Thursday we set-up camp and went for a couple mile run.
Friday morning we were on the trail in 15 degree sunshine. I have been wondering how to speed up Team Nookies. No longer a problem. Chill the air. Add Koyuk. Throw in a squirrel sighting or two and we flew over three miles. I also found that my brakes don't stand a chance of stopping the wheels turning when these guys want to go forward. 
Resting in the sunshine.
Saturday morning brought freezing rain ice covered with snow. The staging area was crowded with hundreds of excited dogs and their mushers.
We met the Chinook team from Portland. Unfortunately Willy and Koyuk were too reactive from all the stress to try to combine our teams. 
Team Nookies had our longest and most adventurous run ever. We followed some large teams on a 4.5 mile course. 
By the time we were back to the trailhead 20 minutes later, most of the snow had melted. I pulled off the side of the trail to take pictures of other teams. Meanwhile...
Team Nookies became hopelessly tangled.
Saturday afternoon was jam packed with potluck entrees and desserts, wine and beer and mushing talk. Trail hardened mushers answered questions and were egged on to share some of their adventures. Much later, once the snow started, we abandoned the campfire to raid the leftovers and resume mushing tales.
Saturday morning brought freezing rain ice covered with snow. The staging area was crowded with hundreds of excited dogs and their mushers. We met the Chinook team from Portland. Unfortunately Willy and Koyuk were too reactive from all the stress to try to combine our teams. Team Nookies had our longest and most adventurous run ever. We followed some large teams on a 4.5 mile course. By the time we were back to the trailhead 20 minutes later, most of the snow had melted. I pulled off the side of the trail to take pictures of other teams. Meanwhile... Team Nookies became hopelessly tangled.Saturday afternoon was jam packed with potluck entrees and desserts, wine and beer and mushing talk. Trail hardened mushers answered questions and were egged on to share some of their adventures. Much later, once the snow started, we abandoned the campfire to raid the leftovers and resume mushing tales. Sunday morning I wanted to track with the dogs but it was so stormy that what treats didn't blow away, were eaten by flocks of migratory birds before I could complete even one track. Team Nookies did not go for a run. I decided that we should head back over the mountain pass before the roads got too bad. I also wanted to stop at the ski area to check in on Dave and the SPYteam members cleaning and stocking the patrol aid room.
Lonely McKenzie was very glad to see us when we finally got home. Happy to have the complete pack, she and the exhausted dogs soon crashed
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