Christmas: Break time for dogs and people alike

After 3 long months of hard training, the dogs and I have both earned a week off to rest and think about what lays ahead for us. I head home to Minnesota on Tuesday for a week to visit family before I come back for the 2 month plunge to the big race. Training has been going spectacularly even though there is yet to be a significant snow fall this season. The ground is covered with only a few inch blanket, but this is not stopping us from getting the job done.
I just got back from a 4 day, 160 mile trip with my puppies on the Denali Highway. There are some things that a person simply cannot describe to another; it just must be experienced. Many of these happened to me on this trip, but I will try my best to describe them. We saw hundreds of caribou every day, often many of them within a hundred yards or less. We also saw dozens of moose, which on a different occasion might make us nervous, but this time only provided us with a splendor to gaze at. Northern lights danced over our heads on Thursday night in colors of purple, blue, green, and red. A fellow from Missouri joined Jeff and I on the trip, and he remarked “I know you guys are probably bored by this, but I think it’s just the coolest thing.” We don’t get bored with the northern lights… ever! I think they are just as spectacular now as when I first saw them in their full show in Alaska.
The best part of the trip, however, was the time spent with the dogs. This is where true bonding occurs between myself and my companions. I spend every second with them, for the good or the bad. I bring them in the tent with me, and they even get to sleep on the bed from time to time! We are out there together, and need each other to get back to where we are going.
This is all for now, until I get back from my week break in MN. As always, feel free to email with any comments or questions!