(Late start whoops)
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Log Entry #1:
It was still pitch black outside, the sun many hours away from cresting the horizon. The world was still and silent as ever, but the air was tense thick with the static of excitement. I felt as if I was going to be sick thinking about the days to come. I push my front door open with a drawn out creak, and with this the howling begins. Dogs screaming excitement running circles around their houses, they could feel what was coming.
My first task was hooking up the trailer to the truck and backing it closer to the dogs. It was early, around 3:30 but I was full of energy. Before loading the dogs I needed to gather their equipment. Shuffling into the shed I looked through the dark till I found the harness draping over the wall in a mixture of colors and patterns. Digging through the assortment I picked out the eleven best harness I could find. Throwing them over my shoulder to free my hands I crouched down and began pushing through totes of other supplies. 11 sets of booties, 11 extra collars, and more than enough ganglines, shocklines, snublines, and snow hook lines added to the clutter I was balancing like a circus performer. Then expelling the jumble of the material onto the backseat of my old rusted up dark blue Ford I paused for a moment to gather my breath knowing the task that followed, loading the crazy hounds.
Slip lead in hand I walked over to collect my first dog, Ares. The dark copper brute danced in place as I slipped the lead over his head and unclipped him from his chain spot. A dark red freight train commanding me to the silver box hay filled trailer, the clever beast knew right where to go. Next was Acmes, my witty gray boy doing his best to elude my lead yearning to bolt for the wood . Virginia and Ophelia follow suit, sassy fluffy curls held proudly in the air like they knew how beautiful they were. Sherbet wasn't as enthused about her sleep being disrupted but groggily made her way to the warmth of the hay filling the trailer. Lorne remaining composed which was a rare sight during the excitement remained still to be looped and unclipped, the ebony dog always took it easy on me. Giants, Alpine, Ezio and Sinner each vibrated with energy and intensity as they dug their claws in the ground pulling themselves to the trailer. Lastly was young and inexperience Liadan. Confused and intimidated by the noise and sights she stayed low and close to her box. Taking pity on her I invited her into the truck cab, it was a long ride and the company would be nice.
The drive wasn't intolerable, roads were barren and weather was clear. Liadan road peacefully in the front seat watching trees pass in a blur till she was asleep. We pulled into the lot at 5:45am a large white and blue banned strung across the entrance Baltic Qualifier in large bold letters. The trucked slowed to a halt and the trailer begin to roar with howls, the dogs were awake and ready. Unhooking and lifting with strain my sled out of the bed of my truck I took a moment to remissness on the memories I had made with my grandfather and father with this very sled. It was the one I had learned on, my father learned on, and my grandfather had learned on. It wasn't the prettiest thing on earth but it got the job done.
Sled in place, snow hooks in the ground I began hooking up dogs. Ophelia taking lead, she was by far the best trained dog on my team. Acmes and Ares following as the swing dogs. Alpine and Liadan as the first team dogs, I figured pairing Liadan with the more experienced dogs would help better assure her of commands. Ezio and Virginia following them up, Ezio smart as ever took himself to his place. The last team dogs, Giants and Sinner, were a new test pairing. Is it a bad time to try out two dogs beside each other? Totally. But as my grandfather always said "There is no better time to learn than in the moment." and that is just what we were doing. Lorne and Sherbet took up the wheel position. Stepping back for a moment I assessed my team, confident with my decisions I made my way to the check in booth to confirm that my team was present and ready.
The air seemed still as a light snow began to fall. It was time to race. Double checking the zipper of the bag on my sled containing all my extra supplies I pulled the snow hook out of the ground and nearly felt the sled pull out from under me. A blur of colors as the dogs took off, snow flying like a blizzard. It was silent, no more barking dogs or talking people just the sound of a paws sitting the ground and a sled gliding through their trail. This was when I was most at peace, surrounded by hundreds of miles of nothing, just the dogs and myself.
Blame is a coward but self-righteous
A funny little creature hiding out in me
Hate is power with a price tag
A funny little creature screaming out in me
Listen to me
Fear is a liar but he's been right before
If you fight your shadow, you'll get lost in a war
Ambitions a champ, but he's also greedy
Drunk or sober he always wants more
I always want more
I always want more
Lust is beauty in a body bag
A funny little thing that's screaming "Just use me!"