"Iching ta git started" , brought on by cooler weather and longer nights, the mushing juices really get flowing. We have begun to get the "dog stuff" organized Harness's, lines,and the mountains of Iditarod/quest equipment that we have now accumulated. The game plan is the start training in "full on" beginning Sept 1st From then on its full time 110% We have so many trail options here we need to really study some maps and get a handle on the terrian and narrow down some of the many options We will have the opertunity to set of many varied conditions, river running with open water, very steep inclines, twisty trails going down hill, open terrian, Many that I have seen racing that we'll be able to recreate. That is the mantra for this year. the best will rise to the top this year, through training conditions and sheer athletic aptitude, the cream will rise. Last season the empahsis was on bringing a large number of dogs on the truck to the Quest , ensuring that there would be enough for Iditarod ina worst case senario. which was ok but not a good plan to be competitive. I essentaily divided the best dogs to both races and filled in the rest. we just ended up puttering along in both and didnt have the "edge" Speed was a large limiting factor in the training last year as well, I emphasized pulling huge loads thereby keeping speeds down I'm talking 50lbs +per dog or translated for a 12 dog team, 600 lbs - musher, sled and extra weight combined. Although we will be weight training, speed runs will be more of a test factor. I will be looking at doing quicker runs, with weight just not as much. how is the done?, well thats where the experiance and know how comes into play , and its easier said then done. Many of the obstacles are the mushers, not the dogs. Appitite, and attitude will aslo be factors, We are fortunate that the breed of dogs we have , are naturally very enthusiastic, durable and are great eaters, but there are always the few(hopefully 16 ) that will shine. P.S We have a huge "pasture" beside the river on the property, wlaking with the pups there, Kate discovered Saskatoon berries, I mean LOTS! I belive a close relative to Huckleberries, and blue berries? I assumed earlier ( a few weks ago they were just "bushes" We picked in a couple of hours about 10 gallons ! Warren