#inuitthunder

Our Iqaluit friends stopped by, as did some of Meeka’s relatives. And before we knew it the festivities carried into the wee hours, a common occurrence in locales where the sun doesn’t set.

This morning we said goodbye to our dogs. It was an emotional moment. They made the trip what it was in so many ways. It’s hard to describe all they added to are experience that goes way beyond their pulling power (which was immense and fully appreciated). Elle (pronounced L E), Axel, Larry, and Napu were our teammates and they knew it. They signaled this with their boisterous hooting and howling sessions (led by bandleader Elle who has a very impressive vocal range) that sounded off every morning when we started packing the sleds. They were our eager sled pulling partners, snack break companions, endless source of conversation, subject of our silly songs and sillier banter, wildlife warning signals, and ab endearing hilarious social presence. In short we love our dogs dearly. We love that they loved the trip as much as we did. We love that they welcomed the challenge and dug in the hard times and goofed around in the fun times. This all adds up to the heightened wilderness and team experience of working with sled dogs, only in a more intimate context of skijoring. We left the dogs with their wonderfully compassionate owner. She is thrilled to have them back and thrilled that the dogs (Axel and Larry in particular) are ripped with muscle. This evening we land in Ottawa and Hugh reunites with his wife and three children. Celebrations and Blackhawks (yeah baby!) rooting will continue.