J. J. Magnum

[Skunk]

Hi JJ,

How did your son and the team fair this season? Did they place top 10, 1st? We'd be interested in hearing the final results.

And no matter what the final standings for the team might be, you guys deserve a Big Congrats!!! on a season well done for just promoting the Family Spirit alone.

Well Done J.J. Magnum family and race team!!!

[J. J. Magnum]

Thanks for asking!  Ruhl particpated in three races this year (others were "weathered" out - either not enough snow or too warm).  His best finishes; he placed sixth (of 14) in Atlanta and fifth (of 15) in Alpena (in Sunday's portion of the Thunder Bay Classic he came in third, but his overall times left him in 5th).  He finished all his races in an upbeat frame of mind with an effort to avoid drama on the trail.  As always our philosphy is to take the team out and bring them all back together. 

Summer is our "down" time with the dogs resting up and trying to stay cool.  We will have a new dog in the line up for next years competition; "Kiyou" (black and white husky) will be taking up the wheel dog station with Muggsy and Maggie leading.  This will be Ruhl's last year in the 'Junior' class. 

Looking forward to snow...

[Winter Hawk]

Sounds like dog mushing to me!  am I right?

-Winter Hawk-

[Skunk]

Thanks for the excellent report JJ. You guys did great.

[petemi]

I think that is one of the finest things a guy can do with his kids.  The great part of it is that the dogs love it too.  Thanks for sharing.

Pete

[J. J. Magnum]

Thanks for the replies and good wishes.  Yep Winter Hawk we are definately mushing.

Ruhl did a presentation for the "Women in the Outdoors" (local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation) last weekend.  Brought the dogs out (parked them under the shade trees) along with the sleds and the equipment.  They loved it!  It's good to see the youngster out there promoting his sport.  Busy summer for him too; he's off to Philmont Scout Ranch next week then Band Camp in August.  After that it is two weeks with his Grandfather on Whidbey Island in WA.

Guess who gets to take care of the dogs?   

[petemi]

Whidbey is a beautiful place.  My son was stationed there with the EA6B Prowlers for most of his nine years except when at sea.  The tulips, mountains, etc. are spectacular.  I'd like to go back sometime.  I'm on the U.P. of Michigan and I have friends that are Mushers.  One of them runs the big Alaskan race every year.  It's quite a big thing around here.

Pete

[J. J. Magnum]

Pete, one of these days we're gonna make it up your way for a race.  From down here at the wrist of the big mitten it's quite a hike for the weekend but we're gonna do it.  If I remember Engadine is off US 2 right where you turn north to go toward Newberry.  If I remember correctly the Cut River Tavern isn't far up the road...  Fine fish sandwich there.

[petemi]

J.J., you've got your map right.  If you like Italian food, Johnny B's is a few miles west of the Cut River on the north side of 2 and is different and good and authentic.  The highway going thru Engadine north to Newberry off of U.S.2 is M-117.  I'm 8 miles north of 2 and a mile east of M-117 on "The Old Engadine Road", Krause Road.  If you're gonna head this way, shoot me a PM.

We didn't have enough snow around here last winter worth didly squat.  I think we blew out the driveway 3 times.  The trails were a mess.  Our normal is 200 inches and I doubt we got 50 last year.  If you're coming this way, Patty and I would love to meet you guys and the dogs.

Pete