December 2006
Michigan Dog Drivers Association (MiDD) Holds First Fall Training Session.
From eight year old, Treven Knoll to 87 year old Cecil Houghton, a good time was had by all at the first MiDD Fall Training session held in Baldwin, Michigan at Lange's Last Chance Retreat and Trails over Thanksgiving weekend '06. Despite the fact that rifle deer season was in full swing, no shooting took place anywhere near the private land used for this event. This unique area is bounded all around by remote terrain that is difficult for deer hunters to traverse.
In keeping with the association's vision to provide a different forum for mushers, the training session began early Saturday morning with an "Amazing Race" activity featuring 5 stations along the hilly, winding trails. Each station required a different task be performed. Tasks included reversing direction, bootie a dog and snubbing off to a tree for a 5 minute break. The stop and go aspect of the training exercise worked out well with the unseasonably warm temperatures, giving the dogs and mushers an additional reason to stop and let the dogs cool off. Volunteers were at each station to hand out ribbons to those who successfully completed each task. The event was not actually a "race;" as with other MiDD activities, the emphasis was on learning and experiencing, not who has the fastest team. LOTS of head-on passing took place for all teams as they found their way around the various trails, using a GPSed map.
Around the campfire on Saturday night, when asked for constructive criticism, one participant said, "the only thing I didn't like is when it was over." Another person commented, "this is the most fun I've ever had." Fourteen teams participated in what will probably come to be known as the First Annual MiDD Amazing Race. The potluck on Saturday evening was well attended with about 28 people partaking of deep-fried turkey and a bountiful array of favorite side dishes. A big "thank-you" to the Nowaks from Traverse City for donating the turkeys for the weekend and also to Randy and Carol Gerke for providing and manning the turkey fryer.
The MiDD-Night experience was also well populated with teams running a short course on a new, narrower trail than the trails used for the Amazing Race. It was quite a sight seeing the headlamps and ATV lights bobbing through the trees looking back at the teams still in the woods before breaking out onto the main drive heading back to camp. As the weather would have it, the 3 mile night course was just the right length with temps only getting down in the mid-40s overnight on Saturday. With temperatures hovering in the 40-50 range, over a holiday weekend, the board of MiDD is very happy with the turnout and the camaraderie of the group. I think I can safely say that everyone is looking forward to next year with plans in the making for expanding the camping area.
Linda Lange Director, Michigan Dog Drivers Assoc. (MiDD)
www.michigandogdrivers.org mushmutts@triton.net 231-745-3614
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