Emma's last Mush

Emma's last mush was the Greenville 30 mile race, up in the gorgeous Moosehead lake area of Maine. She won the "youngest musher" award. For some reason my team decided to come in last. Symbolic? Or were they savoring every inch of trail??? Dunno.

We mushed the weekend before in epic conditions, deep snow, deep mountains, deep friendship (Lidia of course). After we got off the trail I said to Lidia "that was the last one, cannot do it anymore". It was sad, but beautiful. I saved my energy for a week and did the race. Emma enjoyed it as usual, turning flips on the softly undulating trail. As always, my team was worthy of a gold medal for being good, trusty companions. The 10 of us were truly together, me, Emma, Twinkle, Tula, Rainy, Pema, Java bean, Turbo, Hakka and Pearlie Whirly. My usual 9 dog team was short Smudge, I had to pick one to drop and that was very hard. He understood though.


The start, I am asking the photographer if he can hand me my dropped quick release...that I cannot reach due to big tummy!










Somewhere out on the lovely trail.










Emma at the finish line!











Me and Terry and the belly soon to be Emma. This was the first time my usual favorite jacket did not zip over my belly.














Lidia, I, and the happy belly. After we crossed the finish line.