Weathering the Storm

Great weather day here. Low 40's with a strong westerly wind- the sky is filled with grey clouds releasing an occassional light sprinkle. Not ideal for sun tanning but if you're fifty pounds of pent-up canine energy there can be no finer autumn splendor. This time of season we're only running ten milers but within weeks our time on the trail will be enhanced significantly. Hooking up the team this morning Tamra and I had our hands full as Omen's, one of our main leaders, pups went ballistic knowing the journey was soon to come. Our main navigators for this trip would be Mr. Watson and our new star leader Sicily who we recently acquired from my buddy Mr. Ray "Babycakes" Redington. I have a feeling that we already owe him a great debt for sharing such a wonderful animal with us.
Sister Sicily has a look of wonder as she glances around Annie Lake's Majestic valley- "This isn't the way to Nome-Is It?" Behind her Nathan's playing with his brother Spencer, Tyler's pecking at his sister Delilah and my big man Oscar, as ornery as ever, chomps at the bit- leading not by the bellow of his bark but the exhuberence of his energy. Sure is nice to be back on the trail - summers have always been a bit depressing to me. This year it's been a refreshing treasure, free of the awful coastal rainstorms - these past few months have been an oasis to flourish from. Across the lake the aspen trees are a brighter shade of yellow by the day. A thousand feet above them the mountains have metamorphisised into a purplish hue- a wondrous mosaic of life to behold.
Added to this sense of adventure has been the beauty of Beijing on tv that has been amazing to watch these past few weeks. Not just the competitive events but the achievements of all who put on such a beautiful spectacle. Dogmushing's Olympians are the beasts we are so lucky to share the wilderness with each morning as we embrace the sunrise and every night as their chorus of howls send us off to sleep. Up here in the north our festive season shall soon begin. In other parts of the world some may hibernate indoors as the temperatures plummet yet for some of us this is when we forget how to sleep. For there is nothing that compares to living life to the fullest. Not for the sake of self accomplishment but honoring this amazing environment that we are so honored to call home. Time to fly, hope you are enjoying your ride as well! Hugh, Tamra and the Laughing Eyes Kennel Crew