When Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina in the fall of 2024, the damage was devastating. But while most people sought safety, members of the headed straight into the disaster zone. Technical training and long hours of practice enabled the all-volunteer team to provide critical response and support during the area鈥檚 catastrophic flooding.

The event was unprecedented, but Linville-Central鈥檚 search-and-rescue efforts should not have been a surprise. For more than 50 years, the group has been providing SAR services in Avery County and the surrounding region, with a team that includes first responders, certified rescue technicians, EMTs, paramedics, and K9s. They respond wherever needed鈥攅vacuating a hiker with a broken ankle, rescuing a climber stranded on a cliff, extricating a victim trapped by a car accident, searching for lost people, and more.

It鈥檚 all hero鈥檚 work, especially when you consider Linville-Central is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization. Plus, it鈥檚 operating in an area where the demand for search-and-rescue services keeps increasing, thanks to the growing number of people exploring the beautiful but rugged and technical terrain, with numerous mountain trails, waterfalls, and rock climbing destinations. Their service area includes parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain State Park, the Appalachian Trail, Lost Cove Wilderness, and the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area.

Fortunately, their job just got a little easier, thanks to the Presented by Chase. Now in its fifth year, the program honors the unsung heroes of our communities, the hardworking nonprofits across the United States and Canada that provide critical community support, like search-and-rescue services, veteran support, outdoor access, and animal welfare. Winners in six categories take home a Defender 130 SUV and $30,000 in prize money. That can be a game changer for a local nonprofit, and it鈥檚 just the latest incarnation of Defender鈥檚 legacy of supporting charitable organizations. For decades, Defender has created legendary vehicles to take service workers on missions to help others, and that continues with the Defender Service Awards. Since 2021, the program has awarded 24 customized Defender SUVs and more than $1 million to elevate mission-driven organizations that are strengthening their communities. In total, 90-plus nonprofits have benefited, enabling them to improve and expand their services.

The Linville-Central Rescue Squad is one of them, earning the Search, Rescue and Emergency Support Services Award in 2024. 鈥淲hen we had to send a search team to a neighboring state to search high-angle terrain, the Defender 130 was the perfect vehicle,鈥� says Derick Calloway, director of the squad鈥檚 mountain rescue team. 鈥淚t transported the team and their technical gear and towed a UTV. One thing we learned from responding to Hurricane Helene is that we need more capable vehicles, and now we have one with the Defender 130. When the next flood comes, we know we鈥檒l be better prepared.鈥�

Christopher Brown, another Linville-Central volunteer EMT and member of the mountain rescue team, says the benefits of the Defender 130 are clear鈥攍ike having cameras all around the vehicle at the wheels to negotiate tight, technical terrain and crowded trailheads. But he also says they鈥檝e learned that the award is much greater than just winning the vehicle and the grant. 鈥淲e鈥檝e made valuable connections and received more exposure than ever before,鈥� he says. 鈥淓ven our own community hasn鈥檛 always known what we do. The Defender Service Awards has allowed us to tell our story to a huge audience. That helps Linville-Central Rescue Squad on so many levels.鈥�

Enter the 2025 Defender Service Awards

Know a nonprofit that could use a supercapable 4WD vehicle and $30,000 cash? The time is now to enter this mission-driven awards program.

Learn more at .

聽embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern鈥慸ay hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of performance 鈥� taking performance and capability to another level on and off鈥憆oad. A beacon of liberty that can trace its heritage back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover 鈥� a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world鈥憀eading off鈥憆oad capability. Defender vehicles are designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.

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Search and rescue. Veterans support. Animal welfare. Outdoor access. These are some of the critical issues that strengthen communities and reflect our deepest-held values. The challenge? Nonprofits are often on the front line of supporting these causes, and to do their heroic work, they鈥檙e in need of resources and funding themselves.

Enter the Presented by Chase. Now in its fifth year, the program honors the unsung heroes of our communities with a Defender 130 SUV and $30,000 in prize money. That can be a game changer for a local nonprofit, and it鈥檚 just the latest incarnation of Defender鈥檚 legacy of supporting charitable organizations. For decades, Defender has created legendary vehicles to take service workers on missions to help others, and now the Defender Service Awards recognizes hardworking nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Since 2021, the program has awarded 24 customized Defender SUVs and more than $1 million. In total, 90-plus nonprofits have benefited, enabling them to improve and expand their services.

The entry period for the 2025 Defender Service Awards is now open, so if you work for a deserving nonprofit, know someone who does, or simply want to make sure your favorite charitable organization gets a shot, now is the time to act. Here鈥檚 how it works.

Registered charity organizations based in the United States and Canada in one of six categories (below) by July 25, 2025. Once finalists are selected, public voting determines the overall winners, which receive a Defender 130 and $30,000 in prize money. All 30 finalists, including winners, receive $5,000 each from Presenting Partner CHASE.

The 2025 categories are:

• Animal, Wildlife and Marine Welfare Award, Presented by Disney
• Veteran and Civil Servant Outreach Award, Presented by Hearts & Science
• Community Service Award, Presented by ei3
• Search, Rescue and Emergency Support Services Award, Presented by Pelican
• Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award, Presented by 国产吃瓜黑料 Interactive
• Defender Service Awards Honoree Award (for past finalists), Presented by S&P Global

What does winning mean for an organization? Just watch what past honorees have to say.

Ultimately, the Defender Service Awards are about expanding the ability of these nonprofits to serve their communities. That鈥檚 why the Defender 130 is such a beneficial prize. The three-row SUV transports up to eight volunteers, its generous cargo capacity聽can be used to聽haul critical gear or even animals,聽and 4WD聽helps access hard-to-reach locations.

Winners this year will be in good company. Just look at who took home top honors in 2024:

Inspired to see your favorite nonprofit on the list of winners for the 2025 Defender Service Awards? Find all entry details .

embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern鈥慸ay hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of performance 鈥� taking performance and capability to another level on and off鈥憆oad. A beacon of liberty that can trace its heritage back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover 鈥� a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world鈥憀eading off鈥憆oad capability. Defender vehicles are designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.

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Vail, Colorado, is more than just a world-famous ski destination鈥攊t鈥檚 a dynamic, year-round playground for adventurers of all ages. Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and endless outdoor activities, Vail offers miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. But what really sets it apart is the vibrant atmosphere in Vail Village, where the fun doesn鈥檛 stop with changing seasons. With a packed , there鈥檚 always something to do. Whether you鈥檙e unwinding with some live music after a bike ride through golden aspen groves or exploring fresh local produce at the farmers鈥� market before taking the kids to one of the many parks, Vail offers a little something for everyone.

Few know the ins and outs of Vail鈥檚 vibrant community better than the person making the events happen. That鈥檚 why we reached out to Jeremy Gross, manager of special events for the Town of Vail. As the permitting mastermind behind many of the town鈥檚 major events, Gross told us about some of his favorite upcoming summer and fall activities.

国产吃瓜黑料: What’s special about summer in Vail?

Jeremy Gross: Walking through the streets of Vail is a magical experience any time of year, but especially in summer. The village comes alive with vibrant flowers, open-air patios at every restaurant, the soothing sound of Gore Creek flowing through town, and stunning views of the Gore Range beneath crystal-blue skies. It鈥檚 an escape from the everyday鈥攁 step into a lively alpine paradise.

On top of that, Vail鈥檚 calendar is packed with . From the to the and bluegrass festivals, the weekly , and , there鈥檚 always something special happening鈥攅levating the mountain-town charm to a whole new level.

What are your favorite summer events?聽

I love the variety of events. There鈥檚 no better way to kick off the summer than the . The town comes alive with musicians on every corner and the world鈥檚 best adventure athletes competing in high-energy events throughout the village. It鈥檚 a vibe all its own.

For families, the excitement continues with the 鈥攁n unforgettable experience that gets kids off their screens and into the action. It鈥檚 the ultimate youth adventure race, with biking, river tubing, Tyrolean traverses, and more.

Is Vail a good destination for families?聽

Kids love playing in the , tubing through town down Gore Creek (tube rentals are available in town), or biking on the . , at the base of the gondola, is one of the coolest playgrounds around. Solaris and the Arrabelle turn their outdoor ice rinks into gathering spaces with lawn games and live music.

That covers the adventurous side, but there鈥檚 still plenty of culture for kids to experience. The are a short walk from Vail Village, right next to another one-of-a-kind playground, and feature an incredible collection of alpine plants. Grab a blanket and a picnic for the lawn to see the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, as part of , perform The Princess Bride in concert alongside the movie.

Thanks to the city鈥檚 pedestrian-friendly streets, kids in Vail are free to explore, play, and just be kids.

What happens at Vail in the fall?聽

Fall is a great time to visit Vail. Take a mountain bike ride through the changing aspens on the Golden Gate Trail for views so breathtaking that you鈥檒l want to pedal slowly and take it all in. Stop by the Thursday or Sunday for fresh Colorado produce at the peak of flavor.

Just after Labor Day this year, celebrates its 50th anniversary with two weekends of beer, food, and fun. Or, if you want to catch some live music, grab a flannel and head out to the in October for free world-class bluegrass music right in Vail Village.

What are your top tips for planning a Vail vacation?

is full of so many tips, that鈥檚 the best one I can give. Check it out for the full list of upcoming events, hiking and biking routes, walking tours, shopping, dining, and lodging offers.

is the official destination marketing organization for Vail, Colorado. It鈥檚 responsible for promoting Vail as a premier year-round destination, focusing on boosting tourism and enhancing the economic health of Vail.

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Yes, that Nebraska. Listen, we鈥檙e not here to convince you that purple mountain majesty is out. We鈥檙e just saying that the fruited plain has more than meets the eye. Especially if you just rolled that eye. Before you go making too many assumptions, discover all the natural wonders this flat-out amazing midwest state has to offer.

Sandhill Crane Migration

Maybe 测辞耻鈥檝别 never considered Nebraska as a travel destination before, but to , it鈥檚 the place to be. From March to mid-April, roughly 1 million sandhill cranes stop to rest and refuel in the Platte River Valley on their way north to Canada and Alaska. That鈥檚 80 percent of the world鈥檚 sandhill cranes, all in one region, all at one time. might be the best spot to see this incredible display鈥攖he walking bridges that crisscross over the Platte River put you right in the thick of things.

Extend your adventure: Experience migration on bike with the in late March.

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

Sometimes the natural wonders of the world need our help to stay that way. , described by the National Parks Service as a 鈥渃rossroads of biodiversity,鈥� was established in 1912 by Teddy Roosevelt to protect native bird populations. The result of this effort speaks for itself. Today, Fort Niobrara is home to more than 230 species of birds, some of which exist only in the region. Elk and deer are also abundant鈥攁mong 75 other animal species鈥攁nd you can even spy a herd of 350 bison, which were introduced in 1913.

Extend your adventure: , only an hour south, is home to 270 bird species and dozens more species of mammals and reptiles.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

As you marvel at how rises dramatically out of the surrounding plains, know that you鈥檙e in good company. Throughout the ages, Chimney Rock has stood as an important marker amid the unending grassland, first for Native Americans and later for Western emigrants and fur traders. For those traveling to Oregon, California, and Utah, this lonely sentinel was their first taste of the landscape of the American West. Chimney Rock was so striking, in fact, that it was mentioned in more historic emigrant diaries than any other landmark along the Oregon Trail.

Extend your adventure: Make sure to check out the Ethel & Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center to learn more about the lives of Western emigrants and try your hand at packing a covered wagon.

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area

is located in a scenic river valley and boasts some of the state鈥檚 best muskie fishing, but those aren鈥檛 the only qualities that make it a natural wonder. To experience the best of what Merritt has to offer, you鈥檒l have to wait until after dark. In 2022, the area was designated an by DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to preserving starry-sky parks and communities, and offers the best stargazing in the state. Visit on a clear, moonless night in summer to see the Milky Way at its most visible.

Extend your adventure: Visit during the (July 20-25, 2025), a weeklong event with speakers, classes, and nightly observations.

Sandhills Region

If you鈥檙e on a Nebraska adventure tour, you鈥檒l wind up in the no matter what. But while you鈥檙e exploring this massive region (roughly 20,000 square miles) in north-central Nebraska, take some time to appreciate the uniqueness of the seemingly untouched prairie around you. You鈥檒l be looking at both the largest sand dune formation in the Western Hemisphere and the most intact swath of temperate grassland in the world. Stabilized thousands of years ago by prairie grass, the Sandhills might not look like the sandhills 测辞耻鈥檝别 imagined. But a lot of things in Nebraska aren鈥檛 quite what you expected.

Extend your adventure: Travel the 272-mile (Highway 2) from Grand Island to Alliance. Make sure you see Alliance鈥檚 top attraction: .

The mission of Visit Nebraska is to expand Nebraska鈥檚 dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to .

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It鈥檚 the season we celebrate dads and grads鈥攖wo groups who have plenty of fans. Two groups who can benefit from a gift that allows them to be self-sufficient, able to solve problems, and ready for adventures of all sorts. A high-quality, durable multi-tool will do that for years to come.

Tim Leatherman had the idea for the first-ever multi-tool鈥攅quipped with needle-nose pliers鈥攚hen he and his wife were traveling around Europe as young twentysomethings on a budget. They often found themselves needing to fix leaky plumbing and the fussy Fiat 600 they bought in the Netherlands.

For the past four decades, Leatherman has pioneered the design of ever better and more capable tools, enabling people to tackle everything from minor repairs to saving their own lives (). The storied brand continues to design and manufacture knives and multi-tools in Portland, Oregon, and every Leatherman comes with a 25-year limited warranty. What better gift to give the dads in your life and the grads heading off on their next adventures, whatever they may be?

For Father鈥檚 Day

Enable Dad to tackle DIY jobs and outdoor adventures by putting fix-it options in the palm of his hand

($250): The most premium tool on the market, the ARC puts 20 tools at your fingertips and is one-hand operable. From a knife blade made of MagnaCut steel, which maintains its sharp edge and resists corrosion, to a suite of features including a bit driver, awl, wire cutter, and needle-nose pliers, the ARC sets the standard as the top-of-the-line tool.

($120): The bestselling multi-tool of all time features 18 tools, many of which鈥攊ncluding scissors, screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a wire stripper鈥攃an be accessed with the tool in its folded and closed position. Open it up, and the Wave+ equips Dad with tools like a saw, knife, and diamond-coated wood/metal file.

($90): Perfect for the DIY dad who wants a tool that鈥檚 full-featured but a little more compact, the Rebar packs 17 tools鈥攊ncluding two kinds of pliers, an electrical crimper, and wire stripper鈥攊nto a four-inch frame. All 17 tools lock into position and won鈥檛 fold under pressure. A range of color options allows for personalization.

($140): The Signal is ideal for dads who camp, fish, and backpack. Measuring 4.5 inches, this multi-tool features 19 tools, including a fire-starting ferro rod, safety whistle, and built-in hammer that comes in handy for anchoring tent stakes. Bonus: Find just the right look for every dad with a new-for-summer range of color options.

For Graduation

Nothing says 鈥渞eady for the next adventure鈥� like graduation鈥攅quip new grads for the journey with a high-performance multi-tool

($50): Since when did 50 bucks put so many functional items in the palm of your hand? The ten-tool Leatherman packs down to a mere 2.5 inches and can clip to a keychain. Tools like tweezers, a nail file, and spring-action scissors make this a no-brainer gift for any grad.

($70): At just 5.8 ounces and with a contoured, ergonomic design for comfort, the Bond is a great choice for grads who appreciate sleek style and easy carrying. But there鈥檚 no compromise on function: The Bond is packed with 14 tools and comes with a matching carrying sheath.

($90): This tool somehow manages to be both minimalist and totally capable, with a 2.6-inch knife blade, a large bit driver, and five other tools. A nice touch most grads (and probably dads) will appreciate: The carabiner loop doubles as a bottle opener. The Skeletool CX is available in an array of colors.

($70): The Wingman packs 14 tools into a 3.8-inch package and includes a combo straight-edge and serrated knife that enhances versatility. Designed with everything a grad may need for jobs around the house, apartment, condo, or campsite, it鈥檚 the perfect wingman.

Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, Oregon-based Leatherman Tool Group is the world鈥檚 largest manufacturer of high-quality multipurpose products. Built upon three principles鈥攗nwavering perseverance, ingenious design, and the ability to save the day鈥擫eatherman has empowered people around the world to solve problems big and small. Leatherman is proudly based and manufactured in Portland, Oregon, where the brand鈥檚 factory is located in the same building as the company headquarters. Learn more at .

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For Bryn Merrell, art began as a necessity. When she first started painting, she was working as a guide for a bike touring company. 鈥淎s guides, we didn鈥檛 have much time to ourselves because we were always making breakfast, fixing flat tires, figuring out logistics, and answering questions,鈥� she says. It was rare that she got a moment to breathe, let alone soak in the beauty of the vast western landscapes she was lucky enough to call her office. 鈥淚 started painting on those trips because it forced me to slow down and soak it all up a little bit while I could,鈥� Merrell says. 鈥淚t would help calm this feeling of burnout.鈥�

Painting also gave her a new perspective on outdoor recreation. This was a way of getting to know the natural world on a more intimate level鈥攊ts textures, colors, and intricacies鈥攁nd to enjoy it without having to worry about achieving or conquering. Art has since become a for Merrell, but it still feels meditative, even after all these years. And it鈥檚 still a way for her to reconnect with herself and what matters. Painting Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone, she said, left her with a feeling of overwhelming gratitude. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so lucky that we protected these places,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to bring my daughter back to enjoy them some day.鈥�

The Prismatic Spring Color Wheel

Every concentric ring of Yellowstone National Park鈥檚 Grand Prismatic geothermal pool correlates to a different temperature, and therefore a different pigment. Here鈥檚 where the colors come from.

Blue: Clean water at the spring鈥檚 heated center is too hot to host bacteria.
‍ Green: Chlorophyll forms in a blue-green algae (Synechococcus) that loves warm water.
Yellow: Carotenoids (the same things that make carrots orange) are found in a bacteria that likes lukewarm temperatures.
Orange: Green, yellow, and red colors blend in a bacteria (Chloroflexi) that has both carotenoids and chlorophyll.
‍ Red: A mix of different bacteria that thrive in cooler temperatures makes this striking color.

Raise a Toast: Prismatic Cooler

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and聽, which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to聽聽the national park system today.

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Rum Cask
• 4 oz lemonade
• 3/4 oz butterfly pea simple syrup
• 1鈥�2 oz seltzer water
• Mint or lemon for garnish

Directions

• Fill Collins glass with ice.
• Combine all ingredients into the glass and top with seltzer water.
• Gently stir.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post How Yellowstone Inspires Art appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When Malou Anderson-Ramirez left her family ranch in Wyoming for an East Coast boarding school at age 15, she felt like she鈥檇 landed on another planet. Suddenly, she was surrounded by kids who spent their nights and weekends practicing piano or playing team sports. Meanwhile, she was used to spending her spare time feeding animals or birthing lambs.

鈥淢y parents taught us that you can鈥檛 sit down to dinner or breakfast if there are hungry animals outside,鈥� Anderson-Ramirez says. 鈥淲e were raised with the notion that they鈥檙e kin, and kin take care of each other.鈥� That sense of connection drove her to pursue a career in animal-assisted therapy, then, eventually, back to her family鈥檚 ranch on the border of Yellowstone National Park.

In 2009, Anderson-Ramirez and her husband dedicated themselves to transforming the ranch into a center for education and regenerative agriculture. Her 鈥攁nd the animals that call it home鈥攈as never been stronger. 鈥淚 try to be a voice for the wildlife who need someone to speak for them,鈥� she says.

Boots on the Ground

Get to know the park inside and out on these top five hikes.聽

Trout Lake Loop (1.2 miles)

For a short-but-sweet loop hike just off the main road, target Trout Lake, an alpine tarn north of Soda Butte Canyon. Go early in the morning, when the water鈥檚 glassy surface reflects the peaks of the Absaroka Range.

Avalanche Peak (4.6 miles)
This 10,568-foot summit offers sweeping vistas of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including a bird鈥檚-eye view of Yellowstone Lake. Start at the peak鈥檚 eponymous trailhead and switchback straight up to the iconic summit.

Fairy Falls (5.6 miles)
Experience all the park鈥檚 greatest hits in a single afternoon on this half-day romp. A gently rolling trail will carry you past the neon marvel of Grand Prismatic Spring, 200-foot Fairy Falls, and two geysers, Spray and Imperial.

Mount Washburn (6.4 miles)
Tackle the climb to Mount Washburn鈥檚 10,243-foot summit, and you鈥檒l be rewarded with panoramic views of the craggy Washburn and Absaroka Ranges. Pro tip: Aim to summit at sunrise, and climb the historic fire lookout tower for an even better vantage point.

Continental Divide Trail to Shoshone Geyser Basin (20 miles)
This one鈥檚 an all-day affair, but it鈥檚 well worth the sunrise starting gun. Head out from the Lone Star Trailhead and trace the Firehole River for 20 miles, winding past spouting geysers, boiling springs, and other thermal features.

Raise a Toast: Horsefeather

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients

• 2 oz Yellowstone Select Bourbon
• 4 oz ginger beer
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Lime wheel or wedge for garnish

Instructions

• Fill Collins glass with ice.
• Combine all ingredients into the glass and top with ginger beer.
• Add two dashes of Angostura bitters and gently stir.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post A Real Yellowstone Rancher Shares Her Story appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Four years before I was born, in the summer of 1984, my parents hiked to the fire lookout on Yellowstone鈥檚 10,210-foot Mount Washburn and wrote their names in the lime-green federal supply service logbook stored inside. They were newly engaged. She was a 22-year-old nursing student from rural Minnesota who鈥檇 left behind the cornfields for a summer job folding sheets and working reception at the park鈥檚 Canyon Lodge; he was a 24-year-old ski patroller who spent off-seasons pumping gas at the Yellowstone Park Service Station (YPSS) at Canyon Village. Taking advantage of the long daylight of the Wyoming summer, they dashed out of work and hiked the six-mile trail from Chittenden Road, reaching the two-story, panoramic lookout with just enough time to get back to the car before dark.

8/14/84

Amy Peltier, Litchfield MN

Note to Steve Brown鈥擨鈥檒l meet you here Aug 25, 2018

I love you! 鈥擜my

Steve Brown, Sandpoint, Idaho (also Canyon YPSS) Wow what a surprise to meet my fianc茅 on this obscure mountain outpost. Thanks for showing up, Amy. P.S. Try not to eat so many flowers on the way down.

My dad doesn鈥檛 remember the flower joke. My mom doesn鈥檛 remember why she picked 2018. August 25 was the day summer park employees celebrated 鈥淐hristmas,鈥� with extravagant holiday decorations and gifts鈥攁 way to wind down the season together. This explains the many Merry Christmas messages written in the same register ten days later, including another from my mom after she鈥檇 hiked up the mountain again with two of her summer friends.

8/24/84 Never thought I鈥檇 come up here with 2 easterners. Love ya Foz and Sheila. See you up here next year, Christmas Eve.

Amy Peltier

Litchfield, Minnesota

Canyon Employee0

My parents met at the employee bar in the basement of Canyon Lodge. She was with friends, and he bought her a beer. It was only a matter of weeks before my dad called his sister to tell her he鈥檇 met the woman he was going to marry. His grandmother helped him buy a ring.

Over the two summers they worked in the park, my parents went adventuring. They drove my dad鈥檚 1970 green Chevy truck down a nearly impassable road deep into the Beartooths and hiked to Grasshopper Glacier鈥攏amed for the thousands of extinct insects found frozen in its ice. They paddled a Huck Finn鈥搒tyle log raft around an alpine lake in the Wind River Range. Sometimes they just walked the loop of boardwalks around the park鈥檚 Norris Geyser basin after work, or along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River to the Artist Point overlook. After my mom went back to school in Minnesota, they wrote hundreds of letters. When she graduated, my dad took the bus out to marry her.

I know what they wrote on Washburn because after a lightning strike burned one of Yellowstone鈥檚 historic fire lookouts to the ground, my mom texted our family鈥檚 group thread, frantic that the summit books might have burned, too. And so I went to look for them. I started thinking about how my family, and so many like ours, had left little fragments of themselves in notebooks and ammo cans on top of mountains. The spontaneous messages drafted in a surge of summit exhilaration, or love or loneliness, or in memory of someone who wasn鈥檛 there. Or simply in wonder at the supplicatory beauty of this blue-green earth.

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I like to think of the Iditarod race as a cruise ship vacation. Each checkpoint is a new port of call, and the food might be served buffet style rather than made to order, but it鈥檚 a very good buffet. The offerings are varied enough that the route has some texture. For instance, one evening鈥檚 meal might feature chicken thighs, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, scrambled eggs, a variety of cheeses, and some kind of fatty frozen dessert. In the morning, there might be strips of tender red beef, pork medallions, whole eggs, some kind of crunchy dried snack, and canned fish in oil.

One staple is chicken legs. I pack over 300 raw chicken legs for the Iditarod race. Something about grabbing the bone and tossing it in the snow and watching my teammates wolf it down nearly whole 鈥攚ell, let鈥檚 just say I know well the origin of the term 鈥渨olf it down.鈥�

I pack everything. Sometimes gummy worms, sometimes little pats of butter. When you鈥檙e tired, it鈥檚 hard to get enough calories, so I like to pack fatty foods like bacon, ham, and cheesecake. This year, I went heavy on herring, and I tend to pack a lot of calcium supplements. Probiotics are essential, because travel can do weird things to digestion. I make little sandwiches full of honey. Sometimes I fry bacon; sometimes I serve it raw.

Good old-fashioned Gatorade works wonders for electrolyte balance. I often thaw it in my armpits while driving the sled.

Occasionally I鈥檒l even resort to cat food. Literally. You never know. Packs of ramen noodles. Usually I don鈥檛 bother seasoning or even cooking them. The crunch is satisfying, but easy on the mouth. I also tend to favor peanut butter鈥攁gain, warmed in the armpits or the front pocket of my pants.

But that鈥檚 just what I feed the dogs.

I sent a ton of food up the trail for our dogs to enjoy at every checkpoint. The race is like a great expedition for them, punctuated by fun feasts among lots of new friends, when they happen to camp near other teams. It has all the drama of a Caribbean cruise, but without all the heat. Plenty of HEET, though. We carry bottles of HEET methanol antifreeze for our alcohol cookers, so we can melt snow and heat dog food on the trail.

When I say I sent a ton of dog food up the trail, I do mean a ton, or nearly so. My drop bags weighed 1976 pounds when I weighed them to ship them up-trail. My team鈥檚 food packages weren鈥檛 the heaviest, nor the lightest. But what do I eat?

What I Eat During the Iditarod

A single sled dog needs about 10,000 calories per day while running the Iditarod. Mushers run less, but we鈥檙e bigger, so I鈥檇 guess we burn about the same. We spend 12 to 16 hours a day behind the sled, often jogging, pushing it up hills, or muscling over rough terrain. Even when the dogs rest, we鈥檙e often still working: melting snow for water or chopping through ice, fixing equipment, arranging and packing up camp. I鈥檓 sure my parka will be loose by the time I reach the Bering Sea.

Thank goodness for Sarah Hamilton, a longtime sled dog booster who happens to run Trail Center Lodge along the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota鈥檚 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. She makes heat-and-eat trail meals called , and if a box of them hadn鈥檛 arrived literally hours before my dogs and I left for Alaska, I would be fighting my dogs for pork.

Which of course I would never do, because the dogs come first. Moms and dads feed their children. Mushers feed their dogs. We take much delight in their hearty appetites. We try to get everything just how they like it, so they can focus on their race. Cutting off the proverbial crusts, if that鈥檚 what they need. We鈥檙e kind of useless out there compared to the dogs, so this also makes us feel a little better about ourselves. By the time we鈥檙e a few hundred miles in, they鈥檒l eat just about anything.

Sarah鈥檚 CAMP CHOW meals can be made with hot water or even cold water. She sends me the gluten-free ones, which are incredible. There鈥檚 a blueberry parfait that I don鈥檛 think I could ever get sick of, which is saying something, because it鈥檚 hard to eat when you鈥檙e so tired. I鈥檓 thirsty out there. My teeth are practically furry. All I want to do is sleep. I am the last creature I feed, and it鈥檚 hard to cajole myself into eating, but it鈥檚 necessary, and Camp Chow makes it possible.

Other mushers have their own techniques. One friend asked me to pick up 20 McChicken sandwiches right before the Iditarod start a few years back. He kept them in his sled, and thawed them one by one in his armpits when he got hungry. My wife, also a musher, swears by frozen cheesecakes, because she loses her appetite completely on the trail, and they鈥檙e caloric and never freeze too hard to take a bite. She likes Twizzlers, too. They freeze solid, but she can hang one out of her mouth like a farmer with a blade of straw, thawing and gnawing it inch by inch. The sugar keeps her warm and the taste keeps her awake.

What about drinks? We mushers drink a lot of hot Tang. Sometimes it鈥檚 available at checkpoints, steeping in a big thermos next to coffee that might or might not taste like coffee, although no one cares for taste at that point. I packed bottles of iced tea and coconut water in my drop bags, because I can drop them (frozen) into my cooker when I鈥檓 making dog food. When they thaw just enough, I gulp down the slush.

Unless, of course, the dogs decided they want what鈥檚 mine. In that case, it becomes theirs. I鈥檓 happy to live on the crumbs.

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Last fall, at a dryland dogsled race in Pearson,Wisconsin, one canine athlete stood out from the rest. While her competition鈥攎ostly pointers and Alaskan huskies鈥攔an one- to three-mile sprints, then rested, she entered multiple divisions in such quick succession that she once hurried straight from the finish line to the starting line without slowing down. Her gaze is stoic. Her fur is orange. Her legs are four inches long.

Musher Betsy Heidt of Wausau, Wisconsin, didn鈥檛 plan for her 18-pound dachshund mix, Muppy, to become one of the most recognizable sled dogs in the Midwest. As it turns out, that was all Muppy鈥檚 idea.

鈥淚 could never get Muppy to walk on a leash,鈥� Betsy told me over the phone. (I鈥檓 a dogsledder myself, and cheer for Muppy at races, but I don鈥檛 know Betsy well; I reached out to learn the full story.) 鈥淪omeone commented that I should walk faster, so I walked faster, and then Muppy started running, so I started running, and then she started running faster. I don鈥檛 have the cardio for that, so I hooked her up to a bike and off she went. I was like, oh, I guess this is a thing.鈥�

Betsy grew up on a dairy farm in the southern part of the state. As a kid, she sometimes hooked up the farm collies to a plastic sled with bailer twine, then threw snowballs for them to chase so they鈥檇 pull her. But those experiments, plus the movie Snow Dogs, were the only context she had for sled dog sports. So she turned to YouTube for urban mushing tutorials, which explained the basics of , , and : dogs pulling bikes, scooters, and human runners, respectively. The videos were helpful, but geared toward folks with huskies and other big dogs. They didn鈥檛 address many of the problems she encountered, like that Muppy was so short that she had to swim through puddles. Plus, where do you find a good harness that size?

But Muppy loved pulling so much that Betsy was determined to figure it out. She contacted a harness company called , ordering their smallest adjustable size, and got some goggles so that Muppy鈥檚 eyes were protected from sticks and burdock. They trained on deer trails in the woods by their house. Muppy was ecstatic to pull, and her never-ending energy felt like magic鈥攅ven when she turned to chase critters, and Betsy went flying. 鈥淚 got really good at reading her body language,鈥� she told me. 鈥淚 can tell by the way she holds her tail if she鈥檚 locked into something ahead of us, whether it鈥檚 a person in the distance or an unsuspecting rabbit.鈥� Betsy learned to brace herself, and Muppy learned not to swerve: 鈥淪he throws into the harness even more to get out that frustration.鈥�

When Muppy was four, in 2021, Betsy posted a picture on Facebook, and a page called Twin Cities Dog-Powered Sports liked her post. 鈥淚 sent some messages to their page, asking them 900 different questions, and they were super helpful.鈥� When she saw that they were hosting a first-time race in Minnesota, she signed up for the 1.3 mile bikejoring event. She was terrified.

For one thing, Betsy didn鈥檛 know if other mushers would accept her. 鈥淏ut my biggest fear,鈥� she said, 鈥渨as that someone would pass us.鈥� That summer, Muppy had been attacked by three golden retrievers at a park, and she鈥檇 been sketchy around strange dogs ever since. How would she react to a team coming up behind them? Betsy made a plan: if another team approached, she would veer off-trail and sit on the ground, holding Muppy, until they were gone. As it turned out, she and Muppy both had so much adrenaline鈥斺€淲e were pedal to the metal!鈥濃€攖hat no other teams came close. They finished the course in just five and a half minutes, averaging over 14 miles per hour. The duo didn鈥檛 make the podium, but they weren鈥檛 on the bottom, either.

After that, they were hooked.

When most people picture sled dogs, they imagine huskies racing 1,000 miles through snowy wilderness. But in dryland racing, an ever-growing corner of the sport, teams consisting of one to six dogs compete in parks, cities, and small towns worldwide. Mushers gather at trailheads and parking lots for long weekends of racing, with world-champion sprinters (often huge, muscular pointers with legs a mile long) competing alongside teams of purebred Siberians and assorted mutts. When Betsy and Muppy first started showing up at races, people assumed that Muppy belonged to a spectator, or that she was a pet accompanying another team. But it wasn鈥檛 long before they took her seriously, as both a friend and competition.

Muppy鈥檚 not the fastest dog on the race circuit, but she鈥檚 among the most recognizeable, and crowds will sometimes gather to chant her name. The affection is mutual: there鈥檚 a bar on the country road that leads to one of the race sites, and whenever Betsy makes the turn in her car, Muppy starts screeching with excitement. In the starting chute, while the judge counts down, she wails, eyes glued to the trail ahead鈥攁nd the moment Betsy releases the brake, they take off at top speed. She鈥檚 become a pro at some of the more technical aspects of racing, like getting passed鈥攐r, just as often, passing. 鈥淭he dog parts of the other team, sometimes they just stare as they鈥檙e running, trying to decide if she鈥檚 food or friend,鈥� Betsy recalled, laughing. 鈥淎nd their mushers will say, 鈥楥ome on, Snowball! You鈥檙e getting passed by a wiener dog!鈥�

For the past four years, during dryland season, Muppy races frequently, and trains by pulling Betsy or her husband two to three miles up to four times a week. Betsy works at a composting facility, and even brings Muppy to work sometimes, so she can practice running up and down the compost rows鈥攚hich smell enticing, making them perfect practice for resisting distraction. Until this year, winter鈥檚 been Muppy鈥檚 off-season; she spends the snowy months digging and shredding sticks. But Betsy recently bought a fatbike, and the duo have been training for fatbikejoring races on snow.

Last May, Betsy and her husband adopted a second dog, Journey, who鈥檚 a terrier-shepherd mix. Journey鈥檚 bigger than Muppy, and not that into pulling, but she does love running, so sometimes they enter two-dog races together. Muppy pulls, and Journey simply runs alongside her. Betsy doesn鈥檛 mind. The point of dog-powered sports, as she sees it, is to make dogs鈥� lives richer, and that means embracing each dog鈥檚 skills and interests鈥攕o as long as Journey鈥檚 happy, she鈥檚 happy too.

As for Muppy, she鈥檚 fully embraced her role as an icon; she prances when fans call her name. Betsy鈥檚 thrilled to be her ambassador. 鈥淚f someone has a pet with boundless energy, a sport like this is a great opportunity for them,鈥� she told me. 鈥淓ven for a dog who doesn鈥檛 pull a lot, like Journey, being out in front and making decisions seems to tucker her out more than games of fetch ever did.鈥�

But Betsy鈥檚 favorite thing has been seeing how much joy and inspiration Muppy鈥檚 athleticism brings to people. 鈥淚 want to show that little dogs can do things,鈥� she said proudly, 鈥渁nd help more dogs live enriching lives!鈥�

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