Go Snowhook!
The Iditarod starts today and all we’re thinking about is “our” team – Snowhook! – and the lucky Plunderers (a wonderful group of readers who gather at this blog) who have made the journey to Alaska and are on the scene (see below). We’ll have frequent updates from Rebecca, CEO of Snowhook. Yesterday was the ceremonial start and here’s what Rebecca had to say about that:
The Ceremonial Start is an eleven mile blur that runs through the streets of Anchorage with fans, chatter, and photographs before, during and after the run. As part of the chatter we were able to share that our race was dedicated to our dear friend, Melanie.
Upon arriving home, AJ set to making minor repairs to his sled. The name of the game for musher and dogs the night before the restart is rest. This is the first year AJ will go into the race rested and not running in a deficit of sleep.
As I type this email the starting line up has been drafted, yet won’t be finalized until he loads the dogs in the truck before heading to the starting line. It is the last slot on the roster that is always difficult to fill. What is not difficult is knowing that we have the Plunderers on the trail with us in spirit.
Plunder on!
http://snowhookkennel.blogspot.com
Welcome new friends Habi (chewing Spanish moss – from Louisiana, maybe?) and Bunny.
Tags: AJ, Alaska, Iditarod, Melanie, plunderers, Rebecca, Snowhook
This entry was posted on Sunday, March 2nd, 2014 at 8:27 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.
8:41 am on March 2nd, 2014
Great post Spence. Thank you!
I’m glad AJ has rested. Go Snowhook! It will be interesting to see who’s on the team.
Good morning all.
9:01 am on March 2nd, 2014
Good morning all.
GO SNOWHOOK! Looking forward to today’s adventure.
And tonight(and every night until AJ crosses the finish line) there will be Iditaprayers at 9EST.
Now we are headed out for breakfast at a local maple sugar place. Pancakes with REAL syrup. Yum.
9:01 am on March 2nd, 2014
Hey B. Stover, Spence et al–I am delighted to hear that the start will be made with AJ (and presumably dogs as well) refreshed and ready. Still loving the pictures (and somewhat stunned to see how light the sled is. Good for the dogs to have less weight, but I have to assume it’s not as delicately-built as it looks.
good morning all–in AK and everywhere.
9:03 am on March 2nd, 2014
Hey B. Stover, Spence et al–I am delighted to hear that the start will be made with AJ (and presumably dogs as well) refreshed and ready. Still loving the pictures (and somewhat stunned to see how light the sled is). Good for the dogs to have less weight, but I have to assume it’s not as delicately-built as it looks.
Good morning all–in AK and everywhere.
9:05 am on March 2nd, 2014
Hello Dawson–I guess I’m channelling you this a.m. (At least the second time I closed the paren.)
9:33 am on March 2nd, 2014
Good morning all. Great picture of the Alaska group. Hope the sickies are feeling better.
Wish they had some of our snow. With what he got last night we are now over 70 inches for the season.
Glad AJ got some quality sleep. We wish him good luck for the official start.
Just saw the first robin of the season in the back yard. What is he thinking with all this snow on the ground?
9:51 am on March 2nd, 2014
Good morning, everyone! Busy, busy, busy here. Long day today (again). Diane, Rio Junior is named after Rio the evil pug but no biology occured 🙂 Rio Jr is the black dog with the brown eyebrows.
The Dirty Daddy Dawg is exhaustelhoosied slept 14 hours and not feeling tip top so he will be staying at Plunder Central today as we plunder on. Rio, don’t you get any ideas and be sure you get into the Plunder Shuttle with the rest on us.
Have a Meldidtarod Start Sunday.
9:54 am on March 2nd, 2014
It seems like the Alaska group members are falling fast. Now Daddy Dawg too?
10:00 am on March 2nd, 2014
B&M: He’s not ill, just very tired. Mended but broken back limits his getting around sometimes.
Oh, look, Chetspeak on facebookie! Life truly is grand 🙂
10:01 am on March 2nd, 2014
Greetings!
We here are very excited for AJ, the team, and the race! Good news to hear that the Giant and the doggies got some rest. Worrit about the Pixie though.
Hoping that those under and peeking from under the Hobbit Hotel quilt will be tip-top soon!
Really loving the pictures and all the reporting from the Plunderer correspondents .
GO SNOWHOOK!
10:50 am on March 2nd, 2014
Today is the Big Day! The Restart in Willow!! WoooHooo!!!
(Weatherkat is miffed because his carefully tapped out morning message is sitting there unread on yesterday’s page.)
10:53 am on March 2nd, 2014
Plunderers still in the lower 48 (and Liz down under), I am loading the Plunderer Purse now for any who want to climb aboard virtually. Others will have cameras to post with, I’ll just schlepp you along and report when we get home 🙂
11:02 am on March 2nd, 2014
Good morning, Plunderers! It is like warring factions here at the HH. Everyone is keeping their distance from everyone else’s germs! Heh heh!
11:09 am on March 2nd, 2014
Ok – who took Natasha’s high heel boots? Barb? Ve know you are not approving of boots. Did you blur up and steal them? Or should ve be looking for Puglet in high heels so he can look over crowds shoulders?
11:13 am on March 2nd, 2014
Have you all been at the Iditarod Insider site yet? Check out the videos – there is one of our Favorite Musher, talking about the dogs, the Plunderers and dedicating his race to Melanie!
Woo Hoooo!!!!
11:28 am on March 2nd, 2014
Woo Hoo!!! Thanks, T&G. We found it. Great to see and hear OFM and hats off to our Melanie.
11:33 am on March 2nd, 2014
Looking forward to the pawrayers tonight.
Yeep we are off!
11:35 am on March 2nd, 2014
Ummm, Nattie? It was me. I blurred in and swapped your booties with Purple Uggs. Not as fashion-forward but very comfy. I’ll swap them back later so you can prance into Nome in style!
11:37 am on March 2nd, 2014
T&G: Thanks for letting us know.
Howlers’ Mom: Wooo and Hooo!
11:48 am on March 2nd, 2014
I am ready! GO SNOWHOOK!!
We are anxious to learn what Snowhook dogs will be in the team.
DianeC. I’ll answer your question from last night about Junior. Snowhook named one of their puppies after Rio but we all call the guy Junior. Last year Junior was a rookie in the Iditarod and he ended up going all the way to Nome. This is somewhat unusual for a rookie dog. We gave Junior the Rookie of the Year award.
I adopted Junior as my nephew.
Macy’s Mom, Saw your photo about Alaska and Texas. I agree. That is a no no
11:50 am on March 2nd, 2014
Found the Video!!! So Happy.
Wolfie: Good Work! Natty will be upset with you for only a minute. Once she is out on the Trail she will be Thanking You for the Comfortable Purple Ugg Booties.
Royals: Yum! Pancakes with Real Maple Syrup! Enjoy, enjoy.
11:52 am on March 2nd, 2014
T&G We will be here for the Iditaprayers.
Wolfie, GOOD DOG!!
11:58 am on March 2nd, 2014
I read this info on the chat board yesterday while watching the Anchorage start:
The Iditarod will be on tv in 2 weeks.
They have improved the GPS Tracker.
(all above info to be taken with several grains of salt)
11:58 am on March 2nd, 2014
12:00 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rats! The video won’t load onto the IPaw and on the big laptop, there is no audio. I hope this isn’t a sign of how our tracking the race is going to go.
12:06 pm on March 2nd, 2014
AJ did say they did (hopefully) improve the trackers.
12:13 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Great video of AJ, the Dogs, the sled, and the dog truck.
Most important of all—They let him talk about this race being dedicated to Melanie.
BooBear, I hope the audio starts working for you.
12:19 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Dad fixed it! Great video! Thank you, AJ, for giving Melanie the shout out!
Someone tell Mom about what time AJ will be getting ready to go. Mom’s working at home today and can’ t follow it all afternoon.
Go Snowhook!
12:27 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Gah! Nana made Plans for Brunch today so, no doubt, will be Missing some of the Restart Action. As per usual, the Wifi will be spotty, but Perhaps There is a Chance to catch our team on the Insider.
That wouldn’t be too rude would it?
We will be there for the IditaPrayer.
12:30 pm on March 2nd, 2014
AJ start time is a little after 3pm AKT
12:37 pm on March 2nd, 2014
BooBear, AJ will be number 34 in the starting order. They allow 2 minutes for each team to get to the starting line and leave it.
12:40 pm on March 2nd, 2014
BooBear, That would be 6 pm your time.
12:46 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Plunder Shuttle is 5 minutes from Snowhook. Woooooo!!!!
12:50 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Dawg!…So Daddy Digger Dawg and I will stay home and play cards, drink beer and watch the Iditarod Start together…snort!snort!
12:56 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Diane C: the sled you see in the photo is not the racing sled. However, I was surprised when I saw the racing sled for the first time as it is much smaller than I expected. AJ is thrilled that he has a second “finishing sled” that is waiting for him in McGrath (?). It is even lighter plus by that time his racing sled might be pretty beat up.
1:01 pm on March 2nd, 2014
The Plunderermobile took off at 7:30 to meet AJ & Rebecca and their friends for breakfast at 9. They should be there even as I type. Digger and I stayed behind. When I picked up Sharon at 7:15, I dropped Digger off at Snow City Restaurant–one of my very favorite places to eat downtown Anchorage. I got Sharon to the Plundermobile in time for takeoff after exchanging all the frozen water bottles for new ones. 🙂
Later in the day MaryLou and her mother will catch a shuttle from Wasilla to go to the race.
GO SNOWHOOK! RACE DAY IS EXCITING AND I KNOW THE PLUNDERERS WILL LOVE THE ADVENTURE.
1:04 pm on March 2nd, 2014
AJ’s video isn’t playing for me. It says, “No related video found.” I went to the help site which said to refresh. I did that but the video still doesn’t play. The one with Runyan plays. Very irritating.
1:05 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I missed the Plunderer Shuttle, but am instead going on the Relay Ride. CHobbit will deliver me to Chugiak, where she will hand me off to my uncle. There we pick up my mom, and Unc will take us to Wasilla. At Wasilla , we catch a shuttle bus to Willow, where we will hopefully meet up with the Plunderers. Yikes I am worn out and we haven’t even left yet.
1:08 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Stover, That happened to me last year so I emailed them. I got a reply that said they were working on it, and it was eventually fixed.
1:08 pm on March 2nd, 2014
My new theory is that the Plunderers are coming down with sniffles because I had thoughtfully set out kleenex boxes in all the rooms. It is like giving their bodies permission to be sick. Gah!
It was nice and clear in Anchorage this morning at 7:00 but now is overcast and foggy. Hopefully it will clear off. Willow is supposed to be a sunny 38 today.
Rio: HOH is quite fond of you and has taken charge of getting you to the race and on the sled. You can’t be lead dog but maybe you can be the top dog.
1:12 pm on March 2nd, 2014
ML, How did your mom end up in Alaska when you are a Texas gal?
Still trying to find the video with AJ.
1:13 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Thanks Siber-H. I’ll keep trying.
1:15 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Barb: On the Iditarod Insider site, go to the “video” tab, click on “All Videos.” Scroll down and there is a list of those being interviewed. Click on the one for AJ. (It still doesn’t work for me.)
1:15 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Video!….What a GREAT Video of AJ and the Team….sob!sob!sob!…I sure hope Melanie gets to see it and hear what AJ had to say about her and our group….sniffle!…I love that guy…Sob!sob!Sob!
1:16 pm on March 2nd, 2014
SiberH!….Does the Race actually start at 1:00pm our time???…sniff!…I don’t want to miss any of it by golly…wheeze!
1:20 pm on March 2nd, 2014
CHobbit!….My friend wants you to check your SDD…asap!…sniff!
1:31 pm on March 2nd, 2014
T&G: Please check yours too (SDD).
SiberH: Yark! Requesting your help once again re race schedule here in the Pacific time zone (BSD is nowhere to be found).
1:32 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio, The re-start is at 4 pm our time.
1:33 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Masquers, The re-start is at 3 pm your time.
1:42 pm on March 2nd, 2014
If the video doesn’t start working, I’m going to be in a very bad mood.
1:43 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Don’t ask me about time. I am not that smart to figure things out.
1:52 pm on March 2nd, 2014
You guys!
I have been everywhere on the internet checking the time the re-start begins. All sites say it begins at 2 pm Alaska Time. This is what I am using to give you the time the race begins in your time zone.
However, the Iditarod’s website says the re-start begins at 1 pm Alaska time. The only thing I can figure out is that the Insider is going to give us one hour of blab, blab, blab before the re-start actually begins. I don’t know if this is a good guess or not. I don’t know what they are doing.
1:55 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Wolfie, Glad you fessed up about the purple Uggs, because we knew we didn’t do it!
Going to try to bring up the video again. BBL
1:56 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Siber and all – if you go to the Insider site, and look at the Current Standings page – it says that Curt Perano, the first sled out, will be out of Willow at 1400 – which translates to 2pm Alaska time.
1:57 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Stover, All the other videos are working for you, right? If this is the case, I am guessing it is the Insiders problem and not yours.
2:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
It is on those rolling adds on the Iditarod’s home page where it says the re-start begins at 1 pm Alaska time.
2:06 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Siber-H: The Runyan video works as do the videos about “What are they listening to on the trail.” It’s the videos of the interviews–none of those work.
2:10 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Stover, I don’t understand this either. We need technical help.
2:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I’ve sent a “ticket” to the Iditarod support staff on the Insider about the problem.
2:20 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio and Rio Jr
2:27 pm on March 2nd, 2014
YEEEP!….There is my and my son Junior….YEEEEP!YEEEP!…I’m gonna be rooting for you all the way son! Be careful out there…sniffle!
2:30 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Photos!…Here is one with me and my Gal Pals playing cards late into the night….snort!…I do believe Dawson was winning at this point….grunt!
2:32 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Howler’s Mom, Thanks. That is cute. I imagine Rio is giving Junior last minute instructions.
Stover, That is a good idea. I hope they can help.
2:33 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio – we can see the family resemblance.
Sorry for youse guys having trouble with the videos. We just checked and we can run all of them fine.
2:33 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Food!….The food here sucks sometimes….sniff!…No more steak so CHobbit started feeding me rabbit food…grump!
2:46 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio – vould you rather come on trail vith us and eat frozen fish heads and lard?
Mr. Vigglebutt – ve vill be having vords vith you after race. Natasha’s beautiful high heel boots to very plain Ugg (ly) boots? Vhat kind of fashion statement this makes to all these beautiful, athletic doggies running race?
Oh vell – at least are purple. Ve vill gladly vear purple boots in honor of Melanie.
2:56 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I never ever see anyone shorter than me…til now.
3:01 pm on March 2nd, 2014
You will thank me later, Natti, I promise! Remember how many blisters you had last year? Besides, you need to be fast, fast, fast so that you can lead the team to a big finish!
3:06 pm on March 2nd, 2014
The Insider says that it starts in a little less than two hours.
4:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Shortie!….Heck, I am almost as tall as Dawson….snorkel!
4:04 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Wolfie!…That’s funny cause my Insider say it will start in less than two hours right now and you posted your two hour notice an hour ago….grunt!….One of us must be confused…sniff!
4:05 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Grizz and I wish AJ and the team good luck for the race.
GO SNOWHOOK!
4:23 pm on March 2nd, 2014
RIO! You must have been so proud to meet your boy! Did you get misty-eyed?
4:38 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rose!…My Boy! My Iditarod A-Team Key Member! My Namesake!…My Goodness. I am going to worry and snuffle over my boy till he reaches Nome safely with all four paws attached…sniffle!
4:43 pm on March 2nd, 2014
this is especially for our Dear Hobbit. We know how she just loves kitty harmonies: (we think you will recognize the tune)
Over the river
And through the snow
The Snowhook huskies will go
And way up ahead
is the lightweight sled
A gift from Grizz and Ro-ose
Over the glacier
And through the ice
AJ will guide the team
The snow is well packed
The team’s on the track
It’s running like a dre-eam
Over the mountains
And thru the gorge
Our team will run with speed
With collars of purple
They’ll beat every hurdle
And always in the le-ead
Over the snowpack
And all through the night
Under northern lights they go
We know the our team
is the best ever seen
Our cheer is SNOWHOOK – GO!
4:47 pm on March 2nd, 2014
In Seb Schnuell’s most recent article for the Iditarod’s website, he mentions Justin as living in the Willow area.
4:58 pm on March 2nd, 2014
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP! Bravo Basil and Sage!
RIO! Junior is a good, strong, boy. Not for nothing was he Rookie of the Year. I loved meeting him last year.
5:04 pm on March 2nd, 2014
The coverage of the re-start has begun, but not the re-start itself.
5:09 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I think the Iditarod’s website has crashed.
5:14 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Love the song B & S. You are so talented.
5:26 pm on March 2nd, 2014
How do I watch the real opening? Can’t find video.
5:29 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Found it
5:31 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Melanie, Right now they are having technical problems and there is nothing to see. The fact that you can’t find the video to click on it is part of their technical problems. I think the website is crashing off and on.
5:34 pm on March 2nd, 2014
It is working again for me.
5:50 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Heh, A Dawson sandwich.
I am in place and ready to watch today. YAY! And those people talking over the announcers are very very annoying. About 10 minutes until the start time…
6:00 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Siber H–Thanks for the clarification–so it’s Junior in the photos (really handsome!) I hope he gets to run this year.
C. Hobbit (hostess extraordinaire)–OK, it’s not just me–I couldn’t believe something that seemed so fragile could make the trip so far–glad there’s a “finishing sled”.
6:01 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Help! I can’t find the video of the start of the race.
6:03 pm on March 2nd, 2014
BooBear, I can’t either. They are having technical problems.
6:03 pm on March 2nd, 2014
O’H’s Mom–Oh, OK! Great photo of the two of them!
6:05 pm on March 2nd, 2014
BooBear, The reason you can’t find it is because the front page of their website won’t load completely.
6:08 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I have been kicked off the Ititarod website,
6:09 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Found it!
6:11 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Melanie, The front page loaded finally for me but now nothing happens when I try to click on the “see it live” link.
6:16 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Don’t we go through this every year?
Aaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh!!!!!
6:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Mr Husky, I was having troubles and had to restart the computer and then it was fine…good luck.
6:20 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I restarted the computer and was okay, then it froze on #5. Sigh.
6:20 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Siber! Yark! It’s NOT coming in here!!!
6:23 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Carpola!
6:26 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Yep, It is not us, it is them.
A computer re-start did not fix it for me.
6:28 pm on March 2nd, 2014
(((sigh)))
6:28 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Re boot didn’t work for us.
And NO it was not our song that broke the website.
Dam dam and double dam
6:28 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Snigglefritz.
The whole site disappeared.
6:30 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Growl and Double Growl.
THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!!!
6:31 pm on March 2nd, 2014
The Insider has one really pissed off Husky here in NM.
6:32 pm on March 2nd, 2014
FINALLY!!!
6:38 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Finally what Bear? We still can’t even get the home page.
We feel a shriek coming on…..
6:40 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I can’t get to the home page either, Herbs.
Where is Rio?
6:41 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Most likely causing the death of an innocent couch pillow..
6:44 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Grrrrr. As quickly as it come It Went!
6:45 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I’m glad it’s working for BearSpiritWorld. Here it is still frigglesnitching carpola.
If some one watching could let me know asAJ gets closer?
6:45 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Digger and I are best buds now and watching it live on tv.
B&S: ((sigh)) I will grant you a couple of songs every Iditarod. Special circumstances
6:46 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Melanie – AJ will be at the line at 7:02 our time – he will leave at 7:04
6:47 pm on March 2nd, 2014
This means those dam Insiders have 15 minutes to get this fixed or there are going to be lots of Plunderers in a Very Bad Mood!
6:50 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I still have live video going. It adores stop and buffer sometimes but has come back on. I don’t know, however, if it is real time now. I just saw #11 take off.
6:51 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Now it showing #18
6:51 pm on March 2nd, 2014
C.Hobbit – can you and Digger do a play-by-play for us?
6:53 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Melanie: It is gone, gone, gone once again.
If Bear is watching it, it is most likely in another dimension.
Iditarod Insider: We want our money back!
6:55 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I do not have a good feeling about how well the GPS tracker is going to work for us.
You guys know that they will put up a video replay of the re-start on their website. This doesn’t really make me feel any better.
6:57 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Its those dam Oscar people, that’s what it is. They can’t stand the idea that anyone would be watching a bunch of dogs instead of them.
6:58 pm on March 2nd, 2014
It keeps saying: Unable to establish a data base connection.
If we cannot see our team take-off we are going to be in a VBM.
6:59 pm on March 2nd, 2014
#22
7:00 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Our computer is saying that the “website requested is under construction”
Really? No sh*t!
7:01 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Number 32 just went
7:01 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I keep looking at the sidelines hoping to see some o the Plunderers.
7:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Number 33 just went
7:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Visualizing a smooth takeoff for our team. I’ll be back at 9 with a better attitude.
Snort.
7:03 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Gah!
7:03 pm on March 2nd, 2014
My live is showing 23. It must be because of the buffering. I’m afraid to try to refresh. I may lose it completely.
7:04 pm on March 2nd, 2014
It’s No Use. Sob,Sob,Sob.
7:06 pm on March 2nd, 2014
It picks NOW to buffer!
7:06 pm on March 2nd, 2014
AJ up. Mick in front holding dogs. AJ & R together. Just kissed. R looks teary. AJ going waving to crowd. Announcer mentioned 100s of hours he was able to put on the dogs due to sponsorships. 🙂 also mentioned his exceptional handling and caring of dogs
7:08 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Yay AJ! We will be with you, &%*(%^&^ website or not.
Good running.
7:09 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Gah. I hate typing on my phone. I lent my cellular mini iPad to the Plunderers so they could take pics and post. Don’t know what happened
7:10 pm on March 2nd, 2014
C.Hobbit. THANK YOU 🙂
7:11 pm on March 2nd, 2014
What an ordeal! I switched to Chrome instead of Internet Explorer and after 23 mushers it finally buffered enough so that the picture was consistant. But whenever I would try and do anything else like post this info on the blog, it would start buffering…So I just saw Snowhook go and Rebecca was crying so then I started crying…sob!sob!…Of course the Announcers are pure and utter crap again this year. That lady and her “Ya” is really getting on my one nerve.
Anyway, the good thing is you guys will be able to see it once they put the video up. But it stinks because we all PAID to see it LIVE. growl.
7:12 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Thanks for the play by play Carol. Boo to the website.
Go Snowhook!
7:13 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Of course now I can post and the video keeps running….(((Sigh))) At one point there were over 2000 viewers. It has dropped to 700 because of the crappy response time.
7:14 pm on March 2nd, 2014
If I can find a feed somewhere, I can due a “tube chop” and post it. Will look when I return home
7:14 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I was able to fast forward and just saw AJ take off. Of course the announcers spent time talking about anything NOT Snowhook then finally talked about him. Rebecca looked very sad. She must not be feeling very well. I did not get to see any of our crew.
7:14 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Vaya Con Dios, Team Snowhook, & Safe Passage to Nome.
We are Traveling the Iditarod Trail with You.
7:15 pm on March 2nd, 2014
If you do get the feed up AJ is around the 2 hour point. Between 2 and 2 hours 5 minutes. Very good closeups of them IN FOCUS. You can go back to that point and replay it. Great closeups of the dogs too. They mentioned his awards for good dog care and his ability to do a lot of training because of his good sponsorships.
I am so sorry youse guys couldn’t get on. sniff.
7:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Boo Bear! They were showing shots of the Crowd for pittys sake when our team was on the runway. And the announcers only started talking about AJ when the camera finally got around to showing him an Rebecca. GRRRR! Every damn year its the same big DISMISAL.
7:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Can’t wait for the live pictures and reports by our crew up there.
SiberH, did you get to see it yet?
7:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
digger and I did not see any purple in the crowd we looked but no go
7:18 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I wander what my tan Pug is up to. Does anybody know?
7:18 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Yes, Rebecca was all teary eyed. I could see the wet on here cheeks poor baby. She was talking to him at the end and I did see her say “Promise?” and he looked at her and nodded. sob sob sob She looked so very sad.
Remember to go to the 2 hours mark when you get the video feed up. The line at the bottom of the page has the time marks on it and you can move along it with the mouse.
7:18 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Nothing . .
7:19 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I know! They kept talking about a Masters Dog Race for old farts. They should have shown more pictures of the dogs and AJ!
7:22 pm on March 2nd, 2014
At Least, they did show a close-up of AJ and Rebecca saying goodbye, that was very heartbreaking…sob!…I hope all the Plunderers who are visiting will take good care of her tonight.
7:23 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I wonder if Rio was able to stow away on the sled.
7:24 pm on March 2nd, 2014
CHobbit told me he was going to the Race. Lucky Pug.
7:26 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Thank you from those reporters who were able to get the live feed or to the ReaL dEaL.
Time for bed here!
Melanie
7:33 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Sob, sob, sob. I am sad to hear youse guys say that the Pixie was crying. Please take good care of here. She is not feeling well to begin with.
7:34 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Melanie, goodnight~ Tomorrow you will be able to watch Snowhook start.(grrrr) Sleep well my dear.
7:36 pm on March 2nd, 2014
BooBear, No, I gave up. I am reading a book.
It is puzzling that it worked so well yesterday but poof today.
(whispering) Rio may have climbed in that sled bag and is on his way to Nome now.
7:37 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Oh, Melanie, so sorry most of us didn’t get to see our
team, especially you.
CHobbit: Thank you soooo much for the play-by-play. sniff.
Iditarod Insider: You s**k big time!!!
7:39 pm on March 2nd, 2014
The Viewers have dropped off to 651 – it’s working great now. One of the Berington Sisters is up.
7:44 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Nana just checked out the Iditarod Insider on facebookie and someone said They Had Been Hacked!
7:46 pm on March 2nd, 2014
It’s true…there have been no updates on our SDD from the Iditarod Insider.
7:49 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio – lucky you. We still can’t even open the website. We tried both Chrome and IE – no go.
But remember folks – in the theater world, a bad dress rehearsal means a great play. So if we think about the people who had to cancel their trips to Alaska, Rebecca’s sudden illness, the colds and sniffles that have attacked the Plunder group, the total skunking in cards of Dawson by Daddy Digger Dawg and now the total muck-up by Insider- well, just maybe those are the “dress rehearsal” flubs that will make AJ’s run one to bring down the house.
At any rate, we will be here at 9 to start this year’s nightly prayers for AJ’s safe and successful run.
7:50 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Why would anyone Hack the Insider? Makes no sense. It’s such a small group of viewers really. UNLESS that fanatic animal rights group is involved…gah!
7:52 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I am still watching the stream trouble free….very strange.
8:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio – we think it is a pugment of your imagination
8:05 pm on March 2nd, 2014
No, it is running just fine. I want to check out the GPS tracking but I am afraid to leave the live stream….doh!
8:08 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Riö: We here are giving up on the Insider. The only way to connect is to click on their promotional “join the insider”, which we would not recommend after this days fiasco.
8:08 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Ellis is off and his Siber-H team is beautiful – #66. No Booties!!!
8:10 pm on March 2nd, 2014
At least the Plunderers in Alaska were able to see it first paw. sniff.
8:13 pm on March 2nd, 2014
I may not subscribe to the Insider next year.
8:16 pm on March 2nd, 2014
All the mushers are off now. Sonny Linder being the very last one to go. I sure the hell hope the GPS Tracker software works.
8:18 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Riö: You and me both.
8:19 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Right. Can’t get the GPS Tracker to load. Good Grief.
8:21 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Siber-H: We are right behind you!
There is Definitely Something Wrong Big-Time with the Insider Website.
8:26 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Melanie, sleep well, and pleasant dreams.
Teddy, Your picture when you were a real little pup is up top. You are soooo cute.
8:28 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio: check your sdd in a few minutes
8:49 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Now that some of the traffic has gone from the Iditarod’s website, I can easily get to their home page and the Tracker loaded for me.
I think that right there tell us what was wrong with it during the re-start.
8:51 pm on March 2nd, 2014
We are back in the Plunder Shuttle. I was standing with our team right there at the Start, like a real handler. I almost splorter and then I sobbed. More later.
8:55 pm on March 2nd, 2014
They have too much garbage over-laying the tracker’s map.
9:00 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Creator – we thank you for this night, a night of stars and laughter, and tears. A night when journeys begin; a night when courage lights the path.
On this night, AJ and his faithful team are heading into the wilds of your northland. They take this journey to test themselves, and to prove themselves worthy of the challenge.
Creator, on this night, and for the many nights to come, we ask you to be with AJ, to guide the team and protect each one of them from the hardships of the trail. In the days to come, when exhaustion takes hold, please take this good man into your hands, and lift his spirit and show him the way home to his Rebecca.
Creator – the trail this year may have extra challenges. We ask you to lift the sled and the dogs over any rough spots, and let their path be smooth and joyful. Please hold each of these good dogs in your hands and keep them safe.
We ask you to watch over all of the mushers and dogs of the Iditarod. Let this be a year of a happy, healthy race for all, and joyous reunions at the end of the trail.
Creator – this year is a special one in many ways. We have so many things to be grateful for – the returning health of many, the new souls that have joined us. But this year, as AJ runs with his dogs, he is running as a prayer for our Melanie. Each of us joins in that prayer. We ask you to be with Melanie as she battles the illness that holds her. She is a brave heart, a laughing, good spirit, a kind, generous and beloved friend to all of us. We surround her with our love, and ask that she feel no pain. We ask that her journey through this illness be easy, that her goodness triumph over her hardship.
Tonight as the cold air is filled with the whispering sounds of running paws, when the stars watch over the teams that race across the snow, tonight we ask you to wash all of us in the pure air and beauty of nature. Let us be one with each other, and feel our spirits united in prayer for those we love.
Creator – please hear us, as we thank you for this night, a night of stars and laughter, and tears. A night when many journeys begin; a night when we must have courage to light our paths.
9:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
CHobbit!…Got it and sent something back. Do you know where my Tan Pug is??? No updates from Willow today.
9:04 pm on March 2nd, 2014
SiberH, I was also aghast at the croweded look of the tracker screen. How do we narrow down to the racers we actually want to track?
9:05 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amen.
Thank you.
9:05 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amen! And thank you for that amazing prayer Golinka.
9:09 pm on March 2nd, 2014
T&G, Again, such a lovely prayer from your mum and da.
Peace be with us all.
9:10 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amen and Thank you for the beautiful prayer.
9:13 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio, About the tracker….I don’t know how we get it to be useful
9:13 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amen.
9:19 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amen and Thank You.
9:21 pm on March 2nd, 2014
SiberH, they are using Window 8 technology. Click on the arrows beside the annoying windows. This will move them off the screen. I still cannot figure out how to narrow the racers down to the ones I want to see though.
9:22 pm on March 2nd, 2014
SiberH: The Insider’s “improvements” are a katastrophe. Yark!
9:29 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Masquers, Yeah, They do suck. That is for sure.
ok, Rio I will have a go at it.
9:36 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amalia, your words are so beautiful, so perfect. Amen.
9:40 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio, It worked. I got rid of their garbage, but I don’t know the answer to your question about how to narrow the racers down to the ones we want to see. Try clicking on Help up there.
9:40 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Have-to-go-to-Bed-We-have-worked-ourselves-into-a-Frenzy – Bear
9:40 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amen.
Creator, hear our prayer.
9:46 pm on March 2nd, 2014
There is no way to bring up a satellite view of the map nor is there any way to move the map around
9:48 pm on March 2nd, 2014
SiberH: My question is: Why improve on a good thing? Everything was working super last Iditarod.
9:52 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Thank you once again for such beautiful words. Amen
9:53 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Masquers, Yes and my question is becoming more and more…why pay them good money for this stupidity.
9:56 pm on March 2nd, 2014
SiberH: We here cannot make heads nor tails of it. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Waiting for the scope from Hobbit Headquarters.
10:01 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Where is my PUG?
Regarding the GPS MAP. You can move it around by clicking on it, holding the click and then moving up or down. I use a mouse, so it is pretty easy. I have ZOOM ZOOMED in so I can see #34 apart from the crowd. The Refresh stinks. Its like 5 freakin’ minutes. If I hit Refresh I have to Move the map and Zoom in again. What a painful experience. gah!
10:10 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio’s Friend – ummm, Rio just stepped out for a minute. We are sure he will get back to you just as soon as he is back.
10:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio’s friend, I will try your suggestions for the tracker tomorrow. Thank you.
I still think Rio is on his way to Nome. He knows how well the Iditarod dogs eat when they are on the trail. He won’t get cold as long as he stays in the sled bag.
10:21 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio was supposed to be with the Plunderers. But none of them have checked in yet today. So I have no idea what is going on. I will never ever let him leave the back yard again after this.
10:36 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Pancho here—Lefty is headed to Nome. I can report that the Plunderers came to the kennel today before going to breakfast at the school. Rio and Rio sniffed and whiffed each other in greeting. Junior was so excited, he couldn’t keep his tail from wagging—it’s an occupational hazard of being a happy dog. The Plunderers walked around and took photos. My Lady sure hopes they had fun. As the race gets closer, my Lady and the Giant starting turning into themselves and put on their game face. Reports from the restart are that Junior wanted to be everyone’s friend and received plenty of snuggles from well knowns and strangers.
Did my Lady tear up when the team left the starting line? She may have done. She says it is like wearing her heart outside of her body when the Giant and team leave. It won’t go back to normal until she sees them again.
Rio: Mr. Howlers’ Paw bought my Lady a reindeer dog. Did she think of you while she ate it? How could she not.
Rio’s Friend: Fair enough. Lefty and I just won’t ask permission next time we pugnap Rio—that way you won’t have to deny the request. Forgiveness is usually easier to get anyway.
10:38 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Wow! 19 Teams have already made it to Yenta. Ten of them have already left Yenta.
10:44 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Amalia: thank you so much for the beautiful prayer. It said what needed to be said and lifted my spirits greatly.
Rio’s friend: what would we do without you figuring out Windows 8? Don’t worry, your pug will come home safe unless he decided to join Natasha. Rio + Natasha in cahoots? Don’t want to think about it.
I got some new medicine to try and am literally chewing on the tabbed top trying to get it open. Not good. This head congestion has given me terrible vertigo except for when sitting or standing. I’ve never had to deal with this before and it is strange and nauseating.
10:44 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Good night all, and thank you again for a beautiful and heartfelt prayer.
10:45 pm on March 2nd, 2014
We are all missing the Oscars…but who cares.
11:02 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Rio: If you don’t team up with Natasha, I’m on the market for an interim partner while Lefty is on the trail. I cannot go too long with out antics, misdeeds, and hijinx.
11:17 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Wow. It sounds like Thief and Rio are twins.
Plunderers expected at the Hobbit Hotel momentarily. Whoo Hoo
11:18 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Nighty noodle. Tomorrow night A Catty Librarian is traveling to Dad’s house. She gets in at midnight. I am already tired.
It will be so good to see her. Then the next day it is the Dawson. Yeep!
Dear Amalia. Thank you for the heart felt prayer. I don’t know how you do it but you just say the perfect words every time. Thank you thank you thank you.
11:20 pm on March 2nd, 2014
First checkpoint! The team is in and out of the first checkpoint with 16 still on the line. Yeep!
11:29 pm on March 2nd, 2014
ONE DOWN! I keep pinching myself that this is all happening tonight. Stay safe AJ and A-Team. Stay Safe!
11:39 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Hurray!!!! One down!!!! Rescues!!!
11:39 pm on March 2nd, 2014
That is the prayer of our sled dog hearts here at the kennel—stay safe! Yeep!
11:47 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Plunderers home safe and sound and excited (and with Pug in paw). All are on their devices going through photos and videos. Everyone says that it was worth the adventure so start planning for next year all of youse.
It sounds like Sharon is the latest Plunderer not feeling well. Sniff!
11:48 pm on March 2nd, 2014
This day has been long and eventful, for many, many reasons. But tonight we celebrate the journey north, and the love we share with each other. We hold Melanie and the Pixie in our hearts, and wish our team Godspeed.
11:50 pm on March 2nd, 2014
Wolfie, it has been a long day and I am going to bed. I hope my Pug is okay. He never writes, he never calls…yeeeesh!
12:02 am on March 3rd, 2014
AJ & Rebecca going in the shoot at the starting line.
12:35 am on March 3rd, 2014
Notice the Key Member in the back.
12:58 am on March 3rd, 2014
Who needs Insider when we have Ray?
12:59 am on March 3rd, 2014
Who needs Insider when we have Ray?
http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/trim.86FCF8B8-A182-46E5-9B15-8A45682B369D.MOV
1:30 am on March 3rd, 2014
Howler ‘rents and Dawson in the dog yard.
1:34 am on March 3rd, 2014
Rio was a little surprised at the size of his little cabin in the woods.
6:13 am on March 3rd, 2014
A Mite Early Here, but it’s 6 o’clock Somewhere.
8:37 am on March 3rd, 2014
Greetings!
Hey, there Bear!
We here are certainly enjoying the pictures and video of the Plunderfest 2014.
Amalia, thank you again for such a lovely prayer.
Godspeed AJ and the team.
Pancho, take good care of your Lady and our Pixie.
8:42 am on March 3rd, 2014
Will Coach Whitey be doing the race updates again this year?
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