Mushing Boot Camp Reunion

For the past 9 years I have traveled to my favorite three-day event of the year - Mushing Boot Camp Reunion - now La Pine Mushing. A very large group of like minded mushers and want-to-be mushers from as far away as Alaska and San Diego to Idaho and Montana converge on a campground, run dogs, eat way too much at potluck meals and share wisdom and tales.  This year instead of dryland mushing, we drove on black ice, through blizzards to arrive with 14" of snow on the ground. Because of the weather, most of the scooter and small rig people stayed home. We had only about 30 participants, but most who showed had quads and large teams to pull them. Fortunately I threw in my sled at the last minute.

Cedar and Koyuk enjoying the snow while I unpacked.

We got a couple more inches of snow overnight. Ferrari was useless in the snow. 

We couldn't take the road to the staging area without a car so headed out 3/4 mile, cross country with the sled.

Squirrel 

We were on our own to follow elk tracks through the snow.

Elk had bedded down here. Checking the spot out was in order.

The snow was deep and the sled heavy with the day's supplies. At times I broke trail for the dogs.

18 degrees makes for frosty faces.

We finally made it to the staging area and with a couple hundred more pictures, I'll continue the post tomorrow.

Final Harvest

The deer have shaken all the lower branches to get the last of the pears and apples. Dave went out with a fairly useless, new apple picker to get the upper fruit. Whacking the branches proved to be the most effective harvest method.

   

The dogs LOVE pears. Koyuk snagged her final harvest right under where Dave was dropping fruit.

Much wiser McKenzie chose to dash in, grab the prize and eat a safe distance. 

Ferrari Takes a Spin

Cedar getting dressed

And we are off!

Way too much fun!

McKenzie watching the youngsters run.

 

Still in sync st the end of the mile.

 
 

Getting end of run reward.

Team Nookies

R&R, Day 3,4,5

Agenda for day: eat, walk dogs, read, eat, walk dogs, read, sight-see, walk dogs, read, eat, walk dogs, hydro-path spa, read, sleep. Not bad at all!

I really wanted to see some First Nation art on this trip. Comox only offers a gift shop so on Day 4 we drove down the coast to Duncan, "City of Totem Poles". Rain, flat light, power-lines, cars, and buildings marred with graffiti made picture taking a fun challenge.

I want these guys in front of our cabooses

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Then it was off to the ferry.

Canadian Lighthouse Island off Nanaimo Harbor

Looking at Gulf Islands and  BC mainland. The mountains are still hidden by the clouds. Maybe I'll see them the next trip.

After I returned home late Day 5, the girls check out the enticing smells left by Oscar and Toby.

R&R - Day 1&2

Feeling akin to a whack-a-mole on the receiving end, I was much in need of R&R at a place I could only think of the here and now. My friend, Marleen, swept me away to the Kingfisher Spa and Resort on Vancouver Island, Canada. 

Day 1 started with Cedar, Koyuk and McKenzie jumping onto the bed and directly into my just packed suitcase. Later when I arrived at Marleen's Seattle house, her Chinooks, Oscar and Toby, tore into my suitcase. In spite of my changing out the muddy, footprint stained clothes, my girls must have left an enticing smell.  

The next morning we headed for Canada. Nothing could change our plans - not even a 7.7 mag earthquake, tsunami and several >6.5 mag aftershocks near where we were going and a weather forecast of pouring rain. 

We were following the red line on the map.

our view minus the spectacular mountains and Pacific ocean

Vancouver Island

Kingfisher Spa and ocean/mountain view from our room

 

Room view in other direction

Needing to stretch our legs after the long drive, I took the dogs out to explore the resort. 

Even in rainy fall weather, the gardens were interesting and beautiful.

Oscar

Toby

Exploring the beach

Already wet Toby goes into the ocean

Oscar is right behind him.

 Day 2 ended with a relaxing trip to the outdoor swim pool and hot tub, then a glass of fine wine, Nutella and a good book.