It’s been a crazy 24 hours here in Two Rivers for snow and wind and we are thinking of all those out on the trail still working together with each other and their dogs. Dog mushing is such a unique sport – competitive, solitary figures coming together when they need to and working for the best outcome for all. It’s really inspiring and moving to watch each tracker as it passively plays out each individual’s dramatic story. This race will be talked about for years to come. From -50F in the Yukon, wolf on the trail, epic climbs in blizzard conditions and camaraderie between competitors to stoic lead dogs and enthusiastic rookie dogs surprising their musher.
Louise Cooke from Shaytaan Siberian Huskies shared one of her favourite quotes that is most appropriate: “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” – Jack Kerouac
Talking with Aliy and Allen this morning about being glued to the trackers watching progress towards the finish and they said that we look at it differently than the mushers out there. They are ‘enduring’ and getting to the finish line is just another part of the journey. They will get there, trail or no trail, and after 900 miles it is just one more challenge.
We’ve caught our breath here, ploughed the yard and shovelled out some dog houses and we’re finally catching up on ‘normal’ life, whatever that means. I put together a quick video from the finish line and a few more pics.
And to speak more to that camaraderie…seeing Allen and Aliy at Ryne’s finish just made me even more proud to support this “family” Love to you all!
Got to love this sport…I know the trackers (when first put on sleds) were probably thought of as intrusive to the mushers, and probably took some time to adjust to all of us watching. For us fans, the trackers on the sleds took on a whole new excitment….add in live feeds and FB posts and the tales of the trail come to life for us…we love the pictures, stories and thoughts of our favorite Mushers out with their Teams! Nothing can compete with the real experience….but its nice to ride along as technology allows.
Beautiful, what an amazing team.
I love the lead dogs surrounding Aliy, we’re here Mom! We made it!
They are so well behaved and responsive. You have trained them well.
Yes, the team seemed to be running so fast to get to be back with their family!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
Ditto on being proud for SP Kennel…so lovely.
Love the video! Could see the happiness in the dogs with Aliy!!!!
I enjoyed the video and the pictures! The dogs looked so happy to see Aliy at the finish line! What a great team!
Such happy dogs coming into the chute. I never get tired of watching them run. I like your comment on the tracker passively playing out each individuals dramatic story. I need to remember that while we are looking at a musher’s progress, distances and times via the tracker, the mushers may be trying to find a wind swept trail, or are dealing with overflow, fatigue, etc…. Good perspective to hear from Aliy and Allen. Also, the video the YQ FB had of Allen’s climb up Eagle Summit was spectacular. Wow! Good job Black team! Go SPKennel!
Thank you for the video and the pics. Wow. Congratulations Allen and your 4-legged team mates! Congratulations SPK! Doggies all prancing along with tails wagging. What a great site. Good job, super athletes, good job. Like Aliy said ‘ you brought Allen safely home’ !!! Proud to be an SPK fan. Every year. Every mile. Your love for the dogs is everything.
Deeply conflicted emotions watching the video – so happy to see them come in as I knew they would, full of life, love, happiness and well-being; sad to not have been there. But the video helped!