Iditarod Update
“Horrible computer problems,” says Admin. “We can’t post pictures, copy text – arrgh!”
“But we can report that Rory, the brave dog who’s now recovering from surgery, wore a Chet The Dog jacket at the ceremonial start,” Spence says. “Rebecca adds that Rory is stable but not out of the woods yet. As for the race, she wrote very movingly about the tension at the start, and how fired up the team was.”
“And I liked the part about how AJ went from dog to dog just before the start, showing love to each one.”
“We’re proud of Snowhook. We’ll try to have the computer problems fixed by tomorrow, but Wednesday things will be working for sure.”
Tags: AJ, Iditarod, Rebecca, Snowhook
This entry was posted on Monday, March 5th, 2012 at 9:15 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.
9:31 am on March 5th, 2012
Good Morning Spence, Admin & Chet
We all are very proud of Snowhook.
Where is everyone?
9:32 am on March 5th, 2012
Good morning! We have a request for Tupper and Gilly’s moma and dad. Our friend Cherokee, an ~11 year old red and white Sibe, is in excrucuiating pain. The reason is not yet known, and he will need to be sedated for Xrays. In the meantime, he is going to a chiropracter this evening to see if he can help him.
Cherokee was rescued last year by Mom’s friend (and Kat’s “godmom”), from a life of being tied in his yard, with no care or love, and no way to have unfrozen water during one of the coldest winters ever. His forever-mom would see him every day as she waled her 3 other rescues. It took her the entire winter to get a Rescue organization that would convince his owner to turn him over. Now that he is finally having a good life, we hate knowing the pain he now endures.
Please could Cherokee be included in the evening’s prayers? Thank you so much.
9:36 am on March 5th, 2012
OleyHowers, sniff.
Okay, no photos? Never I say! There is a video of yesterday’s start and AJ is seen further on up the hill out of Willow. I did some screen grabs. At least I think this is AJ …
9:36 am on March 5th, 2012
OH: Our thoughts and prayers are with Cherokee. Pain is no fun, and after such a hard life, he deserves a little comfort.
GO AJ!
9:36 am on March 5th, 2012
Poor Cherokee. I hope he receives as good as care as we experienced with Rory’s emergency.
9:37 am on March 5th, 2012
That looks like the team. Wait … what do I see?
9:39 am on March 5th, 2012
Glad to see that C.Harris got back safe and sound. Her trip sounds mystical. I think Celtic music would be just the thing.
Bella!!! Howdy!!! I’m having sympathy back pains for you, so you can stop.
Big flare from the sun today. Glancing blow to Earth. AJ might be running under the Northern Lights tomorrow and Wednesday.
Sigh, wish I was there. Back in a minute, going to check that tracker thing.
9:40 am on March 5th, 2012
Melanie: That is our team! Quig and Twig, our blonde lead dogs ae shown toward the beginning of the same video. Quigley is doing his standard, jump and bark, jump and bark.
9:57 am on March 5th, 2012
Heh! There you all are. Back from the far side.
I see our C.Harris made it home safe (how could she not with Plunderers silently at her side)
Very windy here. There’s always that expectation of power-outage looming.
Bella: We thought the team looked exception in the starting line-up yesterday…very focused.
I hope you are feeling better today.
This is so exciting, our team reaching the different Plunderer sponsoring checkpoints!
10:00 am on March 5th, 2012
Here is an interesting fact:
More folks have summited Mt Everest than have completed the Iditarod.
10:05 am on March 5th, 2012
This is so exciting. I’m pretending that I’m running right along with them.
10:09 am on March 5th, 2012
Wolfie: Wow! That is amazing.
Your labs checkpoint coming up soon!
O.Howlers: Did you mean acupuncture? Big prayers are going out for Cherokee.
Continuing prayers for dear Rory. May she soon be home with Rebecca & AJ who love her so much.
10:19 am on March 5th, 2012
I just found this picture of Justin and the dogs at the restart and am posting it for everybody who hasn’t found it on the Iditarod page.
10:21 am on March 5th, 2012
Computer problems are the worst thing. (You don’t have to grab their pant legs yet Chet.)
It’s sunny and cold here. Wonder how it is with AJ and the team. I hope your back is getting better Rebecca (and Melanie). I haven’t gotten to the Iditarod site yet.
Good morning all.
10:25 am on March 5th, 2012
Good morning!
Thanks for the photos.
Go Quigley and Twig!
Where is AJ and the dogs? I have to look, then I’ll be back.
Cherokee – soothing prayers. Rory – on my mind.
Snowhook Bella: Did you get any sleep?
10:34 am on March 5th, 2012
Back from picking up Jesse. Will have to screen grab a pic of the lead dogs, Quig and Twig.
Getting Dan ready to go to the docs. Just a check up. Jesse has gotten the walk clear of ice. Our snow melted and then became an ice rink.
Have to do some things. Get Dan going and then check with the GPS. We need to name the GPS. Thingy is not working. I have too many things named Thingy.
10:37 am on March 5th, 2012
Wow! Snowhook has already gone through Dan and Zoe’s and Melanie’s checkpoints!
Honey, Winnie and Paddy’s checkpoint, Finger Lake, is next. Makes me think of Chad and Cody and give them a little prayer.
Melanie and her Thingys are making me laugh.
I have a few thingys to do.
10:40 am on March 5th, 2012
CHarris: Thank you for the beautiful description of your drive home.
10:46 am on March 5th, 2012
We are all very proud of Snowhook! They are our team. How cool is this…to have our own team in the Iditarod.
Get better Rory. We are all pulling for you.
CHarris, So glad you made it home safely and successfully. We enjoyed your story of your trip home. I wonder how much stuff from Target came home with you.
Thanks for the photos everyone.
Cherokee is in our prayers. Please keep us posted Fellow Sibers.
10:58 am on March 5th, 2012
Siber: Went back to the Ceremonial Start and the commentary. Those guys did such a great job and said such nice things about AJ…telling the story of how he and Rebecca moved to Alaska to follow a dream.
I haven’t been able to find the video of the Restart in Willow but, without listening again, can still hear the jarring difference in the two commentaries. I don’t think Wendy (Windy) even pronounced Savidis correctly. Boo again to Vern Halter and his side-kick.
Melanie and Tyb: Thanks for the photos of our team.
Dan must be loving this!!!
11:11 am on March 5th, 2012
CHarris: Mom texted my girl this morning about you visiting Target for the first time. My girl could hardly believe that was possible! Her first question was, “How much stuff did she buy?”
11:15 am on March 5th, 2012
Thanks everyone for posting pics of our team. How good does it feel to be able to call a professional Iditarod team “our team”? !!!
Thanks also for positive energy for our great friend Cherokee.
C Harris, we would like a pic of your car loaded down with stuff from Target.
Thinking of Chad and Cody too, as our team approaches their mom’s labs’ checkpoint.
11:16 am on March 5th, 2012
I am even unhappier today with the announcers at the re-start than I was yesterday. Vern Halter is an old musher (I am not being insulting) I don’t know who the woman was.
Masquers, You are correct…she pronounced Savidis wrong.
11:16 am on March 5th, 2012
I had no idea how much stuff there is to read. And watch. My life may have to be put on pause until I catch up. (say…May)
Siber-H, on Facebookie there is a page named Five Sibes: Siberian Husky News and reviews. Here is a picture from it.
11:19 am on March 5th, 2012
Bear, Cherokee is going to a chiropracter, not acupuncture.
Masquers, we agree that Saturday’s announcers gave a much nicer intro to our team.
11:21 am on March 5th, 2012
That is so cute, Macy. Thank You! Aren’t we adorable puppies, but…
(Mom put the “but” in)
11:31 am on March 5th, 2012
The Steps are around nine miles out of Finger Lake.
11:43 am on March 5th, 2012
Is beauuuutiful day for the run vith team. AJ is so handsome….for two legged. Team looks magnificent – suns sparkles on fur like diamonds, and Natasha loves diamonds.
Vill be good run today. Vorry not Rebecca – Natasha is vith them
11:48 am on March 5th, 2012
Howlers: I’m sorry about your friend Cherokee. Let us know his progress.
I just saw a robin on my fence: big, beautiful and bright…the first sign of spring here. (Forgive the alliteration.)
12:04 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ is 21 miles behind the two leading teams. This is good, but it has no meaning right now.
12:11 pm on March 5th, 2012
GO SNOWHOOK!
OH: Strong and loving prayers to Cherokee.
Melanie and Tyb: The pictures are great! It adds to the blog excitement!
CHarris: Thank dog you made a safe return home.
Bella: How are you feeling? Any more news about Rory? I’m ready to throw up. Is the door locked? Is the key in your hand? Belle, you know I’m counting on you to keep your two legged-mamma safe.
I can’t help but smile and laugh seeing Quig and Twig with there long tongues sticking out, happy to be doing the job they were meant to do!! 🙂
Natasha: I would love to hear a fashion update. What kind of hat are you wearing? Are your boots high-heeled and fur? And what about your coat?
The Alaska Dispatch site has pictures of AJ’s team in the truck howling! Go AJ!! Go Team!!
12:20 pm on March 5th, 2012
Girls!! Natasha keep your Russian mind on the race.
12:20 pm on March 5th, 2012
Girls!! Natasha keep your Russian mind on the race.
12:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
Siber! Mom says “No Buts About It”. And speaking of moms: our mom says to tell your mom that while AJ is on his way to Nome, you should get to hug your stuffed huskies. Pretend the big one is Meashka.
We can’t wait for 11 miles from Finger Lake. Holding our breadth. But the lead teams are saying conditions on the trail are excellent, so AJ and our guys should be having a blast!
12:31 pm on March 5th, 2012
A few photos for you–apologies in advance if they don’t load correctly. I really don’t know how to use a digital camera much less post photos):
Plunderer with Rebecca & AJ. I am wearing my Chet badge and 2012 Musher’s Handler badge (and 3 layers of clothes under my coat)
Poster I made
2nd poster folded over on the windshield
First glimpse of Natasha–you can barely see the pink and blue feathery hat. She always kept her face away from my camera–clever. I heard someone compliment her hat and call her “Dolly.” That must have been her undercover name
Natasha distracting a dog team like she promised she would do. Note the brillant feathery hat and black fur coat
Funny story about Natasha. There was very little yarking going on among the 66 dog teams packed close together for hours. Our team was relaxing in their dog boxes being very calm. However, there was a team nearby clipped to their truck that was yarking continually–I swear one of the dogs yarked 2 hours straight. It didn’t bother me but I was thinking, “go ahead, wear yourself out.” At that moment a light bulb went on in my brain and I sensed the nefarious hand of Natasha at work. So I knew if I was patient, I would spy her.
Got to do some work. If these photos post correctly, I’ll do more later.
12:32 pm on March 5th, 2012
Mom says I can give the stuffed Huskies a hug because the Race only comes round once a year.
12:36 pm on March 5th, 2012
Siber, we are having the time of our lives. We are so glad you and the rest of the Plunderers got our mom back into the Iditarod, which she watched religiously thru the Butcher/Boris years.
12:43 pm on March 5th, 2012
Bee, we have not seen a robin here. It is early for them, but all birds seem to be migrating early this year.
Go Snowhook and AJ.
Any more updates on Rory?
12:51 pm on March 5th, 2012
Ha ha – Siber-H did a Double Dawson. Are they spreading?
Siber-H – Be very gentle when you are hugging the stuffed huskies. No biting, shaking. or chewing.
12:55 pm on March 5th, 2012
The Iditarod has aptly been called the Superbowl of the canine world.
Coming up on Rainy Pass! WoooHooo Siber-H!
ooh The Steps…..
12:58 pm on March 5th, 2012
Finger Lake! AJ is at Finger Lake!
12:58 pm on March 5th, 2012
Snowhook!….Wooooooo!….Finally I am logged on to the Insider…grunt!…My friend had to do This and That for her mother all morning and I was DYING to find out how AJ and the A-Team were doing!…snort!….Looking good! Looking very good!…wheeze!….SiberH are they still only 21 miles behind the front-runners? That sounds very impressive indeed! ….Zowie!….Those guys are blowing by all the Checkpoints…heh!
Steps! …When do the Steps come up?…sniff!
1:05 pm on March 5th, 2012
Siber: Mollypop’s Mom is right. We wouldn’t want a repeat of Beau’s favorite kat toy incident.
My GPS says AJ is traveling at 11 mph…pretty impressive.
1:06 pm on March 5th, 2012
Hmmm … I thought that was how Sibes hugged their stuffed animals.
I was wondering where Riö was and then he was there!
Finger Lake. Thinking of Labs and Boys.
Dan passed the doc’s! Now they are running errands and having lunch. I’m getting to stuff that I haven’t done for a week.
1:07 pm on March 5th, 2012
I posted 5 photos but it looks like my post is being moderated. I hope they show up later.
1:12 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ is 25 miles behind the two leaders now, but he is stopped. Don’t panic everyone…they stop all the time.
1:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rio, The Steps are between Finger Lake and Rainy Pass. Many teams will be doing the Steps today.
1:17 pm on March 5th, 2012
The leader, Reddington, is into Rainy Pass. MY checkpoint!
Hugh Neff is right behind him.
1:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ is stopped at Finger Lake. We have no idea how long he will stay at that checkpoint.
1:31 pm on March 5th, 2012
Siber-H – are there long intervals between the teams when they start down the steps?
I’m with Macy. This is addictive and life is on pause…
1:36 pm on March 5th, 2012
Walk!…We have to go walk because its so damned nice out…grunt!…Why can’t it be nasty and cold like all the other days so I could stay inside with the Insider?..wheeze!
1:41 pm on March 5th, 2012
My GPS is showing Hugh Neff and Dallas Seavey also have stopped.
1:43 pm on March 5th, 2012
That is a good question, Bluecat. I am just assuming that if a few mushers are traveling together, they will keep a respectful distance from each other while going down the steps.
I am learning as I go. I had to really zoom the gps tracker in to know that AJ was stopped at Finger Lake and not along the trail.
1:50 pm on March 5th, 2012
wooooo that old deja vu all over again.
Siber-H: How do you zoom in closer? We have only been able to zoom from a wider view down to the trail.
1:56 pm on March 5th, 2012
BearSpiritDog, On the zoom thing to the left of the picture., click and move it up. Make sure the part where you want it to zoom to is in the middle of the picture. Sometimes I have to do it in steps.
1:59 pm on March 5th, 2012
I like the icon on the right of each musher on the current standings page. If you click on that, it gives info. AJ’s run from Skwentna into Finger Lake was a personal best. 4 hours and 48 minutes. Last hear was 4 hours and 52 minutes.
2:01 pm on March 5th, 2012
I second everything Melanie said. If I zoom in and the little green flags are no longer on the map, I just move the map around until the little green flags show up once again. It is tricky.
2:02 pm on March 5th, 2012
The GPS Thingy is showing AJ as moving!!
2:07 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ say hello to the Ladies for us!
Honey and Winnie and Paddy!
They will bring good luck to our team!
2:13 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ has around nine miles to go before he starts down toward the
Steps. We want him to make it before it gets dark and he will.
Melanie? What are those red Xs beside each mushers name on the gps tracker page? I’m afraid to click on one to find out.
Another thing I do on the gps tracker page is, if I lose the little green flags, I can sometimes find the red trail before the green flags show up. I just follow the red trail to the green flags.
2:13 pm on March 5th, 2012
Woooohoooo for the Labs!!! It’s good to have you with us on the trail.
Thank you for the tips, Melanie and Siber-H, now it is working for us.
2:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
Melanie is right, we do need a name. How does Gypsy sound?
2:21 pm on March 5th, 2012
Aliy just said in a video that the Steps are in good shape.
Wolfie, Gypsy is good. I can spell it and remember it.
2:25 pm on March 5th, 2012
It has been 2 hours and my posting of photos still says that it is awaiting moderation. Have they shown up for any of you? What do you advise? Re-post? Wait? I’ll check the blog again in an hour or so on a break.
2:32 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris: You can only post one picture at a time.
2:34 pm on March 5th, 2012
We are all on that trail! We almost forgot that our photo album is traveling in the sled! We will help steady the team on the steps.
2:37 pm on March 5th, 2012
I have a feeling that the red X means close but I haven’t clicked on it.
2:40 pm on March 5th, 2012
Harris,
I learned the hard way that if you post more than one photo at a time, they never make it to the blog and am wondering whether you may have tried launching multiples at the same time. If you did, you’ll have to repost one photo at a time.
2:41 pm on March 5th, 2012
Thank you, B. Here goes some single posts of photos. This is not going to work for the amount I took…pondering.
Plunderer with Rebecca & AJ. AJ is tall as you can see. I am wearing my Chet badge and 2012 Musher’s Handler badge (and 3 layers of clothes under my coat)
2:43 pm on March 5th, 2012
The red X drops that particular musher from your tracker.
What about the colored “history” square? Anyone know what that does?
2:45 pm on March 5th, 2012
Poster I made:
2:50 pm on March 5th, 2012
My very first glimpse of Natasha. Note the pink and blue feathery hat. She was very good at keeping turned away from my camera. Funny story about Natasha: There was very little yarking going on among the 66 dog teams packed close together for hours. Our team was relaxing in their dog boxes being very calm. However, there was a team nearby clipped to their truck that was yarking continually–I swear one of the dogs yarked 2 hours straight. It didn’t bother me but I was thinking, “go ahead, wear yourself out.” At that moment a light bulb went on in my brain and I sensed the nefarious hand of Natasha at work. So I knew if I was patient, I would spy her.
2:52 pm on March 5th, 2012
Natasha distracting a dog team like she promised she would do. Note the brillant feathery hat and black fur coat. I heard someone compliment her hat and call her “Dolly.” That must have been her undercover name. Good job, Natasha
2:54 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris: With a great big smile! Super cool.
Plunder On Poster: WhoooHooo! Thanks C.Harris!
2:55 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ’s sled is so small.
2:58 pm on March 5th, 2012
Simon & Schuster made a big Chet badge for AJ
3:01 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ and Rebecca giving pats. A lot of that going on with all the handlers. Nice to see.
3:05 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ. I know he appreciated a plunderer around but I am sure he thought at times I was a pesky paparazzi. Can one have too many photos of AJ–obviously not since I have about 50 of him
3:08 pm on March 5th, 2012
What do you do when there are no chairs around–make an armchair in the snowbank, of course. There were several “armchairs” in the bank but this one was occupied. I asked if I could take his picture and he laughed and said yes.
3:09 pm on March 5th, 2012
Every kid loves to play “King of the Mountain”
3:11 pm on March 5th, 2012
We are loving the pictures. Glad to see Nattie on the case, as promised. And we are so very thankful for the Plunderers poster.
3:12 pm on March 5th, 2012
For you Rio: photo of Whitey-Lance
3:12 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris! I LOVE your pictures!!! You even captured Nattie on film (although cleverly disguised we can see she is hard at work) Good job. Thank you for the fabulous poster with all the Plunderer names. sniff
3:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
Meow meow meow! My name is on the kool Plunder-On poster. So is T.C. ‘s. Thanks, C.Harris!!!! Lots of purring here.
3:15 pm on March 5th, 2012
Does anyone know how tall AJ is? I understand why they call him “Giant”. He towers above Rebecca and Harris. One of the announcers the other day said something about 5’7″ or 5’9″ being good heights. If AJ gets close to the finish with someone just a bit ahead, he could fall down and be across the finish line first.
3:17 pm on March 5th, 2012
Whitey-Lance! So does this mean he is on the team? Yahooooo!
3:19 pm on March 5th, 2012
WHAT AWESOME PICTURES!!! Great job, C.Harris. May I make an album of some and put them on Facebook with a connection to Chet the Dog and Spencer?
3:19 pm on March 5th, 2012
Great job with the pictures Harris. Keep them coming. Had you tried posting multiples when you started. Is that the problem you had?
3:22 pm on March 5th, 2012
According to GPS tracker, AJ is 11 miles out of Finger Lake! He must be down the Steps!!!
3:24 pm on March 5th, 2012
Undercover Spy Photos! Wonderful pictures, C.Harris.
Snowhook Bella: Will you post a list of the dogs on the trail?
3:24 pm on March 5th, 2012
Mt. McKinley taken an hour north of Willow. It is still over 2 hours to the entrance of Mt. McKinley Park
3:27 pm on March 5th, 2012
Sun setting nearing Cantwell. This is a high steppe section running between two mountain ranges. Trees are very scraggly here.
3:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
Alpenglow
3:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
Wow, that is one BIG mountain.
TYB, the guy who was announcing yesterday (think much of him, I didn’t) did keep saying that it was the shorter guys who won.
Siber-H said that John Baker, last year’s winner, is a big guy.
So that guy might be a musher, but he sure had a lot of issues.
3:30 pm on March 5th, 2012
Losing the light. I should have taken more photos on the trip down which was all in daylight.
3:32 pm on March 5th, 2012
More mountains
3:33 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris: We’ve all found out the hard way you can’t post more than one photo…or more than one link…or a photo with a link…..
Beautiful pictures of the mountains. This is so great!
A Feast for the Eyes.
3:34 pm on March 5th, 2012
What can I say, mountains are pretty much what you see on the drive. This is not McKinley, by the way.
3:36 pm on March 5th, 2012
I am not going to press the red x. Normally I would, but I’m not going to do that this go around.
History, if you click it, a purple path appears on the map for the musher you clicked. It is where he has been.
I know I had some page that had the miles between the checkpoints. Can’t find it. Anyone have the link handy?
3:37 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris: The pictures are truly magnificent! Thank you so much.
Melanie: Could you collect them and put them on Dishlickers in their own folder?
3:39 pm on March 5th, 2012
One of the better outhouses in Alaska and this one has been improved. See what you are missing? Alaska is finally doing away with the wooden sheds that look like they can blow down. (I washed my hands in the snow bank with fresh snow) The reason why this is the only one open during the winter is that on the trip down from the outside of Fairbanks to Talkeetna I only saw 20 vehicles so it is not worth the Dept. of Transportation keeping them open. One time I was desperate enough to wade hip-deep through snow but then couldn’t get the door open because of the hip-deep snow (duh)
3:40 pm on March 5th, 2012
Great idea B!
3:41 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris: Impressive pictures of majestic country.
Hooray for #38 – through the Steps – no problemo!
The Anchorage Daily News has a list of 20 musher’s facebook links including the Siberian Husky teams of Hank DeBruin and Karen Ramstead. Not Snowhook though.
3:43 pm on March 5th, 2012
The metal toilets need improving. Cold at -10, can you imagine -30 or -50? In the darkness there is no light which also makes it an interesting experience. More photos later. This one is very nice and large (maybe to be handicapped accessible under the federal regulations?)
3:44 pm on March 5th, 2012
Melanie: On the Iditarod site, go to 2012 race and click. You’ll get a list that includes “Checkpoints.” Click on that and a new page will appear that gives the info.
3:47 pm on March 5th, 2012
What a spacious bathroom! And there is toilet paper…always a bonus.
Melanie: Click on “About Iditarod” (on far right of the drop down menus) and click on “about the trail”, then scroll down. The distances between checkpoints are under the map of the Trail.
3:48 pm on March 5th, 2012
Yes, anyone can repost any of my photos. I will check into making a disk maybe next week that I can send out if anyone is interested.
3:54 pm on March 5th, 2012
Oh Hay!
Melanie: B.Stover is faster than I am. There are two ways to get to that information.
C.Harris: Interested? Oh Yeah!
3:57 pm on March 5th, 2012
Thank You for all the photos CHarris. Awesome! Amazing! Thank You for going to the re-start. This is the next best thing to being there.
Cute photo of Whitey-Lance. He is one of our all time heroes. (especially if you are a Siber)
The photo of Denali is beautiful. That is one of the Mountains of our Dreams.
The Nation within a Nation has stood on the top of Denali! A long time ago, Susan Butcher mushed a small team of Huskies to the summit.
3:57 pm on March 5th, 2012
Our team members are listed on the Snowhook blog: Annabelle, Quiqley, Twig, Elim, Orion, Garret, Abe, Louisa Mae, Josephine, Fritz, Jesse, Frank, Dock, Whitey-Lance and Poncho. Six made the trip last year: Annabelle, Twig, Orion, Louisa Mae, Fritz, Whitey-Lance. The will be Quiqley’s last Iditarod due to age.
More photos of dogs and mushers later.
3:57 pm on March 5th, 2012
From Kirby’s Mom: For those of you asking about which dogs made the final cut, if you check today’s entry on the Snowhook website, Rebecca posted a photo of the “Dog Team Roster.” She says six of the dogs were on the team that finished in Nome last year. (A seventh dog saw Nome via the Iditarod Air Force after being dropped.)
http://snowhookkennel.blogspot.com/
3:58 pm on March 5th, 2012
Tip for the day: Do not, under any circumstance, click on “Terrain between checkpoints” from that Checkpoints page. It is not for the faint of heart. Now please excuse us while we go throw up.
4:02 pm on March 5th, 2012
Melanie,
If you go to the home page Iditarod.com and click on 2012, you’ll get a drop down menu. Click on checkpoints and you’ll get the distances.
4:02 pm on March 5th, 2012
When I was in town I saw a golden retriever. He was on a leash walking with his two people. He was holding his head up high because he had a long branch in his mouth. His tail was wagging the entire time. He was so happy!
4:07 pm on March 5th, 2012
Karen Ramstead and her team of Siberian Huskies is almost to Finger Lake.
4:08 pm on March 5th, 2012
Natasha? “Dolly”? tee hee
4:10 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris: Do we want a disk? OH, BOY DO WE EVER!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO!
hEY! Just found a really cool way to see the checkpoints!
Back in a few…..
4:13 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris and Kirby, thanks for pointing out that the roster is on Snowhook’s blog. While there, we got to watch/listen while AJ gave a speech thanking Rebecca, and US US US !!!
4:17 pm on March 5th, 2012
Stover. We are a very happy breed, life is good and full of joy.
The photos are terrific. Thank you so much, C. Harris. We had great fun watching AJ start yesterday on the streaming video. Felt like we were there. This is really our first complete Iditarod, so there is a lot of excitement here in Chevy Chase.
Wookie
4:24 pm on March 5th, 2012
C Harris, Love, love, love the photos! Beautiful scenery and glad that you caught a quick snap of the elusive Natasha!
You must be a little bitty thing under all those layers!
4:29 pm on March 5th, 2012
Bear is so excited he’s forgetting to stop to eat. Heh. That’s a first.
I myself can hardly keep up with all the incoming information. It’s enough to make a kat’s head spin.
4:52 pm on March 5th, 2012
I don’t think the Fav-Five-Musher updates are working very well. It just showed Karen checking into Skwentna when she’s actually at Finger Lake.
5:03 pm on March 5th, 2012
If you accidentally hit the red X button on the GPS and lose your musher, just go up one box to choose your racer and add him/her back.
C. Harris – gorgeous images and that some are tinged with pink sunset make them even more gorgeous. Would love to have a disc. Thanks for not letting the Celtic music transport you beyond our reach 🙂
Meet you all at 9.
5:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris – your pictures are great. I would like to have a CD if we get that far.
How come I don’t see any skiers coming down those beautiful mountains?
5:22 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ is almost to MY checkpoint, Rainy Pass!!
5:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
Hi everyone – sounds like today is a good one for all.
CHarris – thank you so much for bringing visuals of the excitement to us. We really feel even more connected to the race and the team.
Melanie – glad to hear that Dan did well at the docs. Sorry about the lousy cell reception – we are back in civilization now.
Bee – doesn’t the sight of a truly happy dog just make you smile?
So glad to hear that AJ is past the dreaded Steps. And that Nattie is on duty, albeit in a rather attention getting hat.
Howlers – our Dad heard you about Cherokee. He will weave him into tonight’s prayer.
Everyone else ok?
5:35 pm on March 5th, 2012
Skiers, heh heh, quite a hike to get up there.
I want to be there. To live there. Until the third week of -0 temps. Then I will be happy to be back in Texas. Until the third week of 100+ temps. The grass is always greener….
5:38 pm on March 5th, 2012
Did I hear correctly that Jan Steves is Rick Steves sister? Boy that family really gets around.
5:42 pm on March 5th, 2012
T&G: I was on the stairs going to the library and could see the golden clearly. I stopped what I was doing (donating books–very heavy bags) and just watched him. Lovely.
Wookie: Excellent!
CHarris: I’d love to have a disc.
5:47 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ has stopped. He may be at Rainy Pass. He’s ahead of Dallas Seavey.
5:53 pm on March 5th, 2012
Mom loves golden retrievers. But not as much as she loves me.
6:02 pm on March 5th, 2012
Greetings All:
Harris: Your pictures are wonderful, and the mountain shots are absolutely stunning. Count me in for a photo disk. You must be a bit of a little thing, buried in all your warm clothing. And AJ really is a giant!!! How tall is he?? Bella is very pretty, and looked so happy in that picture.
Belle: Are you taking care of your two-legged mamma? Are the doors locked, keys safe in hand??
Where is Rio?
The Prof and I met a very nice pit-bull today named Petey. His pop was very proud of him.
6:07 pm on March 5th, 2012
I think all dog people, even if they have a favorite breed or mixed breed, love Golden Retrievers.
So far, all those that have arrived at Rainy Pass are resting there
6:11 pm on March 5th, 2012
MollyPop’s Mom: Alyeska is the only big ski resort I know of and it is south of Anchorage. If I remember correctly, 25 years ago it was bought by a Japanese consortium during a real estate crash. The Anchorage-Mat Su basin has gotten over 150″ of snow this year. Many years ago the mayor of Valdez wanted to build a ski resort there but couldn’t get any support. Valdez can get 400″ a year and the mountains go right down to the town streets. When I first visited a school there, I thought that an avalanche could wipe it out.
Macy’s Mom: I look at my pictures and think that I can’t leave Alaska but really it is getting hard on me. I could do what some other retirees do and become a “snowbird” leaving the state every December-January. Perhaps I can rotate visiting Plunderers each year.
I’ll let everyone know about a disc. Melanie, I’ll email you tonight. I think making a good album might be beyond my skill level and time availability so will need your advice. I am surprised at how well they turned out even though it must be hard to take bad pictures in Alaska. As I have said, I usually can’t see what I am taking a photo of–I either see a blank screen or my face reflected back at me–so I am just pointing and shooting blind.
6:19 pm on March 5th, 2012
Mollypop’s Mom: Even the blind can take good pictures. There is no excuse. Heh.
6:20 pm on March 5th, 2012
Harris: Forgot to thank you for the cool Plunderers poster!!!!
6:21 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris,
Your photos are lovely! Thank you for representing us in such a grand fashion!
Looks like AJ has caught up to the leaders and everyone is taking a well earned break. He beat his time from last year on the Finger Lake to Rainy Pass leg.
Where IS Rio? I am sorry that he and his friend weren’t able to make it this year.
6:26 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Harris, count us in for a disc, and also to be on your December-January rotation.
Are the mushers taking their mandatory stops now?
6:27 pm on March 5th, 2012
Wow!…Wow!…Wow!…snort!….Charris, you take beautiful photos. These are awesome. I am so glad you are home safe and sound….woooooo!
Giants!… heh!….Charris looks just like a very young Betty White…snorkel!….You are such a tiny little thing – or are the Giants really that huge?…grunt!….Either way I love love love the photo with all three of youse guys….chorkel!
Projects!…My friend has been busy running errands and working on projects out the ying-yang…grunt!…..She said her day off has been really nice and she wants to take forever off..sniff!
6:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
Howlers, where is the terrain between checkpoints thingy?
I was just looking at stats. How is it that it took everyone else at least 4 hours to get to a checkpoint, except Kelley Griffin did it in 1hr 50min? He better not be abusing those dogs, grrrrrr.
6:32 pm on March 5th, 2012
I don’t think Rainy Pass is a mandatory rest stop, I could be wrong. They almost always rest there, though. The teams rest as much as they run.
6:38 pm on March 5th, 2012
Macy, The vets are at those checkpoints. No musher can get away with mistreating the dogs. They would be kicked out of the Iditarod forever.
That time of 1hr. 50 mins sounds very suspicious to me…like a mistake has been made by one of the information gatherers.
6:40 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris!…Do not “Give” those Discs away!…snort!… We need to talk about raising some money for 2013 with them – I will see you in SDD land tomorrow (not tonight)…grunt!…I REPEAT! DO NOT GIVE THEM AWAY…wheeze!
6:42 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rio…I am 5′ so everyone is tall to me. I am thinking that perhaps AJ is around 6’5″. He and Rebecca are so nice.
I will post more photos tonight so everyone should either check later or remember to come back to this posting tomorrow.
6:46 pm on March 5th, 2012
Macy, Under 2012 Race, click on Checkpoints. Scroll down below the map, and you will see all checkpoints listed. Under the column that says “Terrain Between Checkpoints”, you can click on any of those checkpoint-to-checkpoints in blue. Then you will see what the terrain looks like. But be warned: you don’t want to know. They all sound terrible to us.
6:47 pm on March 5th, 2012
Brilliant idea, Rio!!
CHarris, Mom is only 1 1/2 inches taller than you.
6:50 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rio…I think everyone is tapped out helping Snowhook this year although we are all committed to continuing our support. And yes, we do need to start thinking of 2013 and I am concerned about the cost of Rory’s operation. However, I am sure Rebecca would want the Plunderers to have the photos as a thank you. I can let everyone know the basic cost of a disk and postage and if they want to send a donation to Snowhook at their convenience, that would be fine.
6:53 pm on March 5th, 2012
SiberH: I am 1/2 inch taller than your mom, and 2 inches taller than CHarris.
Rio: You are always thinking on behalf of Snowhook. That is very generous of you. Excellent idea, commander!
CHarris: Now that we have seen you, would you consider an avatar? 🙂
6:57 pm on March 5th, 2012
SiberH!…Am I looking at the Standings and the Tracking correctly? I’m thinking a bunch of guys are stopped at YOUR CHECKPOINT, Rainy Pass!!!…Woooooo!…Cuzzz I’m not seeing hardly any of my chosen mushers on the trail right now…sniff!
Food!…I hope AJ and The A-Team are eating A LOT and resting..snorkel!
7:02 pm on March 5th, 2012
Hmmmph. I forgot what I was going to say. Brain Freeze!
7:02 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris – I was 2 inches taller that you except that now I’m shrinking. You look too tiny and fragile to live in such a hostile environment. People here in Western New York become snowbirds. I think I have more friends and family in Florida in the winter than here. You could do that.
7:03 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris – lets not be complaining too much about being short, huh? Remember who you are talking to. Have you SEEN a Corgi lately – now THAT’S short!
Wolfie – any word about the boys being ready to go to the Challenge tomorrow?
7:04 pm on March 5th, 2012
Here’s the wind chill factor right now. Actually a little while ago. YSAS called.
7:05 pm on March 5th, 2012
Charris!…It is ultimately up to you what you want to do with the photos….grunt!…As Commander In Charge of Fund Raising for Snowhook, I felt obligated to make mention of the idea…sniff!…Maybe we could offer the Outhouse Photos as an extra Add-On to the other photos…chorkel!…I’m sure there are many who would pay for the opportunity to own those…heh!heh!
7:08 pm on March 5th, 2012
Okay, it’s coming back to me. We were laughing at C.Harris saying she shoots her photos blind. It reminds us of someone here who has been known to do the same thing. But, with one exception…her pictures don’t turn out like the great photos we’ve seen posted on the blog today.
7:08 pm on March 5th, 2012
Dawson! Right now I’m riding on the crest of a good photo. Tyb’s entire body, head and tail, were in that picture. I will bask in this glory until this spring when we have the pet parade and Jay and Tyb are marching in it.
7:08 pm on March 5th, 2012
Clarkson!…Called?…snort!snort!….Do tell Melanie!!!!…wheeze!
7:11 pm on March 5th, 2012
Yes? Melanie, you were just saying…YSAS called. And???
Golinka and The Storyteller: Please don’t forget dear Rory in tonight’s Prayer.
7:13 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rio, yes, All of the teams that have arrived at Rainy Pass are having a good rest.
7:24 pm on March 5th, 2012
Yes, I agree that CHarris needs an avatar!
7:32 pm on March 5th, 2012
Four teams are out of Rainy Pass now. WOO WOO
7:53 pm on March 5th, 2012
YSAS (as he put it) is going nuts. Still waiting. He doesn’t like to wait! Sooooo, what better thing to do than call Mom and talk.
It was quite an interesting talk. It was about a heating and cooling system he’s thought up using aquaponics, solar and air convection.
7:56 pm on March 5th, 2012
We agree too about CHarris’s Avatar.
Wolfie, any progress with your boys?
T & G, We hate to bother your dad about mundane wishes when there are more important things, but could he possibly do a little weave in the prayer for our house to sell? We have a showing tomorrow, and maybe an extra prayer would help.
We know his prayers are very powerful. Which animal spirit would be the best one for us?
7:59 pm on March 5th, 2012
As YSAS waits, so do we.
8:00 pm on March 5th, 2012
Wow, there’s a mess of mushers at Rainy Pass. What on earth has Nattie done?
8:05 pm on March 5th, 2012
Mess!…Of Mushers!…heh!snort!heh!…Is that like a Gaggle of Geese?…snort!
Clarkson!…You guys had me going there for a few minutes…wheeze!…Speaking of Actors, doesn’t CHarris look like a young Betty White?…heh!…If she gets an Avatar everyone will think Betty White posts here…chorkel!
8:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
I saw Rory today and was told by the vet that she has declined since last night. They did scope to see the cause of the decline. They believe her esophogus (sp) was damaged in the process. They will continue to keep her sedated and on pain medication, but they are hopeful she will overcome this. The vet said that because she is fit and strong spirited is in her favor.
AJ will rest the team until later tonight. He ran the team with only short rests between Skwentna and Rainy Pass so he could do the Steps in the day light. This is one reason he is resting for so long. The dogs also run better when it is cooler, so AJ will rest the dogs in the heat of the day.
Rio: You are too good to be thinking of Snowhook, yet I like the idea of Charris sharing the disc as a thank you. The Plunderers have done so much for us to get us to the starting line. It was great to have Charris with us at the restart.
Tyb: I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the idea of AJ just falling forward to cross the finish line first. AJ is 6’4″. When he has his mushing boots on, he is about 6’6″, and when he has all his gear on and fur ruff up, he looks close to 6’10”. I can only think of two other mushers that are similar to AJ in height.
8:15 pm on March 5th, 2012
Siber-H: Help! We can’t find the Restart Video from yesterday.
8:16 pm on March 5th, 2012
I’m headed to bed and a heating pad. My back is still having sympathy pains for Rebecca!
Will be reading the prayer at 9!
TTFN
8:17 pm on March 5th, 2012
Whoops, BearSpiritDog, Masquers said you like to eat. Angel Food Cake?
8:23 pm on March 5th, 2012
Bear, I can’t find it either. I looked all over.
Was it ever up there? I hadn’t looked for it yet and just assumed it would be there. It is not.
8:23 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rio, You are right – she does look a little like a younger Betty White. Good company to be keeping, as Betty is a huge animal advocate. She is a definite petter, one of the good guys.
8:31 pm on March 5th, 2012
I was bad today at work. Twice I logged on to the Iditarod and checked the standings. 🙂
Prayers for Rory from here also. Just 1/2 hour until our group prayer.
CHarris, great photo’s. The others are right. We can make you an avatar from those photo’s. It could even be the photo of MT McKinley. By the way, Dawson and you are the same size. (She says) I think she is really only 4’11-1/2″.
Off to check the Iditarod site. BB at 9 pm.
8:37 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rebecca!…Now you tell me, does CHarris look like Betty White or not?…snort!…Sometimes photos lie. But you’ve seen her up close and personal, does she or does she not look like a young Betty White?…heh!
8:39 pm on March 5th, 2012
All these tiny people. Mom feels like a giant, at 5’9″. She always wanted to be petite, but it was not to be.
8:47 pm on March 5th, 2012
Protection is needed for the team on the next leg of the race. AJ and the dogs will face the Dalzell Gorge. Like the Steps, it can break mushers and sleds. This section worries me more than the Steps.
8:48 pm on March 5th, 2012
Well maybe…
Here is a link to the Alaska Airport Web-cams. Maybe we will be able to see some mushers traveling across one of these. Maybe. Not the Rohn one though. It seems to be rather high up. No terrain visible.
http://akweathercams.faa.gov/sitelist.php
8:50 pm on March 5th, 2012
Love the Sled Dog Banquet, Macy.
Our mom is 5’1″…sounds like most of your moms are in the same ballpark.
8:53 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ will be doing the Dazell Gorge in the dark. Lots of protection please for them.
7 minutes till prayer time
8:59 pm on March 5th, 2012
Creator – we thank you for this glorious day. As the promise of spring approaches, we thank you for all the beauty you have placed before us; the loveliness of a robin on the fence, the brilliance of the sun, the awakening of the trees. This is surely your gift to the world – we rejoice in the knowledge of your love.
On this second day of AJ’s journey, we ask you to stay with him and his team. Let the Spirits remain attentive, and shoulder some of the burden. Let AJ and the team feel the support we send, let them sense the caring and the celebration of each milestone passed.
Let the food AJ eats nourish not just his body, but also his spirit and soul, knowing that it comes to him from loving hands and devoted hearts. Let the food that the dogs eat strengthen their muscles and give wings to their feet.
Creator, we also ask you to spread your love and healing over Rory and Cherokee. Both of these good spirits have suffered at the hands of humans. But through the ways of your world, they now live with people who cherish them. We all cherish the gift you have given us that is seen in the devotion of a dog’s eyes. We ask you to feed the spirits of these two dogs with the love of their human companions. Let that love heal them, make them strong, and let them lead the happy lives they should have always had.
We ask that the love of their mother feed Chad and Cody in a way that will fill their souls and let them turn away from partaking of the poison that has been their repast.
We ask that those who give so much to others find their own plates full of wondrous gifts in return. We ask that those whose plates have been too sparsely filled find the strength to endure until the time of abundance comes to them. We ask that there be bounty ahead for McKey and Rick, and for all those of our family in need. We ask that Barb can soon be closer to the grandchildren she loves so much, for she will help raise them to be the next guardians of this earth.
Our kettle will always hold enough to feed everyone who is in need. Our love will be the ingredient that never ends. We ask that you bless this feast and let it strengthen and fortify all of us, and especially those in special need on this day.
Creator – as this night falls over AJ and his team, please set in the sky your magnificent northern lights to shine on their path. Let the lights ripple and glow in harmony with the running paws of the team. Guide them safely through the Dalzell Gorge, and hold them in your hands until they are on the other side.
We ask you to be with Rebecca, and give her confidence and joy in the success of AJ and the team. Let her days and nights fly as fast as the snow geese until her beloved ones are back in her arms.
Creator – we thank you for this glorious day and for all the beauty you have placed before us; the loveliness of a robin on the fence, the brilliance of the sun, the awakening of the trees. This is surely your gift to the world – we are filled in the knowledge of your love.
Amen
9:00 pm on March 5th, 2012
Macy! I used to want looong legs and a set of double D’s but it was not to be. Finally I became happy with what I was given.
Staff: I am too 5′!
9:03 pm on March 5th, 2012
hmmmm. Well maybe 4′ 11-3/4″. snicker…
9:05 pm on March 5th, 2012
Oops! I have unfortunate timing!
Another wonderful prayer from Leonard. Amen.
9:08 pm on March 5th, 2012
Brandy is up on top. First time I’ve seen him.
9:11 pm on March 5th, 2012
A Second Beautiful Prayer.
To The Storyteller
Thank You from our Hearts.
9:12 pm on March 5th, 2012
Thank you again to Golinka and the Storyteller for another beautiful prayer. I will save these and show them to AJ after the race. Thank you to each of you.
9:16 pm on March 5th, 2012
Amen.
Thank you, Leonard and Amalia.
9:21 pm on March 5th, 2012
Prayer!…Once again, amazing and wonderful…sob!…I hope AJ can read these awesome prayers when he is home safe and sound…snuffle!
Dawson!…Only you would post something dorky right at 9:00pm, prayer time…grunt! heh!
9:22 pm on March 5th, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taQON45JEgA
a view of dalzell gorge a few years ago.
9:24 pm on March 5th, 2012
Thank You Leonard and Amalia. Beautiful, beautiful, sniff
9:33 pm on March 5th, 2012
Thank you again for the prayer.
Staff: ha, ha. I have begun to shrink and the doctor says I am only 4′ 3/4″ but I refuse to be less than 5′.
Here is a photo of me without 3 layers of clothes and an overcoat. Actually, I am two sizes smaller than this now. At the photo weight (and my current weight) I am considered to be obese. I have 17 pounds to lose before I am in the mid-normal range and my doctor says that I can go smaller “because of my height.” {{{sigh}}}
9:33 pm on March 5th, 2012
Beautiful. I know these prayers are very powerful and from the heart. It is amazing that Leonard and Amalia can speak for us all so eloquently. Thank you.
Someone is putting them in a file at dishlickers, I hope.
9:37 pm on March 5th, 2012
Yikes!
Staff: Don’t let SiberH. see that video of the Dalzell Gorge. That video makes me shiver. Be careful, AJ, don’t fall in!
9:37 pm on March 5th, 2012
Aj putting on his new overboots. He does love black
9:39 pm on March 5th, 2012
CHarris, You look very young. You don’t look like you are ready to retire.
Thanks for the video, Staff. I know we will all be glad when the sun rises tomorrow.
9:39 pm on March 5th, 2012
Regular Chet badge on AJ’s coat. It is on his right arm
9:40 pm on March 5th, 2012
Staff – wow, that gorge does look like a scary place. We think we are going to go crawl into our warm bed and not have nightmares about snow that would be over our heads.
(we will put the prayers in a folder at dishlickers – eventually)
CHarris – you are as lovely as Natasha said.
Mama and Dad are very happy that the prayers are well thought of. But they don’t take credit – this all comes from youse guys and the love and respect and giving that you put forth.
They are working at the polls tomorrow – the opening shift, so they said that we all have to go to bed early. G’night all.
9:41 pm on March 5th, 2012
Handlers beginning to put on harnesses and booties. The booties were thin nylon which surprised me. It seems like they would be no protection at all.
9:44 pm on March 5th, 2012
Thank you and Amen.
9:44 pm on March 5th, 2012
Lots of hugs and petting going on
9:45 pm on March 5th, 2012
Conditions are different every year in places like the Steps and Dalzell Gorge. We can pray that the Gorge is in better shape that it was the year of that video.
The year of that video…I would have been riding in the sled.
9:46 pm on March 5th, 2012
C.Hobbit.Harris!…heh!…She’s just a tiny little miniture Betty White….sniffle!…So cute, but so tough!…heh!…Thank you C.Hobbit.Harris. Thank you so very much for everything you went through to be with Snowhook yesterday. You are amazing! And small! And you look like a young Betty White!…chuffle!
9:47 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rio: I think Betty White looks like Charris! I can see the resemblemce. Kind eyes, great smile.
9:48 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rebecca petted Quiqley for 30 minutes! This was when her back was hurting and she wasn’t moving. But she talked and wore a smile the whole time.
9:51 pm on March 5th, 2012
We are now going to bed to have nightmares of Dalzell Gorge. Good night.
Lock the door.
9:52 pm on March 5th, 2012
It’s hard to grab shots of dogs in motion (not our team). There was someone nearby with a camera with what seemed to be a foot-long lens. I had moments of camera envy but then realized I could barely handle a point-and-shoot camera
9:56 pm on March 5th, 2012
Neon booty team: bright yellow, green and pink
9:57 pm on March 5th, 2012
http://iditarod.com/videos/race-analysis/
I don’t know if this link will work for non-Insiders, but it is talking about race strategy. 3 minutes. Very interesting. Some of it is hard to hear over the howling.
I too hope the gorge is not in that shape this year. We don’t have any info about it yet. Tomorrow will be very interesting.
9:58 pm on March 5th, 2012
Great Photos! Mom and I are smiling.
10:00 pm on March 5th, 2012
Team with handlers hanging on
10:10 pm on March 5th, 2012
Karen’s team of Sibers–hanging out
10:13 pm on March 5th, 2012
DeeDee Jonrowe
10:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
Lance MacKay
10:15 pm on March 5th, 2012
Dog trucks come in all shapes and sizes.
10:18 pm on March 5th, 2012
Bigger rig
10:19 pm on March 5th, 2012
I hope this comes through big enough
to read.
10:20 pm on March 5th, 2012
We need to talk to AJ about color
10:22 pm on March 5th, 2012
Is the dog rig or the team for sale:
10:23 pm on March 5th, 2012
Martin Buser
10:25 pm on March 5th, 2012
Musher on a shoestring
10:25 pm on March 5th, 2012
Quigley is a lead dog. He is the brother of Twig and Elim, and the son of Annabelle and my Howard. He is his father’s son.
10:27 pm on March 5th, 2012
Musher on starting out “bare bones”
10:28 pm on March 5th, 2012
Starting gate
10:30 pm on March 5th, 2012
Welcome to Willow map
10:31 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ is ready to move towards the gate
10:33 pm on March 5th, 2012
Charris: I’m fairly mismatched when it comes to mushing gear and it doestn’t bother me. I have tried and tried to convince AJ that a little color wouldn’t hurt; actually the first pair of mushing bibs and parka we purchased for him came in either white or black—the black thing kind of stuck. A few years ago I convinced him to have sections of his sled bag made with gray cordura. Gray is just a lighter shade of black.
10:34 pm on March 5th, 2012
AJ & Rebecca
10:34 pm on March 5th, 2012
Staff, It enlarges perfectly. That is so cute!
CHarris photos also enlarge nicely. My fellow Sibers will love seeing Karen’s team’s photo tomorrow.
CHarris, you got some big names in the mushing world in your photos.
10:39 pm on March 5th, 2012
This could be a handler who fell??? They hang onto leads to slow the team down in the pre-start area but still have to run alongside of the team. It is not easy.
10:44 pm on March 5th, 2012
I parked in this field for $15. My Toyota sits lower than my Subaru and is not 4-wheel drive. I was warned not to stop. As it was, I was parked in a dip and I wasn’t sure I could get out of it at the end of the day. My car did scrap bottom a few times driving across it:
10:45 pm on March 5th, 2012
There is a new Insider video that says Justin Savidis Interview, but it won’t come up for me. Is anyone else able to see it?
10:46 pm on March 5th, 2012
Ok. These are the main shots; the others are more of the same. To tell you what a clueless photographer I am….since I can’t see what I am shooting, it wasn’t until I was looking at the photos that I realized that what I thought was “zoom” was the opposite of zoom. {{{sigh}}} I promise to be better next year. I am already thinking of shots that I missed that would have been great. Over and out.
10:49 pm on March 5th, 2012
Siber-H: next year instead of leaving my Iditarod guide in the car, I am going to go around and get autographs.
10:59 pm on March 5th, 2012
Great idea, CHarris! WOO WOO I would do the same thing.
There is a video up of AJ. The dogs look good! GO SNOWHOOK!!
We are turning in now.
REBECCA!! LOCK THE DOORS!!!
night all
11:04 pm on March 5th, 2012
Rebecca, I watched that video twice. There is really no interview with AJ. It is just him mushing off to rest with the dogs.
11:09 pm on March 5th, 2012
Maybe there is suppose to be an interiview with AJ in that video and they had a technical problem. sigh
11:12 pm on March 5th, 2012
Snowhook Bella: Shortest interview ever. AJ was asked how the trail was and he did say something like, “It was really nice”, and then off he mushed. Like Siber said, the dogs looked good.
Rebecca, feed the dogs then lock the doors. Don’t forget! And eat something and drink some water.
11:14 pm on March 5th, 2012
According to the audio on the supposed video with AJ the musher shown is Lance McKay. Not Justin. Maybe Justin is the one saying it is Lance. 23 seconds of nothing AJ. Sniff.
11:54 pm on March 5th, 2012
No AJ makes me go something, something…
12:23 am on March 6th, 2012
Hmmm. That isn’t AJ on that video. Now I think the checker says “Okay Lance” and away he goes.
AJ is on the trail out of Rainy Pass (SiberH’s checkpoint) and going to Rohn (Coach and Bev’s checkpoint).
12:58 am on March 6th, 2012
AJ? Maybe, but I doubt it.
I didn’t see a CTD patch and it didn’t look like AJ’s parka.
Did you see Ally Zirkle take off from Rohn? She left the others behind in a cloud of dust (snow)
I’m starting to feel like SpaceKat. It’s time for a nap.
1:04 am on March 6th, 2012
I wonder Rio disappeared off to tonight. Stealing Beau’s toys, no doubt.
1:22 am on March 6th, 2012
AJ is moving along…In all the last videos there were snowflakes falling so I’m hoping that slows the team on the downhill parts. Yet, if the skies are now clear, perhaps AJ is experiencing some fantastic northern lights. Hooray for Snowhook!
2:04 am on March 6th, 2012
Cold and snowy up here. It is supposed to snow 6″ tonight. I got behind last week with my shoveling. Aren’t neighborhood kids supposed to help little old ladies shovel their driveways? The looking like Betty White thing is not helping me. (Although a student once helped me across the parking lot that was an ice skating rink.) I won’t get home until 6:30 tomorrow and will have 30 minutes to shovel before it is too dark. I can’t ignore 6″ on top of last week’s accumulation. Every winter I debate buying a snow blower and every year I talk myself out of it. I am not sure I can handle one powerful enough to do my driveway.
Northern lights are great and the best ones always seem to be in the middle of the night.
3:14 am on March 6th, 2012
Snow! It started snowing here early this afternoon and hasn’t stopped since. I can no longer see out of our living room windows.
4:08 am on March 6th, 2012
AJ made it through the Gorge and into Rohn checkpoint. Whew!
6:36 am on March 6th, 2012
Woo Hoo! AJ made it through the Gorge. I woke up to see he is now in Rohn…Coach and Bev’s. Going strong.
6:52 am on March 6th, 2012
Thank Dog. I woke Mom twice during the night, thinking about A.J.
8:30 am on March 6th, 2012
Excellent job, AJ and the team.