Sponsorship packets are in the mail! Here's a picture of what our adult athlete sponsors will be receiving! A big thank you to all of this season's Ryno Kennel sponsors. Thanks for helping make our adventures possible and allowing us to share them with you!
November is already in the top 10 snowiest November's in Fairbanks history, and we still have 5 days left! We've been thrilled with the snow, warmer temps, and pristine trail conditions. Here's a short video from our run up on the Firebreak the day after Thanksgiving.
A winter rainbow from a couple weeks ago.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. And no, it's not just because we get to stuff ourselves full of delicious food and eat platefuls of dessert (although I do love that part), but it also is a day when we take a step back from our busy training schedule to enjoy time with family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for- inspirational and uplifting friends, supportive and wonderful family, the opportunity to build my dream homestead, and of course my incredible canine family. I'm thankful for everyone on the Ryno Kennel Team and am continually amazed at all the wonderful people I meet through mushing. Every day waking up, I can't help but look out the window and think- how did we get so lucky?
So what's on the agenda at Ryno Kennel for Thanksgiving? Call family and friends, probably run a team or two, spend time with puppies, perhaps go clear trail, and have our annual Thanksgiving Dinner with other Two Rivers mushers. It's shaping up to be a perfect day.
One of my favorite sections of trail. Windy, narrow- a hidden hideaway.
We've had a fantastic start to winter this year with lots of snow! Last year we were still training on ATVs for another month! I remember thinking, there's a reason we call them sled dogs and not quad dogs. Well this year, we've been fortunate enough to have lots of snow early, and we already have the ability to run larger teams on a sled. It doesn't get much better!
This morning for the first time, we have some colder temperatures in the -15F to -20F range. A few more days of these temps, and the rivers will freeze. Then we'll be in business!
When not training dogs, we're working on the cabins. On the handler cabin, the rafters are up, so the next step is the tin. We're hoping to finish up the handler cabin in the next week!
Final logs going up.
Running in the Chena State Recreation Area.
Breaking trail.
Two teams hooked up and ready to run!
The past couple of days have been busy at the kennel! Trapping season started on November 1st, so Derek headed to his line. While Derek was gone, Liz and I loaded up the 26 adult athletes and headed to the hills to train with Riley Dyche (he handled for Ryno Kennel 3 years ago and now owns Darkhorse Racing Kennel). Even though we have a nice base of snow, it's not enough to train a full team with a sled; therefore, we're putting some more miles on the ATVs.
On our first campout of the year, we were joined by musher friends, Mandy, Laura, and Jenna. Six dog teams, beautiful views, and great company- doesn't get much better!
Today, we resumed work on the handler cabin. While Liz and Derek kept building the walls, I ran the yearling team over to the new property and camped them while I assisted with the cabin. As you can see from the last photo, they weren't the best campers. Most of the team spent the campout playing and gnawing on branches. I'm sure they'll figure it out soon enough!
More snow is in the forecast, so hopefully we'll be on sleds in the near future!
The end of the campout (hence the fire being out).
Gorgeous sunset
Yearlings, not really camping.
Ryno Kennel is home to Iditarod and Yukon Quest veteran, Ryne Olson and her growing sled dog racing kennel in Two Rivers, Alaska.
All Photos Taken by: Scott Chesney, Julien Schroder, Kalyn Holl, or other Ryno Crew. All rights reserved. Please contact prior to using any photos.
BIG THANKS TO THE RYNO TEAM
Big Dan’s Trucking
Rick and Sue Patton
All Dog Sponsors
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @RynoKennel
