The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is On

I know some of you are awaiting my post from the Iditarod. I have so much to say that I can't seem to get it all down.  I am trying to get a detailed account down for my class at Mallow's Adventures. I only have a few days, uploaded so far but I am working on it.

I can't decided what part I liked best, maybe the dogs

Race to the Sky

Bryan and I took a spear of the moment trip to Helena, Friday afternoon. (By spear of the moment, I mean he called me at 11:45 and said let's go The Race to Sky, can you leave at 2:30?) Since I work with great people, I was able to get out of work a little early and we made it to Helena by 6pm. We attended the The Race to the Sky Mushers' Banquet.

Our friend, Ed Stielstra, brought a team of dogs and one of his guides to run the race. Ryne Olson, is a 21 year-old, just started working at Nature's Kennel and is trying to qualify for the 2011 Iditarod. The Race to the Sky is a qualifier. It was really fun to hang out with Ed and Ryne at the banquet. I guess Bryan is a "legend" at Nature's Kennel. I guess in a good way, because he had such a good attitude with a dislocated, broken ankle.
This was Ryne's first race. I was the photographer. I used NK's Cannon Rebel. I was a lot worried about getting a good picture.

(I didn't take the close up pictures - I borrowed them from the Race to the Sky site)

But the best thing about digital cameras is you get to see what you did. I love "burst" mode, my thoughts are, if you hold the button down long enough, you are bound to get at least one good pictures. I think I did okay. I hope Ryne thinks they're okay.


I had a great view for the start. There were 13 teams that left every two minutes so it went really fast. I tried a bunch of different camera angles. I like my pictures until I saw the pro pics.

Mushing Season is in Full Swing

Willow has been running so often she has been too tired to post.

So I thought I should try to at least get some pictures up.

I haven't been taking as many pictures as usual.
We have been doing a lot of skijoring but the butts of dogs doesn't seem that interesting when I looking for things to photograph.

Notice who is giving me the love!

Busch Family Had a Fantastic Christmas Break

We had so much fun, I would have to write pages so I will try to give our faithful readers (both of you) an overview in pictures.

New Year's Eve at May Creek Cabin

Day of Sledding on Grammie and Grandpa's Driveway

 

 

 

 

 

I still have the record for having the fastest sled.

 

We took the kids x-country skiing for the first time.

 

We also ran the dog sled with the kids  I had a lot trouble turning the team around. They do not listen to me as well as they do Bryan.

I may have taught my niece and nephew some new terms I have learned from my fourth graders. None of which their mother would want them to say in public.

Chase went with Bryan on the kick sled. Of course we turn his two dog team around very easily. Chase's comment was and I quote: "Oh! that is how it is suppose to work."

Bryan and the dogs spent a lot of times on the great trails in the Big Hole.

(I got to go a few times)

This picture was taken shortly after they encountered a wolf on the trail.

I think you can still see the whites of his eyes around his glasses.

He thought the wolf was really cool but REALLY scary. Lucy had actually tried to turn the team around a couple times and was really watching ridge prior to the encounter.

I think he will "listen" to his lead dog next time.

 Overall it was a great vacation, even Willow had fun!

Happy New Year!

Too Busy Pulling to Write

I know! I know! I haven't posted about our trip to Mill Creek Cabin.

Kim and I have both been so busy we haven't had time to get this posted. The sled dogs, Bryan, and I have been living mostly in Red Lodge and going out for runs whenever possible. Kim on the other hand signed herself up for yet-again-another project so she has been logging hours in front of the computer. I think she needs to work less and play more.

Two weekend ago, the whole family met our friends, Angie and Philip and their whole family (12 sled dogs), at the Mill Creek Forest Service Cabin out side of Livingston, MT.

We had a great time.

Saturday evening, Bryan had Kim takes us for a run. It is kind of funny because she always gets nervous. This was her first run of the season and she hasn't be on this trail so she was hemming-and-haing about going. Bryan was pretty determined that Kim was going.

 I think Bryan's theory is to put her on the runners just enough to remind why we have sled dogs.

We were nice to her since it was her first run of the season.

Sunday, Bryan took us on a really long run. Kim skijored with Jekyll.

We all had a great time.

Now we are headed off on our big Christmas break trip. We are headed to Western Montana for Christmas with the family and mushing galore.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See you in 2010!

SLC: A Weekend without the "Kids"

Bryan and I spent the weekend in Salt Lake City. I had a great time. I think Bryan had fun but he missed his babies. I on the other hand loved having Bryan all to myself and playing dress up.

When we weren't eating we tried to enjoy some culture.

A Gingerbread House Contest and Fundraiser. Chef from all over SLC created amazing "houses" and the houses are auctioned off. Cool idea!

We went to Teddy Bear Town at the Grand America, mostly so we could see the suites. It was just cute.

One of the highlights was going to Pioneer Theatre at that the University of Utah and watching

The Christmas Story

We also got all dressed up and went to fancy dinner at the Tuscany.

Okay, we don't have any pictures of me. But I did go shopping and had a really fun outfit. I am working on finding one.

Returned home on Sunday night. The babies are fine but very "needy".