It will melt eventually...

There is lots of maple sap this year!

Bringing it in the hard way...but it's so worth the effort!

As Predicted

We're sure glad that big brother is home from college on 'Spring' Break. I have a feeling he'll be booking a trip to the tropics next year though!

Another big storm is brewing...

...so I'm afraid she's gonna be there awhile!

(Mis) Adventures in Mushing

Yesterday we ran the dogs on the rail trail from Boscawen to Franklin and vice versa. It's a unique trail because it parallels the road, so there are lots of opportunities for pictures and videos. The weather was mild, and there were so many friendly people (on snowmobiles and in cars) who were enjoying watching the dogs! They all got in a solid 10 mile workout, and it was definitely a learning experience for me! 
The first thing I learned is that Asa is a really lucky guy. Both runs that he went on behind Nova were clean and mostly uneventful. Mine was not.
The second thing I learned was not to hook a female dog in season right behind male leaders. It turned every little issue that normally would be simple into a tangle that I had to run up and fix! Poor Mia - she couldn't help it, and I suppose Cenz and Rupp couldn't either, but it meant a lot of stress for me trying to catch that whip sled as I could never get back to it fast enough, and it would end up flying by me! I did catch it though! Except for that one time...good thing I'm a runner!
The third thing I learned was that when being dragged - get a knee on a runner. It hurts, but from there you can pull yourself up. 
The fourth thing is that although she will laugh first, Nova will then do everything she can to drag the team to a pause when you start to roll because although you did get a grip on the sled as it flew by, you didn't get a knee on and lost your balance altogether! 
The fifth thing is to not let the rope between sleds have any slack in it before take off. The force that a team of 10 dogs can throw into those harnesses is awesome. But painful when it jolts your whole body once that slack is gone. Wow though. So awesome to feel it!  (Not gonna do that again.)
These misadventures are what I need in order to learn this sport. I might be a bit crazy, but I loved it. Even if I was silently cursing our support crew for not coming to my rescue!  But, if he had, that would have meant I had failed. I didn't. We didn't.
Nova was exhausted from running 30 dogs, constantly monitoring them, and making all the decisions, so we both were thrilled when Ed drove to our favorite pizza shop. It has never tasted so good.

Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Sled Dog Race

Ahhhh...

There's no place more peaceful than the woods during a snowstorm, especially after dark. I needed some peace this evening. 

A Short Snowshoe

Temps below zero degrees Fahrenheit are really too cold for playing in the snow, but we needed a quick jaunt to blow off some excess energy, and this trek through the fields was perfect!

Playing in a winter wonderland!

The Tenacious Ten loved running in the fresh powder!

We beat the wet weather!

It's really hard to motivate yourself to run early when it's this chilly, but knowing someone else is counting on you to help them get their run in makes it easier. Even if she would really have preferred to drink coffee...

What's that white stuff Amber?

Viking Pride

We're ready to GO! Let's GO!!

Amber made this little girl's day the BEST ever!

This little girl played with Amber all day during the sled dog races. She absolutely adores dogs, and is determined to be a musher someday! Once most of the crowd had cleared out, we hooked Amber up and she gave her a great sled ride. I've never seen happier girls!

Proud Papa

She raced her longest race today - 25 miles with 6 dogs!

Exploring Shepard's Farm on snowshoes!

Ahhhh...

Skiing up to this spot might be a challenge, but it sure beats the Hell out of a dreadmill workout!

Are we sure this is a good idea?!

There's another storm brewin'!

Listening & Learning