We could hardly contain our excitement last week as Rohn took charge of the K300 and his dogs loped into the finish line for an impressive victory.  He was trailed by John Baker, the 2011 Iditarod Champion and Paul Gebhardt, last year’s Kusko Champ.  4 time Idit Champs Lance Mackey and his Dad were also in the field.

He attributed his win to his fast dogs and being quiet while they were running.  They set a comfortable pace for themselves and he took good care of them on the stops.

This was Rohn’s third K300 and his first big win!

http://www.k300.org/

James Volek and Matt Failor represent the kennel at the Copper Basin 300.  Race begins noon on Sat. Jan. 14!!!  Follow along:

http://www.cb300.com/

From Martin’s Facebook Post:

Holly molly ! A new Happy Trails record, six teams in the same race …. what was I thinking? Matt will leave first with bib number 3. Dan Dent has number 17. Martin is leaving in 31st position, Rohn is right behind me in the 33 spot. Mike Miller will start his very first race with number 35 and James Volek starts his racing career in the 36th position. Good luck to all. We will be camping this one around all the way.Leisurely pace, enjoying the dogs, fresh snowy trails and a full moon. Happy Trails

From Matt’s Facebook Post:

Tomorrow January 7th, AIE’s own, Matthew Failor & James Volek will be running in the Knik 200 sleddog race! Martin Buser, Rohn Buser, Michael Miller & Dan Dent will be running teams from the kennel as well! Starting time for the race is 11am (alaska time). THERE ARE SPOT TRACKERS attached to the sleds for locating your favorite mushers online during the race… http://www.knik200sleddograce.com/live-tracking.html

We six mushers will be using this race as a big training/learning experience for my young dogs (we are planning a few long rests along the trail to teach the young dogs to ‘camp’ and conserve energy) as well as a learning experience for James and Michael (their first races!). Congratulations to them! Thanks for you support! Stories to come after the race weekend.

From Kathy:

I spent most of the week cooking for Iditarod.  6 bundt cakes, and packages of the following: 34 moose strogonoff, 10 tenderloin (Martin only, sorry Rohn), 15 spaghetti and meat sauce, 18 pasta with butter, 34 rice, 22 bolgogi.  They will have a little taste of home all along the Iditarod trail.

Happy Trails Kennel was awarded the MEMBER of the MONTH from the Anchorage Convention and Visitor’s Bureau – now operating under the name of VISIT ANCHORAGE.

We appreciate the recognition and look forward to many visitors in 2012!!!

Martin accepts from VISIT ANCHORAGE’s Steve Halloran

tune in:  6pm EST Sunday, December 11.

http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/alaska/photos/vip-alaska

Thanks to Matt Failor for the photo.

Some of the New Kids on the Block.  Sleek, fast, young and eager!  Two Face

Momba

Hilary

To make reservations for our B&B, go to

http://www.airbnb.com/

and in the box that says where are you going

type in Happy Trails B & B

Easy reservation system.

We are also now listed on craigslist.com   Anchorage

A friend who owns a B&B in the Homer area recommended airbnb and it seems to be a very complete site.

Maybe we’ll see you at the B&B sometime.  Feel free to use the B&B as a snowmachine/bike or ski base in the winter.

We’re shifting gears.  Summer Tours are basically over.  The birch trees are dappled yellow.  Cool mornings signal the oncoming 4-wheeler training.

We’d like to thank all our visitors for taking the time to tour our working kennel.  We have enjoyed sharing the stories of our dogs and our lifestyle.   We are so happy to see people appreciate our canine family and their accomplishments.  We hope folks will stay tuned online throughout the season.

I think we will see some of you back here in March!

For the third year, Happy Trails Kennel, was invited to attend the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade celebration in Seattle.  Since the puppies were such a hit last year we brought them again.  The rowdy bunch of six were walked, petted, and loved to exhaustion.  Some of our regular Nome Dog Squad helped out with the dogs.  We appreciate Alaska Airlines acknowledging the unique relationship of Alaska huskies with the state of Alaska, the sport of dog mushing and dog lovers everywhere!!!

With a renewed spirit of determination, Martin signed up today for his 29th Iditarod!!!!!  AND he was the fortunate winner of one of the 2 FREE entry fees drawn at the end of the day.  His name was pulled out of the hat a few years ago but we were not there due to a previously scheduled tour at the kennel.  We are hoping the luck part begins today.

To get out to the more remote areas of Alaska, visit our friend Lori’s website and arrange for a custom flight seeing tour most anywhere in Alaska.  She’s a great pilot with an intimate relationship with the skies and weather of Alaska!

http://www.skytrekkingalaska.com

Go to:

Happy Trails Bed & Breakfast

We had a very special guest visit the kennel recently.  Do you recognize this amazingly talented man?

See photos!

Happy Trails Kennel tours are in full operation.  Independent travelers are welcome to begin tours at either 10:00 am or 2:00 pm.  If you are planning to come for a tour, please use our reservation system listed in the menu bar above.  Click on Book a Tour.

AND the B&B is ready for guests.  We have 4 rooms available, each with a private bath.  Rates are $179.00/night based on double occupancy.  For more information email martin@buserdog.com.

Did you know:

Dog Photos

These dogs would make great pets ~ especially the little girls.

New album posted.  Click here.