First 2017 Sled Runs

January 5th we finally had enough snow (8") to completely cover the road through the trees. The temperature was in the teens. Thanks to Dave's truck, the road was hard-packed and fast.
My first attempt at taking a picture with mittens on.

Team Nookies flew non-stop the 1/2 mile to the tie-up, turn-around place. The dogs rested as I walked up to the mail box.

Day 4 of no mail or paper.  I turned the sled for another fast ride back home. What a way to start a mushing year!

A major storm of freezing rain was predicted for the night of January 6.  Dave and I went to town for supplies. By the time we got back, it was very cold and getting dusky. I hadn't run the dogs and they were raring to go.

We quickly made it up the hills and through the woods. There were a lot of frozen branches buried in the snow. At one point, I caught and broke my drag brake.

With no brake to slow them, the dogs really picked up speed on the last downhill corner until...

"SQUIRREL!".  Before I even know what was happening, they took a 90 degree turn down into and thru the roadside ditch. Fortunately before the sled followed, they became tangled in some branches I had thrown off the road after the ice storm.

Back sorted out, we headed the last stretch toward the house.

Dave was waiting with the camera to catch us fly by.

Koyuk and Trask had run a mile with only a brief squirrel detour and were still pulling at full speed.

It did pour freezing rain for about 30 hours and continues to rain. The snow is down to 3-4" and the road it too treacherous to walk on let alone drive the sled. The dogs don't even want to be outside. Mail finally came yesterday. I have yet to be able to clear the ice off the patios or path to the wood pile. Fortunately the trees are finally free of their load of snow and ice so they are no longer crashing down branches. Weather report for tonight is either a major storm of snow or freezing rain. Paws crossed for snow. Team Nookies is ready to run again.