• Friday-What'sUP January 30 - 07:04 pm

Aladino Mandoli was on hand recently for the Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Races in the Newberry area. He really captured some neat shots of the mushers and their dogs, not to mention the beautiful scenery they enjoyed as they quietly zipped along on the trails.

I just love the first shot, with the musher looking back at Dino and the hill that they are about to climb, looming in front of them. It is just so bright and shows the challenges these race teams face along their route.

The second photo shows a little different style sled, with a spot for the musher to sit while guiding the team. It looks like it could be a little longer than the stand on style, so I wonder if that makes a difference in speed then?

I think my favorite shot though, is Dino's last one. I'm not sure of the explanation, other than the assumption that the dog was somehow injured and couldn't continue pulling the sled, but it sure made me do a double take when I first looked at it. It kind of looks like the dog is driving the sled, since the musher is crouched down behind him.

If you've never attended a sled dog race, you really should check one out. The experience on the sidelines is quite enjoyable as you cheer the mushers and their teams on. You have several opportunities coming up to do so, as the UP 200 race in the Marquette area, is being held February 12th to the 16th. And then the Copperdog 150 in the Keweenaw, is being held February 27th to March 1st. So bundle up and plan on attending one of these races or better yet, volunteer to help out!

i love the red booties the doggies are wearing. beautiful pictures

Love the photos today. I went to Aladino's link and viewed them all, fantastic!! The fourth is my favorite too. Happy Friday.

Hoping to catch more than a glimpse of one of these races one of
these days. A few years ago, while driving to the U.P. in February,
we saw some of the dog teams racing not far from us next to M-28.

I like the colored booties.

Sweet doggies.

AMAZING pics today. I so enjoyed each and every one of
them.I love the dogs' little booties!

Sledding in the Tahquamenon falls area...how cool is that?

Maybe the doggie in the last pic is 'riding shotgun'.;>

MUSH!

Very cool pic's, thanks for sharing. I miss it big time!

pretty shots.!!!!! aladino.!!!...nice work!!!

Great pictures and it looks like so much fun.
Love the socks on the dogs :-)

Excellent pictures. I think the dog on the sled is the mushers version of a spare tire.