Monday, January 28, 2013

Wild Weekend

DOGS APLENTY
A Live Music Welcome
a little wet snow for the trails
HAND CRAFTED SPRINT SLED
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YEE HAW
.. The top 21 sled dog teams in the world visited West Yellowstone over the weekend.
.. They were welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce and Wild West Pizzera, including a night of live music.
.. The International Pedigree Stage Stop Race completed it's first cross-country stage yesterday. The race leader is world champion Buddy Streeper.
READY TO GO
.. West Yellowstone resident Charlotte Mooney finished the stage in eighth place with an average speed of  12.1 mph for the 56 mile stage that ended in Ashton, Idaho.
.. Jenny Gregor from Bozeman finished in twentieth place with an average speed of 10.3 mph.
.. A volunteer force of our neighbors took over the duties of staging the teams, weighing the required equipment to be carried, directing traffic, setting course markers, notifying teams of starting position, and general go-fer duties.
.. Fisher folks in the crowd of well wishers reveled in the fresh wet snow that lubricated the nicely groomed trail. It is much needed for our snowpack and is a cause for some back-slapping and rib-digging hijinx.
QUICK SNOOZE BEFORE THE RACE
.. The start of the race, after the evening's festivities, went off smoothly and all teams finished the stage in good shape.
.. This race is the largest stage race outside of Alaska, (over 350 miles.) Entries this year included teams from Sweden, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Canada, Alaska, Oregon, and Michigan.
.. The neighborhood kids had a grand time checking out the license plates on the team rigs. Seldom seen plates from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and Alaska were the subject of much posing and picture taking.
.. The purse for the race is $170,000. Stage money includes over $800 for first place, over $700 for second, over $500 for third - - etc.
.. The major sponsor of the race is Pedigree Dog Food. The company also donates a year's supply of dog food to a local shelter at each stop along the race trail. We're looking forward to next year's event.
.. Now our attention is turned to the ice fishing tournement. Blue buns galore!
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MUSHERS AND DOGS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY
 
WORLD CAHMPIONSHIP RIG - NICE PERQ