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Monday, January 31, 2011

Duluth or bust!

It was a perfect winter day in the Minnesota Northwoods yesterday when we were in Duluth for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. There were mushers from Minnesota, Michigan, California, New Hampshire, Montana, Canada and New Zealand, and 17 sleds left on a 390 mile, 3-day marathon race and as well as another 37 for a mid-distance race that will take the mushers and dogs to the Canadian border and back to Duluth. We were fortunate [and cold] to watch at the starting line.

The most fun is wandering around the dog area to meet the dogs before they are harnessed to their sleds. It is full of cold, yapping huskies anxious to get going. Once they are hooked to the sled they stop barking completely becoming four legged athletes in their zone.

I saw lots of snippets of the color red yesterday, my favorite being the dog harnesses themselves. The Canadian flag flew proudly atop one musher's truck and some of the dogs sported red collars. Dave and I have promised each other as long as we can we'll make the last weekend in January a date in Duluth, even if it does make us lonesome for our dear, old Pashka.
More red can be seen at Mary's MeMe, Ruby Tuesday.

9 comments:

Daryl said...

How does the snow stay so nice and white there and here its just grossly gray/grey

reg said...

the one pic I had to take a second look, It looked like mounted dog heads.haha. The pics are just great

Liz said...

Great photos. Sounds like a fun marathon.

jabblog said...

Wonderful to see all those working dogs so keen to get going.
(I read your post about Pashka, too - it made me cry.)

Ralph said...

These canines have the excitement of knowing their place in the race. Hard working creatures,they live for pulling their master on the sled in spirited competition. Beautiful, strong and above all, intelligent. They pull with pride!

It is said that racehorses are quite impatient when they know that the race is imminent. The dogs are ready to impress over the three days. Wonderfully captured!

Pashka was wonderful. Pets love us unconditionally, and she was a true loving family member...

EG CameraGirl said...

I've never been to a sled-dog race! However, a couple of teams of sled dogs practice in the forest near me so I have seen that. I enjoyed this post!

i beati said...

how very unique

Pietro Brosio said...

Very nice post. It's beautiful to see all those dogs on the snow.

Marianne said...

Aahhh, sweet Pashka, I miss her too and never even met her irl.
That must've been a great day, getting to spend time with the good dogs :^)