Dog Days of Summer

Addicted To and Distracted by Fiber

As some of you know I started knitting last Fall. My whole driving force was that you can make yarn out of dog hair and goodness knows we have an ample supply of dog hair. I haven't learned to spin yet but I have taken classes in almost everything else. I learned to knit with more than one strand of yarn, make socks on the magic loop two at a time, crochet, and needle felt. I love it all. I love buying and stashing yarn. I love that I can take a project in the car. I love that you can watch a movie or visit or listen to an audio book and still be working on a project.

If I am not knitting or crocheting, I am probably on Ravelry, looking at what other people are making or searching for more projects. The problem is I have so many projects that I want to do that I don't get all the other things done. I haven't read a book all summer. I know I should be ashamed. I haven't blogged about the family adventures and we have been on many. If you ask Bryan and the dogs, all I do is knit. I would disagree. I still kayak, garden, and am a sled dog mom. But I have to confess that just today I was looking for a vacation where I could go without dogs and sit in an air conditioned area and knit or maybe crochet.

Still Pulling

I had to check the calendar when we got home from ski-joring Sunday. It really is June and I think this should be the off-season or the free run season. Bryan and Kim seem to have different thoughts. The Beartooth Pass has recorded snowpack. The road department has been unable to get the road open so it is still ski-joring season.

Please, notice my line is tight! I do pull! But I am not a sled dog.

We did get to do a little free running. 

We're Back

Willow here. I don't know if we have enough followers to have anyone miss us, but Kim was on special assignment from the middle of January until yesterday. She was working with an amazing group of Special Education Teachers. They did 15 reading trainings in 90 days. That might not sound like an accomplishment but you have to times that by six groups. 15 x 6 = 90 3hr trainings. Kim loved every minute of it but it was pretty intense. She logged the fewest ski days in 10 years, couldn't run 3 miles if a bear was chasing her, and hasn't blog a thing. The sled dogs and I have given her a bit of a break, but now it is time for her to get back on track.

The sled dogs and I had a good season, with some ups and downs. A down was the lost of our friend Walla Walla "sled dog". Walla really started the whole sled dog obsession at the Busch house.  She was an amazing sled dog. We all miss her.

Walla was such an amazing sled dog, Bryan decided it would take two dogs to fill her harness. Bryan went to the UP and brought home Emmie and Sprout.

Emmie adjusting to house living.

Sprout

The TEAM after their first run and a very happy Bry.

Ski-joring West Fork Road

Beartooth Pass in the Winter

Our trip to the "Top of the World"

Ice fall on the WY side of the Beartooth Pass

Unfortunately (or fortunately) all good things have to come to an end.
Spring has been long, wet, and sloppy.
Sled dogs are NOT rain dogs so we all have spent a lot time in the house.
We have also went hiking at our favorite spot, "Sled Dog Canyons".
It was hot!

Handsome!

Bryan and his "babies"

See Kim was there.

I need a break!

March Madness

 Well, it’s that time of year again…March Madness. No not college basketball - sled dog racing season. I know that for you organized sports enthusiast this is a bit of a down time – between football and baseball. Let me invite you to join me as a spectator of the Last Great Race, The Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The Iditarod has all the thrills and chills of all other sporting events including amazing athletes and down to the nose (literally) finishes.

But…the Iditarod is so much more. The Iditarod has things other sports are missing, a focus on treating other how you want to be treated, putting others first (your dogs), girls can do anything boys can do, and be proud of yourself. The most treasured award in the Iditarod is the Humanitarian Award, given to the musher that the vets vote for best dog care through out the race. There is also a Sportsmanship and Most Inspirational Musher Awards for being a good person. Unlike other sports, men and women compete on the same playing field - no ladies’ tee box. The first musher to arrive in Nome is greeted by a cheering crowd but so is everyone else, right down to the last one - the Red Lantern Winner. Each finisher gets the cherished Iditarod belt buckle.

This year’s field will start with 62 teams of 16 dogs. You do the math, that’s a lot of dogs. Lance Mackey, is trying for his fifth consecutive win, which would tie him with Rick Swenson for most wins. I was going to list the teams I would be watching but I decided my list was too long. I will be watching the front, middle, and back of the pack.

To my knowledge it NOT on ESPN or ESPN2 but neither was the National Finals Rodeo. People just don’t know what they are missing. I think it is only fair that I warn you; The Iditarod can be highly addictive. You might find yourself getting up in the middle of the night to check the GPS tracker or watch the last Iditarod Insider video.  Just remember that it is not over until the last musher gets to Nome.

The Adventure Just Doesn't Stop

Beanie #2

I recently took up knitting and am loving it. I am on my third beanie and first scarf. I love that it goes anywhere and it is a little addictive. To Bryan's dismay I knit everywhere :

• in the car
• on the airplane (Yes, TSA doesn't blink at knitting needles)
• watching TV
• at Sam's Tap Room or any other adult beverage serving establishments
• waiting anywhere
• listening to books
• at coffee shops

and the list goes on .....
I have discover a few disadvantages to being a sled dog mom and knitter.

1. Yarn comes in balls - Sled dogs chew on balls.
2. Yarn is made from sheep fur (I know it is called wool) and I think it must still smell like sheep. (Yum, lamb chops)
3. Bamboo needles are chewable, so are plastic place markers and rubber needle-nose protectors

Well, you know there is a problem when you husband comes into the room and says,"We're in trouble." And he was right, "they" were. Luckily for "them" most of the damages so to the ball of yarn not the beanie.

Musher Want-to-Be

 

 I don't think I have ever had the idea that running dogs was easy but I really thought I was catching on. Two weeks ago, I made the "first" YES "first" run of the season. Bryan likes to make sure I spend just enough time on the runners so I remember why sled dogs live in our house.

I had a great run. The conditions were so good I was able to run the dogs all the back to town. People in Montana look at you funny when you are running dogs down Ski Run Road. It is interesting to see their reactions, some smile and wave, while others scrunch up their faces and give you stink eye. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good about my mushing skills.

Since Willow is on injured reserve, we have been doing more ski-joring.

I always really enjoy being on my skis. Usually I run with two dogs. I can usually control two dogs but Bryan decided I was ready for three dogs.

 

 We flew down the trail. It was great fun UNTIL...

I was suppose to turn them around. Lucy and I don't always see eye-to-eye. Actually I think Lucy is plotting to get me out of the picture so she can have Bryan all to herself. 

I things were going fine until I got the Walla's tug line wrapped between my ski boot and my ski. 

BIG Problem.

To make a long story short.

At one point, I was not wearing a ski or boot on my left foot. Lucy would not give me enough slack in the line to put the ski back on. 

Walla and Stratus to got in fight.

I broke a nail. I know that sounds really "girly" but it was one of those down deep, throbbing, blood dripping everywhere, Damnit-to-hell breaks.

I tried all my working with dog strategies, beginning with calm commands, which gradually increased in volume, until I was shrieking at the dogs and using language would make a sailor blush.

Off and on through out all of this, I was talking (okay, he says I was screaming) to Bryan on the radio. He really wasn't that helpful. 

Finally he but on his skis and head in to get me and I sat on my butt (ski and poles and sunglasses left far behind in the middle of the trail) while the dogs pulled my down the trail. 

When Bry got to me, he took the dogs and went back for my gear. 

I walked out.

Needless to say, Bryan ran the dogs the next day.

Actually I could hardly move so I just wanted to sit in my chair.
I will get back in the "belt" again, as soon as I can move.