The day finally comes...the race is on, my nerves are running on high, and I am ready to go! The 6 dogs are out of control with excitement. Their howling fills the mountains like music in the air. I make the final rounds to the team. Coda, Raider, Mack, Topaz, Walter, and Kiinai each get an extra rub and assurance from their musher. I tell them I am counting on them to do the best job they can. Despite the young team making a few mistakes and wrong turns (which means I plant the snow hook, jump off the sled, run up to the lead dog and drag the team the correct way), having to stop in the middle of the race, unhook the gangline to the lead dog and move her back (I have gotten pretty quick), I come in first place! This means that the dogs ran like the wind...hang on tight...even if the sled flips...number one rule...never let go!!! With the finish time of my race, they averaged a 5 minute mile. That is including the stops to correct things. I am so proud of my dogs! The hard work and effort paid off. Driving three times a week up to the Uintah Mountains, spending 4-5 hours each time, driving home in the dark, and sometimes looking and feeling like Frosty the snowman after mushing through a major snow storm seems minimal now. Feels good to finally accomplish a goal I set for myself years ago when my son Michael wanted to get a sled dog and give it a go. Now...onward and upward...the Sinks/Logan race...8 mile sprint??? 28 mile mid distance??? We will see!
