Running the Dogs!

The past week has been extremely exciting! We have been working day after day to clear new trails for our dogs. We actually had to build a bridge! We're living in an area where not many dog mushers live, so we set out to establish a basic trail system. We succeeded in bushwhacking a two-rut through huge fields and thick groups of young trees, and connected our yard to the Safari Lake Trail. We now have access to hundreds of miles worth of trail.
We have run 4 teams of dogs in the past two days, and have had quite a bumpy ride. The trail we are running is not yet worn in and has many windy turns, needless to say the terrain has our dogs working hard, and thinking on their feet. We also have to deal with lots of glare ice, which sends the dogs skidding around corners. When watching the team, you can really tell who the experienced and inexperienced dogs are, the young ones unsure and clumsy, the older ones confident with their steps.
Matt and I, and our 4-wheeler, "Bob", took a 40 mile ride yesterday, scouting out trails for once it snows, and we found the most beautiful pass through the Peters Hills, and out to the Alaska Range. The trail had lots of overflow, which is ice that continues to form throughout the winter from running water (it can be frozen or up to a couple of feet deep), and made it treacherous in some areas. We were at about 2000 feet, and in a couple inches of snow when we decided it was time to go back. We are infatuated with wanting to know all of the trails, and can't buy gas quick enough to go on another adventure!
Since we are extremely prepared for the winter (wood and dog food in the shed and plenty of people food), we have started cutting firewood to supplement our income. We still have plenty of expenses for Iditarod, such as dog jackets, meat for snacks, and shipping fees.

Join us again soon! We'll be coming out of the bush in about a week to update you, and we are sure to bring stories of adventure!