Golovin!
“Yes!” says Spence. “AJ and the Snowhook team reached – and blew through – our checkpoint: Golovin.”
“So they detoured through Russia?” Admin says. “Didn’t some recent politician say you can see Russia from Alaska?”
“Stop right now,” Spence says. “The big question is – will AJ cross the finish line in Nome tonight? Seems to be a possibility from Rebecca’s (and thanks so much for taking the time to do this, Rebecca) Thursday night report:”
Sometimes you have to push the reset button. Wednesday was a difficult day, yet AJ and the team have appeared to push that particular button before leaving Koyuk today; they’ve had good run times on the trail today without—and this is my favorite part—any heart sickening, worry causing incidents. Elim—check. Golovin—check. White Mountain—check.
After a mandatory eight hour layover in White Mountain, the team will set out for Nome with only one more stop of their 908 mile journey in between. White Mountain is a village, but Safety is not. Safety is a roadhouse that is only opened during the race. Teams usually blow through Safety as the end of the race nears, yet last year AJ remained in Safety for several hours. Why the delay to the finish line? One word—Annabelle. She is his main leader, and last year as the female alpha and leader she decided to extend the brief stop in Safety. He could have dropped her and continued on the way less one leader, sure, but he refused. Our girl had been with him in all his qualifying races, on all of his training runs and it was her that helped him get to the starting line in the first place. They would cross the line together. He waited her wait out.
At the finisher’s banquet, I saw a race vet I knew from my time on the trail in 2007. He was stationed at Safety when Annabelle it was time for a nap. I stated I understood he spent some quality time with AJ at Safety, to which he confided, “Yeah, I told him ever dirty joke I know and he still wouldn’t leave.” After a nap, Annabelle rose, told the team it was time and raced to the finish line.
Could we see a late finish on Friday night? It’s possible. Rule of thumb—figure on the average run taking 12 hours from White Mountain to Nome, however this can be impacted by dogs, weather and life on the trail.
Welcome long-lost twin.
Tags: AJ, Golovin, Iditarod, Nome, Rebecca, Snowhook
This entry was posted on Friday, March 16th, 2012 at 8:39 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.
8:46 am on March 16th, 2012
AJ waited for Annabelle so she could cross the finish line with him. That shows what kind of a guy he is. Hooray for AJ.
8:51 am on March 16th, 2012
Trail!…Life on the Trail!…snort!…It sounds wonderful. I bet I would do great out there on that there trail…heh!…On the sled of course…sniff!
8:51 am on March 16th, 2012
Hey, y’all! And good morning to you, your majesty! That AJ is certainly a class act! Hearing about Annabelle makes me want to show my support for the team — think I’ll go take a nap!
Go AJ!!!
8:54 am on March 16th, 2012
Good morning all.
9:02 am on March 16th, 2012
Kirby, yes! You said it perfectly – AJ is a class act! Mom is getting all sniffly.
9:03 am on March 16th, 2012
Good morning, Sam, Chet, Admin, and Spencer.
Woo Hoo! Our team blew thru Golovin! We know they said “Hello/Goodbye” to Chet and Bernie on their way. WEEEEE!!! We are so excited that our team is now at Stover’s checkpoint: White Mountain. The name sounds like something from Middle Earth.
9:05 am on March 16th, 2012
A.J. is brave and loyal. A hero. Rio – I don’t think there are zingers on The Trail…
Bella – his Jamie is on the way home to your Claire. 🙂
Staff – prayer with you and the family.
Have a good day, Everybody. See you at the finish line!
9:11 am on March 16th, 2012
The tracker shows AJ still stopped at White Mountain (my checkpoint!). If I’m calculating correctly (never a safe bet), he could leave around 11AM EST.
9:16 am on March 16th, 2012
Not EST but EDT. (See what I mean.)
9:16 am on March 16th, 2012
BluKat!…I could pack plenty of Zingers in my little knapsack…sniff!…They don’t weigh that much, you know…snort!
9:19 am on March 16th, 2012
Attention!…AJ and the Team are moving around at .3 miles an hour…snort!…Maybe they are getting ready to leave White Mountain!…chuffle!
9:24 am on March 16th, 2012
YEEP!…YEEP!…Our Team is on their way to Nome!…WOOOOOHOOOO!
9:29 am on March 16th, 2012
On a clear day, you can see Russia from one point in Alaska. However, that spot is a long distance from where that particular politican lives.
Thanks Rebecca and Spence for the updates. That is a neat story about AJ and Annabelle…one we didn’t know. The dogs come first with AJ!
9:35 am on March 16th, 2012
Mom and Dad have a White Mountain ice cream maker — one of those ones that you have to turn the crank forever and ever to make the ice cream. Hmmm, it’s supposed to get pretty warm around here today. Ice cream is sounding pretty good about now!
9:38 am on March 16th, 2012
Rio: Are you sure? White Mountain has a mandatory 8-hour layover, and I don’t think that will be over until 10:57 (my time). Maybe he and the team are just warming up?
9:47 am on March 16th, 2012
It definitely looks like he has started now, even though the official posting still has in in White Mountain. Go AJ. Go Annabelle. Go Snowhook.
Staff (and Dawson and Catty Librarian too). Strong special prayers for your brother from here in Chevy Chase. And may the power of the quilt be with you and your family.
Wookie
9:52 am on March 16th, 2012
Hey, I just noticed something! If you take Golovin — Chet’s checkpoint — and tweak it a little, it turns into “Go lovin'”! And given the mystery puppy we saw in Chet’s last book, that seems awfully appropriate for him!
9:52 am on March 16th, 2012
Good morning all. At work today, at least Barb is. Another beautiful day in this part of the midwest.
Glad AJ is about to start off on the last leg of the journey. Safe travels, AJ and team.
9:54 am on March 16th, 2012
Good morning all. Woo hoo AJ!
Rebecca’s heart must be jumping like mad to know that her family will be together again tonight.
We are off to the Mud Room for the day – until we leave for the clay place this afternoon to pick up a very important bunch of fired pots.
We will be back later on, and most certainly for the time that AJ crossed the finish line.
9:55 am on March 16th, 2012
Off again today. Taking Zoe for a short holiday! See AJ on the move!~!!
He may NOT get in until I’m back! Which will not be a problem unless the team goes 50 mph.
9:59 am on March 16th, 2012
We are on the move!!!! Next stop is Howard’s Safety.
10:01 am on March 16th, 2012
Kirby – You said it exactly – AJ is a class act. Some other mushers, one to remain nameless, would have dropped Annabelle like she had no feelings. AJ wanted her to bask in the glory of a race well-run. Whatta guy!
10:02 am on March 16th, 2012
Yep, I just checked the Iditarod site, and AJ is well and truly on his way. Obviously I just mess up my math. Go figure!
10:03 am on March 16th, 2012
Messed up — gadzooks!!!
10:06 am on March 16th, 2012
Rebecca: Thanks for your update, and the story about Annabelle.
A.J. is such a man of integrity. I’m so proud of both of youse guys, and the team.
Staff and related Staff: Sorry to hear about your brother. Sending strong prayers to you from Westchester.
Hey Rio, did the tooth fairy leave any money under Beau’s pillow last night?
10:18 am on March 16th, 2012
We are very proud to be a supporter of AJ and Snowhook, because of the class he has shown thruout this race, as well as this marvelous story about Annabelle. We don’t like that other musher either, but he didn’t actually drop the one who he called grumpy, did he?
10:40 am on March 16th, 2012
Rio. My dad said to say thank you. He picked Colorado over UNLV in his office basketball pool mainly because of you, Beau and your friend. Only one of two upsets that happened yesterday, so that was a key pick. He was smart enough though not to pick Colorado State as well (which lost to Murray State). Wookie
10:46 am on March 16th, 2012
Wookie!…We didn’t watch the full game, but as I climbed into my warm soft bed with all my baseball toys just where I left them, I knew that Colorado had that game under their belt…snort!…Tell yer Paw I was happy to help…gruff!
10:48 am on March 16th, 2012
AJ left White Mountain with 11 dogs.
10:55 am on March 16th, 2012
Dropped!…I sure hope it wasn’t Annabelle….sniff!
11:23 am on March 16th, 2012
Bear and Rebecca: Today I received the decals and patch. Thank you.
11:28 am on March 16th, 2012
We are reading (just started) a Larry Millett Sherlock Holmes book. Wookie sent it to Barb as a prize for being so smart (just kidding). Wookie said he thinks Bee had expressed interest in that author. Hard to believe she hasn’t already read his books, what with her count well over 2,000.
Bee, would you like to borrow it when Barb is done? Would anyone else be interested? We are only loaning, cuz Barb said that book is special since Wookie gave it to her!
11:39 am on March 16th, 2012
No offense BStover, but I couldn’t wait for the team to leave your checkpoint. I won’t know who he dropped until reaches Nome. Annabelle is getting older so this will likely be her last Iditarod; I hope she can finish in harness, but even if she doesn’t she is loved just the same.
Bluecat: I should have packed a kilt for him! Snort!
I’ve been fortunate to meet good people in Nome, so good that they wouldn’t let us, my roommate and I, out of their sight until 4 o’clock this morning. I couldn’t help but miss AJ even more as the crowd became more and more drunk and I remained sober. Last night I missed AJ and all his over protectiveness of which some times I make fun (nod to Professor Stover).
11:42 am on March 16th, 2012
Greetings to Plunderers
(pant pant)
Has been long run, but ve are getting close
(pant pant)
All doggies doing vell and AJ is also good
(pant pant)
Ve vill all be happy to see Burled Arch tonight.
(pant pant)
Natasha vill have NO trouble fitting into Beach Beauty disguise for summer. However, ve may never vear high heels again!
11:46 am on March 16th, 2012
Thanks Barb. It’s Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon right? I already have it. I think I ordered it shortly after Wookie mentioned it. It’s in my to be read pile.
12:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
Natasha you are something else. Uggs are quite fashionable,think about it!
We are waiting patiently for Nome. We just finished Winterdance. The pug might want to take a look at it before starting out. Even in the sled is not a perfectly safe option.
Mom still is a little off her feed, but is now at the Whataburger stage in her recovery. I need to go supervise. Later race fans.
12:07 pm on March 16th, 2012
GO! NATASHA GO!
12:10 pm on March 16th, 2012
Just a little further, Natasha!
12:10 pm on March 16th, 2012
We mentioned Uggs too, but Nattie stuck with her high heels. Silly girl!
12:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rebecca,
Have you told AJ that his report on “How I Spent My Iditard Vacation” is due on Monday?
30 pages, typed, single space, size 8 font. Bee, would you be willing to grade the paper?
Ha ha, sometimes I just crack myself up!
12:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Barb and Maggie – ve do appreciate suggestion of Uggly boots, but ve have not passed von single shopping mall on this trail.
Is just not civilized!
12:33 pm on March 16th, 2012
Nattie: you go girl!!
We also wonder who had to be dropped and hope he/she doesn’t mind this late in the race. Hope it wasn’t crowd favorite W-L.
12:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
Kirby: I like your Golovin tweak. Even helps with the spelling. lol.
Poor Natty! No place to buy Uggs on the Trail. Next time you’ll know better.
To the dropped team member: We thank you and the others who made such a valiant effort. You are brave and courageous members of the Nation Within. Tag wags and high paws to you!
Bear says Good Morning. Right now he’s off foraging for food.
12:53 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hey! The mailman just came, and I ran to the door and barked and barked to let Mom know there was something important in the mail, but she just kept telling me to be quiet because it was just the mailman. But then she finally checked the mail, and there were all sorts of Iditarod goodies in the envelope! Thanks, y’all!!!
1:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wolfie: You’re cracking me up as well.
I do want to know what happened out on the ice. AJ is not moving at the moment. Looks like he has 46 more miles before he gets to Nome.
1:38 pm on March 16th, 2012
I got goodies in the mail too. Thank you!
1:41 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wolfie, Yes we think you are funny today.
Natasha, Are you sending us a subtle message that you think Uggs are ugly? We really like them and Barb wishes she coud afford them, but they are a little pricey for her budget. Probably not for your’s though.
1:51 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wolfie: Have pity on poor Bee. That 8-point type is pretty durn small — at least make it 10 point! (You can add a few more pages to the assignment, if necessary!)
1:55 pm on March 16th, 2012
Mom is going to a wedding shower next weekend, so she was just looking at the website for a store where the happy couple is registered. She started laughing at one of the things on their list: a DogPedic Sleep System dog bed. I haven’t met her yet, but I knew I liked that boy!
1:59 pm on March 16th, 2012
BearSpiritDog: I keep forgetting to tell you that my decals and magnets arrived from Jamaica…two days ago!
AJ’s little green flag cannot move fast enough for me. I noticed that several teams had trouble with that Shaktoolik to Koyuk leg of the race. Wind blowing…everything white…can’t see the trail. Reset button. Go Snowhook! Come on, Nome!
2:04 pm on March 16th, 2012
Stover. Actually the Larry Millett book that Barb and Maggie “won” for knowing the origin of Uncle Edgar’s in Minneapolis is Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders, which is the second in the series (the Red Demon one that you got is the first). Red Demon is good but the Ice Palace Murders one is actually our favorite in the series. Wookie
Oh, p.s., GO SNOWHOOK!!!
2:28 pm on March 16th, 2012
I’ve started reading the Red Demon novel. It’s been a while since I read Conan Doyle’s books but it seems to me that Larry Millett has the narrative voice down exactly.
AJ is moving at 7.1 MPH.
2:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
Forgot: I love all of the endnotes.
2:32 pm on March 16th, 2012
St.Patricks!….snort!….Bernie’s putting on his Green Pants already!…heh!snort!heh!
2:32 pm on March 16th, 2012
B — I knew you would. They are so much fun. Wookie
2:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
Good News Dawson!!! Thanks for the heads up Everyone!
A Special Thanks to the MGs for having a change of heart.
Are the Infamous Goats turning over a new leaf????????????
2:49 pm on March 16th, 2012
We are finding the Larry Millett book especially interesting since they visit Chicago and then go on to Minnesota. You are right, his footnotes are entertaining.
2:58 pm on March 16th, 2012
Masquers: I agree with you. Not only does AJ deserve high praise for the race he has run, but let’s also give a big shout-out to the team for their courage, strength, and guidance during the Last Great Race!
WhooooHooooo Snowhook doggies and AJ!
Special WhoooHoooo to Rebecca, best damn musher’s wife ever!!!!
3:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
Whew, back and caught up!
AJ is on the move! We will be here for the end! Can’t wait! Staying up!
Soooo, I would like to be put on the lists (if there are any) for the Sherlock Holmes and for Winterdance.
Saw a very beautiful old library today. Took Zoe to Easthampton library to do some research. She remembers the library from when she lived there in 1942. She says it looks just the same.
The librarians were very helpful and found in the history room the material Zoe needed. She found her father listed in 1941 in a rooming house. Zoe and her mother were still in Chicago selling the apartment and came down in 1942. The 1942 book was missing. The next book had the her parents had “removed” to NYC.
She was able to get the addresses of places that she remembers but are not there anymore. Next time we go down will use the Gypsy and find where they were.
My grandfather was one of the vps for the company who made the Norton Bomb Sight.
In the following picture, the white house you see on the left across the street is the house Zoe lived in.
3:04 pm on March 16th, 2012
Now back to the race …
It is not a surprise to me that Snowhook whirled through Chet and Bernie’s checkpoint. Chet is always about being on the job!
3:14 pm on March 16th, 2012
Waiting, waiting, waiting. Thirty-nine miles to go.
3:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie: There is something to be said for Chet’s go-to trot.
Natasha: Might I suggest a pair of sensible bunny boots like I wear for next year. And, before I forget, thanks for running with the team and distracting other teams.
3:31 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bella, What color are yours? I showed the white ones to Zoe.
3:33 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie: My boots are white. I have an old black pair, but the white are supposedly warmer.
3:47 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie, That is a really cool picture. It looks like it might be a dirt road in front of the library. I love those old photos. I think I must have lived in that period in a prior life.
OK, I will start a list for the Larry Millett book. Bee will be first if she stil wants to be, and then you can be 2nd. It seems like it is slow reading, due to somewhat small print type, plus I keep flipping to the back to read the footnotes.
3:57 pm on March 16th, 2012
I believe there is a Nome-cam of front street. When he comes in, maybe youse can see him.
4:13 pm on March 16th, 2012
Is true – is Nome cam. It vill refresh every 60 seconds. This is just long enough for Natasha to dash out of picture.
(Borzoi vith bunions not very pretty right now)
http://www.visitnomealaska.com/nome-web-cam.html
4:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie: What a charming library and great trees around the house where Zoe lived.
Larry Millett! I have to remember that name. When I get to Mpls. I will look for some Larry Millett books. I would write it down but I have been dealing with paper all morning. I have conquered and subdued most of the piles – where do they come from? – and vow not to generate any pieces of paper today.
Thanks to everyone for their concern and prayers for us and brother Chris.
Go Snowhook! Get to Safety! I wonder if Annabelle will want a long rest at Safety this year. By the way, Rebecca. How long did it take for your heartbeat to go down to normal after AJ got off the ice at Koyuk? Took mine about a day and a half. But, was I worried? Of course not! Still, this sport should consider giving a warning to spectators with weak hearts.
4:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
Nome-Cam!…Koool!…snort!
4:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie: Interesting day you and Zoe had. It’s fun checking back to see what our ancestors were up to in those days of yesteryear.
Okay. Team Snowhook is on the move again. It makes us crazy when they stop yet patience has not been our best trait during this race.
Looks like they will be getting in at a reasonable hour.
4:20 pm on March 16th, 2012
Thanks for the link Natasha!
Melanie, Nice photo. We are like Barb, we like the old stuff. That is also cool about the Norton Bomb Sight. It helped us win WW II.
Natasha will need red boots for next year’s race.
Watching AJ and the dogs move towrd Nome on the Tracker is so much fun!! WOO WOO
4:21 pm on March 16th, 2012
Dawson, Is Chris up there with Staff or still in Chicago?
I looked up Larry Millett, and evidently he lived and worked in Chicago, and then moved back to his home town, Minneapolis, where he still lives.
4:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rose!…My friend said I should tell you this…snort!…She wishes she could find Beaus missing front tooth because she would put it on his quilled portrait for you…chorkel!
4:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
Finish!….Now this is very important…sniff!…SiberH, what time do you think AJ and the Team will slide into Nome?…..snort! …My friend has to plan her evening around your answer, so think about it very carefully…grunt!
4:32 pm on March 16th, 2012
Calculations!…. AJ and the Team have 33 miles to go – traveling at 7.2 miles an hour means they might arrive in 4 ½ hours…snort!…. Does this sound right? Or will he stop in Safety – Youngers Checkpoint?…sniff!
4:33 pm on March 16th, 2012
Barb: Thank you but go ahead and send the Ice Palace mystery to Melanie when you’ve finished. I already downloaded it to my Kindle.
4:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
Safety!…Pardon me, Safety is Howards Checkpoint…snuffle!
4:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
More!…”Safety is a full time job; don’t make it a part time practice”…heh!
4:58 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio: I would add some time for stopping for a meal or snack and a foot rub or two.
Chris is in Chicago with his wife. She’s had her own health problems recently in that she acquired a bad infection in her spine and is working on strengthening her muscles to walk again. Chris is 11 months older than me and we were in the same grade at school from grade 5 until graduation.
5:08 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hi everyone!
4 and a half hours from now? Thanks for the link Nat, where are all the people??? WHOA the sun comes up at 9.13 am in Nome, imagine that. Oh wait, camera just refreshed – four people there now.
Hi everyone! Special hello to Dawson and thoughts are with you and the family.
Thank you Barb and Wookie for the decals (we call them stickers) and magnet, what a great bunch you are!
Refresh…Now there’s noone in Nome again…
5:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio: LOL! Having Beau’s tooth in the quilling would indeed make it unique!
Hey there, Liz!
Can someone give me AJ’s arrival time in Nome in NY time. I don’t want to miss his crossing the finish line….
5:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio: Egads! It just occurred to me, do you think Beau swallowed it?
5:25 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio, gulp, I am not any good at predicting when someone will arrive in Nome.
We need Rebecca to answer your question.
Rebecca? Where are you?
Rio? Would this work? I could send you an SDD when he is arriving in Nome, but you still might have to wait and wait for him to actually appear on the webcam.
5:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
Most mushers just breeze on through the Safety checkpoint.
5:31 pm on March 16th, 2012
I am going to be brave. I’m going to be tough. I’m going to try to stay awake for AJ!!!!
5:37 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hey Liz! You are right…the web cam is showing an empty street. Hopefully we will be able to see the next musher arrive into town.
Does anyone know if the Insider is showing ALL the teams crossing the finish line? Grrr. they’d better have a camera going when our favorite musher and team cross under the burled arch!
We expect Team Snowhook to rest in Safety for a bit before heading out on the last leg of the journey. Snacks and a nap are what we would be (are) looking forward to!
Pssst! People are gathering under the arch now. A team must be coming in!
5:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
Interesting tidbit: Wyatt Earp used to live in Nome.
Next in queue…Art Church #64 now at Fort Davis.
5:47 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bear, If the Insider does what it has always done in the past, there should be video eventually on their website of AJ crossing the finish line.
5:53 pm on March 16th, 2012
Make that Fort Javis. This kat is almost ready for a nap.
6:02 pm on March 16th, 2012
Masquers, the map that Gypsy is using says “Fort Davis”.
6:06 pm on March 16th, 2012
3 more miles to Safety!
6:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Mom and Meashka just got back from the v-e-t. Whew! 2 miles to Howard’s Safety.
Pop was sending them updates;we were glued to AJ’s green flag.
6:21 pm on March 16th, 2012
Whew! We had to DRAG Mama from the Mud Room to turn on the ‘puter for us. We were afraid we would miss it!
We are supposed to ask youse guys something.
Mama said she would like to put the prayer up as soon as AJ crosses the finish line. That might be before or after the standard time we have been gathering, but she figured that everyone would be around whenever that moment is.
Would that be ok with everyone?
6:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
Here’s a picture of the area where AJ is right now.
Goggle Earth
6:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
I hope they take a rest at Safety. This has been a long day.
6:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hi Liz! We are all gathering now…how cool is this?
T&G, We like the idea of the prayer when AJ is thru the burled arch.
6:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
Yes, me too T&G That is a good idea for the time of the prayer.
6:31 pm on March 16th, 2012
T&G: That’s a great idea!
6:40 pm on March 16th, 2012
Natasha, Thanks for the webcam. Have you figured out a way to make it full-screen so we don’t have to keep scrolling down every time it refreshes?
6:43 pm on March 16th, 2012
Mom and Dad went shopping and out to dinner, but they finally got home so now we can watch AJ’s triumphant arrival in Nome! (I hope he times it so he arrives at the burled arch when the webcam can catch it. Maybe someone should get on the phone with Rebecca so she can make him wait until the camera’s ready!) And, just think, we all will be crossing the finish line with him — at least our photos will be!!!
Are we there yet? Are we there yet???
Go AJ!!!
6:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is into Safety!!!
6:49 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rebecca: Looking at the Nome webcam made me curious. Do they bring in snow to make the path to the arch, or are they just real careful not to take the snowplow down that side of the street?
6:52 pm on March 16th, 2012
We got a surprise today too. Thank you so much. This adventure has been so much fun. Perhaps AJ will just turn the team around and go home? *joking*.
This is a passage from “Winterdance” that made us laugh.
“The dogs made their beds, stirred the straw around to fluff it up, and then grew quiet. Somewhere a mile or more away a brush wolf howled, a soft cut through the still night. The sound was faint but awakened two of the dogs and they raised their heads and whined softly and I knew what the whine meant, knew that it meant they would answer the howl but they were tired and full of food and straw was warm and to hell with it.”
6:54 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rebecca, you should go stand out in the middle of the street and wave at the webcam. That would be so cool.
6:54 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rebecca, can you go stand in front of the Burled Arch and wave to us on the webcam?
6:55 pm on March 16th, 2012
A song for the last 22 miles! (Overheard from a jam session with Mr. Redbone Hound and Riö).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L_H99AB2T4&feature=related
7:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
Good job, Melanie! Thanks.
7:06 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is out of Safety…22 miles to Nome!!
7:08 pm on March 16th, 2012
Seems like they are getting reedy for #04!
7:08 pm on March 16th, 2012
Are the sirens going off in Nome? It looks like more people are starting to gather on Front Street!
7:10 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio, Check your SDD, especialy the second one I sent you.
7:12 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is on the move out of my Howard’s checkpoint of Safety. Safety is 22 miles away. My guess is that we might see him at 6ish at the earliest, but I could be wrong. It depends on the dogs, the weather, if Annabelled decides it’s time for a nap—typical things. 🙂
My stomach has butterflies and flutterbies.
7:15 pm on March 16th, 2012
This from Dallas Seavey’s FB page.
First the race itself costs approx. $18k to run.
$3,000 Entry fee
$850 Food drops shipping (actual freight)
$1,445 1700 Booties for the race
$1,500 2000# dog food shipped out (food itself)
$1,000 Sleds shipped along trail (shipping)
$2,000 Fly wife to Nome, dogs and musher back
$1,000 Fuel, hotels, banquet tickets, etc. at start
$500 Food etc. for the week in Nome.
$3,000 Dog sled (we actually use 2-3, but they last a couple years)
$1,500 Dog coats, wraps, warmers, etc.
$1,000 Batteries, gloves, human food, and other gear used.
$900 Runner plastic (sliders under sled $30 x 30 sets)
Snowhook doesn’t ship sleds or buy many new sleds, but I wonder how close the rest of the figures are compared to Snowhook.
7:17 pm on March 16th, 2012
#4 is in!
7:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hey, what happened?…no snack-time/nap-time stop?
WHO CARES. WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO NOME!!! WoooHooooo!!!
Come on little doggies you can do it! run on home to mom and kisses and hugs and tummies and…….
7:21 pm on March 16th, 2012
And, that is just the cost of the race itself. There are year round vet bills, dog food, ect.
eeek The dog sleds are rather expensive.
7:22 pm on March 16th, 2012
This is so exciting!
7:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rebecca if you decide to wave to us go down to the shadow of the banner over the street. We would not be able to see you at the arch.
7:28 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hello – goodbye, Safety for Howard! Onto Nome for Younger! Mush , doggies, mush! Rebecca awaits!
7:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
There’s someone walking down the shoot. I think whoever it is is too tall for Rebecca.
7:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
We had a whole speech prepared about how glad we are that Howard found safety with Rebecca, but whoosh! We’re outa there!!! Onward Snowhook! Nomeward Bound.
7:37 pm on March 16th, 2012
Done!…Not AJ, not yet. Us! We are done doing what we do after my friend gets home…sniff!…Now we have the Tracker up and the Nome Web Kam fired up….Wooooo!…Here’s hoping all these web pages do not freeze up at the crucial momento…grunt!
SiberH!…I dare not open my SDD, my computer will explode, so unless it is a life and death emergency…snort!… I will check it later, or tomorrow…wuffle!
7:40 pm on March 16th, 2012
Twins!…When the Berington Twins come down the street everyone watch out for Rebecca running out there and kicking their butts…heh!
7:40 pm on March 16th, 2012
Drat! The web cam went out.
7:41 pm on March 16th, 2012
What a long, strange trip it’s been.
But what fun in the company of fellow Plunderers.
The surprise in the mailbox today was perfect timing.
Eating pizza. Watching basketball and the little
green flag and waiting…
7:41 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio, No, it is not a life or death matter at all. You made it back to the blog, so you know as much about AJ’s arrival time as we do.
7:42 pm on March 16th, 2012
Nooo!…I was really looking forward to seeing that…grump!…Maybe they are just turning the Kamera to face the finish line??…sniff!
7:43 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ has stopped.
7:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
Riö did you hear your jam session with Mr. Redbonehound that was secretly recorded? I believe Nattie did it.
Twins up next. Hope they get off the shoot quickly for the main event will be arriving!
7:46 pm on March 16th, 2012
Our webcam is still working.
Rio, you’re killing us about the twins! LOL !!
Bluecat, we had pizza tonight too! And Frosty Paws!
7:47 pm on March 16th, 2012
Try refreshing the web site for the camera. That worked for me.
7:52 pm on March 16th, 2012
Weather in Nome, AK:
14 – 15 degrees. Wind about 5 mph
7:53 pm on March 16th, 2012
Downright balmy.
7:59 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie!…I will have to listen to it another time…sniff!…If I open one more thing on this computer it will burst into flames….grunt!
8:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is still ahead of the Siberians, right?
8:06 pm on March 16th, 2012
Yes, he is Macy. The Sibers are still plodding along.
8:07 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is moving at 6.0 MPH heading toward Nome.
8:08 pm on March 16th, 2012
Do not let the computer burst into flames. Bad at anytime, but Katestrophic NOW!
8:13 pm on March 16th, 2012
People lining up on the webcam for the twins.
8:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Is that one of two of the twins I see?
8:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hey, Bear get out of the way! I can’t see!
8:20 pm on March 16th, 2012
ummmm – we don’t mean to be naive, but is it ok that AJ isn’t on the pink line that marks the trail on the gypsy thingie?
8:22 pm on March 16th, 2012
Now there’s more. Both twins must be in.
8:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
According to the Gypsy, they still are not up over the sea wall. Anybody else?
8:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Is the sea wall that nasty looking big thing in their way?
8:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
T&G AJ is following the true Iditarod trail Gypsy often disagrees with it. Gypsy’s red line is just to give us a general idea.
8:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
O.K. Now it is showing them there. And it is now showing AJ up where the red line is.
8:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
Whew, now he’s going around what ever that thing is.
8:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
Ok – thanks Siber and Howlers – we would be chewing our nails but we just got them clipped yesterday….
We sure wish we had some (fake) champagne around here. Guess we will have to make due with ginger ale.
8:30 pm on March 16th, 2012
T&G: Everyone has gone that same way.
8:32 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bunnies!…Did you guys see those white bunny boots kicking some skinny Berington Butt!….WOOOOOOOO!….heh!heh!…Now it is AJ’s turn dammit!…phrew!
8:33 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio: Time to multi-task! Are you watching all these upsets???
8:34 pm on March 16th, 2012
According to the Insider description, there is a hill called Cape Nome which they must go around. We think that must be why they go up and around at this point.
8:36 pm on March 16th, 2012
Come on, AJ!! Just a little bit farther!!
8:39 pm on March 16th, 2012
This is a picture of Cape Nome. Notice the size vs the truck. Glad I’m not climbing it.
8:44 pm on March 16th, 2012
Are we thinking about another hour or more?
8:44 pm on March 16th, 2012
Holy Jeez!
8:51 pm on March 16th, 2012
I would say so, T&G…maybe a little on the “more” side.
This just always seems like it takes forever.
8:54 pm on March 16th, 2012
Thanks Siber – we will be back in a little bit then. The clay needs some time right now.
8:55 pm on March 16th, 2012
Kirby!…No! Do tell! What is going on in the basketball world (really quick!)…heh!heh!
8:58 pm on March 16th, 2012
I want to stay up but an hour or more might not be possible. My eyes are closing already.
9:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
Sam!! You gotta stay up for this!
9:03 pm on March 16th, 2012
Tom Petty said it best when he sang, “The waiting is the hardest part.” A siren is sounded when teams are a mile out. That last mile seems more like three; I think someway had a defective ruler.
9:03 pm on March 16th, 2012
He he’s moving now. 8.1 He must know that Rebecca is waiting. Or sleep. One or the other! 🙂
Here’s the next place he’ll pass. Fort Davis. The army came during the gold rush. To keep peace. I wonder if any of the troops tried their hand at panning?
9:04 pm on March 16th, 2012
They already have Pinkham and Church up on the Insider vidoes so that means we should be able to see AJ and the team tonight also. Not live of course, but our heroes crossing the finish line. none-the-less.
Our view on the web cam isn’t the best, but believe me it is better than nothing and much appreciated.
Once the team is on the other side of the cape it should be easy running along the beach.
Siber: Here I cam going on and on and I know nothing. Nothing I tell ya.
9:06 pm on March 16th, 2012
Nome!…Wow! Nome is deserted just like that!…snort!…I hope everyone comes back for AJ and the A-Team…sniff!…Come back everyone – the Giant is on his way!….Wooooooo!
9:07 pm on March 16th, 2012
Hey, I can’t see anyone on the webcam!
9:09 pm on March 16th, 2012
Well, it is 14 degrees!
9:10 pm on March 16th, 2012
Sure hope Bella hasn’t fallen asleep! She hasn’t slept for DAYS!
9:11 pm on March 16th, 2012
When the siren goes off, the spectators will come back.
9:14 pm on March 16th, 2012
The sleep deprivation would be the worst thing about this race. My brain goes fuzzy after just one night of lousy sleep…sometimes even after a good night’s sleep!
9:14 pm on March 16th, 2012
Is there a special siren for AJ and the Snowhook Doggies?
9:15 pm on March 16th, 2012
KirbyT: If you decide to share the race with your library next year, maybe you can have the kids Skype with the Iditarod committee. They did that today with a class in Ohio.
9:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Masquers, you are doing good!
Thanks Melanie, I wondered what the purpose of Ft. Davis was. I bet they did do some gold panning. Back in the day, gold nuggets could be found on the beach.
9:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is going 12 mph!!!! WOOO HOOO !
9:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Dawson, my brains arennntt fussssy. I””m peeefffecdtly awwakeked.
9:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wow I had mail today! I kept thinking and not requesting those magnets and decals and here they appear in my mailbox. Thanks Bear! I have just been too distracted to get my act together to ask for them. I should thank Anon, but Bear sent them. (Thanks Anon)
Going to get ready for bed, after a hard day of herding quilters. Then I will wait and watch as long as I can for our giant to appear on the webcam. (and our Rebecca and our dogs)
BBL
9:17 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio. Duke, Missouri (both #2 seeds) and Michigan (a #4 seed) have lost, but Georgetown did beat Belmont. Wookie
9:17 pm on March 16th, 2012
Rio: It’s not good to be a #2 seed today! No. 2 Duke just got beat by No. 15 Lehigh! No. 15 Norfolk State beat No. 2 Missouri! And #13 Ohio (not Ohio State!) beat #4 Michigan!
9:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Woo Hoo! 12 mph! He’s booking it! (in honor of B.Stover who has so many books)
9:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wow, he’s going 12.0 MPH now.
9:20 pm on March 16th, 2012
LOL!
9:21 pm on March 16th, 2012
From the Insider:
“Did you know that after each musher reaches Nome, mushers participate in interviews conducted by the Insider team? These behind the scenes stories will be inclulded in the 2012 race video and/or featured at Insider.”
9:24 pm on March 16th, 2012
Final countdown! We are trying to stay awake.
9:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Siber-H – do all the mushers stay in Nome until the red lantern is hung? It’s amazing to me how much energy the doggies have, even at the finish.
9:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
It’s a lot tougher for us East Coasters to stay awake now. We’re trying to pretend the blogtime is for real.
Nothing like the excitement of watching a green flag creep along a map to keep us up past our bedtime.
9:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
The area that Justin is going through looks like this. Taken on the 2007 Iditarod somewhere between Safety and Nome, by Chrisrcarlson.
9:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
Reading what Macy wrote jogged my asleep brain. We might want to buy the dvd of this race when it comes out. The Insider’s yearly dvds win awards for quality.
9:30 pm on March 16th, 2012
Carpola … Here’s the pic. No wonder people get lost.
9:36 pm on March 16th, 2012
Stover!…She is still awake and Laughing!…Wooooo!…I sure hope Rebecca is wide awake – or will be wide awake when AJ and the A-Team make it into Nome!…snort! …NOME!NOME!NOME!…Wooooo!
9:37 pm on March 16th, 2012
Less than 10 miles! So exciting!
9:38 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bluecat, I am not sure about the answer to your question. They have a Musher’s banquet after the race that I know many of them like to attend. The banquet is where they give out the awards..like Rookie of the Year, The Golden Harness award for the best lead dog, the award from the vets for the musher that took the best care of his/her dogs, and so on.
The very last mushers (gah, I hope it isn’t the Sibers) sometimes do not make it to the finish line in time for the banquet.
9:38 pm on March 16th, 2012
Be back soon. Going to get ready for bed so I can fall into it!
9:39 pm on March 16th, 2012
After the race. (hitting forehead) duh
9:41 pm on March 16th, 2012
Zzzzzzzzzz.
9:42 pm on March 16th, 2012
We will be in Nome until Monday morning. The Finishers’ Banquet is catered by a hotel from Nome and is, as Chet might say, delish!
I’m awake. I got about an hour of sleep this morning. During race season I remind myself that we can sleep in April, we can sleep in April.
9:42 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie, that photo is just beautiful…sometimes bleak is the most beautiful of all.
9:43 pm on March 16th, 2012
Miles!…You know, a mile when you are on the ground running it or trotting it, or walking it…sniff!…Its a helluva long way sometimes….wuffle!wheeze!…Miles and miles to go yet but they will make it. They will prevail!….snort!snort!
9:43 pm on March 16th, 2012
Mom put her head down for “just a minute” on the desk and woke up 20 minutes later. OMD, what if she would have missed the finish??!! Awake now and watching the green flag!
Go AJ and team!!
9:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
Nine miles to go.
9:47 pm on March 16th, 2012
That photo is spectacular.
Siber, almost all of the paintings o our walls are beak winter scenes. And they usually have a barn in them. 🙂
9:48 pm on March 16th, 2012
Because of you guys in the East, I told mom I didn’t want to hear her complaining about being sleepy.
9:48 pm on March 16th, 2012
It may be another 45 minutes. I did what Melanie did and got all ready to flop into bed. Now I have to flop but I will just take a nap and then get up and check.
9:50 pm on March 16th, 2012
Melanie: Wait a minute…they promised this last stretch would be a walk in the park…a run on the beach.
The photo sure is pretty.
Siber: Thanks for that. We arm chair mushers tend to get carried away.
I’m still laughing about Rio worrying his computer will blow up.
9:54 pm on March 16th, 2012
Now 8 miles…..
9:57 pm on March 16th, 2012
We’re back – this is so exciting. We are so nervous we don’t know if we should eat ice cream or tortilla chips…..
9:58 pm on March 16th, 2012
7 miles…
9:59 pm on March 16th, 2012
I would eat both!
9:59 pm on March 16th, 2012
Royals: Heh! When in doubt have both!
10:00 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wolfie! The same post at the same time!
10:02 pm on March 16th, 2012
6 miles.
10:02 pm on March 16th, 2012
I’m so nervous that I’ve been gnawing on my squeaky penguin! Mom keeps telling me it’s the wrong pole, but frankly at this point I really don’t care! I gnawed on it the night that AJ was lost on the ice, and it worked like a charm!
GO AJ!!!
10:06 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bring out the O’Doul’s Amber and Vernor’s (Ginger) Ale!
10:07 pm on March 16th, 2012
…the Cahors and Corona!
10:07 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bear!..Two Minds Eat As One!…heh!…Wolfie and Bear!…snort!
10:09 pm on March 16th, 2012
BSD – great minds think alike!
10:09 pm on March 16th, 2012
I have Gypsy zoomed in so close that when AJ’s flag moves, it moves off screen. I can see the waves on the beach.
10:10 pm on March 16th, 2012
Six miles to go. Is it just me or does it feel like 60?
10:11 pm on March 16th, 2012
I am going to miss our evening prayers, that’s for sure.
10:14 pm on March 16th, 2012
No, it’s not just you. It must feel even longer for AJ, though.
10:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Is AJ still going 12 mph?
10:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
OOOO I am now ready to fall into bed and I would LOVE some Vernors. Don’t have any though. I do have some sparkling apple juice. 2 miles to go….
10:16 pm on March 16th, 2012
Woo! Hoo! I’m back! MollyPop’s Mom is going to take a nap? How can she with all this excitement. Like Bella said, I can sleep in April!
10:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
I took a nap and got up just in time.
10:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wolfie – I wouldn’t be surprised if we sometimes think about each other just about the time the prayers would have been said. Connection, you know?
10:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
Vernors, YSAS’s favorite ale! I like the diet myself. Going for non fat yogurt though. I did add a little bit of whipped cream. This is a celebration!
10:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
Um, Staff, hate to say it, but we are still at 5 miles. Sigh.
10:19 pm on March 16th, 2012
five miles.
Me too, Wolfie. sniff.
10:20 pm on March 16th, 2012
Kirby, He is going 7.8 miles an hour
10:22 pm on March 16th, 2012
Carpola! There are scratches on the web cam lens and they are reflecting the sun light. Hope it moves off the lens before AJ gets there.
10:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
Well said, Bluekat. We are all bonded now.
10:24 pm on March 16th, 2012
well RATS!
10:24 pm on March 16th, 2012
Yay, MPM!
10:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
He is now going 8.7 mph.
10:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Someone just posted Carly Simon’s Anticipation on facebookie.
MollyPop’s Mom: Thank Dog you’re back!
10:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wonder at what mile AJ can see the town in the distance? Does that make it go faster or seem like you never get there.
10:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
Go Snowhook Go!
10:30 pm on March 16th, 2012
Come on AJ!!!!
Come on Team!!!
Hope Rebecca will let us know when the siren sounds!
10:30 pm on March 16th, 2012
OMD! Closing in on Fort Davis soon.
4 Miles to Go!!!
10:31 pm on March 16th, 2012
Four miles to go.
10:32 pm on March 16th, 2012
Gus&Boobear, That is a good question and we will have ask AJ. I don’t think he can see Nome yet because he seems to be at a bit lower elevation right now, but he is almost to the edge of Nome.
10:34 pm on March 16th, 2012
Just read on the webcam site that there are herds of wild muskox a few miles outside of Nome. Hope they aren’t a few miles southeast! And really hope they aren’t related to Marauding Goats!
10:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
I have to stay up now. Tomorrow I have family coming for a last day of skiing, mountain coaster rides, and a big hike. Oh boy, I’m in trouble.
10:38 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ crossed a stream which would be frozen this time of year. In the satellite photo, it isn’t frozen.
10:40 pm on March 16th, 2012
Royals – sure, fine, so now we have marauding musk ox? Great.
10:41 pm on March 16th, 2012
People are gathering on the webcam.
10:41 pm on March 16th, 2012
People gathering…
10:44 pm on March 16th, 2012
Snicker, HI there OleyH.
10:44 pm on March 16th, 2012
TWO MILES AND CLOSING!!
10:45 pm on March 16th, 2012
Dog, for a minute there I thought we broke the blog! Couldn’t get on.
10:46 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ will soon be coming off the ice and onto Front Street in Nome. Yippie!!!
10:47 pm on March 16th, 2012
Bet Bella is in that crowd at the finish line
10:48 pm on March 16th, 2012
Taking screen shots of a different camera pointed at the finish. Slightly better picture, but the weather is nasty to the lens of the cameras.
10:49 pm on March 16th, 2012
Siren going off!!!
10:49 pm on March 16th, 2012
On the web cam something big is there. Could it be????
10:49 pm on March 16th, 2012
Now I’m eating chocolate-filled gluten-free cookies that Tyb’s Dad got for me.
10:51 pm on March 16th, 2012
Down the Home Stretch at 9.7 MPR!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!
10:51 pm on March 16th, 2012
YES!!!!!!!!!!
10:52 pm on March 16th, 2012
I think we are scaring Mike Baker right now….heh heh heh
10:52 pm on March 16th, 2012
MPM – just refreshed and the FOC was your beloved puppy.
in tears here.
10:52 pm on March 16th, 2012
Gah!…Its dark on the Nome-Kam…sniffle!…Go AJ..Go!
10:54 pm on March 16th, 2012
Creator – you have blessed us with a glorious day. The air we breathe is our medicine, the trees sing music that lets our hearts dance. We have been guided along the path by your teachers, and now the trail is done.
Creator – we thank you for the safe run of AJ and the team. We know that you were with them, that your teachers were there with them along the way.
We thank you for the spirit of the Buffalo. The dignity, integrity and power Buffalo carries was with AJ, and we honor them both.
We thank you for the spirit of the Mountain Lion. Her speed, grace and harmony with the earth were with AJ, and we honor them both.
We thank you for the spirit of the Bear. The confidence and respectability of the Bear was surely with AJ, and we honor them both.
We thank you for the spirit of the Hawk, for he was with AJ, granting him clear vison of both eye and soul. Tonight, we honor them both.
We thank you for the spirit of Spider. Her healing ways were in AJs hands as he tended to his team. Her medicine helped to keep AJ strong and we honor them both.
We thank you for the spirit of the Otter. Her laughing ways may have made the journey easier. Her joy in the world around her may have lightened the journey for AJ and we honor them both.
We thank you for the spirit of the Wolf who was guardian and protector of AJ and the team on their journey. That spirit is a part of AJ, who stopped his own race to help another, acting as a guardian to him. We honor both the Wolf and AJ as protectors.
And we thank you for the spirit of the Elk for surely it was love that carried AJ through the hardest parts of his journey: the love connects his heart to Bella, the love that he shows to his team, the love that the Plunderers sent up every night. The Elk was with AJ and we honor them both.
Creator – you have given us many gifts in this world, too many to count. We are celebrating with joy tonight, but let us never forget to see all the wonders around us; the beauty of the stars at night, the sound of the rain on the trees. Let us appreciate each day the glory of the sun on our face, and the songs of birds. Let us hold close the gift of friendship and family, and honor you by loving each other.
Creator – we lift this prayer of thanks to you in unison. We ask you to hear our love and concern for those of our family in need. Please watch over Chris and his wife and be with them in the difficult days to come We ask you to hear our thanks for AJ’s safe run, our joy in his completing his race and our pride in his integrity and honorable ways.
Creator – you have blessed us with a glorious day. The air we breathe is our medicine, the trees sing music that lets our hearts dance. We have been guided along the path by your teachers, and now this trail is done.
Amen
10:54 pm on March 16th, 2012
Yay, Snowhook!!
10:56 pm on March 16th, 2012
And so it is.
Sleep well.
10:58 pm on March 16th, 2012
Amelia, thank you. Wolfie, you said it all. 😀
10:59 pm on March 16th, 2012
This is the best I can do right now. I’ll send these down to the newer computer tomorrow. Very very very very very very very Happy!
10:59 pm on March 16th, 2012
Allelujah, Snowhook! Against almost insurmountable odds…almost.
11:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ and the Dogs made it to Nome! We made it to Nome!!
Congratulations Snowhook!! AJ ran an honorable race and we are all very proud of Snowhook.
The dogs will sleep now. I hope AJ and Rebecca do also.
My computer is getting very tired. See you guys tomorrow.
Night All
11:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
Amen, Amalia.
11:01 pm on March 16th, 2012
AJ is on the “Finished” list on Iditarod Insider. Well done AJ and Snowhook team!!! Congratulations.
11:02 pm on March 16th, 2012
That was a little anti-climatic. Wish the camera was closer to the action.
11:03 pm on March 16th, 2012
And just got the email alert too that AJ checks into Nome. Hip Hip Hooray. We love Snowhook. What a wonderful day. Wookie
11:04 pm on March 16th, 2012
Thank you Leonard and Amalia!
Congratulations to the outstanding Team Snowhook!
WhooooHooooo! Arf! Arf! Arf! Ahooooooo!
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
11:04 pm on March 16th, 2012
Wiping tears away. The trail is done. And yet, a beautiful trail it was. Thank you Snowhook for letting me share the trail, the trials, the beauty, the sorrow. Thank you.
Can we have a party soon? Like after AJ and Rebecca get home?
11:04 pm on March 16th, 2012
Thank You for the most Beautiful Prayer of All.
A Prayer for the Safe Return of our Beloved Musher & His Faithful Team.
11:05 pm on March 16th, 2012
Thank You Amelia and Leonard. That is a perfect, moving prayer to end this day. Thank you Creator for watching over Snowhook and all of us.
11:05 pm on March 16th, 2012
Mr. Husky, It looks like the Siberians will get the red lantern!
11:07 pm on March 16th, 2012
Amen and good night.
11:09 pm on March 16th, 2012
Oh well, Alice. I’ll be happy if they just get to Nome. At least they will have had a nice vacation in the state of Alaska.
11:09 pm on March 16th, 2012
Congrats to AJ and the Snowhook team! We are so proud to be a small part of your experience.
Thank you, Amalia and Leonard. Your prayers have been a blessing and joy to read each night.
Good night, all.
Gus & BooBear
11:10 pm on March 16th, 2012
We are staying up dancing and howling. Our team made it to Nome!!! With all of our photos making the trip! AWOOOOOO!
Love you, AJ and Rebecca and Team Snowhook (and especially Whitey-Lance)! Sleep well…job well done.
Alice, there are teams behind the Sibes. So there.
11:11 pm on March 16th, 2012
Oh….my feet……
11:17 pm on March 16th, 2012
awwww Poor Natty.
Siber: The videos are going up really fast. We just watched the Beringer twins come in. They were describing the horrific conditions on Norton Sound. The wind howling and wind chill factors at almost 50 below.
11:17 pm on March 16th, 2012
Natasha! Go put your feet up. Job well done.
11:18 pm on March 16th, 2012
Poor Nattie!
I am up at 12:15!!! I didn’t even stay up this late with OTAS and FOTAS!
Loving it all!
Rebecca, whenever you come up for air, Thank you and AJ and all the puppies!
TTFN
11:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
Natty: We do appreciate the great sacrifices you have made for the team and AJ. It didn’t hurt that you are accustomed to those cold Siberian winters.
It is time to call it a day.
We can all sleep well this night.
– Bear
11:23 pm on March 16th, 2012
Welcome home AJ. Well done.
Hope you and Bella and the pups all sleep well – you have all earned it.
G’night all
11:24 pm on March 16th, 2012
The Berringer twins came in holding hands. Very nice. They said it was a very bad storm in Norton Sound, where AJ was on the sea ice so long. We also watched Art Church and he said it was terrible. He was pretty funny though.
11:26 pm on March 16th, 2012
Natasha, how did you get into Nome without the siren going off? You’re amazing. Now go soak those feet.
11:27 pm on March 16th, 2012
Yes, OH, I am wrong. The Sibers will not be the last! I am glad they won’t and I hope they do make the entire race. They are pretty close now.
Night all!
11:29 pm on March 16th, 2012
Well I’m back. I can’t turn off the computer yet. Seems it takes a Looooonnnnggg time to send mail that has 11 pictures on it. Hmmm
I’m glad the Sibers will not be last. In that video I found the Sibers look so happy!
11:32 pm on March 16th, 2012
Good night to Bella, her Giant of a man, and to the faithful team.
Sleep well. You did good.
11:33 pm on March 16th, 2012
Done! TTFN really!
11:33 pm on March 16th, 2012
One last comment. The web cam is now clear as a bell.
11:35 pm on March 16th, 2012
I’m going to cross my paws that this goes through, because I’ve had a time and a half getting the blog to refresh. I think we’ve blown all the circuits!
Congratulations to AJ and Rebecca and all the dogs of Snowhook! You ran the kind of race we wanted you to run. No, you weren’t the first to reach Nome, but I hope you know by now that, although we would have been ecstatic if you had won, we were thrilled to back someone who would plunder on through everything that was thrown at you. You’ve shown us all that there’s nothing that you, your dogs and a little hockey tape can’t overcome. Tomorrow (actually, I guess it’s today!) when I go to the library I will be proud to go to the Iditarod map and move your team’s photo to Nome. I know some of the kids from my storytime will be coming into the library tomorrow, and I’ll be able to report that you finished the race while rescuing a stranded musher, repairing a broken sled, battling fierce winds and struggling to find your way off the ice. I am proud to number myself among your devoted backers!
11:42 pm on March 16th, 2012
Good night all.
11:49 pm on March 16th, 2012
Sob!…Sob!…Sob!…We never did get to see AJ arrive in Nome on the webcam…it never updated after those damned Berington Twins went through and the town dispersed to the bars….grunt!…Then this old computer froze up…then Beau was acting up…sob!sob!sob!
Work!….After all the hours of thought and work and ever pushing forward to the start line, I did not get to “see” the team finish at Nome tonight….gurgle!..But I know they made it and I know they are safe and sound and once again in Rebecca’s loving hands…wuffle!
11:58 pm on March 16th, 2012
Happiness abounds… Congrats to AJ and the doggies–you did all the work and we were with you every step of the way. Not a win, but a victory. Rest. At some point it will be time to dream and work towards 2013.
12:06 am on March 17th, 2012
CHarris: Perfect! Not a win, but a victory.
12:21 am on March 17th, 2012
Last minute trivia:
Carl Huntington won the 1974 race with the slowest winning time, 20 days, 15 hours, two minutes and seven seconds
12:48 am on March 17th, 2012
Rio, don’t worry. The video of him arriving under the arch is now available.
What a guy!
6:25 am on March 17th, 2012
AJ! The video is great…what a guy. He is smiling and saying how much fun he had, even when his sled broke in the Burn. What a guy. We already watched it 5 times. How long will they keep it available?