copperdog 150 - a thank you

*** UPDATE ***

Gallery is open for prints and digital downloads. Get yours now...

Where to start? This is our second year at this event, and after all the logistical meetings, gear preparations, cold fingers, noisy miles on snowmobiles, early mornings, late nights, and - not to mention all the actual photography by no less than 4 Brockit photogs, all I can say is WOW.

We have a number of people to thank for this annual adventure, first and foremost, the CopperDog race committee. Without their faith, responsiveness, and input, we wouldn't be even writing this thank- you. It's a great relationship and we don't take it for granted. Many many thanks.

Mushers and dogs who came from many many miles to compete - thank you. Your photogenic faces and smiling dogs kept us smiling too. sorry about that nasty corner on the east bluff. If you thought we were vultures, waiting for you to crash, well... we were, and you did, so...

Our next thanks really needs to go to Copper Country Rentals in Calumet. These guys trusted us with their snowmobiles for almost 200 miles of trail and backwoods, hauling gear and crew for 3 days - all without ever meeting us. How awesome is that? Their equipment never let us down and made it possible to shoot in otherwise inaccessible locations. It deserves mentioning that not only did they help our own crew out, but they supplied machines for the needs of the entire race: rabbit, sweep, trail markers, etc. If you need a rental, I highly recommend them. Hopefully they can get our stickers off the fenders...

Thanks to the following for their services and support:

Keweenaw Brewing Co. and 5th and Elm coffee for keeping us awake and motivated as necessary.

Many families in Eagle Harbor who opened up their summer home for rag tag groups of volunteers, photogs, and assistants to sleep in the middle of the night.

Johannah at Spirit of the North in Copper Harbor - whose massage skills made all the difference after riding 120 miles and hauling gear through waist-deep drifts.

The Mariner North and The Pines & Ziks bar for food, Mardi Gras entertainment, and another warm place to sleep.

Brassard Media, whose video team we worked and laughed with side by side all weekend.

Of course many thanks to our own crew: master organizer and CopperDog volunteer / coordinator Meghan McKilligan, our 2nd team BettyJean Jaehnig,Tania Levy, and Ben Wittbrodt, and 1st team assistant Andrew Musselman.

And while I'm on a roll - there needs to be a huge shout-out to the community. Between the race organization, the volunteers, businesses, and the community as a whole - again, WOW. To watch everyone work together with the time, energy, and true passion for this event - it really makes you feel the power of a community. To be immersed into this was a truly a treat.

Thank you all. Can't wait to do it again next year. Now - someone has to finish the processing of 3200 images. volunteers...?

We do have some sneak photos up, there is a special slideshow coming tomorrow in the Keweenaw, and just watch the blog or facebook for the full sets.