Mushing kiddos

While Max was skiing Anchorage's big "Tour" race, Rachel, Kieran and I were at the dog races...Anchorage had the Iditard start over the weekend but Fairbanks had the Junior North American Mushing Championships. The kids ranged in age from about 2 1/2 to 10 years - with so little weight to pull, the dogs really make quick work of the course. At the start it takes a team of adults to keep the dogs at the line, keep the kid on the sled, and keep one finger on the timing clock. When the timer says "Go!" all hands release and the dogs take off with the kiddo hanging on for dear life. Very exciting! This dog on the right (below) spent its entire wait at the line airborne, too excited to stand still.


And they're off! Most of the kids immediately duck down behind the sled to get out of the chilly wind. This little girl was from Anchorage. Where else do you find city girls doing this for fun?

Here's a 3-dog team. That's a lot of dog power attached to a little person! I've never been hooked up to more than 2 at a time. This must be a huge thrill for the riders!

Kieran had another fun day outdoors. He's very tuned in to airplanes and can hear them coming from miles away. Here he's pointing to where the plane is. Where is the airplane? "Up!" He was hanging out, exploring, watching the dogs...and being a major distraction. There was a busload of Japanese tourists at the race taking a break from their aurora watching to see some locals doing what the locals do. Well, they thought Kieran was the cat's pajamas. We were approached by nearly all the Japanese ladies asking if they could take his picture. Could they get into the picture with him? "How old?" "Live here?" "His name?" "So cute!" His face is going to be all over Japan's facebook pages ;) What a popular guy.

He got his first close-up look at a Sno-cat. I think he's going to be as much of a fan as his daddy is. Fun day at the races...who needs the Iditarod?

Hanging out at home just being cute. No wonder Japanese ladies can't stay away :)