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This is one in a series of stories produced from our trip to “The County.” Stories like these take resources and time. You can support our important work here.

Crews spread snow that was trucked in Friday night to create the starting run for the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races on Main Street in Fort Kent.
Nate Webb helps musher Alex Gurka put on her bib while her dog, Turkey Tail, gives it a sniff before the start of the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday. Gurka, of Winn, ended up pulling out of the race after about 80 miles for the safety of her dogs.
Julia Klaucke of Medford puts a harness on her dog Pumpkin, who she calls Pump for short, on Saturday.
Julia Klaucke of Medford talks with her dogs outside her trailer before the start of the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Becki Tucker of Fort Kent reaches out to high five a spectator as she pulls away from the starting line in the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday. Tucker ended up scratching in the race.
Lead dogs for musher Fayth Weed run away from the starting line during the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Amelia Schwarz of Pennsylvania climbs a hill near the Clair-Fort Kent International Bridge during the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International race in Fort Kent Maine on Saturday.
Musher Eric Delisle of Quebec, left, rounds a corner as Amelia Schwarz of Pennsylvania climbs a hill in the distance during the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday. The first part of the trail leaving Fort Kent runs along Route 161, which leads to Allagash.
Musher Lea Allen of New Brunswick and her team race down Main Street in Fort Kent at the start of the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race on Saturday.
Keith Aili of Minnesota mushes down Main Street in Fort Kent at the start of the 250-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race on Saturday. Aili arrived at the finish line on Monday night and was the winner of the race.
Wyatt Marquis of Fort Kent heads toward the finish line in the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday. Marquis, 18, came in third place.
Wearing just a short-sleeve shirt due to the warmer temperatures, musher Alexander Therriault of Oxford heads to the finish line in the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday. Therriault placed fourth in the race.
Two dogs rest after finishing the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Mushers Sarah Gazo of Vermont and Aimee Nichols of Naples race down a hill during the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Aimee Nichols of Naples kisses one of her dogs after finishing the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
The lead dogs of musher Catherine Benson of Baltimore head to the finish line in the 30-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Snowmobilers ride with flags on Portage Lake ahead of the first musher to cross the lake in the 250-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race at dusk on Saturday. From left is the Canadian flag, the Acadian flag, and an older version of the Minnesota state flag, which was displayed because the first musher across the lake was Erin Artemus of Minnesota.
Martin Massicotte crosses Portage Lake at dusk on Saturday during the 250-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race.
Amy Dionne of Madawaska crosses Portage Lake at dusk on Saturday during the 250-mile Can-Am International Sled Dog Race.
Amy Dionne of Madawaska talks with Dottie Dudley at a checkpoint on Portage Lake during the 250-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race on Saturday. When mushers arrive at checkpoints, volunteers check to confirm they have all the supplies they are required to carry.
Mushers Tristan Longchamps, left, and his father, Andre Longchamps, of Quebec pull out supplies while feeding their dogs at the first checkpoint for the 250-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race on Saturday. Tristan finished third and Andre fourth in the race.
Musher Tristan Longchamps of Quebec adds fuel to his cooking fire while resting and feeding his dogs Saturday night at the Portage Lake checkpoint of the 250-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race. At right is musher Andre Longchamps, Tristan’s father. Tristan finished third and Andre fourth in the race.
At the Portage Lake checkpoint for the 250-mile Can-am International Sled Dog Race, U.S. and Canadian flags flap in the wind along with flags from states and provinces of other competitors.
Melodie Beauchemin of Quebec descends a hill near the finish line of the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday night. Beauchemin won the 100-mile race.
After having her bib pulled off, Melodie Beauchemin of Quebec celebrates arriving at the finish line in the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Luc Fortin of Quebec nears the finish line in the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.
Musher Keven Lariviere of Quebec talks with one of his lead dogs after finishing the 100-mile Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent on Saturday.

Gregory got his start in journalism delivering his hometown newspaper, the Norwich Bulletin, as a teenager, reading the front page articles on dark winter mornings as he passed under streetlights. Greg...