Handler Joe

I had an amazing weekend. It started on Friday morning when Jaye, Becki and I went to Dorchester to run some dogs. Jaye set me up with 6 of her dogs to run my own sled. This would be the first time with a team of 6 for me. This was the same trail that I first ran tandem behind Jaye so I was familiar with most of the trail we were running.

Lots of nice hills (some up and some down, as most hill are) and sharp corners. Coming down the some of the hills were pretty hairy with a 90 degree gee at the bottom but I handled them well and am gaining confidence as a musher.

The run ended up being 15 miles and I loved every minute of it. I have pretty much decided that 6 is the number of dogs I'm shooting for at this point. I don't really see me having a large kennel but to do what I would like to do with mushing I will need 6-8 strong dogs.

Steve and Dawn showed up at the cabin that night and the next morning we started packing up for the inaugural race in Colebrook, NH. Jaye and Steve had been spearheading this race for sometime and it was finally happening.

The only race I had been to so far was a fun run so I was looking forward to the experience. I wasn't up to racing yet but I volunteered to help in anyway I could for the race. I handled for Jaye as well as helped lead some other teams to the starting line. 

I've seen on video 4 or more people walking the gang-line full of dogs up to the line. Believe me, it looks a lot easier than it really is. Those dogs were on fire and we could barely hold them back. I even fell to my knees once or twice trying to maintain control in the chute.

There was a moment that I have to mention. The dogs were dropped, harnessed and waiting to be hooked up to the sled. Jaye was standing by her open truck door putting on her gear. I thought to myself "This is why I do this, this is why I'm here." I felt an excitement for my musher. I wanted her to do well and just felt happy to be part of it.

I've only known Jaye for about 6 months and in that time she has taught me a lot about the mushing world. I've always just thought of myself as a friend helping her with her team. But at that moment I actually felt more a part of her team than every before. Maybe it was the race adrenaline, maybe it was the cold, thin air. I was proud of her.

After all the teams were out on the trail and I was waiting to give them a head start before I took the snowmobile out to collect trial signs, I went in to change my base layer. I was soaked! There is plenty of exercise working with the teams.

I took out on the trail and started collecting signs. It was beautiful. I don't know who or how they picked this area but I was taken aback by it's beauty at every turn. From the small, winding trails through wooded areas to wide open, majestic hill tops overlooking the area I couldn't help but feel at peace. I'm really starting to get used to that feeling on the trails and find myself longing to go back for more.

The end of the day saw the handing out of trophies and run times. Everyone seemed very happy to have been part of this race and it looks like it will do nothing but grow from here.

The weekend was full of laughter, good friends, good times and an awkward interview. Can't wait to do it all again.