And just in time as it is snowing out!!!!! As I type slowly and steadily little specks of winter wonderland are accumulating on the hood of the truck. With any luck this will be the snow that sticks. All our earlier flurries were easily melted away, but this one may have some staying power. Of course it will be some time and at least 8 inches before we brave our trails on sleds… but just being able to look outside and see the white covered ground feel great. And not just becuase it means we are closer to being on sleds. But also because the amount of time I spend dusting and sweeping is about to dramatically decrease! Frozen ground and no dust = much cleaner house. Spring cleaning is a total waste of time in Alaska as break up is nothing but mud, and summer is prime time for tracking in dust and dirt all day. Wait till after the snow flies to clean and it will last much longer. Oh and keep some pine cleaner in a spray bottle to spray around the room when unexpected company shows up, it will give the impression your house is cleaner then it really is. And as you pick up the socks and other various clothing left lying around the house use them to dust the cabin and collect dust bunnies on the way to the laundry basket. And dishes out of sight loaded in the dishwasher are as good as clean (as long as no one wants to eat). But enough of my housekeeping tips!
Eric caught this shot of me at the 2010 Iditarod handling for Dan.
Yes summer is over, and here at Dew Claw we are already moving ahead into winter. But before summer becomes a faded memory I wanted to share with you some excellent photos taken by my friend Eric Vercammen took this summer at Dew Claw. Eric has been a friend and photographer of Dew Claw since Dan’s first Iditarod in 2010. We met through mutual friend Helen Hegener, of Northern Lights Media. He snapped some photos at the start that I really loved, and when he said, “if you run I will come back and take more”. I laughed and said, “I will hold you to it” never thinking he would really come back all the way from Belgium. But HE DID! and he brought chocolate!!! Since then Eric has become a friend as well as one of our personal paparazzi ~ (The nickname I have for a group of dear friends and photographers who are kind enough to snap the shots that capture moments, and share them with us).
During a recent summer trip to Alaska, Eric made the time to travel up and see the Dew Claw dogs at home; and while here captured some images from the day. I love the fall colors and the way he captures the dogs expressions & faces. There is something about being photographed by someone you consider a friend, where you let your guard down, and they manage to catch and freeze a moment in time. I see it in the photos our friends Walt and Janet have taken. Theresa Daily always seems to find my good side. The photos Eric took at Dew Claw capture that as well. Even the dogs were relaxed and at ease.
A HUGE thank you to Eric: for the pictures and more importantly – the friendship.
And now for your viewing pleasure, some of Eric’s images from his visit to Dew Claw:
Eric, me, and Monique hard at work socializing the Little Rascals.
MK telling you what he really thinks…
Relaxing on the green grass in the sun. But as of today the green grass is covered in snow, and the sun is retreating.
Freezer chillin on his house
Ribdon having a quiet moment
Roach – with Elwood in the background
A Dew Claw family portrait. *well not the WHOLE family, but you get the idea*
