Winter is Truly Upon Us

After receiving 8 fluffy inches of beautiful white powder yesterday,

winter is indeed, 

truly upon us.

One {1} degree this morning and tour folks scheduled.

Are we happy?

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

Winter is in Full Swing

Today has been very special.

First, our dogsledding tours began today.

Click here...to see.

Second, we have overnight guests staying at our Bear's Den cabin.

It's always exciting to read their journal entries upon their departure. 

Inspiration comes easy without electricity and running water.

Poets are born.

Photo taken in previous year.

This overnight couple will be our 2nd tour of the week.

The dogs are happy to get the "show on the road".

As are we...

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

March Mushing Madness

Even though our last official tour ended on Saturday,
we are still "all things dog".

We still have snow.  And we have a kennel full of dogs who love it.

As Iditarod plays out this week,

my mind wanders back to when the current 4-in-a-row Champion was at our place,

back in September of 2008,

during a full moon. 

Mr. Lance Mackey

4-time (back to back) Yukon Quest Champ.  4-time (back to back) Iditarod Champ. 

Making history on the back of a dog sled.

Folks were excited to meet him here, at Russ-Stick Acres.

For me, meeting this legend was a dream come true.

And what a wonderful way to do so, surrounded by like-minded folks.

We had door prizes galore, provided graciously by nearly every mushing-related company.

Many folks, over 100, went home with a prize under their arm.

We had singing. 

Horse-drawn transportation.

And happy participants, despite the rainy weather.

People were excited to meet Lance. 

The legend.

He's such a humble man, and kind to all, young and old. 

He "engages" with you.

Sometimes now, when I walk the property

and visit our Bear's Den cabin where Lance and his wife Tonya stayed,

it's hard to believe they were here for 4 days.

It seems like a dream...

...that he followed the trail to our little place in Michigan.

Lance. 
This video says it all. 
Catch the March Mushing Madness...you may just see history in the making.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Our Yearly Adventure - Invasion of the West Bloomies!

They have invaded a total of four years now...

For 2009...Click HERE.

Then, last year...well...I'll let Beth Robinson Kellman explain.

And today, a group, led by Laurel...

are coming for the fourth time...

What a wonderful way to meet new people and share this love of mushing ~ the silent sport.

Always God willing...

Our Greatest Joy

We've been doing a lot of talking these last couple weeks. 

Russ and I.

And we've come to the conclusion we love seeing the joy on children's faces when learning.

Especially with the animals.

Children do not fear.

They listen intently to instruction.

Their glee is evident.

They are strong.

Sometimes stronger than adults.

And the animals respect them.

Adore them.

And their touch is gentle and kind.

Because of this, we are looking at changes in the way we do our business.

The business of providing bliss on the back of a dog sled.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones.

For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in Heaven."

Matthew 18:10

Happy Dogs

It's time...

Fall training begins.