Leaves & Dogs

Today we had rain instead of fog. I went out to practice photography on the last of the leaves.
Of course I couldn't pass up taking pictures of my canine kids.

Trask, he who has yet to master "stay" , was having way too much fun running in the leaves to pose for the camera.

 Cedar

 Koyuk

 McKenzie

 "Got ya Trask"

 Oh yea - the leaves...

Best of two subjects. The leaves make such a beautiful backdrop for the dogs.

Fog, Puppy, Girls, Dogs, Leaves & Fun

This morning was cold and lazy.

Then Kirsten, Lupin, and the girls came over for a trip into the woods. After picking apples came playing in the leaves.

Klara with Trask eying her apple.

Anna with Trask eying her apple. I didn't realize how much he had grown until he tired to give her a kiss - or was he sneaking a bite of her apple?

Most of the time was spent chasing around the yard through the leaves. Still pictures were rare. Somehow I missed Lupin all together.

 Koyuk

 Handsome Trask

 Cedar and McKenzie

 I really like this one of Trask and Klara playing hide and seek

 Poor Cedar became recipient of a discarded hat.

After chasing each other with mouths full of apples; playing in the yard; and a trip to the woods, it was back to bed for a lazy afternoon.

Team Nookies Hooks Greg

Sunday Team Nookies took Greg bikejoring. This trip was quite a bit longer than with the rig. After going about 1/2 mile, Cedar and Koyuk spotted me through the trees and headed off trail.

No problem for Greg and his mountain bike.

Once back on the trail they followed Saturday's rig tracks through the woods and back to the van.

After running the dogs, we went to the Pacific Sled Dog club annual meeting. Greg immediately joined up. Yup, Greg is hooked on mushing.

Hiking With Puppies

After a morning of mushing the rig and lunch, we headed out for a hike to a lake...

with a nice beach where the dogs could run off leash...

 and explore to their hearts content.

Trask and Tule had never been in a lake. Trask immediately found an "island" to take refuge from the cold water.

Tule in turn decided the island was a good idea and tried to climb over her brother to escape the waves.

 More exploring with the big girls.

A shared treasure.

 Trask went in again after another stick.

Success. I may have a retrieving Chinook after all - nah.

Tule appears to be flying as she rushes along the shore.

Trask basking in the sunshine.

Back to the cabin for shared treats and...

margaritas on the deck. What a beautiful way to end a magnificent day.

Team Nookies

Friday night Cedar, Koyuk and I went to to Tule Loowit's beautiful cabin in the mountains for a weekend of mushing and relaxing. Relaxation ended as soon as Sarah sat down. Her lap became a spring board for constant play. Tule, Trask and Koyuk chased and jaw wrestled nonstop for hours on end.

The next morning Greg got his first taste of urban mushing. 

The puppies followed with Sarah in tow.

I run this trail system in the winter. The dogs still knew the way through the maze of trails even without snow.

Sarah's determined team gradually caught up...

passed Greg and the rig...

 and officially joined Team Nookies.