Well, here it is. The end I guess....

Where do I start.... I feel like I did the first time I started to write about my "Big Adventure". There is so much to tell. It's at moments like this, that I feel like the worst writer EVER! So I'll just start with the Mush for a Cure, and we'll see what happens....

So Saturday was the Mush for a Cure. Rob and I got up early, and got all our chores done in record time. The night before I was hounding him about getting up the trail early. Which is strange because I'm the one that is always late. We were on the snowmobile by 8:30, perfect timing. As we drove up the Gunflint, I was thinking of a million things. Will my dogs be ok? Will I fall? If I fall, will I be able to hang on? Ahhhh! Mixed with being excited as all hell, my stomach was in knots.

We arrived at Gunflint Pines around 9:30 ish. Just as we were getting out of the car and putting our boots on, Mark walked up and said "You made it!!". When I turned around, Mark looked like a Barbie Dream House had exploded all over him! He was wearing a bright pink wig, topped with a huge pink and black showgirl head dress. Then he had a pinkish bra on with a satin pink coat. On his bottom half he had is pink grass skirt covering up a pink mini skirt and zubaz!!! It was absolutely PERFECT!! Instantly Rob and I were laughing and in the spirit. I can guarantee that Mark did that for people all day. Mark let us know what was going on and where we needed to be, then headed off towards the lake. As he walked a way, Rob says this "Good thing I brought this!", and whips out a bright pink bra. He strapped it on, stuffed it with socks, and was ready to go!!. It was HILARIOUS! My mom and dad sent us a package loaded with random pink gear. In the box was a sequence covered pink cowboy hat. It was the perfect topper to Rob's look!!

After we too looked like Barbie Dream House casualties, we walked down to Gunflint Lake, where all the dog trucks were parked. The noise of barking dogs has really become almost soothing. We could hear them, and both of us were thinking "Are those our dogs?". When the lake was in view, it really was breathtaking. There were dog trucks lined up and people everywhere. It was SO much bigger than I had imagined. More people, more dogs, more dog trucks, and more PINK!!

We got to the Black Magic truck and were so happy to finally be getting ready! As we were putting our sled bags on, Mary made her way back to the truck. She looked fantastic! She was wearing a hugely oversized magenta prom dress, pink hat, pink little devil horns, and pink gloves. Her spirits were high, as they should of been. What an event!! She came around the dog truck and saw Rob in his bra and started laughing. Mary laughs a lot, but this was more like giggling. She said "What will your mom think? This is what happens up in the woods". It was good stuff.

While getting our gear organized, our neighbor musher and friend, Neil stopped by to say Hi. He asked if we were excited and told us about his first "race". After wishing us good luck, he was on his way to take care of his dogs. Rob and I headed over to get registered, but not after endless pictures of course. Everywhere you went, people were taking pictures. On the way to the registration office ( tiny fish house) I spotted Jerry Sivets. He's another neighbor musher that Rob and I crossed paths with early on in our stay. He runs older, retired, spoiled and well fed, fluffy siberians. I've never met him in person, so I decided to introduce myself (I know mom, I take after you). He and his wife Kay were so sweet. They were awesome to talk to. Jerry decided not to run the dogs, due to the hot weather. That's right people, hot weather. When you are a well fed, and very WELL INSULATED Siberian husky, 48 degrees feels like 90 degrees. So Jerry left the big guys at home. I was so glad to of gotten to meet the Sivets in person.

After registration, and our mini musher meeting, it was back to the dogs for some serious getting ready. From that point on, it all happened so fast. So here goes....

We got all the dogs out of the truck to stretch and pee, and get ready themselves. The sleds were put in place and the gang lines strung out. Hooks were set, and helpers were found. Mark Luttinen, who came to the kennel with his wife Lisa and daughter Meridith, came to help out. Thanks Mark, we needed it. We needed helpers to stand on our snow hooks so that the dogs wouldn't take off without us. My cousin Lyndsay (Lakeview Dairy Lyndsay) was at the race to support me, and turned into a helper:). She stood on my hook for me. It meant the world to me that she was there. .

It was a little chaotic. There was a fire truck siren which indicated it was time to hop in our sleeping bags . Did I forget to tell you about that? The race had a Sourdough start. Which means that you start in your sleeping bag with no boots on. When the gun goes off, you jump out, put your boots on, hook up your dogs, and GO! I jumped in my sleeping bag (with my boots on, oops!), and just as I laid down, CRACK! The signal gun went off. Both Rob and I flew out of our sleeping bags and started hustling around, hooking up our team. The dogs were so excited. I know for sure, that they knew this was going to be a blast!! Rob was about one dog faster than me. Meaning he was hooking up his last dog as I was on my way to get mine. Just as I was hooking up Bud's tug line, I heard Rob's big voice say "ALRIGHT!". I turned and he was like a streak of lighting. I hopped on my sled, picked up one hook, and then the next, and we took out of there like speed demons.

It was a crazy sight. All the teams converging on one trail. I wasn't feeling very nervous until that very moment. All the dogs, and more experienced mushers, flying towards each other. It went smooth! Hercules and Cleo were absolute pros!! I was nervous that they wouldn't pass teams, because when we practiced at home, it didn't go well. Mark told us that passing their own teams is always harder than unfamiliar teams. Hercules and Cleo were on a mission!! We were passing teams on the left, passing them on the right. It was awesome! All I could do was hang on and say "GOOD DOGS!!" We came to a slight curve in the trail, and it almost seemed like a bottle neck. A bunch of teams seemed to be crowding together. Hercules doesn't like crowded. He veered of the trail. I got super nervous, thinking "This is going to be over, before it even really started". Instead, Hercules went off the trail, cut the corner in order to pass the congestion, and got right back on the trail. It was hilarious. As we merged back on the trail, we were right on the heels of Julie and Jess, and in front of them Rob. How freaking crazy! I looked back and there were piles of teams behind us. Way behind us. I know it isn't a race, but it sure felt cool to be up in front:):)

The trail was beautiful. With the temperature being so warm, the trail was a bit soft, and sort of slow. The four of us, Rob, Julie, Jess, and I, stayed together for a good chunk of the beginning part of the race. After we crossed the Gunflint Trail, we headed up a STEEP hill. Right on my heels was NEIL! It was so fun to see a familiar face. As his dogs passed mine, he said "this seems familiar". Referring to all the times we've passed each other on our trails at home. It was in this hilly section, that me and my dogs got a little behind Rob, Julie, and Jess.

Before the run, I promised my dogs that if they pulled the whole race, and gave 110%, I would push the entire race. Push up every hill, and peddle on every flat section. I figured it was a good deal. As I lost sight of the teams in front of us, and with no one in sight behind us, we were alone. This is where it gets tough to explain. It was quiet and warm. The scenery is beauty, unmatched. The only noise is the dogs feet in the mushy snow, and their breathing. My breathing too, up some of those giant hills. It was at this very moment that every minute of hard work, became worth it. I wanted to do Mush for a Cure because it's for an amazing cause, but I also wanted to do for me. I wanted to know that I could do it. I know it's only 20 ish miles. It's not the Beargrease, or the Iditarod. But for me, Hercules and Cleo and the rest of the team that helped me get to that point, it sure felt like something special.

We were alone for most of the race. The last person we passed was a guy named Erik. He had a huge freighter sled, that was gorgeous, and fluffy big dogs. He was so friendly, at the chaotic start he had passed me, and on the way by, he shook my hand and introduced himself. Very nice. So we plodded along, all alone. We would come around corners, not realizing they were viewing areas for spectators. There, on the side of the trail would be a mish mosh of people, cheering, ringing bells, and clapping as we went by. For some reason, it made me so happy I would get tears in my eyes. Every freakin time. They would say "Doing Great!!", and "Beautiful dogs" (that one I knew for sure was true), "You rock"!. As we approached one of the check points (where volunteers just make sure everyone has passed safely), I saw sitting in a law chair, Jerry Sivets. His wife Kay armed with her smiling face, pink ribbon clad coat, and clipboard. As they waved and told me I as doing a great job, I shouted my sash number. Number 7.. Lucky 7. Lucky is right!!

As the race went on, I have to admit, I was feeling a little worn out. It was hot. If it was hot for me, I knew it was hot for the dogs. Hercules especially. He's bigger than the rest of the dogs and gets hot much faster. We stopped A LOT for the dogs to get snow. It's funny to stop and have all the dogs belly flop and roll in the snow. As we were coming to a stop in some shade, I saw Jess and Julie up ahead! I was so excited to see them. I caught up to them in a short time. As I got close to the back of Jess, I heard Julie tell her to ask me to pass. I said I'd just hang back. Then I heard Julie say "Hey Jess, that dog looks like Hercules...... OH THAT IS HERCULES! Hey Mel!"

The three of us were back together to finish off the race. Before we hit the lake, we took a turn onto a paved road, and then a turn off it. Hercules chose to cut the corner. He goes where he finds most efficient. What can I say? As we cut the corner, we passed Penguin Billy. He's a Sled Dog Icon. He's been putting little penguins randomly on race trails for years. As I passed him, he ran along side of me with a penguin with a pink ribbon on it's neck. At the beginning of the race, Mary said if we are able to, grab a pink ribbon from Penguin Billy. I had nixed the idea right away, thinking there was no way I'd be able to multi task like that. But here he was, right next to me, so I snatched the pink ribbon from the penguins neck. Both Jess and Julie got a ribbon too. They all had a women musher name on them. I got Kathy Jacobson. Julie got Shelly Stetson. Shelly is who was being honored at the race. She passed away in January from breast cancer. It was a powerful reminder of what the race was all about.

The three of us saw the Lake Access sign and cheered! We were almost there!! We hit the lake, and I peddled. I promised right? It was nice to be on the lake. The cold wind cooled both the dogs and me off. I could see the finish line in the distance. Before we were finished, we passed another group of spectators in the middle of the lake. A group of cross country skiers had set up shop in the middle of no where, really, to cheer us on. Too much fun!

So there we were, crossing the finish line. Again, it's not a race, but Hercules and Cleo, little Indi and Maggie, Johnny, Ranger and Bud, and yours truly were the 8th team to cross the finish line!!! Can you believe that? 8th! There were 32 ( I think) teams out there! As we crossed the finish line, I saw Lyndsay, cheering away, and Rob, in his pink hat, waiting:) He had crossed the line 3rd!! Shut up, I know, 3rd!!! We got the dogs to the truck, gave them fish soup (yep, it is what it sounds like), and let them rest. Hercules found a really nice chunk of shade, and flopped down.

Rob and I milled around, helping other teams get back to their trucks, roasting hot dogs over a fire, and basically taking it all in. After the last team crossed the finish line, it was prize time. Mary got on the mic and said thanks to everyone. Then she told us how much we all raised. $23,000.00. Can you even believe it!! And there are still a few more pledges to be accounted for. Mary gave out the Red Lantern award, for the last finisher, then a couple more awards. Then Penguin Billy explained why he handed out the Pink Ribbons. He pledged an addition $50 in each persons name that grabbed a ribbon. He randomly gave out 12 ribbons. What did I tell you, Lucky #7. Thank you Penguin Billy. He also said a few words about raising money, and how amazing it is that we get together to do this.

To cap off the day, all the mushers took a picture with the FINISH line banner. It's a great picture. You can catch a few pictures on Mary's blog, I'll try and wrangle some up too. I have a few in mind, that I'll post seperatly on Friday.

So here is where it gets tough, AGAIN. Writing about what this whole crazy 4 1/2 months have been like. Even though I've been keeping this blog and telling stories, I'm not sure if I've been clear on how it's effected me. How I feel like I can do anything. Or at least try anything. I was able to do something, that most people will never get to do. Or even think about doing.

As we packed up our tiny cabin at Mark and Mary's, it seemed strange. I was excited to be heading home, but felt sad about leaving. I think it's something that never feels like the right time. Leaving the dogs was the hardest part (sorry Mark and Mary;)). Rob and I made our rounds to say good bye, and I cried a little bit. It didn't really feel like we wouldn't be back though. Like we were saying good bye for now, but not forever. I don't think, after spending so much time with the dogs, and the Blacks, that saying good bye forever is an option.

Now Rob, Tubbs, Keenan and I are all back in Brainerd. Tubbs is at the groomers to tidy up 4+ months of chicken beard, Caribou and Foreman slobber. Rob is at home, catching up with his brother and sister. I'm at the coffee shop, of course, writing away. I leave for Colorado tomorrow to do some catching up with my own family. Rob and I are both a little in limbo about our jobs. And luckily we have some time to burn before we have to make some serious desicions. Something I'm horrible at, the serious desicion making. Haha. I am technically jobless, and some what homeless (although my parents house is always home), and have really never felt better about my life. Rob and I have been telling a million sled dog stories. People ask all kinds of questions. Even random strangers will over hear us talking and join in. And we are HAPPY to give answers. But here's the one I'm having the hardest time with....

What's your next adventure going to be? Hmmm......




p.s. i didn't proof read, AT ALL. so i hope it's not too bad:)

Here's the Line Up!

So here it is. My Mush for a Cure team....

In lead will be Cleo and Hercules. Next will be Indi and Maggie, then Johnny, and in wheel Ranger and Bud.

There were a couple of changes. I decided that Kila would be the dog I leave at the yard. But then Michelob is in heat, so bringing her to the race could invite some problems. I'm still leaving Kila here, and now Michelob too. I'll be bringing Maggie instead. Maggie is a yearling puppy that Rob has been running in his team. She sometimes has a hard time starting, so he was going to leave her at the dog yard. My team is mostly older, veteran dogs, compared to Rob's team that is mostly yearling puppies. Mark suggested running Maggie in my team. The more experienced dogs might be able to teach her a thing or two, and being at the Mush for a Cure will give her a little "race" setting exposure.

Rob's team will be Zena and Jango in lead, then Moon. Next is the brothers, Wally and Brown, and in wheel Bree and Caribou. There are a few sets of brothers and sisters in the dog yard, but Rob and I only refer to Wally and Brown as "the brothers". They are just plain goofy.

Here are a few of the stars of the show:) At the very top is Johnny, next is Bud, then Wally and Brown. (a.k.a. the brothers)

The Last Lunch Loop

We are got covered in snow yesterday. It's awesome! It started snowing around noon. Rob, Mark and I all took a team out just as it started coming down.

As we were leaving the yard, huge fat flakes were falling from the sky. The kind you hope for on Christmas. The temperature wasn't very cold, it really was perfect. The wind started to pick up near the end of the run, which made going through The Burn a little nippy.

It was the last time we were running out 8 dog teams for the Mush for a Cure. I can't believe it came so fast. The dogs have worked hard, and look great. It's going to be so much fun. Mark, Rob and I will run the dogs down to the truck on Friday. They will spend the night up at Gunflint Pines. Rob and I will stay at the dog yard until Saturday morning, to take care of the remaining dogs. Early Saturday we will head up the Gunflint to the race!! There are now 34 mushers, and 4 skijorers(sp??). Sounds like things are really coming together this week, with volunteers and prize donations. Thanks everyone.

Today, we will be moving snow. Not an overly exciting task, but it must be done. I'm not sure how much snow we have, but luckily it's not the full foot and a half they were predicting.

Rob's brother brought us a camera to use for the remainder of our time here. Which is nice because my brand new one is useless without any battery. Thanks Tubbs. So here is a picture of Rob, Honey, and I. Aren't those giant Carhart bibs SO flattering on me? Hahaaa!!

I know, I know.....

I know, I know..... WHERE HAVE I BEEN? Haha! No where really, just not writing blogs.

Everyday this past week, Rob and I were running dogs. The weather was AMAZING! I talked to my mom on Friday and told her it's been one of my favorite times to be here (dog wise). Getting to run a team that I've put most of my efforts in, is pretty rewarding. Having warmer, sunny weather, is like a cherry on top!!

Rob and I are both working hard with our teams for Mush for a Cure! It's only 6 days away!! I can't believe it. I've been checking the site and we are already up to 33 teams. Go to www.mushforacure.com and check it out. Awesome. Rob and I will both be running teams of 7, not 8. Julie is going to run a team using dogs from Black Magic, so there won't be enough room around the truck if we all have 8 dogs. We'll just play it safe and shrink our teams just a tiny bit.

Friday was our day off, and it felt really nice. Rob's brother, Randon, came up from Brainerd and brought snowmobiles with him. Rob's snowmobile has been in the shop most of the winter, so it was great to get at least one great weekend of riding in. It was such a relief to see Rob's snowmobile, let alone hear it start up on the first couple of pulls! Letting the boys go ride, left me with the day off... ALONE. I haven't gone to town or really done anything by myself since we arrived here. It was perfect! I tooled around town on my own schedule, meeting Lyndsay for lunch, and then coffee. I ran into a cousin of mine, Lily, that I haven't seen in a looooong time. I gabbed on the phone endlessly. Like I said, it felt great:)

Having Randon here has been fun. He's been helping out with dog chores, and contributed his random car knowledge for trivia. Mark and Mary have been gracious hosts. Now it's Sunday, I think Randon is heading out after dog chores. I'm not sure, he seems to like it quite a bit up here. Rob, I and our teams will be back to work today. Mark and Mary gave a warning, as they ran yesterday, that the trails are fast and icy. I better hold on!!!

Being that there is only 6 days left til Mush for a Cure, I'm going to write in PINK everyday! Just to remind everyone about making pledges and volunteering!! You get what you give in this life, so GIVE A LOT!!:):)

Sunshine!!

The sun is shining!! Today was beautiful! Yesterday Rob and I took our teams out on the Lunch Loop. The weather wasn't bad at all, but today.... was perfect! Julie came out with her dogs and came with us on our run. She's getting her team ready for Mush for a Cure. Well, actually, Jess will be running the dogs, but she's in school. Julie lucked out and was doing the running. It was also her birthday today. Happy Birthday Julie!! The big 40!

We had kind of a bummer day yesterday. Honey, the dog with seizures, had 3. It was pretty stressful for us, and I can't imagine what she was thinking. I sent emails out to the vet I used in Castle Rock, and a few more to veterinary schools in Minnesota and Colorado asking for suggestions and help. Mark put up a post on Sled Dog Central asking for the same. We got all kinds of responses. Right now we are trying Calcium supplements, Tums. She's in great spirits today. We are hoping the calcium helps. Hopefully a trip to the vet will give a little more insight to what could possibly be wrong with her. If we're lucky, it will be something minor, and manageable. Cross your fingers for her:)

Hmmmm.... what else.....

Mush for a Cure is only 11 days away!!! So exciting!!! Get your pledges in soon:):) Or if you have time on Sat. March 14th, VOLUNTEER!! You don't have to know anything about dogs, an extra set of hands is all we really need. It's going to be a crazy fun time, you won't want to miss. There are 28 mushers signed up! That's awesome. A lady and her dogs are coming all the way from Oregon! Just think, she's coming all that way, and all you have to do is get off the couch, walk out the mail box, and send a pledge:):)

On the road again.....

Well, as mentioned before, this was a busy weekend....

Friday Mark and Rob brought 20 dogs back down to the dog truck and off to Gunflint Pines for Winter Tracks they went. Mark and the dogs, not Rob. Not yet. Rob and I stayed at the kennel on Friday to take care of the dogs that didn't go to the Pines. We ran the short Moose Loop with some of the dogs that haven't been our running in while.

We also played trivia! We had a blast. This weekend WTIP was running a pledge drive to keep the station up and running. It's a public run station, so it relies on money donations to function. The trivia, called "Small Change", ran an extra hour because of the drive. They would stop the game every half hour or so and ask/shake down the listeners to donate money. Rob and I had made a couple of calls and were on a roll with a few right answers. Every time they stopped to collect pledges, we would get totally bummed. The hosts, Cathy and Stacey would hold the show up until they had gotten a certain number of pledge callers. After a while instead of bummed, we were annoyed, haha. Stacey and Cathy's stall method worked on us. We called in and pledged money just to keep the show going! It was the most fun we've had playing trivia. Now we're officially WTIP members. Add that to my new Co-Op membership, and I'm practically a local. haha.

Yesterday morning we fed the dogs their chicken soup, and then hopped on the sled to head to our own truck. We made a quick stop in Grand Marais at the Java Moose for my cinnamon brown sugar latte and an iced coffee for Rob, then it was up the Gunflint Trail. I was excited to drive up the trail. The farthest up the trail I've ever been is Trail Center, and it's been about 8 years since then. The sun was out and the drive was nice. Everything looks so pretty in the winter. Covered in snow. Once we got to Gunflint Pines we were reminded that even though it was sunny, it was FREEZING! The wind coming off Gunflint Lake was frigid! The dogs and Mark and Mary were set up right on the lake. Across it you could see Canada.

We got a chance to meet the Baker's, owners of Gunflint Pines, and good friends of Mark and Mary's. Mark took a group of everyone's kids out for a run, and then another friend of theirs. Then it was time to close up shop. We helped put the dogs in their boxes, and clean up gear. After a quick pow wow with Mark and Mary, we were back on the road. That was actually the first time we'd seen Mary in a week and a half. We won't see her again until this weekend. Geez.

On the way down Rob was day dreaming about all the lake accesses for canoe trips. I was imagining warm weather, haha. A little dazed from being out in the cold and then sitting in a warm car, we stopped for a quick slice of pizza at Sven and Ole's before finishing our journey back to the Red Gate and the snowmobile.

Once we were home, and the dogs fed, it wasn't long before we were in our p.j.'s and ready for bed. Although we spent most of the day driving, we were beat.

Today Mark will arrive back with the 20 dogs. Rob will meet him down at the gate with a snowmobile, and they'll run the same drill they did earlier this week:) Like Mary says "ahhh, the joys of living in the bush".

The Lunch Loop and Then Some!!

It's snowing.... again! It has been coming down slowly but surely for the last couple of days. Tonight the temperature is dropping below zero. That hasn't happened in a couple of weeks. I guess winter's not over just yet. Bummer. I've become a big fan of the 30 degree days with the sun shining.

Today Rob and I took our 8 dog teams on an extended version of the Lunch Loop. It added about 8 or so extra miles to our regular 22. The dogs did great. Robs team of yearling puppies looked a little livelier than my team. But all the dogs really enjoyed the run and we all made it hope safe and healthy. I had a tiny, itty bit of trouble with a couple of the unfamiliar turns. Cleo, the leader I've been using the last few weeks, and who I have great faith in, has an affliction to making new left hand turns. That caused a few problems. The good news is that there were only two turns she wasn't interested in taking. I ripped my coat and scrapped my arm up a bit with the snow hook on one of the missed turns, but....It could of been worse:) I'm hoping we can work out the kinks in the next two weeks. I really want Cleo to lead my team for the Mush for a Cure. Cleo and Hercules. Who just so happen to be brother and sister.

I think my Mush for the Cure team is going to look like this (tentatively) Cleo and Herc, Indi and Olga or Kila, I'm undecided right now, Michelob and Budweiser, and Johnny and Ranger. The team could change just a bit. Olga and Kila are both kind of squirly, but I think they have character. I'm just not sure how much character one team needs. Jess, Julie's daughter is running the Mush for a Cure and might need one more dog. I think Ranger is on the list. Although I'm secretly hoping he gets to stay with me:) So we'll see in the next week or so, who the final team will be!!

Like I said, Rob's team did great. 6 of the 8 dogs that Rob runs are puppies. He's been running Moon (1 1/2 years old) in lead with Olive (9 years old) and she's awesome. Olive is a great teacher and Moon seems to be a quick learner. The rest of the puppies just have CRAZY energy and are flat out excited to run every chance they can get. Honey has been running with us the last few times too. She's doing fantastic as usual. We just started giving her raw butter and honey to try and stave off her seizures. Cross your fingers!! She such a bad ass dog. It would be awesome if the "alternative" remedies work! Maggie is another puppy that is really doing well too. She's got serious attitude. Rob says that after every run, when we let the dogs wander back to their houses, she "flexes up" on every dog she passes. Just showing everyone how tough she is I guess.

Robs team for Mush for a Cure will be most of the puppies he's been running. I'm pretty sure he'll run Moon in lead, but without Olive. Olive will run with Jess. Olive is the mom of one of Jess's dogs. So Moon and a leader to be named :), maybe Zena?? Bree and Caribou, Honey and Maggie, and Wally and Brown. He's excited to get them out there and see how they do.

The whole time we were running, it was snowing. By the time we got back to the dog yard, there was probably another inch of snow on the ground. We fed the dogs their dry food and headed back to the cabin for some serious veggin out. I'm such a sissy and felt kind of tired after our extended run. Like I've said before, I'm not a long distance musher. 30 miles might be my max! haha.

Tomorrow Mark will head to Gunflint Pines Resort with 20 dogs to prepare for this weekends rides. In the morning we'll hook 14 dogs to the snowmobile, and 6 dogs to a sled. Mark will take the snowmobile, and Rob the sled. I think I'll do a little house cleaning tomorrow. Woo hoo! Rob and I will hold the fort down until Saturday morning, and then we'll head over to help with the rides. It will be a busy weekend, but fun for sure. A quick stop at the Java Moose for a cinnamon brown sugar latte before heading up the trail will really top everything off:):)

I wanted to give a quick shout out to Mark, Lisa and Meridith!!! I got your comment on yesterdays blog, but I don't have your email address. My email is melincolo@hotmail.com if you can drop me a line that would be great. Rob and I would love to take your pledge!! We had a great time while you were out here. It's so fun to have visitors. We really look forward to seeing you at Mush For a Cure! Hope you all can make it. If you do come, we'd love to see some of those pics! Rob is planning on running Wally in his team, Meridith! Talk to you soon:)