Whether / Weather
It’s summer. I really can’t help but start with the season, the conditions. Mostly because I am itching for those conditions to be different, to be winter again. I am actually not much of a winter person, when it comes … Read More
What’s a Musher?
During winter and the Iditarod season, you may wonder: What is a musher? You hear epic stories about mushers braving the cold, being dragged around on their faces, and bonding with their team. A musher is many things, but number … Read More
First Ever Race Recap
I left the race start with something less than dignity. I was a bit of a mess, my parka still open, my bib half on. But my team was excited and ready to go, and it was time! I held … Read More
Adventures in Mushing
My little six dog team blows me away. They are strong and coordinated. I use an eight dog string and to be honest, so they look almost like a “normal” team, and they have the power of any other team … Read More
North and South and North Again
Wow! What a crazy few weeks. It was hard to believe our friend Arthur was finally visiting– And good thing their #worstvacationever / #autumnassistance came when it did, because it get ATAO ready for the next phase… Some new faces … Read More
Visitor Labor #worstvacationever
As the weather gets a little colder, finally, the list of Things to Do grows longer. What perfect timing, then, for our great friend Arthur to show up!!! I have decided to hashtag Arthur’s visit with the moniker “worst vacation … Read More
Interior Autumn
Fall is more prolonged here than I remember. Actually, since I moved back to Alaska in 2013, I think I thought that about every fall. That it is more gorgeous and lengthy than I can recall from my childhood. Maybe … Read More
Happy First Day of Mushing!
The leaves are yellowing in patches. The other night, when I went out late to do a final check on the dogs, the aurora was dancing across the sky like someone poured colors over a bowl. There’s a sharp nip … Read More
Surprise I Have Puppies
Surprise! I knew I was getting puppies. I did not know that would be last weekend. Let me back up. We drove up from Minnesota. Nine long days of scenery, no scenery, cars that worked and cars that didn’t, podcasts, … Read More