? I remove them and she drags them back. I have decided to leave them in there now (its an extra house) as it must hurt her teeth to manage these huge rocks. She just smiles when I look at it . Maybe they're her substitute "pups"?

Home Team , Kwik! Klip

2008-10-19T04:59:00.002-05:00

Not realizing the camera was on video, this was a quick look at Frita's team running at home. We have dragged leaves off the trails since then, but still pretty leafy.

Traveling Team

2008-10-17T20:25:00.003-05:00

Eight great dogs to Florence. The grade is a bit rough with many rocks/boulders surfaced after the dry summer, but the dogs enjoyed their six mile run and were still raring to go when we returned. We took another five dog team on a run on our trails.

Dogs run: 1. Buffy, Ruthie, Medio, Matilda, Kiddo, Sherpa, Quattro and Herman. 2. Frita, Buffy, Zoom, Rosie and Copper. A few snafus but for the most part they looked focused and happy, with little stress, if any, from the six mile run. It was about 50 degrees, a bit humid.

The wildlife is active... our pigeon is doing well, but heads due North after she eats (8 AM and 3PM)... we must be a part time home. The nine point buck and a four point were in just before we ran, with nine does and fawns. The field camera got a great photo of the coyote just away from the cabin at 6AM. The kitty who has been visiting did not appear today.

Feeding Dogs : Eagle Pack Products

2008-10-13T06:09:00.003-05:00

We feed our dogs Eagle Pack products. All year long they eat Eagle Pack Power and in the winter we supplement with Eagle Pack Ultra. We learned about the reliable value of Eagle at Aliy Zirkle's/Allen Moore's kennel, where they have been feeding Eagle to their Iditarod teams/Yukon Quest teams for a long time.

We supplement with meat and fish soups on winter days . The Eagle Power is not too heavy for summer, we just feed less. Our local feed store is our supply source, Ray's Feed in Norway, MI.

Skinny's Route

2008-10-12T05:39:00.009-05:00

Still too warm for hookups, but Skinny has taken to running on a long lead off the ATV, sniffing all the great coyote /deer/raccoon/fox/turkey smells along the trails. He has a route that he follows twice a day. Sometimes he's joined by other dogs running along. (Skinny's penchant for running off has his free runs limited.) It gives him great exercise, is easy on his hindquarters and he reminds the critters, with great enthusiasm, that he's still the main guy around here.

The coyote sometimes leaves 'gifts' at various trail crossings along the route and Skinny reciprocates.

Martin is not quite so interested in running this way, and he gets too warm in this weather, so he comes out on a long lead without the ATV (since he is the main guy, too ). 71 degrees at 7PM yesterday.

Snow in Alaska, but too warm here

2008-10-08T06:09:00.002-05:00

The leaves are falling but the temps are still too warm for longer dog runs ... today up to 65 and through the weekend. The Willow/Wasilla areas in AK are getting snow, lucky dogs.

We are taking short runs around here, and some short ones on outer trails. Photo is yesterday on the Brule River.

Doing some one on one leader training , it was Sherpa's turn yesterday. Lots of wildlife and dogs are scenting along the trails. The wiley coyote is showing up daily.

Watering Holes

2008-10-07T06:03:00.003-05:00

This is a pond on our favorite trail into Michigan. As we ran by, I was eyeing it for a route into the water for the dogs, but it is too steep. It was a bit too warm as they were dipping into the red puddles (iron ore in the trail). There is another lake along the way that I might check out today (sans dogs).

Six Dogs, Six Miles

2008-10-04T05:24:00.003-05:00

We intended to stay on our trails yesterday, but it was such a perfect day for running that we let them go out the gate and down over the river into Michigan. They loved it and you could almost here them saying, "Hooray!" as we left the gate. We met a few ATV's along the trail, people who were interested in the dogs and the autumn leaves were beautiful.

The two big bucks (9 point, six point) came in at 7PM, later than usual. "Our" pigeon is still with us.

Photo: Lillen and Buffy, lead; Medio and Sherpa, swing; Copper and Quattro, wheel.

Landen, handler.

Racing dogs, racing pigeon!

2008-10-02T17:38:00.004-05:00

We washed our windows last week and ended up attracting this homing pigeon that day.

We didn't know s/he was a pigeon in training until we did some sleuthing to find its owner.
S/he took up residence on top of a dog crate under our deck (next to the deer corn can).

Now each day, s/he shows up for breakfast and supper. We located the owner just yesterday.

He knows this is his bird by the coloration of the leg bandings... green for his young pigeons, newly in training; orange for another i.d. The owner suspects this bird was derailed (possibly slightly injured) by a hawk. Yes, we have a frequenting of hawks, including today. The owner is about twenty miles from us. The coyote was here yesterday morning too.

So, we have instructions to capture the pigeon for its owner. These, so far, are not working.
We are awaiting further instructions. In the meantime, we are enjoying this entertaining bird

(while Skinny licks his chops, literally, since it seems to have an affinity for him).

Can you imagine doing this with racing dogs? Take them thirty miles away; release them and meet them at home. Pigeons do it (if no interference). They wear a band that effects a recording of its time of return. No, not for my huskies would this ever work. But the birds are amazing.

We hope s/he gets to go home, but if not, a new leader? Think not, but s/he surely is fun.

Back to business tomorrow, hooking up teams . First team out tomorrow is: Buffy, Ruthie,

Medio, Sherpa, Herman and Kiddo. Second team out: Buffy, Matilda, Zoom, Sherpa and Copper. Such is the plan for now.

Sled Dog Safaris

2008-10-02T04:46:00.008-05:00

Sled dog safari rides are available for adults and children over the age of ten. For children under the age of ten, we have a kennel visit geared to younger visitors. Grandparents have enjoyed bringing their grandchildren to visit. And grandparents have learned to drive sleds, for sure.

Our trails are also available for hiking or cross country skiing when we are not running with dogs.

Safety for visitors and dogs always takes priority.

Reservations required: 715.528.4456 or email: windypups@yahoo.com

On the Road Again. Sled Dog Safaris.

2008-09-29T05:24:00.007-05:00

We had great weather yesterday and 20 dogs got to run. Looks like a cool/somewhat rainy week ahead so we hope to get more time in.

With our new Polaris Ranger , we're offering Sled Dog Safari rides. We hook up small training teams and take a three to six mile run, out across the Brule River. Shorter rides are available on our own trails.

Fall Training Weather

2008-09-20T06:23:00.004-05:00

Usual fall chores are underway, but it is still a bit warm to run very far. We are trail running just a mile or two on our own trails and all dogs are still enjoying the summer free run routines. Our new Polaris Ranger is turning into a useful vehicle, both for running dogs and hauling boulders to fill their summer 'digs'.

Photos: Matilda, doing well in leader training , and Ruthie, in harness, for a short run. Ruthie is a first choice leader. Matilda has been running co-lead with veteran, Buffy.

Looks like the next week will continue in the 70's and dust (little rain). The evenings are cooling off and we are taking some dusk trail runs with free running dogs, braving the wandering porcupine.

Here a Buck, there a buck...

2008-09-08T19:31:00.002-05:00

Everywhere a buck, buck. And the dogs take it all in stride, their evening wildlife viewing.

First the does came in and ate all of the corn. Then they wandered up to the deck window, looking in, as if to say: "More corn, please." We fed them again and in came the bucks. Four bucks.

Hard to see at that distance, but I believe one nine point, one eight OR ten point, one six point? and one spikehorn. Many good photos but this caught three of the bucks together.

Tail Photo

2008-09-08T08:44:00.006-05:00

Of course, we'd like to know what this is, since once in awhile we have a dog tethered on the front porch (never left alone). Last year the coyotes and foxes would wander close by, but did not approach the dog. Of course, if it's Skinny he makes a loud protest at any critter coming close. It is clearly ? not a cougar tail.

In the photo , the tail is between and directly above the '08' and the '09'. Hard to see unless you can enlarge it as I can.

Here kitty, kitty? No, not with that tail.

2008-09-08T08:38:00.008-05:00

At first look, we thought the big cat might be back (cougar), but the next photo in sequence shows a coyote like tail. We can't see a coyote face in this photo, so we're not sure what this is.

Any votes welcome. Whatever it is, Skinny was very wild and crazy down there with the great new smells as he took his morning run.

The animal is directly above the '07' in the date on photo. A bit hard to see on here... any votes?

Four Bucks, Four Bucks

2008-09-08T05:19:00.000-05:00

The bucks are coming in together. One night at 6PM there were four bucks down at the corn feed; every night under the apple trees we have a collection of bucks. Have seen one nine point, one looked like a ten point, several six points, one eight point and two or three spikehorns with distinctively different racks (differentiating one from another). The apples are plentiful, so they'll be around for awhile, if the bowhunters (other lands) don't get them. They are majestic to see.

The coyotes were yipping in the back hillside when I went for a short walk with Sierra, our little aging Elkhound. She takes her border guarding seriously and stopped in her tracks, but just to listen.

Fall Training Begins

2008-09-07T05:50:00.003-05:00

We are returning from our summer blog, Summer at Summer Place. We hope to take our first training run on Wednesday of this week. Dogs are ready!

We enjoyed visiting the Mitch Seavey kennel in August and took a ride with Tyrell S. as our driver, learning a few more pointers on running dogs. Always learning.

Photo: Riding with a team at the Mitch Seavey kennel in Seward, August, 2008.

End of Season, Back to Summer Blog

2008-04-23T04:58:00.004-05:00

Another day of hauling, pitching straw. We left the ATV perched precariously in a deep snow pile in the lower waste pit. It will have to wait until more melting to get it out.

With the grass greening up, we are moving to our summer blog now. The link is:
http://www.spkjulie.blogspot.com/

Progress is being made each day in the straw 'war'. 7 more loads hauled yesterday.

Balto goes in for surgery on her ear this morning. And thunderstorms are predicted.

Next Year's Notes

2008-04-22T05:58:00.002-05:00

Each Spring I have to remind myself that the work actually does get done... it's just a task at a time.

Yesterday's list included:

Feeding dogs, of course. (hauled in multi pounds of food from the truck).
Clean up food dumped by dogs who say they've had enough high fat content. (switch to lower fat mix).
Scooping straw from ice, pitching into containers for hauling. (major part of the day)
Hosing out concrete pens as straw pitched out.
Washing mud off of my face/teeth (several times).
Cleaning all pens, of course.
Connecting/draining the hoses. Cleaning water pails, watering all dogs, twice.
Hauling the waste on the snowy, icy, muddy trail on the ATV.
Getting ATV unstuck.
Putting up tarps in half the pens for shade (70 degrees, sunny). (dogs help by jumping, on me)
Charging battery on 2nd ATV and moving to shed for hauling. (hook positive first!)
Moving several dogs for different reasons. (full moon, dogs coming into heat, again; dog eating gate)
Starting and moving lawn mower.
Fixing broken chains for two dogs that need to be tied. (fence leaper, gate eater)
Cleaning the cat's room, washing the boxes.
Airing the house dogs' beds.
Meds to dogs with allergies enhanced by Spring. (Balto may need surgery on ear)
Hauling rocks from the upper field to fill newly dug holes. Ground very nice for dogs' digging.
Cooling overheated ATV from hauling.
Riding all the trails, to check for downed trees (none over trail, hooray! but numerous downed in woods from heavy snows)
Getting ATV unstuck.
Treats to dogs, late day. Answering their questioning looks about why they can't come out to run. (porcupines, skunks)
Chasing Skinny into the woods when he returned to the house at night.
Setting trail camera to look for predator leaving headless rabbits.

Today, more of the same.

Meltdown and Spring's Surprises

2008-04-19T05:46:00.003-05:00

We have gone from 17 inches of new snow to almost bare ground. The straw is soaked and heavy and almost immoveable, but looks like some sun in the forecast. The valley areas still have deep snow. I have put the snowmachines away and am using the ATV with great care.

The bored dogs have taken to eating the walls of their houses (just two). So it's the season for everything needing attention. I found a live lizard in Martin's water bowl, one of the more ugly surprises of Spring. What kind of lizard can live in Wisconsin? And I hear that the ticks are already out. I hope to not see the usual pine snake in the straw, but I'm sure I will see one or two eventually. The dogs do not like them and usually dispose of them quickly.

We hope the trails will dry up soon so we can run some bored dogs.

Dig and Melt

2008-04-16T05:58:00.002-05:00

Digging out from this and it is melting, again. Driveway is still impassable, but parts require the ATV while others still require the snowmachine. Dogs are sunbathing!

Photo: Trail to the waste pit after the storm.

The Nearly White Squall

2008-04-11T15:55:00.002-05:00

While the storm is still going, it wasn't quite as bad as anticipated. We'll see by tomorrow what we have. We have had thunder, high winds, heavy wet snow, rain, sleet and now the winds are picking up again. Of course we can't? have a white squall on land, but at times it appeared that way.

28 dogs had individual or group free runs, out of the pens, today. We raked out wet straw out of the houses and put in dry . In this stuff it won't stay dry very long.

I haven't attempted the roads as the driveway wasn't plowed and the county crew left some big banks at the end of the drive. It's been a good day to stay home with pups.

And, I didn't get any photos. The deer were in for corn, carrots and apples. I didn't haul waste as the pit might be a bit hard to maneuver today.

The Perfect Storm

2008-04-10T21:27:00.002-05:00

We're sitting here waiting for the grandpa of all storms... high winds, a combined snow depth predicted of 7 plus 5 plus 5= 17 inches ?? on top of the last 12 new inches, which have turned to slippery slush.

For some reason the photos aren't posting to the blog, but I imagine tomorrow I'll get a few good ones. Hopefully all the dogs will make it through this blast, safely. Oh and yes, thunder is predicted along with this stuff. This should be a real treat the next two days.

Yesterday

2008-04-08T13:48:00.002-05:00

These are the nicely working drains from yesterday.

Today we have another new six or seven inches of wet snow.