The high point of my fall is
always the La Pine Mushing Weekend. This year mushers and several hundred dogs from California, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon took over the La Pine campground for three days of running dogs on dirt. Friday Team Nookies headed over the mountains but because I still wasn't feeling well, we did little beyond setting up camp and hiking along the river.
Saturday morning Greg joined us (without Tule). To get to the staging area, Greg drove his car with his bike and Trask while Cedar and Koyuk pulled me 1/2 mile on Ferrari through the woods. Ferrari's wheel base is about 2 feet wider than the soft sand trail. Going was a bit tough for the dogs. Each time we tore through the sagebrush I was glad I had put solid spoke wheels on her.
Dan's team of 5 Chinooks and 3 huskies was heading out on the trail as we entered the staging area. The quad loaded with two people is in gear to give resistance to the powerful team.
Trask got to reunite with his sire Oscar.
For our run we opted to stay off the roads with the big fast teams and took a scenic trail instead. Greg bikejored with Oscar while the girls pulled me on Ferrari. (There was no lack of puppy holders in the staging area to keep Trask occupied while we were gone).
We put Oscar in the lead on the way back
A highlight of the day was the photo-op of 10 Chinooks on a gangline. I was totally tangled and disabled by the time Team Nookies made it to the picture area.
Trask was so excited to be the lead dog he gave his first ever howl as everyone else was being hooked up.
A PNW first: 10 Chinooks on a gangline.
Trask instinctively knew what his job was and held everyone out tight.
He gave it his all to keep the team in line when the other tired of standing there.
Trask, always in pulling mode, leading Greg back to his car.
Team Nookies dined alfresco at the campsite while Greg and I retired to the musher's potluck and tales in the lodge. Then it was off to bed to rest up for another day of mushing.
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