35th Annual

Today marks the 35th annual ski on Thanksgiving Day. I started back in college and I am still going. I remember bumping into Will Putman someplace in Fairbanks sometime after I arrived and we skied at his house for years. I remember a memorable ski up from my place in Fairbanks near the Old Nenana and Henderson Road up to the top of Ester Dome. But most of all I remember having a dinner afterwards with friends and being thankful for all the happiness of the day.

It was a great day, we had a big storm blow through that brought rain, high winds and lots of warmth. We almost lost our snow pack. Today we woke up to 4 inches of wet snow. After breakfast we put it to good use. :) Its still snowing now, so far the storm total is about 10 inches. I suppose it'll go all night.

After the storm earlier in the week, this is plenty to be thankful for.

Ice Dancing

When we go cross country skiing we go cross country. This means we don't always have a trail and we have to make our own. Sometimes there are stream crossings.


This doesn't seem like such a big deal until you check out Nicki's face in the picture. This is a closeup. Click the picture to get a close up.


Look at her face out on the ice.


A little happier to have made it across. (This is actually the 2nd stream crossing :) )


Jago (Babe) decided to she wanted more of an adventure so she walked up and down the stream on the ice.


Valley on the first crossing.


The dogs walk on ice gingerly, very careful indeed. They go right across though.

These stream crossings are really "pretty small potatoes" since they are so small. Its early in the season, so we have to make sure the ice is strong enough, but that's my job :)

Best Buds

Valley and Rocket are best buddies. They often sleep next to each other, however if Rocket touches Valley when she is sleeping WatchOut! She comes out of a dead sleep to snarl and bark at him.


These two girls are ok with each other. Valley would like to be Jago's friend but Jago isn't that into it. Jago might be if Valley would give her all her food but I don't think that's going to happen. What malamute gives up their food?


When I ask Valley if she wants off leash, she comes up to me tentatively, I reach over and let her off. I don't ever think she has ever said, "Not now, I am comfortable the way I am." Its nice to let them off and let them run. They love it, naturally. And its been a great confidence booster for Valley. Today she pulled for the first time ever while breaking trail.

Thirsty Girl

We made a run up on a local trail. 8 miles out and back. Lots of snow to eat but why do that when you can stand in the creek and drink the stuff instead?

Powderhound

We had a great day in the powder down on the Kenai. Here's Valley blasting her way through some powder.



and then running down the trail