2/07/10 RACE DAY

HERE THEY COME!
WAITIN' FOR A LIVE ONE
YOU GO GIRL!
"ON BY!"
WOULDN'T WEAR THESE TO A DOG RACE!
BIGGEST OBSTACLE FOR THE DOGS IS GETTING PAST THE BRATWURST
GRIDLOCK ON STAR ROUTE

Sunday, 8:00 AM. Wind NW, calm. The sky is overcast and the barometer predicts snow.
Yesterday we got to the race crossing at Butternut Road about 9:15 M and were first in line so we could watch the teams either inside the truck or out. The weather was not cold so we mostly watched and took pictures outside. The dogs ad to stay in the truck. The first racers came through about 10:15 but there was plenty to watch and do beforehand, and eventually lots of people to mingle and talk with from all over. The races are against the clock so unless one has a program and keeps track following participants the fun is just in watching, which we did for a couple of hours, first the eight dog teams and then the six dog teams. There are a lot of nuances in the way dogs are hooked and paired up, and the Larsens have watched the Duluth races and had a lot of interesting things to point out. This morning we are going to the starting point and watch teams get hitched up and get off on the trail. The photos pretty much tell the story.