Yesterday

Crossfire Tumblin Tumbleweed, JH, CD, JH, CGC

Tweed the Skijor Dog

Yesterday, Tweed and Scott took a walk down to the neighbor’s house and back.  Tweed was happy to be out and about with his man.  Not too many yesterdays ago, Tweed took himself for a walk, as he liked to do, causing us to drop everything and go looking for him.  I think he was looking for birds.

Just five years ago, Tweed led Sally’s first litter of puppies through the forest near the Boundary Waters, giving them pointers on how to make life interesting for their humans.  I’m sure he told them how humans found it exciting to watch them run away, with no care in the world, while said humans chased after them shouting incoherent words which may or may not be fit for polite society.  

Tweed the Reader

Fourteen years ago, Tweed taught me the importance of a good recall and the danger of grabbing the cord on a flexi leash without wearing gloves.  Months before that, he was playing on the trampoline, with Alice and Wayne Guthrie’s kids, at Crossfire IRWSs.  

In August of 2000, I drove north from SE Kansas across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan just to visit with a couple of breeders, one of whom happened to have a puppy available.  I had no serious intention of actually buying the dog—I just wanted to meet the breed face to face.  As many people will attest, though, who couldn’t love Tweed?  I bought the largest crate that would fit on the passenger seat of my little truck and squeezed the four month old Tweed inside.  

Tweed on the NorthFace

Tweed loved everyone and enjoyed every place that he stayed, provided there was a warm bed for him to sleep on.  In the house he liked to be in front of the fireplace.  While camping he preferred to use Scott’s down NorthFace jacket.  

He was the best eater.  Nearly anything we offered him was eaten happily.  He wasn’t very fond of celery, even with peanut butter, but he loved tomatoes and liked to pick his own cherry tomatoes from the plants we bought just for him.  He even picked his own raspberries without being poked by the thorns.  

It is thanks to Tweed and Ciaran, who went before him, that I learned to hunt, took up mushing, and have the beautiful Sally, Dora, and Shady and the handsome Declan and Lichen. 

Yesterday, Tweed and Scott took a walk down the road together.  This morning we accepted that it was time for him to leave by himself.  It was with aching hearts that we drove him to the only place he ever thought to avoid.  

29 March 2000 - 20 December 2014

May the shamrocks fall softly, my friend.  You will be sorely missed.

The Fiddlin' Fifty and Lonesome Polecat

We worked hard to come up with a route online and check to see if it was passable on the ground.  We checked, double, and tripled checked the mileage between turns.  We enjoyed every minute of it, worried even so that it could all fall apart on the day of the event.

Ready to go

Lining up volunteers was one of the more stressful jobs.  We didn't have definite tasks for them, just vague ideas of what needed to be done.  There were concerns that we wouldn't have enough to keep things running smoothly and then had plenty of volunteers to sit around and wait while the riders were on the road.  We can't thank our friends at the Iron Range Dog Training Club enough for the assistance they provided.  Nor can we thank the wonderful participants enough for their donations to the club. 

Listening

 Everyone was super friendly, tolerant, and overall awesome!  The food was great.  The weather was close to perfect.  With one notable exception, most of the vehicles encountered were polite, if not friendly.  The neighbors didn't seem to mind the traffic.  In fact, they didn't seem to notice. 

Monitoring traffic while reading Fancy Nancy

 The Lonesome Polecat Award was mentioned and I am sure its explanation has been anxiously awaited.  As some of you know, Scott and Susan have participated in Mush for a Cure for the past few years.  The pertinent part for the Fiddlin' Fifty is the Dork Award.  This award is given each year to the participant who does what could be called the dumbest thing during the course of the event.  Even more pertinent to our event:  Susan was the 2014 recipient of the Dork Award for finishing with not one, but two bent ski poles!  We have decided to adapt this and call it the Lonesome Polecat Award.

We were fortunate enough to have not one, but two riders this year who qualified!  Who would sign the waiver, acknowledging the helmet requirement, yet still come without a helmet?  Fortunately, Adam's head and Scott's are near enough in size for Adam to be able to borrow one.

Navigating Mud Hole

The other qualifier probably should have checked his equipment a bit better before setting out.  We'll let the photo explain what qualified Kip for the award.
 

Oops

Congratulations to both of you!  Next year we'll try to have a polecat available for the winner to be photographed with.  

We are already looking forward to doing this again next year.  Susan has been told that we can use the same route as this year but has different ideas brewing in her head...  

Fiddlin' Fifty: This is how we roll

This is how we roll

Be nice--We are being scrutinized.

Please respect everyone--Our actions reflect upon us all.

Do not litter.

Pee discreetly.

Know your limits.

Be aware of vehicles--The roads are open to all traffic and we are an anomaly to many.

Obey all traffic laws--Saving seconds is not worth injury, or worse.

You are responsible for yourself.

Go as hard as you want, but this is not a race.  (yet…)

Help each other.

In case of an emergency, use 911.

If you drop, text your bike number to 218-404-5101.

If you absolutely need outside help text 218-404-5101.  We will do our best.

Thank a volunteer.

Have fun--It’s what it’s all about.

Fiddlin' Fifty Cue Sheet

Here it is, in all its glory!

Fiddlin' Fifty Recipe Card

If you need to have the cue sheet sent to you in a different format, please let us know!

Fiddlin' Fifty Roster

Here is the current roster.  We'll be adding names as your cards come in.

1. Kip Praslowicz -- Duluth, MN
2. Death Rider -- Burnsville, MN
3. Joe Sacco -- Hibbing, MN
4. Adam Karges -- Grand Rapids, MN
5. Sherri Kretzschmar -- Duluth, MN
6. Jon Loye -- Duluth, MN
7. Tony Carter -- Cohasset, MN
8. Steve Quiring -- Indianapolis, IN
9. Al Jurenic -- Eveleth, MN
10. Vel Jurenic -- Eveleth, MN
11. Doug Stanzell -- Eveleth, MN
12. Steve Gillitzer -- Hibbing, MN
13. Marko Carlson -- Babbitt, MN
14. Rob Raplinger -- Virginia, MN
15. Dean McCauley -- Ely, MN
16. Kevin Sanders -- Ely, MN
17. Sarah Hurst -- Duluth, MN
18. Krisin Riker-Coleman -- Duluth, MN
19. Steve Christy -- Hibbing, MN

Fiddlin' Fifty Gravel Grinder

Alright, gravel enthusiasts, here is the post with details on our event.  We will probably miss something, so please don't hesitate to point it out to us!

Who:  Susan Hoppe & Scott Dahlquist

Scott and Susan live on six acres in Minnesota's Balkan Township.  We are literally surrounded by hundreds of acres of Superior National Forest.  In addition to biking, we enjoy all kinds of sports with our Irish Red & White Setters.  In fact, the dogs are where the name of our ride came from.  Susan plays fiddle in a local band, which is why we chose to call the kennel Fiddlin' Irish Red & White Setters.  The ride is ours, starting from our house, so...

What:  The Fiddlin' Fifty Gravel Grinder and Potluck

Riding a [Mountain] Bicycle Built for Two

This is a 50-something mile gravel road RIDE, not a race.  We are toying with the idea of making it a timed event in future but wanted to start with something simpler.  If there is consensus before the start, we can do informal times, but we don't currently have anything better than your honesty and the accuracy of your trip computers.

The route is about 55 miles.  The only pavement comprises fewer than four (4) miles of the route.  Fewer than two miles are on snowmobile trail rather than actual gravel roads.  The terrain is all north of the Laurentian Divide.  There are no killer hills though there are a lot of undulations in the road.  Most of it is noticeably within Superior National Forest but there are a couple of spots that open up to farmland.

It is unsupported.  We'll come get you if you break your bike beyond field dressing or arrange a ride with flashing red lights and sirens if you need one; otherwise, you are on your own.  There are no stores or gas stations en-route.  The only water available is the form of lakes and streams.  Prepare accordingly.

We are having potluck.  Bring a dish to pass if you wish to participate--make sure you label your dish.  We'll organize the food while you are on the road.  We don't have a lot of chairs, so if you want to sit on something other than the ground, you may want to bring your own. 

When:  23 August 2014

Specifically, you need to come between 7:30 and 8:00 to check in and sign waivers.  The ride itself begins at 9:00.  It will finish when you are ready for it to be over. 

Where:  Balkan Township, Minnesota

Wolf Track

Much of Balkan Township is also Superior National Forest.  There is lots of wild flora and fauna.  Hopefully you will see some interesting critters at safe distances.


The Fiddlin' Fifty begins and ends at our house. Other than that, we aren't telling you any of the route until the day of the event, at which point you will receive cue cards.  We have friends who are going to test the cards for accuracy and useability this weekend.  (added 16 July 2014)

How: 
We are taking the first 100 registrants only and we ask that you have your postcard to us by 20 August.  Send your cards to: Fiddlin' Fifty; c/o Scott Dahlquist; 6479 Colombe Rd.; Chisholm, MN 55719.

On your cards we need to have your name, address, primary and secondary telephone numbers, e-mail, and age.  For the waiver, we will also ask for an emergency contact number, so please make sure you know what it is ahead of time.

Relaxing After a Great Ride

You can ride whatever you want, but you must wear a helmet. 

Why:  Just for Fun!
 
Happy Trails!

Scott and Susan

Hunting with Dora and Sally

Poor Dora.  Grouse season opened in September and she didn't get to go hunting until yesterday.  She did a great job, though, despite the neglect.  We went up the road a mile or so and took a trail that we don't explore very often and had never gotten to the end of. 

 

 

 

 

Dora taking a break

Dora cooperated with me, quartering back and forth across the trail, investigating likelier areas more thoroughly than those less likely to hold birds.  Shortly before reaching the end of the trail, she bumped a bird that was so far away I didn't even think of trying for it. 

On the way back to the car, we took the wrong fork in the trail.  We stumbled on some more lovely cover that didn't look well traveled but still didn't hold any birds.  We got back to the fork and I decided to do the obligatory photo of the dog and gun, despite the lack of bird. 

After the photo, I took a closer look at that old stump.  Do you see what I saw?  Hmm.  Where was the bird that left that behind?

Look at the upper left corner

I took my dog and chilly feet back to the van to warm up the feet and switch dogs.  I decided to hunt the same trail again for two reasons.  One, I hoped the grouse Dora had bumped was stupid enough to come back after a little over an hour with us gone.  Two, it was a very pretty trail that will be fun to snow shoe this winter and I wanted to retain a better memory of it. 

See the film of ice?

I didn't get my feet dry and wasn't smart enough to switch shoes before going back out with Sally.  It made walking pretty uncomfortable after a while.  Here is a photo of one of my new shoes: 

Predictably, Sally and I didn't find any grouse down that trail.  She did have a number of non-productive tentative points.  I don't know what she thought was there.  I've seen her point where a grouse had been; this behavior was different.  Perhaps some woodcock had stopped there on their way through the area. 

On the way out, I heard what sounded like a small dog barking.  Strange, as there aren't any houses behind this area of forest.  I held Sally's bell so that I could hear better.  It was more than one animal.  I wondered if maybe there were a pack of coyotes out there.  Did I really want to walk in their direction?? 

I listened some more.  One of those critters sounded suspiciously like our Tucker, the most vociferous of our pack.  I marked the time and asked Scott what he had been doing then when we got home.  He took two teams of dogs for runs with the training cart, a sure fire way to rile them up!  

Some people might find a pile of bones creepy or even nerve-wracking.  What puts me on edge is seeing my dog freeze while staring off into space, then turning quickly to rush back to me.  Sally's ears were back, her ruff was raised, and her tail was in the submissive but ready for action position.  Even though we hadn't made it all the way to the end of the trail, I decided to head back for the car.  

There weren't any birds, but Sally and I did stumble across an old wolf kill.  There was nothing left on the bones, which were bleached very white.  I forgot to check for gnaw marks.  However, I doubt there are many Gnaw Wolves in our part of the world. 




Happy hunting!