Valley Funale

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Today's race was an absolute BLAST! Sally and Katy were first-time leaders, and they were charging down the 10 mile course. Unofficially, I think we came in fourth place. Following the race, we enjoyed food from a community-wide potluck. Burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, cookies, cake, and drinks were a perfect way to finish a race. 

At two o'clock the kids had their turn to race. Cartel, Stetson, and Neptune took turns with neighborhood mushers Sammy, Merica Gale, Noah Jane, and Bella. Thanks so much for Two Rivers Dog Mushing and Pleasant Vally Store for putting on such a fun event! 

Valley Funale

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Today is the Valley Funale, one of my favorite races of the year! We'll be competing in the 6-dog , 10-mile class at 11 am. Shortly after is the kids race. Can't wait! If you're in Two Rivers today, be sure to come by Pleasant Valley Store for the community event!

Who's the Ryno Kennel Team for the Valley Funale?

Katy and Sally

Fez and Cartel

Ham and Rucu

Ryne

Woo Hoo!

Old Mail Trail 200- Tolovana Roadhouse

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This past weekend, Derek, Tom, the team, and I headed out to manage the Tolovana Roadhouse at the confluence of the Tanana River and the Tolovana River for the Old Mail Trail 200 Dog Sled Race. I had yet to explore the Minto Flats area and was excited to see some new country. As the name suggests, it was very flat, but also incredibly beautiful. The team and I ran the 50 miles to the Tolovana Roadhouse (owned by Dave and Leslie with Paws for Adventure) the day before the race to organize and prepare for the racers. Derek, Tom and Jezzy flew in to meet us. 

That evening, Cody and Paige with Squid Acres Kennel joined us at the roadhouse where I met their canine athletes fresh off the Iditarod. I was impressed to see Paige out exploring and camping after arriving home from Iditarod just two days prior! 

Two teams from Squid Acres camping in front of Tolovana Roadhouse. 

The following day, the Old Mail Trail 200 racers weren't expected to arrive until 2:00 in the afternoon, so the team and I dropped on to the river to run the trail from the Iron Dog snowmachine race down the Tanana River. Once again, another glorious spring day. 

The following 24 hours were a rush of dog teams from the Old Mail Trail 200 race. A big congratulations to Brenda Mackey for her first place finish, Tom Lesatz for second, and Jessie Holmes for third. It was a blast to watch all the teams, and I have a new appreciation for race volunteers who stand outside waiting for mushers. Thanks to Dave and Leslie for putting in a great trail as well as renovating Tolovana Roadhouse into a luxury cabin! 

Ducks in Harness

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Recently the Ducks learned what all the excitement was about. All four duckies had their turn in harness and were naturals! From left to right is Coot, Eider, Eider, then Brant and Drake. Future all-stars. Notice Fenton's photobomb in the first picture?

Aliy and Team to UNK

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This is a photo taken by Sebastian Schnuelle of Aliy and team on the way to Unalakleet. What makes this picture so awesome? Not only is Aliy having an incredible race, but check out who has been leading with Quito---WAYLON! Waylon couldn't look less like a sled dog. With a short coat and wiry body, he looks like a whippet. His bark sounds like a mixture between a frog and an old man coughing. Waylon and I were both rookies in the 2012 Iditarod. Who would have thought this little guy would be a leader on a top Iditarod team. So cool.

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Start of the Chatanika 100

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Derek and team took off from Chatanika Lodge today around 12:50 this afternoon. He was the second to last team to leave the lot. When he reached the starting line, the timekeeper said, "You're the calmest musher yet." Sounds like Derek.

Here are some pictures from the morning, and I'll post a video soon. Next stop, Two Rivers Lodge 50 miles down the trail.

Leader Training

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Unfortunately this year, I was not able to go down to Anchorage for the Iditarod start. I felt like one of the dogs left in the yard, howling and crying, when everyone else heads out on an adventure. After watching all the Iditarod Insider videos, reading all the articles, and cheering on our favorite teams - SP Kennel - I hit the trails to work out some of the anxious energy. I decided today would be a leader training day. Each yearling had their turn at leading the team, and one yearling in particular really surprised me: Sally.

This entire winter, I have yet to see little Sally tired. At 33 lbs, she is always happy and full of energy. However, she also was a bit immature. On long training runs, she would get bored and try to play with her neighbor or pick up booties left on the trial. Yet the past couple weeks, there's been a change. Sally has been incredibly focused and driven, but even so, I've kept her to the back of the team. Today, in lead, she wasn't just leading, she was driving. Passing other teams and the occasional moose, she was all focus and kept trying to go faster. Needless to say, I'm excited about the future of this little dog.