For The Love of The (Yukon ) Quest

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Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

0 posted 2002-02-09 10:34 PM

We're off and running
from Fairbanks to Whitehorse,
for today was the start of
The Yukon Quest.
It's a 1000 mile sled race
and we all try our best,
for we were born to run fast
and we all love the Quest.
We're pulling and jumping
and rarin' to go
as head to tail
we head out on the trail.
Which way to the finish?
which way to our goal?
Our mushers are proud
and take good care of us,
they make sure that we eat,
keep warm booties on our feet.
We run over snow and ice
and in weather extreme,
we run really fast
and to win is our dream.
We run our very best even
o'er steep mountainous terrain,
and with sore tired feet,
but we know at the finish
there'll be rest and plenty to eat!
We were born to run,
it's what we do best,
and our favorite race
is The Yukon Quest.

This is dedicated to all 41 mushers and their dog teams (most with 14 dogs per team) who left Fairbanks, Alaska this morning on a 1000 mile dog sledrace to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
Have fun, be safe, and see you all at the finish line with happy healthy dogs!
Kacy and Sara Stafford, Fairbanks, Alaska

To learn more and to follow the race, go to: http://www.yukonquest.org/

May the ripple of LOVE
become the wave of PEACE

[This message has been edited by Midnitesun (02-09-2002 10:37 PM).]

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

1 posted 2002-02-09 10:39 PM

YAY!!! Go little mushers!!! (smiles) This is soooooooo exciting, sweet friend, your beautiful words always make me smile, may their quest be delightful and wonderful! We all love you so much, sweet friend, this is fabulous! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kacy, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

2 posted 2002-02-10 12:01 PM

Hey, Noah, thanks for supporting the teams! You should have seen those little dogs all revved up this morning. I have my 'favorite' musher and hope his team wins, or stays in the top ten, ending with a healthy, happy team. He gave each of his dogs warm hugs and a belly rub before leaving the starting gate, and left with a big smile. The race usually lasts about two weeks. I cannot even imagine the endurance challenge of the Quest!

Larry C

Member Patricius

since 2001-09-10

Posts 10286
United States

3 posted 2002-02-10 12:24 PM

Midnitesun,
So you aren't racing? How about a camel ride? Let me know how our team is doing, okay? Fun write.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

4 posted 2002-02-10 02:27 AM

Hehe, not me. I would never make it out on that trail. You won't believe the changes in altitude they go through! And camels spit. No, I run my little Skippy dog around the neighborhood and am huffing and puffing after less than a half mile, then I head back home for a cup of hot tea or coffee and try to recuperate!

Duncan
Member Ascendant

since 2001-08-07

Posts 5455

5 posted 2002-02-10 03:18 AM

More power to them! I refuse to enjoy winter sports from anywhere other than the fireplace in the bar. I can cheer loudly, though. Go for it, I'll toast them all night long.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

6 posted 2002-02-10 03:34 AM

Get some pictures if you can Kacy would be cool to see, and don't forget to send my pictures

- cool write if you will pardon the pun.

The older I grow, the less important the comma becomes.
Let the reader catch their own breath."
~Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart~

peaches73533
Senior Member

since 2001-11-04

Posts 981
OK, USA

7 posted 2002-02-10 04:39 AM

What a great tribute.I appluad you.

Peaches

bbent
Senior Member

since 2001-01-07

Posts 521
Alaska

8 posted 2002-02-10 04:50 AM

Great Alaskan poem,nice to here the real thing...Those puppys might want to take a day or two getting to Whitehorse though.I'm in Haines and it's blowin and snowin like theres no end to it and heading up the vally to whitehorse.I'd imagine it might be a bit calmer by the time they get there,it's bound to add a bit of a challenge somewhere along there way though...enjoyed the poem.thanks again Midnitesun

Live like it's your last day...
Dance like nobody's watching...
Love like you've never been hurt...

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

9 posted 2002-02-10 08:17 AM

Hey! I can just feel the excitement and the intensity! Man oh man, do they ever get into that sport up there....great presentation Midnitesun....good stuff!

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

10 posted 2002-02-10 08:30 AM

Midnitesun,
Spent three years in alaska but in ancient times 42 to 44. Did you know that wolfs paws don't freeze? A friend of mine had a sled pulled by wolves but I never trusted them. Brings back old memories. Good write enjoyed.

strbbux
Member Elite

since 2001-12-19

Posts 3859

11 posted 2002-02-10 09:53 AM

Oh this sounds like fun, and out in my favorite kind of weather.. loved it. floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

ShadowRider
Senior Member

since 2001-07-14

Posts 1038
USA

12 posted 2002-02-10 12:58 PM

Truly an Outstannnnnding poem, MidniteSun!

You captured the raw beauty of I'll-Ask-Her wonderfully.
An amazing venture, is it not, to go cross country
on the strength of ancient tradition?

theShadowRider

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

13 posted 2002-02-10 01:09 PM

Hey, thanks everone! I am following the teams by internet and local buzz lines. Everyone has made it to Angel Creek, about 1000' elevation, and the trail climbs to over 3400', then back down to 2398' and up and down again about six more times! These people and dogs are all amazing.
bbent, another poet from Alaksa! Since the Quest started in Fairbanks this year, I was able to be there and cheer them on. It was around -20F yesterday morning.
Sy, wolf sled dogs? My sister has one half wolf, and so do several other people I know.
Duncan, you keep those toes unfroze that way.

Floria, your fave weather??
Sharon, got a few pics, but my hands were freezin without my gloves!
peaches, thanks for following the trail with us.
ethome, yes, more of us watched this yesterday than the big show in Utah.
shadow rider, thanks! Those little doggies give it their all.

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

14 posted 2002-02-10 01:13 PM

What a great poem Midnitesun~
Loved the insight into the life you lead.
Sounds pretty exciting to me.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

15 posted 2002-02-10 01:35 PM

Blues, thanks for the reply. Exciting? LOL, maybe a little bizarre sometimes. My teenager is always saying "I'm bored!" The real excitement for her is the Ozzie Osborne concert here later this month, and horseback riding when it warms up.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

16 posted 2002-02-10 04:06 PM

Race update, first team to scratch was Deborah. Hey folks, Deborah is 56 years old, and has been racing dogs since 1957. Deb, you are gutsier than me to have even attempted this tough race!

Interloper

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-06

Posts 8369
Deep in the heart

17 posted 2002-02-11 01:10 PM

I truly enjoyed this write. Well done!

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

18 posted 2002-02-11 02:08 PM

Thank you, Interloper! This is an awesome race, and I wanted to focus a bit of positive attention on these mushers and their dogs, and their inspiring spirit of adventure and extreme courage.

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