Map to Simon's Cabin

Here's the map to Mile 4.5 Mayo Road for the Growler Finale at Mike and Jessica Simon's. We haven't moved, but the neighbourhood has, so there are a few more features, including the new Miner's Ridge subdivision. We're 4 driveways on the left after that, one driveway before Klondike Upholstery. If you get lost, call 633-3566. See you there at 5!

Growler Race Report

I've slathered moisturizer on my sunburn and I'm treating snowblindness with soggy teabags after the season finale of the Hot Hounds Dry(snow)land Race Series.

Ten dog boxes pulled into our parking lot at 2 p.m. and by 2:30 the first teams let loose on the 1 Mile Pet Dog course. Jonathan took the award for outrageous headgear, from his jester cap and octopus toque to grizzly dog ears on his helmet. He also took first prize, over Wendy Morrison's fabulous ride on a a thin coat of cold fresh snow. "I fell once," she said and landed in the moss. "It was soft, thank God." Scooterman Fabian Schmitz took the red lantern on his first race ever.

Race veteran Jocelyn and running mate Valerie had an eventful 1 Mile Sled Dog run. Valerie's Dino is not a solo runner, so at the last minute Jocelyn offered to switch with Little Otis. Dino gave Jocelyn an uphill battle, while Valerie and Little Otis sailed by with ease.

Jocelyn's reward came in the 2-Mile 2-Dog. Together, Little Otis and Dino whipped around the trail tails up. Meanwhile, bikejorer Crispin and his ghost team Witch and Banshee, born on Hallowe'en, fishtailed in the corners and skidded around curves to post a finish four seconds faster than the motorized class.

Formula One drivers scouted the trail in a quick spin on their ATVs before the race that Dave Johnson won with 10 Streeper dogs. "I was going to take twelve, but after looking at some of those turns..., they're pretty sharp," he said in the staging area. Even so, they rocketed around the trail ahead of Laura Lucas and newcomer Christy Oullette.

Arctic Char and dogs (hot) were on the grill for the post-race pot luck with plenty of our sponsor's beverages. Thanks to everyone who brought a dish to share and our sponsors; Yukon Brewing for the Growler jugs, Dazhaw Du Chiropractic Clinic for the Traumeel - highly recommended by the Yukon Quest, Aurora Booties for the ever popular dog collars, and Eagle Pack foods. Without your support we wouldn't have a league!

And a special thanks to our perennial hosts Icy Waters where the Copper Haul Season opens on November 23. Timer Gene Innis reminded teams that races are planned for Rendezvous and we'll Reach for the Sky again this year. So, wax your skis and sew your booties; the dogs have a full winter ahead.
posted by Jessica Simon

Map to Growler Mile 4.5 Mayo Road

Don't know how to get to Mike and Jessica's on Mile 4.5 Mayo Road 633-3566?Head north on the Klondike Highway, over the bridge, past the gas station and turn left at the 6th driveway. If you get to Klondike Upholstery you've gone one too far. Two green dredge buckets mark the driveway. Stay on the left fork to get to the dog lot and start line.