Bundled up and bootied up

Here are a couple more favorite images from the start of the 2011 WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race. With the day being somewhat chilly, mushers, volunteers, and spectators were bundled up appropriately and some of the dogs had little booties protecting their paws. Guess which participant can no long contain his excitement?!

Spectators are captivated by the beautiful bootied doggies.

Winter Fun... Run

Run, run, run! The 4th Annual WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race in Ely, Minnesota kicked off this morning with the 6 dog teams leaving the start at 9AM. Cooler temps and a touch of fresh snow were ideal conditions compared to the meltdown last year. Info on the race and results can be found on the WolfTrack Classic website: http://www.wolftrackclassic.com.

Winter Sun

The North Arm Trails were just the place to be today. I made a brief pause to snap this photo, and then I was moving onward on my skis. The cold seeped in despite the vigorous motion, and the skin on my face was feeling tender by the time I was approaching the end of the loop. But, what a spectacular day to be out!!!

Side street of winter

Leave well-trodden main street,

turn into back alleyways,

question the right... and the left,

walk on the side street of winter.

Goddess of Snow

"Pssst. Spring will come." was Mother Nature's message on this last day of the Ely Winter Festival. A teaser, perhaps, as the Goddess of Snow is not ready to give in quite yet. She is standing strong, though just a little delicate on the finer edges.

The "Le souffle de Khione, Goddess of Snow" sculpture, one of my favorites this year in the Ely Winter Festival, was created by Team Manitoba: Carole Dagenais and Madeleine Vrignon of Manitoba and Mike Sinesio of Ely.