<>Liz Parrish, 49, is an inkeeper who along with her partner Peggy, own and operate Crystalwood Lodge, a destination pet-friendly resort in the Southern Oregon Cascades. She also owns and operates Briar's Patch Sled Dogs, which currently has 28 canine members and Liz who is the musher and chief pooper scooper. From an enthusiastic and naive beginning with the "Motley Crew" team (an Aussie, Norweigian Elkhound, and Beagle Mix), Briar's Patch has developed into a small kennel of Alaskan Huskies, whose duel missions are to train for and race in distance sled dog events and provide opportunities for the public and individuals to learn more about sled dogs and sled dog sports. Liz's goal hs been to train her own distance racing team and to learn how to competently travel through the wilderness by dog team. Why Iditarod? Well, how do you know if you have those skills if you don't try? Liz started her mushing career through several trips with Wintergreen Lodge and subsequently through training her own dogs via Mushing Boot Camp and the many friends she and Peggy met there. She began acquiring Alaskans (starting with Briar) through her mentor Jamie Nelson and Briar's Patch was born, along with the dream of doing the Iditarod for her 50th birthday. Her recent races include Red Lantern and Best Rookie finish at 2005 Shasta 135, a 4th place finish at 2007 Shasta 135; a 4th place finish at the 2006 Eagle Cap 200 and a 2nd place finish at the 2007 Eagle Cap 200; and the Red Lantern finish of the 2006 Race to the Sky as well as 11th place at the 2007 Race to the Sky. She is having a blast training and learning with her young team and is looking forward to continuing to enjoy the ride.