Our Newest Foster Dog

She showed up needing some bunk space. So we gave it to her. She's about the nicest disposition in a malamute we've had in the house. Its unusual when her tail isn't wagging. Weighing in at 115 pounds I keep thinking she's a guy because of her size. She has the biggest paws I've ever seen on a malamute. she also likes to ski :)

Kickstep

Nice that clouds abated so we could get a scenic shot :)


After kicking the flu it was great to get out on some fresh snow and kick and glide. Valley in the foreground, Kickstep in the background.

Frosty Day

Its been clear and cold quite often this season. Today was no exception. Here we are take a photo break on the Gold Mint trail in the Talkeetna Mountains. In these temps we can barely keep the camera working.

Happy Girls

Here are a couple of happy girls who live in the house. They really seem to like each other, don't they :). Considering how shy Babe was early in her life this is a real big boost for us funhogs.

the guy in the back

The guy in the back is Chema, in front of him is Zephyr, who ran the Iditarod twice, and 'Toba. He's gonna have to run pretty hard to catch those 2, LOL.


Looks to me like he doesn't mind being in the back


While we toil away checking snow conditions, Chema is keeping tabs on who is working and who is taking pictures.


and what better way to end they day than see this?


Merry Christmas!

friends

who could beat friends like this to ski with :) Michael, 'toba and Zephyr

Swimming lessons needed

Could somebody teach Chema to swim :)

Chema

I took Chema backcountry skiing today, it was his first time and I didn't know what to expect. I was hoping for the best and I got it. I was worried when I dug the snow pit for the Chugach National Forest Snow Observers Program, he might try to run off, bother me in the pit or chew his rope, but he just sat next to my pack while I worked away. You can see he's kind of got the Goretex Suit thing going with all the snow falling.







Then I skied back down the hill and he followed. I was worried he might run off, but he's into following me. Even when he ran ahead, I called him back, he was happy to follow me .






















what could a better day with a face like this?

Foster Dog

We've had Chema now about 2 months. He's been skijoring about a half dozen times. When we first got him, he'd hit the end of his leash and go in a circle. Big pain in the neck to walk him, but now-a-days he stays out in front, and pulls. Both walking and skijoring. On the skiing side, he's gone from running along side to staying in front and pulling, sometimes pretty hard. Pretty good dog to go skiing with. He definitely deserves an award for most improved.

Winter

Winter is full on at the house. We've been out skijoring and enjoying the snow. Valley seems to like it too. I've been really impressed with her this season, she's been leading and staying out front, she's even been breaking trail in chest deep powder. Shy dog does good!

MooseSki

What could be better than cross country skiing out and seeing moose. Soon they'll be dropping their horns but for now, seeing this is cool.

Caught in the Act

While out skiing with the dogs today I caught these Moose "in the act".


Our foster dog Chema pulls pretty good when somebody is in front of him. He pulls at times when he is out in front, but when he's tired, he just runs along side.

Game on!

Gotta love it when the weather man makes a mistake in the right direction. Enough snow to skijor on.

Yesterday we were hiking around looking at moose, today we are skijoring! WooHoo!

Out and about

I'd never get away with this if I tried it.

Well, what did you expect?

Its fall, and we'd be fools not to get up to Glen Alps to see the moose. Standing at one spot we counted 28 of them. So here are some more photos. Its real honest fun to spot one, then sneak up on it and take its picture. The big bulls are easiest, they seem more relaxed and not so disturbed by our interrupting them. None the less I give them plenty of room, especially giving them more than adequate escape terrain. (As always, you can double-click on the picture to get a larger version if you want).

Its that time of year again.

Its that time of year again where the snow is close enough to hike to.

Valley View!


things are looking up!

Gotta Love Fall

Gotta love fall. Cool crisp air, great colors and Moose in Rut.

Fall Colors Part 2

Our fall tundra colors continue their show.

Fall Colors

We are starting to get fall colors in the tundra. No snow, just color :)

Happy Birthday Ganik

It was Ganik's 11th birthday this weekend, what could be a better way to spend it than hiking Kesugi Ridge in Denali State Park. Here he is with Denali, the great one, behind him. Ganik has been a constant companion since I adopted him from the AMHL 5 years go. Happy Birthday Buddy!