Molly and I are working upon another article for the Lake Country Journal. Our current effort is sled dogging in the Northwoods, which will include information about the Wolftrack Classic Sled Dog Race. However, the article is much more than just about racing. A few days ago in the middle of a major snowstorm, Molly and I spent a delightful afternoon with Ann and Al Stead, owners of Northhome Kennels. These two individuals love life and dogs … perhaps in the reverse order! After all, their sled dogs, all Siberian Huskies love to run! Even during a big storm, Ann takes her dogs out to run. Pulling a sled through the woods is their nirvana!

I won’t tip my hat in terms of what we will include in the article, but here is a brief photo essay preview! However I will invite you to learn more about the human part of this great team via an interview in Sled Dog Central and their Sled Dog Boot Camp. I am so lucky to be able to follow this team through the woods. Better yet, I can even reach their kennel by bicycle once the warm weather returns.

Incidentally, taking photographs in the midst of a major snowstorm is a bit of a challenge. Aside from keeping extra batteries warm due to the cold, auto-focus is a bit “iffy” because the beam keeps bouncing off snowflakes. Thus, I kept switching between a manual and auto-focus lenses. In theory, manual focus is better in a snowstorm, but this assumes the huskies will stand still!!! The dogs wanted to play. While photographing one dog, I would get playfully attacked from behind by another dog. I was laughing and having the time of my life! They tumbled me into the snow more than once.

The Important characters in our upcoming story

Ann with one of her dogs