Canada Post 2016
2/14 ♥
We are just leaving Vancouver for Whitehorse in Canada's Yukon Territory to be at
the finish line of the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race.
The Race is more than a 1000 miles between Fairbanks Alaska and Whitehorse through wilderness.
The race started on February 6, and you can
follow
the action.
The Quest pays tribute to the hardy mushers who traveled along the Yukon River before cell phones. Actually,
before phones.
Canada Post 2015
2/15
We made it to Whitehorse late last evening. We got up early to locate the finish line for the Yukon Quest.
The sunrise was gorgeous. The town is
charming with historic buildings dating to 1900. Some have a whimsical
side. It may be a famous frontier town, but it is definitely modern. We found
the finish
line. While the mushers were still on the trail there was time for a walk along the yukon.
Canada Post 2015
2/15
WINNER! Hugh Neff (bib #22) crossed the finish line after 9 days 1 hour and 25 minutes to win the 2016 Yukon Quest.
An amazing musher, he spoke for 20 minutes on his run and mushing.
An hour later defending champ Brent Sass finished, dropped to his knees and wept
hugging his lead dogs. Two hours later veteran Allen Moore came in third; he's a man of
few words beyond praise for his dogs. Matt Hall, fourth and a veteran at only 22, came in after dark with "9 of the best" dogs.
Canada Post 2015
2/16
It's a sled dog race, so dogs come first. Literally, but everyone says so, too. Dogs are
alert,
focused, intense,
driven to run; they go berserk at the chance. Dog teams don't "get" STOP - mushers must bury a
snow hook. Being pack animals, building a team is the goal.
Trust is key. Team spirit drives their behavior. With no reins mushers hollar
commands; the lead dog does what's best, maybe not what was ordered. They love contact - with
people and each other.
They are strong. They love running at night. They are amazing.
Canada Post 2015
2/16
Rookie of the Year! Tom Frode Johanson was the first of the first-timers to cross the finish line,
after 10d 4h 8m in the wilderness (7th place). A long-time musher from Norway, Tom was ecstatic
when he arrived, grinning and joking. A warm,
delightful man he chatted with former Norwegians that crowded around. Even Norwegian ancestry was
enough to score a selfie. By the way, the positions of dogs on a team are:
lead - swing - dog - dog- dog - wheel
Canada Post 2015
2/17
When we read Yuka Honda's answer to, "What music do you listen to?" she had us as fans: "I don't. I sing."
Singing to her dog team or a passing moose or the odd pack of wolves over a 1000 miles through a silent winter
wilderness ... . All YQ mushers love their dogs and the Quest; Yuka loves them so much, she sings! So we
were up at 3:45 AM waiting under the Northern Lights in -21º (-6º F) cold for the diva! She won 9th place
and was the first woman to cross the finish line. She was happy and excited. But no concert.
Canada Post 2015
2/19
All the teams are in. The Quest is over. It blew our socks off!
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