Memphis

12.10.99-9.16.13
A new era in my adult life came my way yesterday - one that I, with determined reluctance, finally accepted. Figuratively, I closed my eyes and turned my head away and consented to the euthanasation of the last remaining member of my original sled dog team.Where once a strong, mouthy, rambunctious competitive, harnessed dog had stood, there was an old gray girl, thin of stature, sight and hearing. She had no incurable disease or malady. She was 'just' old and Tired - so tired.
They talk of dogs as being "honest dogs" - those are the best kind they say. Dogs that will run the life out of themselves for you. Dogs who never complain to you. Dogs who would rather not eat or drink than miss a minute on the trail with you. Dogs who just don't know when the pain is too much and it's time to stop.Dogs who, no matter how old and thin and blind and deaf , they just keep living for you, Memphis was like that -Memphis was an honest dog.
She came to me as a 4 year old - shy and scared of men and just about everything else(rustling leaves, shadows, crows over head...). I was her 4th and final owner. She was born to a dog named Kat, sired by a male named Pepe. Both fine competitive, proven canines owned by a renowned, Montana musher and 4-time Iditarod winner, Doug Swingley, who as I understand it, never really took to her. As a two year old, she was sold to another male musher somewhere in Northern Minnesota who...never really took to her. She moved to a kennel owned by a local UP musher, Kelly Engle, who sold her to me - and it was here in her 4th year, in her 4th kennel and in my heart she found a place to stay for as long as she lived.
She certainly had a life story so long and curious to tell that pages and pages would fill with but a breath of passing time (I should have such a remarkable story at the end of MY days!). I loved her during her years with me and I will love her memory for as long as mine allows for it.

Austria 2012

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Colorado to Missouri

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A Good Run and Scout Safety Skills

     

Start: Phoenix Farms; Trials 3 & 130 junction

July 4, 2013 - Independence Day

As part of my quest to run Trail 3 from Toivola to Copper Harbour, Michigan this summer, I had the best run of the season and learned a good lesson.

A Good Run: A bit after 8 a.m., Chris dropped Kat and me at the Phoenix Farms Road crossing in the Keweenaw; a spot just north of Phoenix and east of Eagle River. I'd decided to run south, rather than north this day. My plan was to run the 10 miles on this strand of Trail 3 into Copper City, arriving at Mohawk in time for the annual 4th of July Parade. As it turned out, I added an extra 2 miles by taking the 'scenic' trail access 'bypass' to Seneca Lake which caused the unfortunate missing of the Mohawk parade, but made for a good, more interesting, and longer run.

Katabatic on Trail 3 between Phoenix and Mohawk, MI

Boy Scout Benefits:  When I stopped to take this photo of Kat and this beautiful wooded setting, I realized I didn't have an 'emergency strategy' in case I actually had an emergency. I was alone and miles from anything that could be helpful to me, and a few possibilities queued up in, and went through my mind: an aggressive (or, most likely, perceived aggressive) animal, a rolled ankle, a porcupine carcass introducing itself to Kat and more. No strategy or plan did I have for this place where highway sounds were nonexistent, an escape route was not handy-by, cell phone coverage scant at best, and the closest first aide kit miles away. It was then I thought of my concealed handgun we'd bought for this very purpose (to at least FEEL safer but hopefully never use) sitting at home, the first aide kit Michaela had sent with the orange backpack (perfect for this use) sitting at home, and my NYC high powered whistle sitting at home. I had been SO looking forward to, and excited for this remote run, that I missed counting the possibilities (slight as they were) of things that could occur on a run like this and their helpful supports. I did have plenty of liquids, a map, high visibility clothing, and a canister of  "Haltz". And as it turned out, all was quiet (REALLY quiet), and I needed only the liquids and an occasional glance at the map.
But! On that day, and for future reference, I was reminded of the benefits of those boy scout skills!

Since that July day, I've taken more solitary remote runs through the woods and down the trails of

From Trail 3 access: Seneca Lake outside of Mohawk, MI

the Keweenaw Peninsula while getting closer to the end of the trail. Each run has been great - being so deep and alone in the woods makes for a pretty special feeling. But on July 4th, I have to say my appreciation for the scout safety skills I'd learned years ago with my then young son Caleb were refreshed, and a memory that I'll hold as the best of the season was made.

Adventure Mine in January '13

Kat and Kate at Adventure Mine in the winter

In the deep of last winter, Kat and I took to the Adventure Mine trails outside of Greenland, MI.This mine operated from 1850 to 1920 and is one of the best preserved mines of its age. It was opened on existing prehistoric excavations on Adventure Bluff, with the prehistoric workings dating back to about 5,000 years.
The copper that was mined from this site was only in pure native metallic form; common masses weighing up to several tons.
The trails were untouched with soft fallen snow.

I lost my camera, double backed time and again, and eventually found it...thanks to my faithful friend.

White Wind Kennels

Just beyond the red pines, you'll find White Wind Kennels; so named for the primarily white dogs who have been part of my life for the past 12+ years. Some of my best pals are growing old now, some have left the yard, some have left my life, but all have left an imprint that will never cease, never shallow. I revel at all they have taught me and the honesty and integrity with which they have lived their lives. I should be so forthright, sincere and abiding.

Shelter or Storm

Today I ran in a race. It was a negative 3 morning, the race was a short 3.2 miles down the main street of Houghton, over the bridge and back again. Straight-forward. The sun was bright and the wind was calm -no sign of a storm in the morning sky.

As I ran with my friend and talked with others along the way I noticed that - although we were having fun - most forth-coming comments were about what we didn't seem to have enough of. Enough warmth in our hands and feet, enough hydration to make us happy, enough strength to get up Tuzcuco Street without walking at least part of the way, enough speed, enough of the right clothes so as not to be too hot or too cold. And on and on.

And I had a thought about shelter and how it is such a good, good thing. My warm house, my family and caring friends, marshmellows. Having just enough of this or of that is shelter. It makes for feelings of satisfaction and safety.

After it was over and I was home sitting next to a warm fire, I wished I'd been more straight-forward. I wished I would have noticed the really good threads woven into the day and put them into some simple words for my friends.

We really do have the opportunity to be a shelter or a storm to just about everyone we meet.

Next time! I'll work on that.

As long as there is snow...

As long as there is snow, there's bound to be someone somewhere running dogs through it. These days many of us are out there more often than not. December 1st will bring the reopening of the woods and trails, a close to deer season and that will put a smile on my face and an extra spring in the steps of these pups! Today was a good winter day - cold, calm and quiet. Boy those trails are looking good.

Muck Run 2010

Muck Run 2010...no ordinary run. Blue skies.Prom dresses. False eye-lashes. Crisp air. Ketchup and Halloween paint. Tieras and sashes. Crazy costumes all around. Dry trails and not a lot of muck...but so much fun!

Breckenridge

In 1859, minors found and mined the gold out of them-thar mountains and subsequently establiblished what would become known as the the town of Breckenridge, CO. It's a town established on the incredibly back-breaking hard work of a few men and women and now thrives on the 144 ski slopes carved along the peaks and even more shops and restaurants lining the short streets of town. Drive down Colorado hyw #9 and, lik me, you'll find yourself in the midst of it.