Where does it go? I blame work this past month for my inability to do anything far beyond, well, work. It's been crazy busy and the fact that it's hitting during a time that is usually kind of quiet has me worried for what the rest of 2009 will bring. I can't complain too much, since having a job at all is something I am more than grateful for with the state of things.

Let's see...what has happened since our last post. Ty and I have been skate skiing quite a bit and take the dogs whenever we can. We traveled to Hailey, ID (our old stomping grounds) a little over a week ago for a company party, visiting family, and lots of skate skiing. Oh! We also managed to get a very nice recharge in the SUN department.

We took part in a local Ski the Rails event with Ty's aunt and uncle on the Saturday we were in Hailey (a few pictures follow). It's an informal gathering of cross-country skiers, organized to promote nordic skiing on the groomed bike path, which is founded on abandoned railroad (see the connection? ah...ah...Ski the RAILS) ;). The goal is to start skiing in Ketchum and end in Hailey. Altogether, it's about 12 miles of mostly flat terrain and is very mildly graded at a decline. The best part about it? Dogs are welcome to join their owners in the romp. Not only are they welcome, but they're catered to at each of the aid stations. Treats and water bowls await. Hunter and Wally were in heaven. Especially when Hunter found out he didn't have to beg for treats, but that humans actually came to HIM and offered the tasty morsels quite liberally.

The first 5 or 6 miles went by quickly and Wally only embarrassed us a few times. We left a car at the mid-way point for Hunter, since we knew he wouldn't be able to voyage the entire way with us. With our speed and the distance combined, it would eventually get harder and harder for him to keep up. The drop point partnered well with an aid station and while the rest of us refueled, Ty took Hunter to the car. I missed the whole transaction, but made note of the Subaru set nicely on the side of the road with windows cracked and sun shield in place. Initially, we thought Hunter would be psyched to have the down-time. A nap in a warm, well-sunned car. Free from the harassment of Wally. But, as I started up to ski again, Hunter proved us quite wrong.

Ty was ahead of me a bit as I made last minute adjustments to my gloves. All the sudden I heard this high-pitched yelp from nearby. Surely this couldn't be Hunter and I looked around for an alternate source. He never barks from the car. It happened again, louder and more urgent. The tears hit almost instantly...it was Hunter. I had never heard him yelp like this. He wanted more than anything to come with us and was definitely voicing his displeasure with our decision to leave him behind. "It's okay Hunter Bunter," I yelled to him as a skied away. My heart was broken. It killed me to have to leave him, but it was for the best.

Ty reassured me that he'd be ok...and he was (well, he did give us a bit of the silent treatment when we got back to the car to retrieve him after we finished the ski), but never had it become more clear to me than at the moment he hollered after us, just how smart Hunter is. He had the wherewithal to know that 1) he was having a blast out there, 2) he wanted to keep having fun, 3) we were leaving him behind, and 4) he was gonna let us know how he felt about it. Wally, on the other hand, would have sat there in the car and thought to himself "Huh...how'd this happen?", blissfully ignorant of the potential to change his situation. Ty and I regularly agree that Hunter is one-of-a-kind in his intelligence and this incident helped remind me that we can't take that for granted. Love you Mister Hunter!

Since our return from Hailey, we've done a bit more skate skiing. Mom and Dad got some classic skis and we took them out for ski in the NW Montana sun on Sunday. I've been running quite a bit too. In fact, Wally managed to configure himself into a somersault on our run this morning after he decided to stop mid-stride to investigate some form of smell. That dog...always keeps us guessing.

Anyways, I'll try to do better with stories and keeping you posted on the antics of our crew. Happy February!

Road trip!!! On our way to Hailey.

They're amped! Hunter, Wally, and Chutney gearing up for Ski the Rails (please forgive the slobber on the seats).

Crossing a bridge on skis. Close to the starting line.

Ty, Aunt Wanda, Uncle John, Wally and Chutney. Hunter is next to me - sticking close (maybe he knew what was coming!).