Ear Lobes, Firewood Etiquette, Burled Arches: A Complicated Sport
“Here,” says Spence, “straight from Alaska, the latest from Rebecca of Snowhook Kennel, ‘our’ team in the 2012 (and many more, we hope) Iditarod Race. For those just tuning in, AJ is her husband and the musher.”
“Where does that word musher come from?” Admin says.
“Five bucks says B. Stover will help us out with that by lunchtime.”
“Since when do we eat lunch?”
Lunch? I open my eyes. I’ve got nothing against lunch. In fact, I’m all for it.
More times than not, the weather on the coast plays a leading role in the race, as we saw on Tuesday where AJ and other teams waited the weather out in Unalakleet before they could move onto Shaktoolik. Usually it’s the weather on the coast, but not always. In 2010 AJ lost part of his ear lobe in a sudden drop in temperature accompanied by a ground blizzard in the first third of the race. Last year, it was warm. AJ stripped to his base layer of fleece and bibs as he ran and pushed the sled up hills to ease the dogs’ load.
As AJ progresses along the coast we may see he and other teams stop for extended periods in the same spot. These spots aren’t checkpoints, but are safety cabins along the trail where shelter and refuge can be found from the elements. It is not uncommon to wait out the weather in one of these safety cabins. Trail etiquette dictates that you replace the firewood you used for the next individual who may stop. And, whether or not it is etiquette, it is common place to sign your name on the walls of the safety cabin—at least the cabin I visited in 2007.
AJ is on the coast headed for Nome, and I am packing to do the same. I will wait out the remainder of the race in Nome so I can be there when the siren sounds, the team runs up Front Street and crosses under the burled arch.
Tags: AJ, Iditarod, Rebecca, Snowhook
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 at 7:18 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
7:25 am on March 14th, 2012
Chet? Patsy and the Pack are with you about lunch. In fact, they would like breakfast, brunch, lunch, liner and dinner plus a few treats and a bed time snack.
It looks to me as if AJ and two others have gone off the trail. Is Gypsy wrong? I do see that he’s headed back towards what Gypsy is saying where the trail is.
Oh, Good Morning!
7:44 am on March 14th, 2012
Hey Melanie! Is there room for me for the lunch,breakfast, brunch, dinner and snack thing for me??? (Love the snacks, oh, and dessert, too)!
Have a safe trip Rebecca, and on to Nome AJ!!!!!
Greetings to All!
7:46 am on March 14th, 2012
Good morning! $5 says Bee tells us the origin of musher before 10:00.
Melanie, we call those 2nd breakfast, lunch, 2nd lunch, dinner, 2nd dinner, midnight snack, plus of course we get snacks for being the sweet angels we are. 🙂
7:47 am on March 14th, 2012
Dawg: I just re-read my post. Does it make sense. I still only have one eye open…YAWN!
7:53 am on March 14th, 2012
Rose, yes you can come. (If you don’t mind eating on the floor for all but three of those listed.
7:56 am on March 14th, 2012
We just watched the video of Ally crossing the Finish. She gave a lot of credit to how smart of a race Dallas ran. That is class.
8:13 am on March 14th, 2012
Testing time stamp.
8:14 am on March 14th, 2012
We’re still on standard time.
8:29 am on March 14th, 2012
Melanie: Check your SDD.
8:48 am on March 14th, 2012
RAM!….Real Alaskan Mushing…snort!…
8:49 am on March 14th, 2012
Idit-a-rock-and-roll!…heh!…I’m learning all kinds of stuff watching the Dallas Seavey wins it all video!…wooooo!
8:51 am on March 14th, 2012
We like standard time. For just a little while, the time is right here in CDT.
Does Rebecca have a confirmed place to stay? We can’t have her being a bag lady for a couple of days. I feel like that TV dog, worrying, worrying.
We went to bed before Aliy came in, so off to Insider to watch. Catch ya later catfish.
8:56 am on March 14th, 2012
Good morning all. Nice shout-out Bee!
Melanie, have you recovered from the party?
Going to be 80 degrees here. WOW! Going outside to play in a bit. Have to haul compost up from the lower 40. With the bad knee, it takes a little doing – 2 5 gal. buckets at a time, pulled in a wagon. It is hell getting old!
Hope AJ got back on the trail.
Are they still having the horrible winds?
9:04 am on March 14th, 2012
Dee!Dee!…Looks like DeeDee Jonrowe made it to Nome!…woooooo!
9:20 am on March 14th, 2012
AJ is on the sea ice. Yeep!
9:25 am on March 14th, 2012
All sports are complicated except swimming. (Now, who makes them that way?)
AJ is moving at 5.8 MPH. I loved the way Dallas greeted every dog on his team after reaching the finish.
LOL. Okay, I’ll do some research on “musher.”
Good morning all.
9:27 am on March 14th, 2012
need some help here. Our Internet crashed last night just as Dallas was kicking up the street. We still have no computer acres- have to strip and Benoit the system…maybe booting something at the cable company would be a good idea too!!!
Please fill us in on AJ.
Mama has to take Dad to his follow up after his eye surgury so she will be back to work on the computer glich later
9:28 am on March 14th, 2012
Ice!…AJ is on his way to Ko-Yuck!…snort!…This is Beau’s checkpoint…heh!
9:36 am on March 14th, 2012
“Musher” and “mush” are probably derived from the French “marchons” from French “marcher”–to advance. The French traders were the first Europeans to learn dog sledding from the natives. Here’s a link to an interesting article.
http://www.ehow.com/about_4618321_does-word-musher-come.html
9:45 am on March 14th, 2012
Of course, the English word “march” is derived from the French “marcher” also.
9:47 am on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca, I am glad you are going to Nome early. It is just a feeling, but I wouldn’t want you to miss AJ’s arrival.
Melanie, The true Iditarod trail often doesn’t follow Gypsy’s lines. The teams are not really going off course.
9:51 am on March 14th, 2012
Yippee!!!! Bee, you came through for us before 10:00, so we win!!! Marchons sounds a lot like Mush On so that makes sense to us. When Mom says Mush On, we look for treats.
AJ on the wide open sea! Can’t even tell it is sea for all the ice (we hope). Yikes…We will breathe much easier when he is back on terra firma.
T&G: AJ is about 30 miles from Koyuk (Rio and Beau’s FRIEND’s checkpoint).
9:53 am on March 14th, 2012
Rio, you said last night you might not subscribe to Insider videos next year. We know you will change your mind. In our opinion, just that wonderful video of our favorite musher’s interview made it worth the price (and then some).
9:55 am on March 14th, 2012
The German word for march is, “marsch”.
It is interesting that they are all similar.
10:02 am on March 14th, 2012
Good Day All!
Yes, it is rather late I know, but we are off kilter here. Wonder how long this is going to last…this strange feeling of being displaced in Time.
Off to watch the videos we missed last night.
10:21 am on March 14th, 2012
Checkpoint!….Beau is under the impression that it is His checkpoint…sniff!
10:22 am on March 14th, 2012
To get youse ready for St. Patricks Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y07at1bU89Q
10:24 am on March 14th, 2012
Good morning! Finally, I’m back from Sam’s and all caught up. I looked at the map and saw that stretch of trail was across the water. That’s scary. We who live by the Great Lakes know how the ice fishermen have to be rescued every year. I’ll feel better when AJ is back on land.
10:28 am on March 14th, 2012
We will be gone for awhile.
Bear, I’m glad you found the streaming last night. Staff also had a problem. The Insider announced it differently on their website than they have in years past. I couldn’t find it the first time I looked for it and it was there right in front of me.
10:37 am on March 14th, 2012
We think Snowhook’s Natty is one smart dog. We don’t like ice either.
These mushers sure do have the post office guys beat! All THEIR pledge says is “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers” etc etc.
It doesn’t even MENTION moose or -50 degree temps, or the Steps or even amorous dogs.
Mushers are heroes! Especially the humble ones.
11:05 am on March 14th, 2012
Old English is from the Western Germanic branch of the Indo-European language system. After the Romans invaded England (during the reign of Claudius I think) English took on many Latin words. But what I find more interesting is the language after the Norman Invasion in 1066. Because the English were the conquered people they did the work. So our word “pig” is derived from Old English whereas the word “pork” is derived from the French….those who did the eating.
11:11 am on March 14th, 2012
I’m just glad there are other mushers on the ICE with A.J. and the team. Gah!
11:12 am on March 14th, 2012
Nome!…So did we ever hear where Rebecca will be staying in Nome?…snort!…Or will she be wandering the streets all night tonight? Don’t tell me I will have to worry about Her and AJ…grunt!
11:20 am on March 14th, 2012
Melanie, I’m not proud, I’ll sit anywhere!
Rio: Koyuk was intended to be for Beau AND your Friend. The whole family had a checkpoint!
How is Beau, by the way?
Rebecca: Where ever you are, be safe. AJ, you do too!
11:21 am on March 14th, 2012
Sassy!…Can you guys believe that Brent Sass will be hitting Nome in 13th place or so? …snort!…Isn’t that quite amazing for a Rookie?…wheeze!
11:31 am on March 14th, 2012
Approximately 20 more miles of sea ice to go!
11:40 am on March 14th, 2012
Rose: I’m safe. I’m working on securing lodging right now. Arms and legs are being taken—I prefer just to pay with one or the other out of my little fund I’ve set aside for this purpose, yet I want to make sure AJ can get some much needed rest when he arrives. I am also working on some temporary lodging for me for tonight and tomorrow night—that is just one arm and a big toe.
Rio: Just focus your attention, pug heart and flat head on AJ and the team.
11:40 am on March 14th, 2012
Bella, I would imagine that snow ice is not flat, correct? You’ve still got all that tide thing going on below.
Noticed ice fishers on the ponds the other day. Braver than I! We’ve had 50+ days.
11:46 am on March 14th, 2012
Bella, it won’t be long now until you are united with your heroic musher. AJ, get off the ice!
11:47 am on March 14th, 2012
Brent Sass and his dogs have a lot of Yukon Quest experience. That is why he is doing so well in the Iditarod. We like the guy.
11:49 am on March 14th, 2012
Flat!…Two flat heads are watching AJ slide across water…snort!…Beau is getting very excited because his checkpoint is next!…heh!…I hope he doesn’t get tooo excited and ruin his track record…grunt!
12:13 pm on March 14th, 2012
While AJ and team are gliding on the ice and Bella about to wing her way to him, OTAS and FOTAS have a couple of buds that need identifying.
Eastern Redbud? or a Maple?
12:14 pm on March 14th, 2012
This next one I have never seen. I’ve told them it is an Alien from Outer space.
12:46 pm on March 14th, 2012
Melanie: I think the first one is unknownbudium and the second is the rare xfilesium.
12:57 pm on March 14th, 2012
Melanie – I think they are both the same thing, whatever that may be.
1:05 pm on March 14th, 2012
Once Team Snowhook reaches Koyuk we are out of the woods/off the ice/onto Terra Firma and can breathe a group sigh of relief.
Beau: Getting closer and closer to “your” checkpoint.
1:07 pm on March 14th, 2012
Actually…off the ice and into the woods would be more accurate.
1:07 pm on March 14th, 2012
….but not in a bad way.
1:18 pm on March 14th, 2012
Six more miles to go.
1:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
You can’t tell me An Old Dog Can’t Learn New Tricks. Heh!
We are now:
Proficient at reading Military Time,
Discovering things we never knew our computer was capable of,
Avid, albeit a bit crazed, followers of the Iditarod,
Spouting Race jargon with the best of them.
2:10 pm on March 14th, 2012
Melanie: I’ve looked in my Audubon Field Guide and the closest I can come to the second picture is a cucumbertree. It’s in your area. Twigs are “stout with ring scars at nodes.” The flowers are “wide, bell-shaped with six large greenish-yellow petals.” The fruit is long, “conelike, oblong, dark red.”
2:17 pm on March 14th, 2012
GAH! AJ is turning around and going backwards….according to the history line on my GPS. What’s up?
2:22 pm on March 14th, 2012
I will be very happy when AJ & team get off the ice.
2:23 pm on March 14th, 2012
It is 73 here and sunny. People are walking around in shorts and short-sleeved shirts. And all before the Ides of March.
2:28 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca or Siber, Please explain this !!!!
2:34 pm on March 14th, 2012
Whatever that second plant is, make sure you don’t bleed near it.
I have been unable to communicate all morning, because Dad insisted that mom get Out of the House. They went to the book place that doesn’t need money. Mom is finally going to read the “Andy Carpenter” books, and a kat mystery and “Winterdance” and best of all, “A Loo With a View”.
2:36 pm on March 14th, 2012
Ice!…If you guys put Trent Herbst (16) on your tracker and follow his path, he veers off from where AJ went and then turned back…grunt!…Very strange and interesting..sniff!…Scary too!
2:40 pm on March 14th, 2012
We have them all on our tracker, and nobody is near AJ. #16 is over near land, although now that we turn on his history, we can see he got there from the same path AJ was on. But AJ went further than turned and then headed further out to sea!!! OMD We have chewed off all of our nails.
2:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
ARGGG! Be SAFE AJ!
2:49 pm on March 14th, 2012
#16 and #38 are now going completely opposite of one another. AJ, you must go to Koyuk!
2:56 pm on March 14th, 2012
Grunt!…This is not making me happy…gurgle!
2:59 pm on March 14th, 2012
Beau, try to relax until you can go outside!
Us…we are having a howlathon to try to get AJ to hear us and go toward Koyuk.
3:05 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ is at mile 759 even though Koyuk is only at mile 755. yak yak yak.
3:06 pm on March 14th, 2012
I don’t know why he is so far off trail. If he skips a checkpoint, he must go back. Why might he be off trail?—Maybe he missed a marker. Rule of thumb, if you haven’t seen a trail marker for a mile, turn back to the last one you saw and start over. Prayers please.
3:12 pm on March 14th, 2012
Already doing that, Bella.
3:17 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rio – time for one of your powerful pug prayers. Me, I’m re-reading the 9 PM prayers – aloud.
3:25 pm on March 14th, 2012
OMD: AJ please, be safe!!!
3:31 pm on March 14th, 2012
I just got back to the computer. AJ is going in the right direction now, correct?
I saw this happen a few years ago and it was because the route was detoured by the trail officials due to the changing condition of the sea ice.
3:32 pm on March 14th, 2012
Do NOT mess with Frankie!
3:34 pm on March 14th, 2012
Siber, click on AJ and also #16 and then click their history.
3:39 pm on March 14th, 2012
Direction!…I wish AJ would have gone the route Trent took…snort!…He is almost to Ko-Yuck! already….wuffle!
3:41 pm on March 14th, 2012
Gulp, I see what you mean. I am waking up to all this now. AJ is almost on shore but he is missing Koyuk.
3:42 pm on March 14th, 2012
We are just hoping when/if AJ finds that trail, he knows he has to to go backwards on it to Koyuk. OMD We are not handling this well.
We need to go muck stalls and stuff to take our eyes off these flags.
3:42 pm on March 14th, 2012
Oh my dog!
I had to leave the computer for awhile. My heart cannot take it. I was hoping AJ would meet up with Trent and travel with him to shore, but now Trent has passed him. Prayers being said. The book I’m reading says you can see the lights of Koyuk from a long ways but also that it is easy to lose the trail, particularly if windy, then you end up wandering back and forth mostly on glare ice with unsure footing for you and the dogs and making it hard to steer the sled. Plus add to this a sleep-deprived musher…yikes! Where’s the cheesecake!?
3:43 pm on March 14th, 2012
With no trail markers out there how on earth does he know where he is? I am shaking like a chihuahua here.
3:46 pm on March 14th, 2012
The weather is Koyuk is 1 degrees (feels like-18) The wind is 16 mph.
3:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
A.J. is now at land, but is it land that the team can navigate?
3:49 pm on March 14th, 2012
The book says you can see the lights of Koyuk if it is nighttime. But it is not.
3:50 pm on March 14th, 2012
Dear Creator Please Guide Team Snowhook & Keep Them Safe.
3:52 pm on March 14th, 2012
Fellow Sibers, I have the same question about the terrain.
Remember, The Iditarod people can see the same thing we are seeing on the tracker.
3:54 pm on March 14th, 2012
Stopped!….Now the musher behind AJ, William Pinkham #4 has stopped…snort! ….I can’t wait to see what direction he will go…heh!
3:55 pm on March 14th, 2012
It looks to me as though AJ simply went too far to the west (if that’s the correct direction) and now he’s simply going back to the checkpoint. Bruce Linton is about twenty miles behind AJ.
3:59 pm on March 14th, 2012
It looks as if Team Snowhook is around the bend of a promontory where they couldn’t see Koyuk from there anyway.
3:59 pm on March 14th, 2012
If he is now on land it should be easier for the team. Going back won’t he be meeting teams coming this way? And, he MUST go back.
OMD!!! Yeep! My heart is pounding!
4:03 pm on March 14th, 2012
Itt looks like he is headed back along the shoreline, but why is the Trail now missing the checkpoint completely???
4:08 pm on March 14th, 2012
I can see Koyuk on the map.
4:18 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ is moving
4:19 pm on March 14th, 2012
I also see Koyuk on the map and that’s where AJ is headed.
4:19 pm on March 14th, 2012
Calm down Bear. AJ is a experienced musher. He knows what he is doing.
Once in Koyuk he and the dogs can rest & refuel. The worst will be behind them.
Siber: If the Race Officials also see what is happening to teams going off course do they send out a helicopter to help guide them in the right direction?
4:24 pm on March 14th, 2012
Yeah…where is that rescue helicopter when you need him!
4:26 pm on March 14th, 2012
I believe AJ has an alarm in his sled that he can set off if he feels it is necessary. Once he does that help will come but he is out of the race.
The race officials won’t send out help unless they feel AJ needs it (like he is passed out) or unless he sets off the alarm.
Rebecca can correct me if I am wrong about this.
I am not seeing anything yet that tells me AJ needs help.
4:26 pm on March 14th, 2012
Backwards!…Is it just me or is AJ back-tracking again?….wheeze!
4:27 pm on March 14th, 2012
Uh-oh. AJ is not going toward Koyuk. He has missed the checkpoint.
4:30 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rio, I see it also and if he is, he is looking for a way to get through and around.
You guys, The mushers have to do this themselves. No chopper will come out to guide him in.
4:31 pm on March 14th, 2012
I don’t know what you guys are seeing…but my Gypsy shows him going very slowly…but surely…towards Beau’s checkpoint.
4:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
Beau!…I knew Beau should not have had a checkpoint…grunt!…That guy is nuthing but trouble!…sniff!
4:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
I see what you mean…..
4:35 pm on March 14th, 2012
SiberH: I was kidding about the rescue chopper, honest!
Do the musher’s carry compasses?
4:37 pm on March 14th, 2012
…..about going the other way.
As he is breaking trail it may be too difficult for the team the way he was going and now he must backtrack.
4:37 pm on March 14th, 2012
Dawson: What are you looking at?
4:38 pm on March 14th, 2012
New rule: Next year, Beau does not get a checkpoint.
Our guess is that AJ realizes he missed the marker and is retracing to find it. In the frigid. And dog-tired.
4:39 pm on March 14th, 2012
Ice!…Now they are back on the Ice…gurgle!…I hope he heads North to Ko-Yuck! soon…grunt!
4:40 pm on March 14th, 2012
Dawson, I had the same thought about the compass and I don’t know.
4:45 pm on March 14th, 2012
This is scary. I’m praying here. Looks like he’s stopped right now.
4:45 pm on March 14th, 2012
Masquers, I agree with you. It could have been too difficult for him to get on shore.
4:47 pm on March 14th, 2012
Perhaps AJ just wanted to give us a little excitement to keep up our interest (as if) OK, AJ, we are all watching now, back on track. Mush.
Are paramedics standing by? Not for AJ, for US.
4:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
All: I’m on the road heading to town and eventually the airport. My pug heart nor my sled dog heart can take this. I’m sick. I don’t know how much harder I can pray.
4:49 pm on March 14th, 2012
I’ll bet he can hear us shouting directions from here to there.
4:51 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca, We are with you and are praying also. I have faith in AJ. He knows what he is doing.
4:54 pm on March 14th, 2012
Dear SnowBella: Please try not to worry. The Giant knows how to do this. All Will Be Well.
We must remember to Pray from Love not from Fear.
4:57 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ!…He is a Giant! He will turn north any moment now and be on his way to Ko-Yuck…sniff!…Rebecca, you be careful driving and have faith in your Giants abilities…sniffle!
4:59 pm on March 14th, 2012
He cannot fail with the Great Spirit Guiding him.
We See him reaching Koyuk in good spirits with Tales to Tell.
5:02 pm on March 14th, 2012
Yip! He’s moving towards the others now!
5:06 pm on March 14th, 2012
We do not think he will turn north until he finds the trail. We watched a video a day or two ago about this part of the trail. This is not smooth ice. It is big ice boulders formed by the surf. The trailblazers chope awy just enough dor the dogs to squeeze through. AJ is smart guys. He knows he must find that trail.
Masquers you are right:pray from love not from fear.
5:07 pm on March 14th, 2012
Everyone think NORTH.
5:07 pm on March 14th, 2012
So much for our theory. He did turn north.
5:08 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ has turned to the northeast now. This is what we want if the route is douable through the sea ice.
5:09 pm on March 14th, 2012
Do youse think he needed to come out from that outcrop to see Koyuk?
5:20 pm on March 14th, 2012
He is truly going north now. He isn’t that far from Koyuk, but I wonder if he can see it in the daylight, or hear the snowmachines that might be zooming around the village.
5:20 pm on March 14th, 2012
Whew!
Masquers: He heard you shouting and listened!
5:21 pm on March 14th, 2012
North AJ, attaboy, keep going north. You may still get there before the next musher. Paws, tails and eyes crossed here.
5:24 pm on March 14th, 2012
Everyone – please ask for the spirit of the Canadian geese or the monarch butterflies to guide AJ
Leonard is calling our friends and this is what he was directed to pray for
5:26 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank you T&G and will do. It is comforting knowing Leonard is doing this.
5:29 pm on March 14th, 2012
You can see how slow AJ is having to travel compared to the teams on the trail.
5:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
I don’t know how much more my heart can take.
No cheesecake here, peanut M&Ms will have to do.
5:34 pm on March 14th, 2012
OMD!!! Check out the Iditarod Trail Committee Facebookie page!!! Look at all the posts cheering for our AJ!!!
5:52 pm on March 14th, 2012
Hey, y’all! Mom just got home from work and we’re getting caught up. We’re having heart palpitations just reading your reports — we don’t have GPS so we can’t watch the little flag to see where it’s going. I’m not sure whether that’s easier or harder!
Rose: Mom started laughing when she saw your post — she’s chomping down on the peanut M&Ms here, too! Unfortunately, she keeps citing the “no chocolate” thing, so she won’t share with me. 🙁
Aren’t the monarch butterflies the ones that migrate long distances and always get where they’re going? Is AJ going the right way now?
Go like the butterflies, AJ!!!
5:56 pm on March 14th, 2012
Kirby, Yes, AJ is going in the write direction and he isn’t that far from the checkpoint. It is just a matter of getting through the sea ice and having to do it without a trail.
5:56 pm on March 14th, 2012
Amalia and Leonard: Just knowing you are sending up Powerful Prayers is a great comfort to us.
Looks like Wm Pinkham has overshot the trail also…now on land heading up the coast.
5:58 pm on March 14th, 2012
The Iditarod Trail Committee said that they are “monitoring the situation” (on their FB page) but don’t want to go out to AJ unless he signals because that would take him out of the race.
5:58 pm on March 14th, 2012
that would be “right” direction
6:00 pm on March 14th, 2012
This has apparently happened to other mushers both in this race and previously.
6:05 pm on March 14th, 2012
We just checked out the committee’s Facebook page — it looks like a lot of people are watching his every move, including the committee. It makes me wonder how hazardous this race was back before all the GPS equipment. How long was too long to let a musher wander in the wilds of Alaska before they sent out search parties back in the day?
6:12 pm on March 14th, 2012
Kirby, It was hazardous, but no musher ever died or was seriously injured.
6:13 pm on March 14th, 2012
Two mushers now have overshot the Trail.
Looks like AJ is moving again..albeit very slowly.
6:20 pm on March 14th, 2012
SiberH: I don’t know how nothing serious ever happened back then.
Why did the earlier teams get through this area OK, but now it sounds like several teams are having trouble? Is the wind blowing the snow around and doing bad things to the trail? What do the mushers have in the way of navigation equipment?
6:24 pm on March 14th, 2012
Three mushers besides AJ are on the ice. If you look at 33? There’s really two there. The twins are racing together.
6:26 pm on March 14th, 2012
On Facebook someone said (have no idea if he really knows) that it is jumble ice. He’ll go one way and then have to retreat and try to find another way through. The good thing is that he’s got daylight.
6:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
Kirby: I am now on my second pack. if you were here, I’d slip just one small M&M to you.
Creator: Please watch over AJ, and lead him to the right path.
I think I’m going to cry, and there is no more chocolate here at home.
6:36 pm on March 14th, 2012
Kirby, The mushers are very experienced outdoors people. They know how to survive and some of them have had to do stuff like stop on the ice because of a storm, get in the sleeping bag, and wait till the storm passes. The dogs do just fine through these ordeals.
They are not having a ground blizzard right now. It was just AJ’s turn to lose the trail this time. I am sure that is an easy thing to do.
Two very experienced mushers and winners of the Quest and Iditarod got lost for awhile on land during this race.
I don’t think anyone is off trail but AJ. The true trail often does not follow Gypsy’s red line.
6:39 pm on March 14th, 2012
John Baker, winner of last year’s Iditarod, would have probably won it two years ago, but he took a wrong turn. He is a Native Alaskan. It can happen to the best of the mushers.
6:44 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rose, I’m doing this without chocolate. I have one more day without chocolate. I’m hoping AJ is in by that time or else I will eat every stick of chocolate in the house and that includes the bakers chocolate.
6:49 pm on March 14th, 2012
Siber-H – Your calming and logical words make sense and reassure me – somewhat.
7:03 pm on March 14th, 2012
Melanie: All my chocolate has suddenly disappeared. I don’t even have Swedish Fish. Please T&G, a very strong prayer for AJ and the team tonight.
7:08 pm on March 14th, 2012
We are asking the Canada geese for their help.
7:10 pm on March 14th, 2012
Fries!…I gobbled up a bunch of french fries before checking on AJ…snort!… Its a relief to know he is headed in the right direction now…sniff!… I hope he makes it to Ko-Yuck before it gets dark…wheeze!…One can only imagine how physically and mentally tired they all much be right now…wuffle!
Walk!…Well, we have to go blaze some trails on city sidewalks…grunt!sneeze!
7:12 pm on March 14th, 2012
We just got back. Mom and Pop went for a trailride to try to calm their nerves. Looking at the GPS, it still looks like AJ can’t find Koyuk or the trail. We are extremely worried that chopping thru all of that ice is exhausting him and the dogs.
7:14 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank you SiberH. Your calming words are just helping so much. We just need to have confidence in AJ and his team, and that everything will turn out alright. Still, super strong prayers for AJ and the team from here in Chevy Chase certainly won’t hurt either, so that is what we are doing. Wookie
7:18 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ is moving very slowly toward Koyuk.
7:25 pm on March 14th, 2012
Hey gang – just got word that there is a special prayer meeting happening right now in Wewoka, Oklahoma for AJ.
And a Navajo friend of ours is singing a Finding the Way home song for AJ.
Do you all want a prayer now instead of at 9?
7:30 pm on March 14th, 2012
Yes, please.
7:41 pm on March 14th, 2012
Nana just put a call in to our prayer group for protection and guidance for AJ, the dogs and Rebecca.
7:41 pm on March 14th, 2012
Creator – we thank you for this day upon your earth. We thank you for the lessons that we receive, for they make us stronger and more sure in our dealings with the trials of life. Tonight as we are being given difficult lessons in faith, patience and courage, we thank you for guiding us and holding our spirits while we learn.
Creator – we are holding our faith. We know that our prayers to you are answered, and we have faith that tonight again, you will hear us. We thank you for Siber’s patience and reassurance. This is a gift from you that is expressed so well by this generous soul. We thank you for the courage that is a part of AJ. We strive to be courageous with him, and support him by our belief in him.
Creator – we ask you to be with AJ tonight. Please show him the way to safety and the correct path. Let his heart be calm, and let him feel warm and secure in the knowledge that he has the abilities to handle tough situations, and please, let him feel our support and encouragement.
We ask you to bring the spirit of the monarch butterfly to AJ for they know what it is to travel long distances, and they always find their way to their destination. Please let their spirits guide AJ to finding his path to the end of his journey; let them help him to feel which is the right direction.
We ask you to bring the spirit of the Canadian goose to AJ, for these powerful birds do not waver from their path of migration, no matter what snow or ice they encounter. They travel to be with their chosen mate, for these geese give their heart to only one, for life. Let the love of Rebecca’s heart call AJ to the right path to be with her.
Creator – we thank you for the support that we receive from this circle of friends. We not only have others to share our concerns, but we also have the strength of all our prayers to be gatherered together for one purpose. We ask you to hear our prayers tonight and to watch over all the teams that are still on the trail. Protect them all from the cold, and guide them to their well deserved finish of this race.
Creator – we thank you for this day upon your earth. We thank you for the lessons that we receive, for they make us stronger and more sure in life. Tonight as we learn faith, patience and courage, we ask you to be with us and gently hold our spirits, and be with AJ, Rebecca, all the other racers, and all the people who love and support them.
Amen
7:44 pm on March 14th, 2012
Amen.
And so it is.
7:47 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank you. Amen. And thanks that Rebecca had the wisdom to go to Nome where she will have support.
7:47 pm on March 14th, 2012
Amen.
7:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
Amen.
7:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank You Amelia and Leonard. All the prayers are being answered as I type. Our heroes are getting really close to Koyuk. Thank you Creator.
7:49 pm on March 14th, 2012
He has stopped right now, but he is headed right for Koyuk in the last go around.
7:51 pm on March 14th, 2012
Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out.
7:51 pm on March 14th, 2012
Amen.
7:51 pm on March 14th, 2012
Mom is getting all misty reading about all the special prayers for AJ. This has been a very trying afternoon, but it looks much better.(tails crossed). I know some doggies who are REALLY looking forward to hitting the hay tonight.
7:53 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank you Leonard and Amalia and all. Our combined prayers will be strong.
7:54 pm on March 14th, 2012
Goodness I got on the blog about 7:30 (blog time) and was quite worried by the news. Thank goodness it only lasted a few minutes (for me). I can’t imagine how worried you who were watching all afternoon felt.
I was so glad to see AJ turning the right way. I think we have some powerful prayers on this blog, and I am so glad that Amalia and Leonard are on AJ’s side. Be safe AJ and the dogs. Be safe.
7:54 pm on March 14th, 2012
We are feeling at peace now, thanks to Amalia’s and Leonard’s prayers, and Siber’s wisdom. We all know that our favorite musher is easy-going and calm under pressure. He will do what he has to do. We love all of youse and we are all virtually holding hands.
7:58 pm on March 14th, 2012
All: I just arrived at the airport in time to board the plane. I’ve spent the day putting some of the final race details together. I can not access the insider on my cell phone for some reason. I will be in the air in a bout twenty minutes. Please post as soon as he reaches Koyuk. My heart is heavy, you are lifting me up right now because my spirits can not rise in their own—not until my family is safe.
Amalia an Leonard: Thank you is not enough.
7:58 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thanks Melanie. Good advice, although easier said than done. And what a wonderful prayer. Wookie
7:58 pm on March 14th, 2012
By George, I think he’s got it!
7:59 pm on March 14th, 2012
Webcam view over the SW edge of the sea ice from Koyuk airport.
http://akweathercams.faa.gov/viewsitedetail.php
supposedly updated every 10 minutes.
8:00 pm on March 14th, 2012
I know he’s got it!!!
8:02 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ is about 2 or 3 Kilometerss out. He should be able to see the light above the town. It just turned on while I was watching.
8:02 pm on March 14th, 2012
Five more minutes.
Hi Staff ad Wöökie
8:08 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thanks Staff. AJ is moving now!
8:10 pm on March 14th, 2012
Siber: Others have said it many times but I’ll say it again. You are to be commended for your calm and knowledgeable observations.
Amalia and Leonard: Your powerful prayer brought renewed hope and comfort to many a heavy heart tonight.
AJ and the team are moving north at a steady pace. They are getting closer and closer to Koyuk. He and Rebecca should reach their destinations at the same time.
8:11 pm on March 14th, 2012
It looks like he’s back on the trail. He’s traveling 8.1 MPH.
8:13 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank you Masquers and others.
8:15 pm on March 14th, 2012
He is there!!!! WHEW!!!
8:16 pm on March 14th, 2012
Hallelujah!
8:16 pm on March 14th, 2012
Got the email! He’s in!
8:17 pm on March 14th, 2012
He MADE IT!!!!
8:17 pm on March 14th, 2012
Hoorah!
8:19 pm on March 14th, 2012
I just received a Musher Alert from the Iditarod Insider that AJ checked in to Koyuk at 17:02 AKDT. Yes!!
8:20 pm on March 14th, 2012
Sobbbbbbb!!!! Thank you Creator!!!!!!
8:22 pm on March 14th, 2012
This was on the race committee’s Facebook page.
“Here’s the MAN! Woot! Woot!”
8:25 pm on March 14th, 2012
Woot Woot!!!!
and a woooo hoooooo
and a yark, yark
yahoooooooo
8:26 pm on March 14th, 2012
This time the Insider got his information up immediately!
8:27 pm on March 14th, 2012
We are so proud of AJ and the dogs! They did it all by themselves. They found their way through the ice, knew which direction to go, and made it into Koyuk. Mom would like to give each of those dogs a big hug.
In a case like this, some teams will just quit there on the ice. They tell the musher, “We aren’t having fun anymore, so call in rescue”.
AJ and the dogs will have a long rest in Koyuk now. I hope Koyuk is one of those checkpoints that have hot food for the mushers.
8:28 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank God!
Rebecca: Mom says today kind of reminded her of when Dad was in Somalia — that sick-to-your-stomach kind of worry where all you can do is pray that everything is alright. He was only able to call her one time — it was during his second tour over there, and a couple minutes into the call Mom said something about the static. But Dad said it wasn’t static, they had just come under fire. Didn’t do much for Mom’s stress level! Luckily, Mom didn’t know a lot of what happened over there, until Dad came home with some great stories. I’m thinking that when you see AJ he going to have a great story to tell — now that it’s over!
8:28 pm on March 14th, 2012
Whew!…wow…wot a day…snort!….We won’t soon forget this Iditarod experience…wheeze!wow..
8:28 pm on March 14th, 2012
Twirling!! Twirling!!! Twirling!!!!!!!
8:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
We are not impressed with Insider’s reporting once the leaders made it to Nome. We want video of AJ NOW.
8:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
Photo!… Rebecca is going to Sob!Sob!Sob! when she sees that photo of AJ safe and sound…heh!..WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!WHEEEEEE!…He was Lost But Now He’s Found!…snort!…Amazing Grace. Praise God….chuffle!
8:34 pm on March 14th, 2012
Hey, Plunderers. He’s really famous now and will get more sponsors next year. And Rebecca will write the book and it will start on the NY Times best-seller list. Onward, Snowhook.
8:35 pm on March 14th, 2012
We do too, but I think the video crew are all in Nome and none are left along the trail. This is the way the Insider always does it.
8:36 pm on March 14th, 2012
How much is a mushergram and how do you send one?
8:40 pm on March 14th, 2012
I don’t know. The information was on their website, but who knows if it still is.
8:41 pm on March 14th, 2012
Now I can go to bed. I had to know AJ was safe.
8:42 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank you one and all for helping get AJ and the team to safety.
8:42 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca will be so happy. sob.
8:45 pm on March 14th, 2012
Thank dog, thank dog, thank dog! Beau, you are officially out of the doghouse. And what a great picture of AJ. Rebecca will be so relieved when she gets to Nome. Everyone, resume normal breathing. We have here in Chevy Chase. Whew. Wookie
8:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
AJ has twelve dogs according to the Iditarod Insider Current Standings.
8:49 pm on March 14th, 2012
You know I have been thinking about the 15 minutes of fame thing. I wonder how much of this that camera crew that was following AJ at the beginning of the race is getting? Are they still around and following him? (Not on the trail, but at the stops?) Does anyone know? Man this is a GREAT STORY!
8:50 pm on March 14th, 2012
In the movie, Aj will play himself and I think that YSAS should play one of the lead dogs.
Such relief.
Hi Rebecca! (that’s for when you get on the internet again)
TTFN
8:50 pm on March 14th, 2012
If they aren’t still following him then they are sorry little puppies right now.
8:52 pm on March 14th, 2012
Well almost TTFN, forgot to say …
Zoe and Dan have been worried. Zoe got up just as I was going to come upstairs. She asked if AJ was safe yet and I said yes, he had just gotten in.
She said, “It really is WILD Alaska.”
TTFN really.
8:53 pm on March 14th, 2012
Oh yes!
Normal breathing resumed. Heart beat slowing down. Thanks for the special early prayer and SiberH’s and Wookie’s calm faith in our musher. Hoping for hot meals and a long rest in Koyuk for our team. AJ looks fine.
8:57 pm on March 14th, 2012
We don’t think that AJ picture is from Koyuk. They don’t keep their bibs on after the start, do they?
Mom’s body is alll achy from her being so tense and stressed. Not us though. We were calm all along.
9:00 pm on March 14th, 2012
Photo!… That can’t be a photo taken today, because he has his Bib on…grunt!…Thats a photo of him from the start of the race I bet…wiffle! ….Anyways, it doesn’t matter. He and the A-Team are safe and sound now…wheeeeeeezzzeee!
Beau!…He did his Triple Tail Twirl twice…heh!heh!
9:00 pm on March 14th, 2012
Hopefully they will have his smiling face splashed across the tv screens at the airport…heck probably even made an announcement on the plane.
Bluecat: You’re right! He’s famous!
9:03 pm on March 14th, 2012
OK, now that we know he is safe we are going to bed. Sweet dreams!
9:10 pm on March 14th, 2012
Well, Mom and I won’t need to read any of our books on Arctic exploration for awhile. We had an Arctic adventure through the ice today.
Staff, We wondered the same thing about the film crew. Where are they?
9:27 pm on March 14th, 2012
We are heading to bed as well. Good night all.
9:33 pm on March 14th, 2012
Up!…We are still Up!…heh!…She is making Roses for a project…grunt!…I am watching TV and snoring at the same time…heh!…Someone here doesn’t feel so good, so we probably won’t be up late enough to catch Rebeccas post…wuffle!…I really hope she is not tearing herself up right now with unnecessary worry….snuffle!
9:35 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca, AJ, and everyone…Get a good night’s rest tonight.
AJ and the dogs did good today!! WOO WOO
Rebecca, whereever you are in Nome…Lock the door!
night all
9:37 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rest well tonight everyone and then we are off to Elim tomorrow, that’s my checkpoint. Wookie
9:42 pm on March 14th, 2012
It is Awsome,Now one knows about this problem,I like your site I will bookmarking it,and can you give me some advice for my website?I hope you can help it^^
9:45 pm on March 14th, 2012
OK – we can go to sleep too.
Goodnight Rebecca – now you will sleep well too.
Gee – wonder what adventure we will have tomorrow………
ow! Basil just swatted our butts.
G’night all
9:48 pm on March 14th, 2012
Spam!…Anyone?….grumble!
9:52 pm on March 14th, 2012
Yup, Spam. Hopefully Mike B will delete it.
Goodnight Rio. Your Koyuk stop was the most interesting yet.
10:00 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca!…I know by the time you read this post by me, Rio, your heart will be rejoicing and you will be happy again…wheeze!…I know it has been a very very tough day for you, but I also hope you have gained strength from it, and more confidence in your Giant and your family the A-Team. They are amazing. Simply Amazing. Without a true lead, they all found their way. They are all Giants among Giants in my book!…snort!
Goodnight!…Hope everyone sleeps tight tonight…chorkel!…I can’t wait to see what happens on the rest of the trail!…Woooo!Whee!…Yeeee!Haaawww!…heh!
10:30 pm on March 14th, 2012
Good night everyone.
See you all early am.
10:54 pm on March 14th, 2012
Rebecca,
So wonderful that your guys are safe. This was a day that went way beyond what cheesecake can help. We are so happy that we were here to be with you. Now good sleep for all. ((((hugs))))AJ, take all the rest you need. Nome will still be there another day.
10:57 pm on March 14th, 2012
Just came on late and WOW, what an adventure!! So glad AJ made it to the checkpoint okay and very glad that the rest of the race is on land!!
Stay strong, AJ! You’re headed home now and Rebecca is waiting.
G&BB
11:03 pm on March 14th, 2012
I hope this works, it is a great laugh.
https://s-external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQAvGIW65gwBLD49&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-vthumb-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhvthumb-ak-snc7%2F41847_3171401838492_3171397958395_10903_678_t.jpg
11:06 pm on March 14th, 2012
Darn, didn’t work, really is funny, just take my word for it, lol.
Sleep easy my friends.
Macy out.
11:47 pm on March 14th, 2012
Macy, it worked. Upper left hand corner of screen!
12:28 am on March 15th, 2012
Wolfie, it is supposed to be a video. nite-nite mr. wigglebutt
12:58 am on March 15th, 2012
Rebecca: I don’t know what you’re up to right now, but all night I’ve had visions of you telling everyone on the plane about AJ’s ice-filled journey, and the pilot calling ahead to find out his status. I sure hope you didn’t have to wait too long to get the good news!!!
4:25 am on March 15th, 2012
Good morning, Rebecca. We hope you were able to get some rest by now. We had a hard time stretching out our cramped, stressed-out bodies, but now we are feeling tip-top.
Beau and Friend, we take it all back about your checkpoint. We are so glad yours is there to welcome AJ and Our Team with open arms (and warm food we hope). Today is a New Day…ONWARD SNOWHOOK!
4:35 am on March 15th, 2012
My plane left before AJ arrived in Koyuk. I had to wait until we stopped in Kotzebue before heading to Nome to find out. I didn’t have Internet access but Handler Jeremy sent me a text that he arrived.
I arrived in Nome tonight and found someone to share a room with tonight to save on costs. The room is above a bar that is having Kareoke (sp) night. Someone just sang ‘ Who let the dogs out?’ the walls are shaking.
I’m so glad that AJ and the dogs are in Koyuk. Thanks you for your prayers. I think maybe it was a good thing that i didn’t have access to the Internet to watch the play by play.
4:49 am on March 15th, 2012
Going 48 Hours with no sleep. I think I can manage some shut eye despite the party going on in the bar below.
Internet access is limited, but I will try to drop by as I am able.
5:30 am on March 15th, 2012
Rebecca: I’m so relieved you made it to Nome safely, and I am really grateful that A.J. made it to Koyuk!!
7:28 am on March 15th, 2012
Good morning, y’all! I just heard Dad tell Mom that I’m acting like it’s freezing outside (it’s supposed to get up to 86 today!) because I have my nose buried under the blanket on their bed. What he doesn’t understand is that I’m channeling AJ and our guys! I’m warming myself on their behalf!
I sure hope AJ has a much better day today than he did yesterday. AJ, if you need to take a looooong rest break, please don’t worry about all of us waiting for you to finish. You do what’s best for you and your team.
GO SNOWHOOK — but only when you’re ready!!!
7:39 am on March 15th, 2012
AJ is on the move!!!! On his way to Elim, Wookie’s checkpoint!!!!M AWOOOOO !!!
What a Man! What a Team!
Onward Snowhook!!!!
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