Husky Homestead/Denali Fun

 We only have a few weekends left of summer up here in the Far North so we are taking advantage of every moment. This last weekend we took a drive down to Denali National Park and the Husky Homestead. We started the day off with the Husky Homestead tour. This is a tour of the Iditarod Champion Jeff King's Huskies. When you first get there you are allowed to go and hold the puppies. This helps with their socialization skills and is a huge hit for most everyone. We were lucky enough to get out there just after a batch of puppies were born so they were 11 days old when we got to hold them. To me they looked like little bear cubs but the kids didn't agree with me and said they looked like hamsters.

 After we were allowed to hold the puppies they then moved us over to show us some of their training techniques. They had a yard full of dogs. And you can really tell just how much they love to run. If they bring out the harnesses those dogs would go crazy barking as if to say "Pick me coach! Pick me!" They demonstrated some of how they run by hooking up a team  to a four wheeler. The moment the team left the yard it went completely quiet. It was kind of eery. After that they brought over one of the dogs to show us the husky wheel. It allows them to run and run without worrying where they are going. The dogs love it!
When this portion was finished we were led inside where we were able to meet Mr. Jeff King. He has been doing the Iditarod race since 1989 and won it 4 times.

He talked to us about a multitude of things. One of them was the difference between a horn and an antler. A horn is something that an animal is born with and never looses, an antler is one that is grown back annually. So just an interesting bit of information there. He then went on to describe everything that goes into winning a sled dog race but most specifically the Iditarod.  One of the things he told us about was the winter gear he needs in order to survive. And then he brought out person in one of his suits. I told the kids that was what they were getting for school this year :)

After we were done at the Husky Homestead we headed into Denali to do some exploring. We stopped off first at the Ranger station and check it out and we found some long lost family there!

 Sassy was so excited to find her long lost self, she is such a little sheep! And of course Scotty found his long lost brother!




Of course before we headed into the woods he needed some sustanance. So ice cream was had by all but it looks like a few moose tracks were left on Sassy's face ?! And Topher was just in heaven getting some ice cream!!

So the hiking began. We drove down to Savage River and started exploring. At first all we saw were ground hogs but we headed down the Savage River trail and..........

Look at what we found!! Some Caribou grazing by the River. Neatless to say Riana was VERY surprised!

Of course we found the usual pretties as well. My personal favorite the Fireweed!

 I had the kids pose on the same rock they did last year and took a pic of them. I couldn't believe how much they have grown.







We love hiking as a family but it is never good to see this while hiking. Members falling out onto the rocks is never a good thing!

 Of course then there are other members of our party that think they can tame the rocks.

What can I say life is never normal for us but if it was it would be boring and no fun!!