La Pine Mushing Event - Saturday

La Pine Mushing Event - the highlight of my year. This year there were 30+ teams (with 2 to 14 dogs) including 13 Chinooks. Mushers from all over the western states converge on the camp ground; run their teams on the trails; share marvelous food; sit around the camp fire swapping tales and advice and; listen to awesome husky howl-ins. Trask, being an enthusiastic howler, got both Cedar and Koyuk to join in the songs. The motorhome resonated several times each night.
We arrived late Saturday morning. I claimed my campsite; took out the rig; hooked up the dogs and; we were off to the staging area 1/4 mile away. It is difficult to get a focused shot of dogs racing over a bumpy trail. Cedar and Koyuk knew where they were going and stopping for a photo-op was not an option.

Ferrari and the dogs resting at the staging area.

We went out for a brief 2+ mile run but it was quite warm that late in the day.

Koyuk and Trask back at the staging area.

Three happy but hot dogs.

Then it was back to the campground to officially claim our spot.


While the dogs rested that afternoon, everyone met at the campground log cabin for a huge potluck and presentation from Ellen Donoghue. Ellen has spent the last three years at Jeff King's kennel just outside Denali Park and supported him during his Iditarod, Yukon Quest and other races. She regaled us with tales of cold, running champion dogs and Alaskan beauty. I had wonderful flashbacks of my winter outside Nome. Until you have lived it, there is nothing like the absolute quiet and beauty of a northern night where you can easily navigate with starlight alone. Add a moon and/or northern lights and it is truly other worldly. The vapor from your breath becomes magic crystals in the air.