Follow our quest for a more simple lifestyle living off grid in the remote north woods of Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, working with traditional sled dogs.
The sled dogs were attached to the drop cables attached to the truck and to nearby trees.
Cozy camp
Copper and Blue were NOT impressed with this outing at all; being hooked to sled dog drop lines. Geez!
We arrived several days before the driveway contractor was expected so that we could flag some dog sled trails on the property for him to help clear, as well. Rebecca, our handler from the UK, and Neil left the night before the dogs and me so that they could set up camp and so that I could finish some last minute work items at home. Darn appraisal deadlines.
We were fortunate to be able to spend some time with some dog friends while up north. We were invited for dinner and a shower at their home north of Grand Marais which is what all campers appreciate! It became a bigger party when a couple other dog friends arrived. These folks have been running the dog sled trails in our area for years and were willing to share their trail "secrets" that mushers hold on to so tightly. This was greatly appreciated. So, in between flagging trails, we ran the dogs on our newly found trails. Beautiful! It was a tad warm so we went slow and thankfully, there was plenty of water along the trail to help keep the dogs cool.
Our nights of camping out ended when Copper and Blueberry decided they had enough of trying to keep warm by burrowing in our sleeping bags and that this "pretending to be a sled dog thing" was just too hard and simply beneath them. It was below freezing at night and a Poodle/Dachshund mix and a Beagle/King Charles mix aren't the hardiest of dogs when it comes to cold. So we spent the next two nights at a friend's hotel in Grand Marais which has always been a super dog friendly place and returned home the day after our driveway demolition began.
The demolition made it easy for Rebecca to simply lift our Christmas tree right out of the ground. It now sits dormant, roots and all, outside our front door waiting to be brought inside closer to the holidays.
View to the north
This machinery seems to effortlessly move through the woods. We wanted to make sure to walk the route several times prior to demolition to rescue any white pines, red pines, spruce or cedar trees that were small enough to relocate.
The driveway on our property in the northwoods of Minnesota is underway! Neil and I had met with the contractor last spring to discuss the location and flag it and now it will soon be complete. This is a pretty exciting step for us; one step closer to being able to make the move we're anxiously anticipating.
Smaller apartment that shares a breezeway with the main apartment
Cubby hole apartment for puppies and pocket huskies (Zala)
Really nice job, Neil!
Since one of the current big dog structures has been rapidly rotting and being even more deteriorated by one naughty puppy (Wimzi), it was time to build another one. Neil carefully and thoughtfully designed then built a larger and more useful structure that is bomb proof! It is wider which allows more dogs to sun themselves at the same time on the top, has three private dog apartments and a pass through area that will provide shade in the summer and a respite from the wind in the winter. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to paint it before the cold temps arrived. This will have to wait until Spring.
Norther perimeter fence. Cattle panels have been secured on to the gates which close up any areas wide enough for a dog to slip through. Even a little 12lb Copper dog.
Phoenix and Journey check out the southern perimeter.
Zala and Ari after their unexpected dip in the lake.
Last week our perimeter fence was finally installed, allowing for another few acres of secure space for the sled dogs to run, play and roam. At the moment, they can be out in this area under supervision until we are able to completely secure the areas where the wire fencing isn't quite tight enough with the ground. We have no fence jumpers but we do have a couple that have made themselves flat enough to squeeze under a fence after a rabbit. (Oken and Zala) And with the neighbor's cats now even closer to the space occupied by dogs, this has to be a priority.
We'll secure this area by attaching a section of wire fence to the bottom of the existing fence that will extend roughly two feet out and on the ground, on the inside of the fence, which will discourage any digging at the point where the fence meets the ground. We'll also need to watch for those who decide they would like to become swimmers as we have no fence on the lake side but do have the fencing extended into the lake and beyond the reeds.
It was great fun to watch as each group of dogs ran full speed ahead, trying to find the new boundaries. And as anticipated, there were a couple who went full speed ahead onto what they have known as our winter trail on the frozen lake which is now, well, just lake. Poor Sweet Pea, not a water dog in the least, took the first big plunge. Zala was next and Ari, being new and having never run this trail before, thought it a good idea to just follow Zala as she took a dive. Both came out soaking wet but no worse for the wear. Journey seemed to love the dunk and went in full chested as if it were intended. It will now be interesting to see how they react when we do get our frozen lake trail back this winter.
Klaus - 70lbs - 8 year old Freight Alaskan Husky - The Ultimate Open Country Leader, loyal, intense.
Zala - 42lbs - 3 year old half Hedlund/half freight Alaskan Husky line - She's our "pocket Husky" - Leader, driven, couch cuddler.
Zodiak - 70lbs - 3 year old half Hedlund/half freight Alaskan line - Leader in Training, exuberant/goofy, intense.
Journey - 55lbs - 3 1/2 year old half Hedlund/half Alaskan bush trap line line - Leader, focused worker, face licker and lap dog to those she knows well,
Ari - 72lbs - 5 year old Hedlund Husky line Alaskan - Leader Potential (new to kennel), reserved, honest hard worker, thoughtful.
Wimzi - 58lbs - 9 month old Freight Alaskan Line (tiny bit of Hedlund) - Sled Dog in Training/Leader Potential, bouncy/happy, naughty (you can see it in her eyes!)
Oken - 68lbs - 3 year old half Hedlund/half freight Alaskan line - Open Country Leader, honest and eager-to-please, sensitive and thoughtful.
Sweet Pea - 55lb - 8 year old freight Alaskan line - Leader, SWEET, Loyal, house cuddler.
Ilo - 65lbs - 7 year old Hedlund Husky - Leader, happy and smiley, couch cuddler.
Tuloon - 50lbs - 6 year old Hedlund Husky - Open Country Leader, the Queen of the kennel and the house.
Phoenix - 70lbs - 5 year old Hedlund Husky - Open Country Leader, Powerful, Sensitive.
Topa - 55lb - 17 month old Hedlund Husky - Leader in Training, quirky and fun, couch cuddler. (She is in love with little Blueberry)
White Feather - 50lbs - 17 month old Hedlund Husky - Leader in Training, focused worker, social butterfly
Photo by Rebecca Lain When greeted with a sunrise like this, you know that it's gonna be a good day ahead!
Photo by Rebecca Lain McKenzie's smiling face before the event.
Both Hailey and Rebecca prepare the dogs for the race.
McKenzie is jumping out of his skin to go!
A little bit calmer now...
It was obvious that the trail was a little muddy.
McKenzie and Wahya watch as the other teams go by.
Rich and his team of two entered in the East meets West Dryland competition last weekend. It was his first dryland event. Rebecca, our handler from the UK, handled for him at this event and Neil, Hailey and I went on Sunday to show our support and cheer them on.
The dogs couldn't have looked any happier. They were entered in the canicross event and the two dog bikejor event and did very well for their first time. I believe they came in third overall for one event and actually took first place in another event. (Nobody needs to know that they were the only ones in their class for the first place trophy) Regardless, it isn't about winning but about the fun you have while doing it! As you can see by the photos, lots of fun was had by all.
White Feather created a mud pit and was no longer white
Journey on full alert. She's our watch dog.
Woofer (White Feather)
Tuloon cleans Topa's face. Such a good mom.
It's interesting how Tuloon mothers Topa and White Feather and has a very different dynamic with her first litter. They're a lot naughtier, I suppose.
Zodiak
Topa Topa
Phoenix - poor tormented boy. Our only intact females(3) were all in heat during this trip.
Oken
Sweet Pea is just "chilaxing" as Rebecca calls it.
Wimzi watches Neil cook our dinner.
Sweet and handsome Ari
