Training run - 3 Toes checks out Tudor Road

So we are here in Anchorage avoiding the -50 temps in Fairbanks and -60 temps in Tok!!!! It's been ranging from 0 to -25 depending on where you are in town, way better than our alternatives. We will stay here until we fly out next Sunday night.

We ran the dogs at the Tozier Track here in Anch, it's located right off Tudor Road. Tudor is a main road with 4 lanes of traffic, always busy. Any way we took 3 teams out at the same time for a run. There are lots of moose that like the Anchorage trails so it's best to go out together. I was the sweeper with a 7 dog team, Brian was right behind me with a 10 dog team then Greg behind him on skis with 3 dogs. That left 1 dog behind, 3 Toes. There were some other mushers helping us at the track so I knew they would put him back when we left with him there.

The trail is fun with lots for the dogs to see. 2 large culverts, about 6 little bridges with open water, 1 med size bridge with a hand rail, 1 large walking bridge with a tall hand, under a 4 way road 2 x's, lots of baseball fields to pass thru and yes lots of moose poop on the trail. SO as the sweeper I was a little anxious. But the run went well and the dogs did great. We got back and the dog was, what I thought, back in his box. Unfortunately when they went to put him in the box he got scared and in the commotion he got loose. So we were running around trying to find him. Found him.....he was in the middle of Tudor Road about 3 blocks up and had traffic stopped in both directions. That was the fastest I have ever run in full winter gear! People had their windows down trying to get his attention and others were slamming on their brakes to avoid a pile up (or maybe cause one) and there he was with a drop chain attached totally freaked out in the middle of the road! He is a yearling and has never seen anything even close to this. I was able to get his attention and he came over to me on the sidewalk... THANK GOD!!! So he was back untouched but a little confused and happy to see mom. Poor guy.

On the slate for today...wrapping up loose ends in the logistics of the trip, looking for more sponsors ( we are still short on funds) and try to keep all the dogs off the road, literally!

Jennifer ~