Jen and Blake are on the trail at Fort Kent -- the Can Am 250. Lots of stories to tell, even before the start of the race. Here are a few:

Jen, Blake, Phil and Erin drove straight through two days from MN through the Soo, across Canada, and into Fort Kent, arriving like beat zombies at 1am.

I (George Bailey) was already here, so had the bunk house ready. We are all staying in one cabin at a hunting lodge. Lots of taxidermy on display.

During the night coming to Fort Kent they blew a tire on the trailer but changed it okay, and then yesterday after the vet check, they blew another tire.

Both tires fixed by very nice man in Fort Kent.

The drivers meeting was in French as well as English. This race has been going on for several years, and they really know what they are doing as far as logistics, trail, vets, safety and rescue.

Vet check day Friday was 45 degrees and pouring rain. Not fun for us or the dogs. But about 3am this morning the wind changed, high pressure came in from Canada (just over the river)and it was 9 degrees this morning at the start.

It happened that our truck parking at the start was right in front of the historic block house fort site at Fort Kent.

The start is right downtown main street. But you can see the hills right outside of town -- will be lots of climbing for the dogs and running for Jen and Blake. There is deep snow out there.

Packing the sleds, all the equipment, lines, harnesses,booties all went just perfect, so we were all ready for a clean start. The way they bring teams up to the line is by 4-wheelers. When Jen's team was anchored to the 4-wheeler, and the team all crazy to go, the hardware on that guy's machine popped -- and Jen's team took off, suddenly free.

Luck was that Jen was standing on the sled, so she held on and careened through the icy crowded parking area, down a 1/4 mile, headed out of control towards the starting chute. But with help, her team was captured, she made it into the chute before the countdown.

Blake's start was much more under control, because we did not trust the 4-wheeler and grabbed more dog handlers.

Now they are headed for a major check point at Portage, over 60 miles, to arrive Saturday late afternoon. Phil and I will be down there to collect any dropped dogs, but unlike the Beargrease this is a no handler race, meaning that Jen and Blake must do all the feeding, booties, etc, for the entire race. We will be able to talk with the mushers, but not do any work, except for taking possession of dropped dogs.

~George Bailey