Mushing up Harbor Mountain

On Saturday, a beautiful sunny day, we took the dogs up Harbor Mountain--actually, they took us.  We took breaks, helped push when it got hard for them, and on the steeper parts, Keith walked/ran.  They did wonderfully!  What a rush it was when, after taking a break, they would burst forward with renewed energy--it was so surprising to me how fast they could go uphill!  SO fun--for us and the dogs!  They were loving it : )  We started from the bottom parking area and made it up to the second gate and back.  We probably could have made it all the way up, but didn't want to overheat or exhaust the dogs.  The sled is a beautiful little sled Keith bought from an experienced old sled maker in Montana--it is a fine sled, indeed!

Funny, all the many times up Harbor Mountain throughout my life, I never imagined I would be mushing a dog team up it!  We figured this was one of only a couple times this has ever been done, if not the only...  It made a pretty awesome day in my book, dog mushing up a snow-covered mountain in the afternoon and eating Cuban food and dancing Cuban Salsa at the Larkspur that night!

 

 

 

 

 

Re-cap on "The Pups"

Since it has been a looong time since I posted, here's a short progression of the puppies--just to catch up--for readers who don't use Facebook... They've grown ;)

 

Living in the garage stage -- still VERY high-maintenance, but the most adorable things imaginable.

 

 

Moved outside -- This is how they always liked to sleep!

 

 

 

First time running around outside -- exploring the forest, timid at first, but after a few minutes, oh, how they loved it!

 

 Keith did such a great job making the perfect little habitat for them and adapting it as they grew

 

 First, and maybe only, real baths...

 

Post-bath lovin' -- Connor love dem puppies!  So sweet  :)

 

Playing at the park

 

 Seriously, Baranof?  How are you this cute?

 

 Rompin' in the muskeg

 

 Drive up Harbor Mountain

Frolicking in the Alpine

Rompin' in the Muskeg again

Behold, the new puppy truck

 

 

 Keith took them to work with him everyday, they LOVED (and still love) being in there!

 

 Frolicking in the Forest

 

 Being dogs at the Dog Park

 

 Helping us with our Christmas cards -- 

First time hooked up as a team

 

 On the ferry, on their way to become real sled dogs

 

 Cruising around at Grandpa and Grandma's ranch

 

 Delighted

 

 The expanded puppy truck

 

So handsome...

 

 Hooked up and pulling a real sled! With Keith and I on it!

(with the help of a few much smaller, but experienced, dogs)

 

They did awesome!!

Krestof

Kruzof

Baranof

Fatima

Three months with Keith in Idaho/Wyoming and they came back to Sitka wonderful sled dogs!!!  And they're huge and handsome!  They still have some growing to do too, mostly the boys.  We're very happy they survived--that we were able to keep them alive without their mom--and that they are growing up so healthy and strong and good!  Nine months old!  They each have wonderful personalities and they are good with each other, with people, and with other dogs :)  This is all thanks to Keith's hard work (and some sacrifices too), but they bring joy to our lives and it's a good adventure to have them!

Now we're up to date, at least on one part of our lives!  Ah geez, I'm the worst blogger.