The first thing that greets me each time I walk through the front door of our log cabin is my Serum Run supply drop bag from Galena, Alaska. Draped over the stairway, it is a daily reminder of how far our dog teams came to reaching our goal to go to Nome in 2009. As fate would have it, that expedition was shut down due to one of the worst Alaskan winters in decades.

In 2011 we will set out to finish what we started in 2009, to successfully drive our dog team from Nenana to Nome with the Col Norman Vaughan Serum Run '25 Expedition. It is not only important we do this in 2011, it is critical. With nearly every dog approaching the age of retirement (approximately 12), and with one of our most capable leaders, Chewbacca, set to turn 13 during the expedition, it is now or it is never.

This will be the last great run for nearly all of these incredible huskies who have worked hard all their lives. It will also be their crowning achievement. How much I want them to own this legacy. I am so very proud of them. They have been devoted, cheerful, and hard working friends. Seeing these twelve boys and girls arrive safely on the frozen beaches of Nome will be an unforgettable moment. It will be one that I carry in my heart and mind all my life. And when I too have grown old and infirm, the memory of those dogs and what they did for me will keep me in good company. That is why I need to do this.

On behalf of all my huskies, I wish to express my greatest appreciation to each and every one of you who shares my passion to see things through and return to Alaska for one last shot at our Quest. Your many generous offers of gear, outfitting, service, and encouragement is a great thrust to our effort.

As outlined in my book, A Long Way To Nome, the preparation for, and participation in, the Serum Run '25 Expedition is an extraordinary undertaking. Not only is it a great test to the fortitude and will of twelve very special huskies but for myself as well. Still, I have always believed that anything is possible. This is how I have lived my life.

To my many friends and family, thank you for believing in me.

On May 16th my dogs and I were honored to be selected for Col. Norman Vaughan's 2011 Serum Run '25 Expedition in Alaska! We're headed to Nome!

We are both excited and grateful to have been chosen for the 2011 Expedition. I understand there was a lot of competition bidding for slots with the expedition team, and we were honored to be included in the final pick.

Fundraising programs are now underway to help finance expedition expenses. Fall training for the huskies begins in late September.

The expedition is slated to begin Feb 20th, 2011 from Nenana, Alaska.

I'm often asked what it must be like to be a dog musher and to make your home with a "herd" of huskies. The truth is, much of the time is spent scooping poop, cleaning kennels, feedings, scooping still more poop, grooming, and just plain 'ole playtime with the dogs.
Fall training in the Northwest is often filled with rain soaked days on muddy backcounty trails. The arrival of winter brings snow - sometimes too much at a time and makes breaking trail difficult, slow work. This winter we often endured cold rainy days on mushy snow while getting soaked clear through. It can make for some miserable runs for both mushers and their dogs.
Then there is the perfect day. It's what many mushers call "The Addiction" of dog mushing. Hard, quick trails, dry weather, broken skies, and noone on the trail but you and your dogs . . . for miles and miles. Last Sunday we had one of those magical days.
After last weeks discouraging encounters with barren trails, we returned and drove much higher on the mountain. Then we hit snow and lots of it. Cold night-time temps had hardened the trail which was, miraculously, neither rutted or torn up by snowmachine tracks.
That day my huskies and I "fed the addiction" by running almost 35 beautiful miles through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Along the way we crossed flowing streams, witnessed wildlife, caught a breathtaking view of Mt Adams through misty clouds, and flew merrily through turns on downhill runs.
For the last several years, I had wanted to return by dogteam to Takhlakh Lake, one of the gems of the Pacific Northwest. There is almost nothing that can compare to parking your dogteam near the snowy shores of that frozen lake. Not a another person for miles and miles and the complete silence broken only by birds in the trees. That day we finally realized the dream once again. The "addiction" was fed yet again for man and dogs.
A day like this can carry you for months of routine kennel care and miles of miserably wet training miles. This is why we do this - for those singlular moments. God Bless these dogs.

Ever since I can remember, I have sledded with all our sled dogs on Super Bowl Sunday. It's an annual tradition for us each year. I can always catch up with the best of the Super Bowl game TV ads on U-Tube later.

But those darn Easterner's have hogged up all our nice snow this winter! How dare they? So while folks in DC and New Jersey are trying to figure out how to get to the office through 3 feet of snow, our dog teams are wistfully looking at what should have been a beautiful trail with a 6' snow base yesterday!

So after giving each of my 13 huskies enough time off the truck for a drink and potty break, I told them to bid farewell to their annual Super Bowl snow run and returned them, one by one, to their dog boxes. It made for a long, dreary drive down the mountain with all the huskies crying, Waaaa - waaa - waaaaa, all the way home. Poor kids.

Musher Jill Wilson reported this morning that they barely had enough snow to run the sled dog race at Priest Lake, Idaho this past weekend - but managed to pull it off. We have had only 2 weekends on snow with the dogs this year! One at the Snow Dog Super Mush where we enjoyed nice trails, albiet warm temperatures, and the Cascade Quest where we camped for three days in ankle deep water in the dog lot between race events! Normally, we are on snow by Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks El Nino.

So what's next? It's time to get the Gig cart out of mothballs and tune it up for the rest of the winter. Perhaps we can still enjoy some happy miles on gravel trails while musing over all those lucky mushers in the eastern US who are probably cheerfully gliding along with their dog teams while drinking hot lattes on their way into work!

The Wenatchee World ran a very nice news story featuring our team at the 2010 Cascade Quest Sled Dog Race near Leavenworth, WA.
I wish to thank the reporter for the Wenatchee World for the honest and positive narrative about these huskies doing what they love best - running as a pack down the trail.
The photo of me kissing Cherry was taken immediately after our finish on the first day of the 2 day race event. Petite little Cherry, one of the dogs included on my Serum Run '25 expedition team, ran lead with Grits and set a blistering pace throughout the run. She is a darling little girl.
To read the complete story published Feb 1, 2010 go here:

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/feb/01/slushy-mush-tepid-snow-aside-dog-sled-race-still/

In a moment that brought tears of joy, my team of 10 year old senior huskies carried me across the finish line for a 1st Place Finish at the 2010 Cascade Quest Sled Dog Race Sportsman Class.
I am so very happy for those dogs. They are all heart and ran with great joy. The spirit they showed last weekend took us to a finish nearly an hour ahead of our competition.
God Bless you Grits, Cherry, Birch, Willow, Patrick, and Boomer. You have earned this legacy.
God Bless every dog we saw on that trail. They ALL gave the very best they had - especially Margaret Black's Siberians and Don Duncan's Sammy's driven by Paul Tregressor. They are all such good dogs.
We sold nearly 20 autographed copies of A Long Way To Nome at the Wenatchee Rec Center between race events. I also wish to thank KOHO Radio for the race interview and the Wenatchee World Newspaper for their interview as well.
It was good to see so man friends and enjoy the company of their magnificant dogs. It was a perfect weekend.

Running under beautiful skies in eastern Washington's Okanogan Forest, my team of mostly 10 to 11 year olds successfully finished the Snow Dog Super Mush sled dog race on Sunday. Still looking happy and strong after 70 miles, my team completed the challenging, mountainous course for the 12 Dog Class in 9 hrs 15 min - not bad for a team of seniors!
On the 2nd day of the race, we did encounter two very serious situations. First my sled collided with and became entangled in a large tree anchoring a sharp turn on the trail. Later, we suffered a terrible head on collision with a less experienced musher who failed to maintain control of his 6 dog team. While working to untangle the writhing, growling mass of 16 huskies, another team of 12 huskies collided with and drove directly through both of the entangled teams, briefly resulting in a snarling mass of 28 huskies.
In all my years on the trail, it was the most fearful situation I have ever been involved in. It is only by the Grace of God Almighty, that no dogs were killed. In what I can only explain as a miracle, no dogs were injured.
After moving my team out of harms way, I was eventually able to untangle my huskies and complete the final miles of our 70 mile run. Crossing the finish line with those dogs still moving strong was one of greatest moments of relief I have ever experienced.
For most of the dogs on my team, this was probably their Swan Song, or last snow race of their careers. How tragic and sad it would have been for a single one of them to have been killed or seriously injured due to an inexperienced musher on the trail. It is by Providence alone that they all finished this bittersweet race healthy and happy. It was a very emotional day for me and one I will not soon forget.
Due to their advanced ages, I had worked long hours throughout the weekend race caring for and massaging the dogs. During the awards ceremony that followed, we were honored with the race veterinarian's Best Kept Team Award for the 12 dog class. This was the greatest honor imaginable. God Bless every one of those sweet, hard working dogs. I will never forget this run.

It's hard to believe we are still training with the gig on gravel roads in mid January due to lack of snow on our Lewis Co trail system. This is a result of the El Nino effect that has driven a non-stop wave of warm, wet weather called the Pineapple Express into the Great Northwest. I blame Hawaii.
But our training must go on! Today we ran near Doty, WA on logging roads and saw not a single vehicle or human the whole day. Temps were holding at about 45 degrees with cloudy skies, drizzle, and breeze. We have not had any sunshine for the month of January - making for a dark and dreary winter.
Lately, I given little Cherry a shot a running in lead with either Grits or her brother Willow. She is a little rocket and sets the best possible pace every mile of the run. Nearly all of the dogs are looking good in spite of the low mileages due to limited trails available. Teek has made every run but will not race. Pike shows some promise. Everyone else looks great - even 11 year old Chewy who still runs in lead most of the time. This could be his last full blown season. Then again, he could surprise me with a Reprise in 2011. He is amazing.
Next weekend we will be running in the 12 dog class at the Snow Dog Super Mush sled dog race in Conconully, WA. I don't expect my team of mostly seniors to be competitive, but they should be able to complete the daily 35 miles runs in reasonable time. God Bless them - each and every one.

This morning I had the pleasure of participating in the Grand Opening Celebration of the new Jackson Hwy Veterinary Clinic facility near Chehalis. I was on hand to sign copies of "A Long Way To Nome" and to tour the fabulous new clinic created by Dr Dale and Donna Marker.
We sold out all of our copies of the book in about 3 hours! I also had the chance to be interviewed on live radio (KITI and Live 95 FM) to promote the book signing while inviting listeners to come on down for a visit to the new clinic.
Most visitors brought along their dogs or cats, so that made it particularly fun!
I had all 15 of our huskies with us and the dog sled I drove on the Serum Run 25 Expedition. Many people had never seen a real dogsled before. The kids particularly enjoyed standing on the runners for a photo.
The book also continues to sell regularly on Amazon.com and I am somewhat amazed at the interest the book is generating.

The first shipments of personalized copies of A Long Way To Nome are now in the mail to my customers.
Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in my heartfelt story about 13 amazing sled dogs who made the trip to Alaska with me for the 2009 Serum Run '25 expedition.
To purchase a copy of A Long Way To Nome, just go to my Home Page and click on the Purchase Book link.
To purchase an autographed copy, just email me from my Home Page and follow instructions (same great price!)
Amazon.com is now selling the book!!! To purchase a copy from Amazon.com just log into their website and type in the title of my book, A Long Way To Nome - and VOILA!

My book, A Long Way To Nome, is now available for sale. To purchase a copy directly online, please click on the Purchase Book link on my Home Page.
To request an autographed copy please email me at NorthwestMusher@aol.com. These will make great Christmas gifts, and will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Autographed copies will be available for shipment after Dec 11th and we will ship to you Priority Mail (2 to 3 business days).
Book price is $24.95 ea plus tax for Washington residents.
Shipping cost to one address anywhere in the US:
1 - 2 books = $4.95 ea (Priority Mail)
3 - 10 books = $10.35 total (Priority Mail)

The first printing of a Proof copy of A Long Way To Nome has been shipped by the printer and should be available for my review by Friday, Dec 4th!
If the intial Proof of the book passes inspection, the book will become immediately available (sales channels to be announced soon). If further editing is required, the final approval should be ready within days.

Today we uploaded my forthcoming book, A LONG WAY TO NOME, to our publisher! This is terrific news for all my customers.
The book is currently being reviewed by the publisher and we hope to recieve approval of the text within 48 hours.
Once the book is approved, I will be ordering a hardcopy Proof for my own review and final approval. Hopefully, I will have a copy in my hands for review within 5 - 7 days. Once I approve the Proof, the book will immediately become available via Amazon.com.
I will also be ordering copies to be distributed to each of the qualifying sponsors of my 2009 Serum Run '25 Expedition endeavor.
Look for more updates within 48 hours. We are almost there!

On November 19th, I helped one of our very special retired sled dogs, Lars, cross the Rainbow Bridge. Lars would have celebrated his 15th birthday on Dec 20th.

I hardly know where to begin with the story of this remarkable Alaska Husky's legacy and racing career. Before he came to live with me in 2003, Lars had already won just about every race he ever led a team in, including the Ashton Dog Derby,the oldest sled dog race in North America.

During his many years with me, Lars ran lead and taught me all he knew. He was a delicately boned Husky with beautiful blue eyes and a luxurious white coat. Pound for pound, he was the hardest working dog in our kennel. He was retired in 2007 at age 12.

I am always amazed at the courage and heroic stamina of these amazing dogs, even when they are close to death. During his last week with me, he would wander outside and lay next to the dog truck, while hopefully looking up at it.

On the last day he could stand, Lars strolled through the kennel barn, stopping at each kennel to look at his team mates and to sniff at the gate before going to the next kennel. This he did until he had visited every dog in the barn. I have never seen him do this before. Then I realized he was saying Good-bye. Afterwards, he strolled outside and lay in the warmth of the sun that had briefly burst through the clouds. Sadly, it was the last time he was able to stand on his own.

It is always a good day when we can honor our canine best friends, and be there to help them cross the Bridge and Lars would not go until I was there for him. He wanted to do it right. What powerful spirits these special dogs possess. And we are so very lucky to have them in our lives and to learn from them.

To help Lars in his final hour, I honored him with my Greatest Gift of Love. He will be greatly missed - but only until we meet again. In the meantime, he is with his kennel mate and best canine friend, Rosie, who passed away just 19 days earlier. These dogs just seem to have their own way.

I am spending this weekend in the cabin with Bacon, one of my lead dogs and veteran of last year's Serum Run Expedition. He was treated at the vet on the Nov 6th for a large Hematoma that suddenly appeared on his throat. His prognosis is very good.

Consequently, I cancelled plans to train the team so I could help nurse poor Bacon back to health. He requires oral meds, and warm compresses applied to his throat every couple of hours. This causes a draining of fluids that I am constantly cleaning from his mouth and face. Poor little guy. But he is such a sweet and gentle patient and appears very grateful for all the help I am giving him. He is also being kept company in the cabin by Sol-leks, Pike, and his brother Grits.

In the meantime, I am taking advantage of the time at home to complete two more chapters of my forthcoming book, A Long Way To Nome, while all the rain comes pouring down - nonstop - outside.

On the evening of October 30th, Rose, one of our special retired sled dogs, fell suddenly very ill and collasped. She was rushed to emergency veterinary services but sadly, could not be saved. In the early morning hours of Oct 31st, I found the courage to help her slip away while kissing her sweet face and showering her with words of love and praise for her remarkable legacy. Rose was 13 years old.

Rose's career with our kennel spanned 10 years, beginning with her rescue from the county shelter at age 3. For over eight years she ran as both team dog and trail leader on countless miles of trails. She ran too many races to mention here but was an outstanding and enthusiastic performer in each and every one.

Rose was often referred to as the team cheerleader due to her enthusiastic vocal performances at the start of every run. She had a special talent for getting all the other huskies revved up. Rose was the constant companion of my wife, Judy, and her very best friend.

Until the last day of her life, Rose was active and enjoyed good health. Her sudden collaspe and loss has been a terrible shock. Her kennel mates, particulary her best canine buddy, Sol-leks, are greatly missing her. If you could have ever seen Rose run in harness, you would agree that she was all heart. She LIVED to run.

I had hoped to complete the final two chapters of my book, A LONG WAY TO NOME this weekend but find myself struggling with my emotions and grieving for the unexpected loss of a Best Friend. In the meantime, I am making the best effort to move the book to completion. Thanks to all who offered condolences at this time.

With the first two "dryland" sled dog races now behind us for Fall 2009, I will be taking the Halloween weekend off to make a "big push" to complete the last two chapters of my forthcoming book, "A Long Way to Nome". It wil be good to have two solid days (and nights) away from work and the trail to concentrate on writing!

While I'm going to miss being on the trail with all my huskies this weekend, we will return to training to prepare for our upcoming snow races (Jan & Feb 2010) next weekend.

In the meantime, here is a favorite photo taken with my two lead dogs, Chewbacca and Grits, at the start of the 2009 Pacific NW Dryland Championship Sled Dog Race on Oct. 25, 2009. Chewbacca and Grits were my primary lead dogs during our expedition across Alaska last winter!

Race Results - "Pacific Northwest Dryland Championship Sled Dog Race" - completed Oct 25, 2009. This was our 2nd "dryland" race of the 2009 - 2010 season.

We finished 5th in the 12 Dog Mid-Distance Class - running a total of 18 miles in 2 hrs 2 min 7 sec.

All the dogs were still at a lope when crossing the finish line. Not bad for mostly 9 to 11 year olds - all of whom were with me on the Serum Run Expedition in Alaska last winter!

Book Update - I have completed the first 13 chapters of "A LONG WAY TO NOME" and have only 2 chapters to complete prior to publication. I am getting a lot of requests for the book and I am very anxious to make it available to readers just as soon as possible. Looking for this November.