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Go Snowhook!
Tags: Iditarod, Snowhook Kennel
This entry was posted on Friday, March 8th, 2013 at 6:15 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.
6:32 am on March 8th, 2013
The Prof and I continue to pray for AJ and the teams safe return to their beloved Rebecca.
We hope Mae returns safely to her pack.
6:39 am on March 8th, 2013
Hi Wose! How is your cold?
7:01 am on March 8th, 2013
OMD This is what our team just went through.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/slideshow/iditarod-2013-wet-wakeup-call-along-trail-anvik
7:17 am on March 8th, 2013
I hope Snowhook dogs are better with water than Siber-H is. Min-Pin would have to swim that overflow.
Wose – thanks for beautiful pictures yesterday. I imagine you and the Prof crossed some frontiers during your adventure. Good for you!
7:23 am on March 8th, 2013
Howlers – thanks for the link to Alaska Dispatch.
7:37 am on March 8th, 2013
Mr. Redbone, hey to ya from the HOH.
Rose: Wonderful fotos!
Hope ya’ll got rest last night.
OH: We looked at the wet crossing and the HOH is evenly divided. 2 say yeah, 2 say no way, and one says,”Take me to another time zone”. Perhaps this year’s race should be called a musher’s triathalon!
7:48 am on March 8th, 2013
Triathalon is a great name, HOH!
7:52 am on March 8th, 2013
AJ, Don’t give the dogs any Iditarod water!!!!
http://iditarod.com/musher/307-am-martin-sits-at-the-front-of-pack-in-anvik/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
8:38 am on March 8th, 2013
Good morning all. Way too warm up there, so much harder for the teams. Sob sob
We will be getting lots of rain here this weekend, since the temps will rise by 25 degrees in the next two days!
Wonder why no post today? Is Spence speaking anywhere?
8:40 am on March 8th, 2013
B&M, Spence is in Tucson. Look at facebookie over there on the right.
It is snowing here. Everything is covered and looking pretty. But it won’t last long, because this weekend will be in the 50s. sob.
Mom is making whole wheat bread. Yummm good smells will be a-coming.
8:43 am on March 8th, 2013
Oleys, Duh!
8:46 am on March 8th, 2013
Spence must be traveling.
Whole wheat bread sounds lovely.
According to the Iditarod Insider, AJ checked into Iditarod at 02:30 Alaska time. Go Snowhook.
Good morning all.
8:47 am on March 8th, 2013
Youse wouldn’t believe all the stuff she puts in this bread. Do any of youse use a breadmaker? She doesn’t knead her own…she cheats. But lots of good stuff in there.
9:05 am on March 8th, 2013
Good Morning!
O’Howlers: Is that Whole Wheat Bread I smell baking?
Save some for me!
AJ and the Team Wading into Iditarod early this morning.
Yesterday the Trail Breaker posted the temp at an Unheard of 54 Degrees.
Are we SURE they are in Alaska?
Staff: We were reading your post last night about the Dog in the Plane. Exactly the same as we were thinking here.
It’s Jem Flying Home!
Wose: Going back to look at your Wonderful Photos from yesterday!
Will read the links after cawfee.
9:05 am on March 8th, 2013
OHs: I still have a cold, wet nose, and I’m feeling pretty run down.
It is snowing here in Westchester, and everything looks very pretty. Tomorrow, 50 degrees!
9:06 am on March 8th, 2013
Howlers: I use honey and olive oil in white bread. I’ve never made wheat bread.
9:23 am on March 8th, 2013
Some more pictures….
AJ and guess who
9:25 am on March 8th, 2013
AJ, our handsome musher
9:26 am on March 8th, 2013
I would recognize those eyebrows anywhere!
9:27 am on March 8th, 2013
Let’s try this again
AJ, our handsome musher
9:27 am on March 8th, 2013
Rain is possible in Tucson today. Maybe they will get enough rain to make the desert wildflowers bloom.
ok, back to thinking about Alaska.
Morning All
I will read the links in a bit.
9:31 am on March 8th, 2013
Wose, you are making Kat fall in love with Rio Junior.
Where is AJ at in that last picture by the water?
9:34 am on March 8th, 2013
…It is with that same spirit that the Insider team presents a new idea for Iditarod fans. Based on fan feedback, we are going to offer a live video stream for every musher’s finish.
Wooooooooooo. Uh, excuse me, I don’t normally howl, but this news was just too exciting.
9:35 am on March 8th, 2013
What’s this? Ulsom is in 10th place and moving on at good pace now 20 miles from Anvik.
I wonder…did it snow overnight?…have to check the forecast.
Rose: More kool photos. You are the BEST photographer.
Wow! That is some increase in temperature between today and tomorrow.
Hope you feel better soon.
Gone for an appointment until late this morning.
BBL.
9:37 am on March 8th, 2013
In that picture, AJ looks like an improved version of Conan O’Brien.
WL, on the map there is Willow Swamp. Is that the same as Willow Lake?
9:42 am on March 8th, 2013
Macy, You are so right! He does look like an improved Conan!
Getting ready to leave for errands, P.T. and then lunch out. BBL
9:43 am on March 8th, 2013
Masquers, I can not take credit for these photos. The Prof is the official Witte family photographer.
Rio, Jr. is quite lovable.
That picture of AJ was taken the night of the Musher’s Banquet, in front of the Alaska Performing Arts Center.
9:55 am on March 8th, 2013
Musher’s Breakfast
9:56 am on March 8th, 2013
Ooops….
Musher’s Breakfast
9:59 am on March 8th, 2013
Let’s try this instead
Ceremonial Start
10:10 am on March 8th, 2013
Rebecca, I hope you don’t mind me saying this about your Giant:
Swoon……
10:13 am on March 8th, 2013
Ulsom is on track to be the Iditarod’s rookie of the year. I am cheering for him. He is a farmer and one of his hobbies is, “The North”.
Wose, Thanks for more photos!
10:21 am on March 8th, 2013
Wolfie – How is your Mom’s sore paw?
10:23 am on March 8th, 2013
Those are good photos of the teams crossing the overflow.
Not me, no, I would not do that. They would have to carry me across or fly me home.
10:27 am on March 8th, 2013
Handler Nick
10:28 am on March 8th, 2013
The sad part…saying goodbye
10:29 am on March 8th, 2013
S-H: one of us agrees with you, like we said earlier. Water, fish function in it and it is for drinking only!
10:29 am on March 8th, 2013
AJ and Rio, JR (For you Kat)
10:37 am on March 8th, 2013
If the Small Dog Isitarod team needs to ford water they are safe with Mattie. She is our best swimmer.
In from snow blowing the two driveways. Yikes, March snow is heavy. One foot and still coming down. Should be flurries in awhile.
I am now on a heating pad. Lovely.
10:48 am on March 8th, 2013
Wow these Iditarod links on the Alaska Dispatch are great. If you scroll down to the Symphony on the Iditarod Trail one you can make your puppies ears stand up.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/term/iditarod
10:54 am on March 8th, 2013
Rose and Prof! Youse got to be official musher handlers!
So jealous!
10:56 am on March 8th, 2013
Macy, I am with you! I wonder if we are all going to have to get up in the middle of the night in a few days. Geez the things we will do for our team!
11:16 am on March 8th, 2013
Wose, how were the dogs when they were in that little spot betwen the dog truck and the fence, and strangers were reaching over to pet them?
(whispering) Mom watches every AJ video a bzillion times. She crushes on him too.
11:16 am on March 8th, 2013
I can report that the run to Iditarod took three hours longer than originally planned.
11:22 am on March 8th, 2013
Wigglebutt, Wolfie: My Lady says the Giant has the same impact on her.
11:35 am on March 8th, 2013
W-L, Are there any updates on Mae?
Also, does AJ’s sled have wide runners for the slog?
11:37 am on March 8th, 2013
Spence: Let us know if anyone throws anything.
Yikes! Too much H2O by SiberH’s Iditarod site. Thank dog the Small Dogs have Mattie.
Rose & Prof: Thank you for the wonderful pictures. What a great vacation. Junior looks like he would go to the moon and back for AJ.
Thanks Handler Nick for all your help.
I would love Aliy to win by two seconds. It’s time for a woman to take the prize.
11:43 am on March 8th, 2013
Mick and Jodi (the people) and very good friends
11:45 am on March 8th, 2013
If you want to learn how Mae got away from the team, go to the Iditarod Forums, click on Root For Your Musher, than click on Newton Marshall. It is a longish story so I won’t go into it here, but he was trying to help another musher.
11:49 am on March 8th, 2013
Gilly arrived back home soaked to the skin from head to toe. Keep in mind that the distance between a Corgi’s head and toes isn’t all that great. But she had a wonderful time on the Small Dog Team, and she wants to know how big Rincess Sam will be when her family blow dries her out.
Melanie – see, you should move down south here with us flat landers. We are getting snow spits, but our driveway is staying completely clear as it is too warm for the snow to stick.
11:54 am on March 8th, 2013
Ally just blew thru Anvik. She now has the lead.
11:54 am on March 8th, 2013
Wose, I am glad you and the Prof. thought to take a photo of Mick and Jody. That is neat!
12:11 pm on March 8th, 2013
The snow is just spitting here. It has already becoming very wet. Glad I did the snow blowing early.
The water info was scary. But, if you’re tired and exhausted sometimes you just aren’t thinking clearly. (speaking from experience)
My sister is thankful for the info I’m sending to her for her classes. She does not have time to peruse the Iditarod site. I also send her the info you guys find. All her students are having a great time. Thanks.
12:23 pm on March 8th, 2013
Moi. Do I look like a natural?
12:46 pm on March 8th, 2013
Wose – You look like you’ve been doing this all your life.
12:47 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rose you look GREAT. But not puffy. I am much more puffy in my winter gear. Drat!
12:53 pm on March 8th, 2013
MollyPop’s Mom, I would love to do this all my life. I just have to twist the Prof’s arm a little…. :^)
1:04 pm on March 8th, 2013
Sniff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jkboOYVp5E&sns=em
1:05 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rose: I gotta say it again. I love, love, love your Stormy Kromer with the Snowhook Kennels logo. You are a natural.
It is International Women’s Day so I’m for Aliy all the way today.
1:25 pm on March 8th, 2013
I am so happy Rio has been returned home.
Wose, You always have a cute smile in your pictures.
1:42 pm on March 8th, 2013
If you check out the photo of the day on the race’s website, you will see Fritz and Twig getting some extra love.
2:05 pm on March 8th, 2013
Umm Folks! The GPS doesn’t have him moving, but AJ is moving on the Analyitical (sp) Page!
2:09 pm on March 8th, 2013
Of course, it could be all in my mind . . but it still shows him not moving, but the green line is up.
Sigh
2:12 pm on March 8th, 2013
It’s official! On the Trail again!
Smooth runnings, Snowhook
2:13 pm on March 8th, 2013
I just received an email from the Insider that AJ checked out of Iditarod at 10:00 Alaska time.
2:14 pm on March 8th, 2013
I saw it, Melanie. In fact…It shows him not moving at all now and the last time his little green flag updated it moved backwards. I had the map zoomed in as far as it would go.
Maybe we need at little nap, Melanie.
Whitey-Lance, Thanks for the headsup on the photo. It is cute of all three of them.
2:14 pm on March 8th, 2013
We just noticed that he is 2 miles out, but stopped.
2:15 pm on March 8th, 2013
We hope those dogs did not drink the bad water. Going to look for the photo now.
2:15 pm on March 8th, 2013
AJ’s little green flag is where it should be on my map now. He is moving out. Onward Snowhook!
2:17 pm on March 8th, 2013
The Howlers are right. AJ has stopped.
I really need this little nap soon.
2:17 pm on March 8th, 2013
About the trail he’s on now . .
“This leg is probably closer to 32 miles than the posted 38. It follows the old mining road over to Ophir, built in the 1920s to connect Takotna and Ophir with Sterling Landing, a steamboat landing on the Kuskokwim River. It is now maintained by the state; the stretch from Takotna to Ophir isn’t plowed in the winter. Like other Bush roads, it doesn’t connect to the state highway system.
The first part is a 9-mile climb to the top of the divide between the Kuskokwim River drainage and that of the Innoko River, which flows into the Yukon. The rise is about 800 feet on easy grades. Then the road crosses the divide and runs downhill along Independence Creek for another 8 miles, then follows the south bank of the Innoko River for the last 15 miles into Ophir, with possibly a few overland shortcuts across bends.”
There’s a lot of creeks he has to go over. Hope they are frozen.
2:17 pm on March 8th, 2013
Fritz and Twig the lead dogs? We hope our favorite high-jumper Quig is in good shape.
2:21 pm on March 8th, 2013
Melanie, he already was in Ophir. We think you are looking at the wrong leg. This one is 65 miles! It goes from Iditarod to Shageluk.
2:22 pm on March 8th, 2013
Dagnabbit.
2:23 pm on March 8th, 2013
On the trail again….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU
2:23 pm on March 8th, 2013
Melanie, did you see Bella’s latest facebookie post? tee hee
2:24 pm on March 8th, 2013
Howlers: I like Melanie’s math better, but I think you’re right. I wouldn’t know for sure, math not being my strong point. Hugs, that’s my strong point.
2:28 pm on March 8th, 2013
This is correct. Just before I went on search I looked at another racer I’m watching and he was coming out to Ophir. Sigh. Brain Dyslexia.
“There are no real problems on this leg—just the hills. The trail leaves Iditarod heading downstream (north) on the Iditarod River for a few miles and then turns west and begins to climb over an endless series of ridges before finally dropping down into the broad valley of the Innoko River, on which Shageluk is located. Some veterans say there are nine big hills, some say thirteen, some say more. The first one is within ten miles after leaving Iditarod and the last one is within ten miles of Shageluk. Most of the bigger climbs are in the 500- to 1000-foot range, and some are fairly steep in a few places. Some of the downhill’s are a bit sporty as well.
The trail is fairly narrow at times, although it tends to get better in the last 30 miles into Shageluk. The trail will cross several rivers draining northward into the Innoko, which describes a huge loop from Ophir, swinging north, then west, and finally south to Shageluk before it merges with the Yukon near Holy Cross. The Innoko Valley to the north of the hills across which the trail runs is a vast, uninhabited, mostly wooded expanse of endless swamps and marshes and countless serpentine rivers interspersed with low hills, covering an area larger than many entire states.
The trail will cross the Little Yetna and Big Yetna Rivers, a couple of the many good-sized tributaries of the Innoko; the Big Yetna is approximately at the halfway point. The western half of the trail is generally better than the eastern half, following a cat trail for much of the way into Shageluk. Also, timber coverage increases the farther west you go.”
2:34 pm on March 8th, 2013
I looked at Facebookie and I don’t see a thing. Then I read about her bathroom painting. I still don’t get a link. Or I do but it’s not the song. Weird.
2:36 pm on March 8th, 2013
Oh no. AJ had to drop 2 more dogs. He is down to 13. 🙁
2:39 pm on March 8th, 2013
The link brought me a blank fb page, but then it kicked off iTunes and there you are!!!! Our famous Singer/Songwriter !
2:48 pm on March 8th, 2013
Staff: The Prof and I did not want to look like Michelin babies, so we made a special point to buy no-puff jackets. The have a very good lining on the inside. It looks like aluminum foil, and you’ll feel like a turkey basting.
2:49 pm on March 8th, 2013
OHs: Do we know which dogs were dropped?
2:49 pm on March 8th, 2013
Siber-H, you are making me blush…
2:51 pm on March 8th, 2013
Awesome, I don’t normally wear hats, but I had to represent while in the Great White North. (whispering) It kinda has become a favorite of mine.
2:54 pm on March 8th, 2013
Where is my Rio today?
2:58 pm on March 8th, 2013
I think it’s hilarious. I can’t get the link!
Riö is probably at the Chatroom.
3:03 pm on March 8th, 2013
Doing a little climbing at 6.7 mph. Mush, you huskies!
3:44 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rose, Bella will be first to hear who has been dropped.
3:45 pm on March 8th, 2013
Wose, We don’t know yet which Snowhook dogs were dropped. We won’t know until Whitey-Lance knows. They never tell us this stuff on the Iditarod’s website.
3:49 pm on March 8th, 2013
Things should get better after we get to Anvik:
“The trail is rock hard because of rain. In fact, Bruce Lee walked down to the Yukon, to verify local reports, and confirmed that the trail on the Yukon is like an ice skating rink. It wont take much effort to glide up river, and even a team that’s a little tight can just take a nice easy trot on a flat smooth trail.”
3:57 pm on March 8th, 2013
I am being moderated. I tried to tell Rose that Rio might be in a c h a t r o o m.
4:04 pm on March 8th, 2013
I just checked out that c-room. No Rio there. But there was a Siberian there ! Siber-H was that you????
4:30 pm on March 8th, 2013
Nope, It wasn’t me. Mom won’t allow me to chat with anyone but you guys.
4:32 pm on March 8th, 2013
Mom is working…so I am lurking…and will be back as soon as possible.
Go Snowhook!
4:35 pm on March 8th, 2013
The Iditarod Trail Committee posted on facebookie that they hope to have an update on Mae soon. Not sure if that means anything. But we also see that Newton is sitting in McGrath with Rob Johnson while others are searching for Mae. We know that he was not racing his own dogs, so maybe those who know Mae better are looking for her. Still, we think the musher should be out there helping to search.
4:53 pm on March 8th, 2013
O’Howlers: Perhaps Newton is caring for the rest of the Team?
Strong Prayers Mae will be Found Soon.
Off to grab a Snack!
BBL
5:01 pm on March 8th, 2013
Well, I am sorry that the Iditarod temps are so hot but at +30 I have opened the front and back doors of my house to air it out. Fresh air is great!
Ice can be tricky for dogs depending on whether is is “dry” ice or “wet” ice. Wet ice is super slippery and dogs can easily slip, slide and fall–and injure paws and joints trying to keep their balance. Let’s keep watching over our team in the miles ahead and hoping for the best.
5:11 pm on March 8th, 2013
Mae is one of Jim Lanier’s leaders that he loaned to Newton.
Fellow Sibers, Please let us know if news of Mae appears on facebookie.
Lanier is still racing.
5:34 pm on March 8th, 2013
CHarris has the doors open at 30+ degrees. I have everything closed and the furnace at 68 in 42 degree weather. Wonder what the difference is. I know that in Florida when it’s 50 it seems cold but here that temp is warm.
5:41 pm on March 8th, 2013
B: We agree. Those temperatures seem Cold for the 2-legged’s in the southern climes.
The Heat is On at 45 degrees.
5:45 pm on March 8th, 2013
However…Remembering winters in the Midwest…If it was Sunny and above freezing it Seemed Warm (out-of-doors that is).
6:00 pm on March 8th, 2013
I remember when YSAS was young during a January where the temperatures were -20 degrees for 2 weeks. When the cold front lifted, YSAS was outside in his short sleeves. He could not understand why I made him put a coat on when it 15 degrees!
6:05 pm on March 8th, 2013
Mom acts as if we don’t wear fur coats! If she is cold, she thinks we are (and she gets goose bumps at 68). Of course the peck of parrots is tropical (green & grey guys), so we compromise. 68 in winter, mom layers & parrots grow feathers. 76 in summer, mom “glows”, parrots scream for more and we lay on AC vents. Temp IS relative.
6:07 pm on March 8th, 2013
I was at a store the other day and the man in line in front of me at checkout had on Bermuda shorts. It was 30 out. I, of course, had a winter coat on. Hummmmm….
6:09 pm on March 8th, 2013
Sharon makes a good point.
6:10 pm on March 8th, 2013
As if we didn’t have enough to think about.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/asteroid-2013-et-earth-march-9_n_2837816.html
6:22 pm on March 8th, 2013
While it is rare, it has been -30 in early March. After a winter of -30, -40, -50, -60, +30 definitely feels like spring. However, it is to go back down to +10 later in the week. Also, interior Alaska has very dry humidity. I have been colder in Oregon or Kentucky at +40 because their air is so much more humid. And if the wind it blowing, yikes!
6:25 pm on March 8th, 2013
Mom gets cold at 60 if it is damp. In dry weather she tells us 20 feels good. Still, she doesn’t stay outside long then.
6:26 pm on March 8th, 2013
Speaking of warming trends:
http://science.time.com/2013/03/08/recent-heat-spike-unlike-anything-in-11000-years/?xid=rss-topstories
6:30 pm on March 8th, 2013
It is interesting how dampness can make a difference in how one feels. So it really doesn’t have much to do with temperature itself, but whether it is wet or dry.
6:32 pm on March 8th, 2013
Masquers, That is very scary.
6:34 pm on March 8th, 2013
Heh. Thirty miles to Shageluk..Village of the Dog People.
6:40 pm on March 8th, 2013
It can be humid here (60% right now) and it’s very humid in Florida.
7:08 pm on March 8th, 2013
Is Quig the dog that looks like she is about 3 feet off the ground in the one picture? If A.J. is down to 13 dogs, what does this mean? How many can he drop, or what is the smallest team that can continue in the race?
7:25 pm on March 8th, 2013
I was just looking at the bib auction on Iditarod.com. AJ’s autographed bib has sold for $500. Last year his bib sold for $175 .
7:33 pm on March 8th, 2013
B&M: A musher have at least six dogs on the line at the finish. AJ may be bigger than some of the mushers, but he will be fine with thirteen dogs. My mama could go to Nome with seven or eight dogs because of her size just fine. She wouldn’t win anything, but she’d get there.
7:35 pm on March 8th, 2013
Mae has been spotted but not yet recovered.
7:42 pm on March 8th, 2013
Spotted is good. Recovered will be better, but spotted is good.
7:43 pm on March 8th, 2013
Looking at what AJ has on the analyzing thingy, makes me dizzy. I don’t do we’ll on roller coasters.
7:57 pm on March 8th, 2013
Spotted is very good.
$500.00 is impressive.
8:02 pm on March 8th, 2013
Masquers, It is very good news that Mae has been spotted. Her mom was on her way up there to help look. We don’t know if she has arrived yet.
8:05 pm on March 8th, 2013
B&M, Quig is one of the leaders, and he is the high jumper you remember. Twig is another leader, and W-L said it was her in the photo with AJ and Fritz.
8:20 pm on March 8th, 2013
OK, thanks for all the good info.
8:21 pm on March 8th, 2013
Quig is a good boy, let me tell youse. My Lady says he reminds her of Howard, her stray, her heart and his father. But, when he gets to the starting line of any race he shrugs off his manners and gentle nature and becomes loud and airborn. My mama says it is part of his charm.
I am forcing my mama to go to the video-slash-liquor-slash-market-slash-deli in Willow. It’s been a few days since she had real food. BDHW can not live on eggs and Swedish Fish alone. Maybe she’ll get a burger. Maybe she’ll share…
8:23 pm on March 8th, 2013
We think we see Rio Jr in that picture of AJ resting with the dogs. At least it looks like his eyebrows!
8:37 pm on March 8th, 2013
G&BB: I think you’re seeing Lousia Mae who, like Junior, has eyebrows. Unlike Junior, she knows what eyebrows are.
8:50 pm on March 8th, 2013
Glad Mae has been seen, now for getting her home.
8:56 pm on March 8th, 2013
Maybe I should try to find Mae and give her some lessons on getting found. She seems to have the getting lost part down pat, just like AJ did. I spent days looking for my misplaced musher. Days, I tell you, days.
8:58 pm on March 8th, 2013
More than half way to the checkpoint. A slog-festival indeed.
8:59 pm on March 8th, 2013
Found!…I’m here! I’m here!…wheeze!…A day with no access to the GPS Tracker almost killed me, yes it did…grunt!…What have I missed?…sneeze!
Shageluk!…If The Giant blows through this checkpoint he could really make up some time…sniff!…I wonder what his plan is – Whitey do you know?…chuffle!
9:00 pm on March 8th, 2013
Creator – we thank you for this day on earth. Each morning we awaken to a new day of possibilities. Each night, we go to sleep with new wisdom and knowledge gained from the day. Even in times of difficulty, we give our trust to the rising sun, and live in hope of good things to come.
Creator – we know that many good things come from the ability to trust. We have fallen in love when we allowed our hearts to trust our feelings. We have accomplished things we never thought we could when we gave over our doubts and learned to trust ourselves. Problems have been taken from us when we trust others who offer their help.
Creator – sometimes it is a difficult task to trust. We are fearful of things unknown. We feel the need to be in control, and forget that we control very little in our universe. We ask you to touch our hearts on this night, and help us to feel trust in others, and feel peace in doing so.
On this night, AJ and the team will be tested even further as they continue on their trail. Those of us who wait have only reports of events and happenings. We hear the fearful stories of deep waters on the trail, of ice that is too hard, of snow that is too soft. We worry and fret because we are not with AJ to help him through this path.
But Creator – we do trust. We need to trust. We will trust.
We have faith in AJ and his ability. We know that his heart is filled with the love of racing, but even more, his heart is filled with the love of Rebecca and his dogs. Please give us the strength to put aside our worry, and know that AJ will do only what is best for his family. We will be with him in quiet support, knowing that his judgment will protect him and his team, no matter what obstacles are in their path.
Creator – tonight we also ask you to let AJ feel our support and our trust in him. Open his heart to understand that we care for him because of the goodness of his being, because of the love and care he gives to his dogs, because of the happiness he gives to Rebecca. Tonight, please lift from his shoulders any self-doubt that may plague him, and let him trust himself completely, as we do.
Creator – we give our trust to you, as we ask you to watch over AJ and the team and keep them safe. We ask you to hold each and every musher and their dogs in your hands and bring them safely to the finish line. Please protect them from injury and discomfort. Give Mae the trust to come to those calling her, so that she may be returned safely home. Let this race be a time of happiness and good memories and learning for all.
Creator – tonight we also pray for the healing of this beautiful planet you have made. Let all who have forgotten to show the earth their respect have their hearts opened to understand that we have a duty to care for the earth, as you care for us.
Creator – we thank you for this day on your beautiful earth. Each morning we awaken to a new day of possibilities. Each night, we go to sleep with new wisdom and knowledge. Even in times of difficulty, we give our trust to you, seen in the rising sun, and we live in hope of good things to come.
9:06 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen!….Wow! I just made it in time for the wonderful prayer…snorkel!…How great is that? Thank you Stinky Mama for your amazing insight into what everyone needs to hear each night….snort!
9:14 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen.
And goodnight. We all fell asleep in the living room and woke up just in time for A&L’s beautiful prayer of peace and trust.
9:16 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen. Thank you, A&L. That one gave me chills, the good kind of chills.
‘Night, Plunderers and Rebecca. Godspeed AJ and the team.
9:18 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen and night-night to all. Long days ahead so HOH has a long list in its thoughts.
9:24 pm on March 8th, 2013
Blizzard!…We here are in for another blizzard this weekend…snort!….Snow will be starting in the wee hours and continuing all day Saturday….grump!…Who knows what will happen on Sunday. All I know is we are prepared to watch our team Snowhook all weekend long with hardly any interuptions….Woooo!hooooo!
9:27 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen. Thank you so much for your guided prayer.
9:29 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rebecca!…Do you think AJ will stop over in Shageluk or keep going??…sniff!
9:38 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: Whitey-Lance here. My mama’s eyes are watering since the prayer offering so she’s leaving the typing to me. AJ will have to rest the team in Shageluk. They’ve spent the entire day on the trail. With temperatures in the 40’s and hill after hill, it has been a long day. He will rest the team for several hours and then head out while you are sleeping in your warm, soft bed with all your baseball toys.
9:44 pm on March 8th, 2013
Whitey!…Are you trying to make me feel guilty?…grunt!….Me out all night slogging through snow and ice would not be a good thing…sniff!sneeze!…I’d die. Right off the bat, I would die.
9:44 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amalia and Leonard, Thank you again for your wonderful prayer. Love to you both.
9:45 pm on March 8th, 2013
Mollypop’s Mom: You’re having a Mardi Gras and we’re having the Trapper’s Rendezvous this weekend. There is a frying pan throw but I haven’t been training so I think I’ll get into the crib tournament instead. The dog weight pull is in the morning.
Go Snowhook!
9:47 pm on March 8th, 2013
Prayers!….Stinky Mama’s prayers only get better and better…sniff!….She is truly being used for the Creator of All Creatures Great and Small to talk through her directly to us right now…snorkel!
9:51 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty, rather establish the timeframe for you when the team would start moving after their rest. And, for the record, AJ would pick you up and put you on the sled so you could help him command the team. He would be the only musher out there with a co-pilot.
9:56 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen and thank you for the prayer tonight.
I hope AJ and the dogs can get some good rest at the Shageluk Checkpoint. The Smoochers with all their experience will check out the dog team.
9:59 pm on March 8th, 2013
Whitey!…If I didn’t give you a hard time, who would?…snort!…As Co-Pilot of the Team I could Yeep! for a left turn and Yeep! for right turn…chuffle! …That would work, right?…left?
10:04 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: Yeep is the new gee. The Giant would take great care to make sure you were safe and snorting on the trail.
10:10 pm on March 8th, 2013
Commands!…How about Yeep! and Heh!?…snort!…That should work…chuffle!
10:19 pm on March 8th, 2013
Sneeze = Let’s go
Yeep = gee (right)
Heh = haw (left)
Wheeze = easy (slow down)
Snort = Whoa (damnit, I said stop)
10:21 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rebecca!…I could do that in my sleep!…snort!…And even throw in a Burp! and Fart! for good measure…snorkel!
10:22 pm on March 8th, 2013
Amen.
Co-pilot? Or hood ornament? Snicker
I’m for sleep.
When Patsy wakes me up in the night, I will check on OFT.
TTFN
10:24 pm on March 8th, 2013
Night, Melanie.
Rio: You’re a natural.
10:26 pm on March 8th, 2013
Hood!….Ornament?….grunt!
10:31 pm on March 8th, 2013
I wonder what the deal is with the trail breaker. He is way behind AJ.
WL, we saw that one checkpoint was using hay instead of straw. From a comfort prospective, which do you prefer? Is it as different as Ashtray vs. Hyatt?
10:35 pm on March 8th, 2013
Macy: I’m a straw guy myself. In cold temperatures it does a better job keeping our kind warm because it is hollow. My Giant and Lady give us fresh straw throughout the winter. I love the smell, but I like it even better when is smells like me. Hay is used a certain checkpoint because they have horses. It’s not my favorite, but it’ll do in a pinch. Plus, with these warm temps, hay is just fine.
10:38 pm on March 8th, 2013
ROSE!…I forgot to tell Rose what really great photos she posted today…snort!snort!…I am keeping EVERYTHING! for my new pug-scrap-book…snuffle!
10:40 pm on March 8th, 2013
Macy: AJ has been known to sleep with us on the straw, too. Fresh straw that smells like a little bit of me and a bit of AJ—perfection!
10:41 pm on March 8th, 2013
Straw!….Is straw the same as warm soft blankets over a padded cushion?….snort!
10:49 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: It is different than a padded cushion, but we get blankets and jackets made by my mama—made with love, my mama will be quick to tell you.
10:54 pm on March 8th, 2013
Whitey!….So just how many mouths does Rebecca still have to feed each morning and night while The Giant and A-Team are away?….snort?…Are they renting space or are they permanent residents and racers in training?…grunt!
10:57 pm on March 8th, 2013
Another beautiful prayer, and another spectacular day of sharing this great race with youse guys. We here are so proud of AJ, and we especially love the look of joy. Helping someone fulfill a dream makes our heart glad. And Bella, thank you so much for sharing with us. We may be earthbound here but our hearts are drifting across the Alaskan wilderness.
Dr Mom finally went to the clinic today. She did a lot of things right, but the antibiotic she had on hand wasn’t doing the trick. The doctor did say something interesting, and that was to soak the wound in a mild bleach solution after the Epsom salt soak. And the pain is caused by an infected tendon, which makes mom feel as if she is not such a wimp after all. She’ll be right as rain in no time!
10:58 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: There are 38 mouths to feed still at the kennel. Four of those mouths belong to the little squeakers that are just over a month old. We have a guy, Nick who is helping us out through the race. He showed up on our doorstep and my mama asked if we could keep him. She never could turn away a stray. Nick is a good guy and working out nicely. Like my mama, he carries the puppies around in his bibs.
11:02 pm on March 8th, 2013
Wolfie: I’m glad your mom went to the doctor. Did the vet tell her not to lick her sore paw? If one of the team gets a cut on their paw, my mama and Giant try to keep it clean and dry. This means no licking.
11:10 pm on March 8th, 2013
Her made her promise not to lick, otherwise he threatened her with the cone of shame!
11:12 pm on March 8th, 2013
Wolfie: I hope for your mom’s sake she can avoid licking her sore paw. Sometimes it is so tempting, isn’t it?
11:16 pm on March 8th, 2013
Nick!…Is he the guy who showed up in my cabin one morning?…grunt!gruffle!….I bet he lives there now, doesn’t he?…sniff!
11:18 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: Your cabin is being rented by the person that moved in this past fall. Nick is living in the handler cabin. I’ve had the idea open a B&B with little rental cabins for AJ to oversee and manage. Hmmm…
11:22 pm on March 8th, 2013
Landed!…The team has landed in Shageluk…wooooooWOOOOOOOHooooo!…snort!….Now when I do go to my warm soft bed with all my baseball toys in all the right places, I will not worry about my team so much because they are at a checkpoint where our resident gang of nurse imposters will be there to take care of them….chuffle!…Let the Smooching begin!
11:23 pm on March 8th, 2013
The team is into Shageluk! What a long day for them. Now, that they are going to rest, I’m going to force my mama to get some warm food in her belly fron the deli/grill at the gas station.
11:25 pm on March 8th, 2013
Is AJ in Anvik now?
I’m glad Nick is there to help.
11:26 pm on March 8th, 2013
Oops, I mean Shaguluk?
11:28 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: The Smoochers have traded our scrubs for a different disguise. Since we will be in the village of the dog people, we are going dressed as dogs. It’s so overt, it’s covert. Belle Starr insists on going as an evil pug. I’m dressed as a Newf—I like a little extra room. Masquers borrowed a corgi suit, Kat is going as a certain technically challenged, SiberH, and Princess Sam is going as herself. She calls it a cameo. We will blend right in and can tend to the team unnoticed.
11:28 pm on March 8th, 2013
Or is it Shageluck?
(Whotookmybrain?)
11:40 pm on March 8th, 2013
Cabins!…Rentals!..snort!….What a great Idea. You and AJ could build them during the summer months and have them ready to rent out for the Iditarod season…chuffle!…What with AJ’s experience in tour guiding and river rafting and all other things wilderness, you guys could make a KILLING!…heh!heh!…He could be a Stay-At-Home-Musher!….Yeep!…Course if youse needed help with all things food and cabin upkeep you could call on me, my friend and GrizzlyRose…chuffle!
11:41 pm on March 8th, 2013
The Smoochers have everything under control.
11:43 pm on March 8th, 2013
Rio: You had me at food. At our place it is every hungry two-legged for themselves, but they make a mean dog dish of kibble and chicken skins for us.
11:47 pm on March 8th, 2013
Food!….Well, its been a day, in more ways than one…grunt!…So we here are saying goodnight, sleep tight Team Snowhook…snorkel!
12:11 am on March 9th, 2013
Go Snowhook.
Sniff.
I had to post on the Root for your musher forum about how to spell Savidis. Only we will see it but at least I got it out of my system. Hopefully I will not get in any trouble. I will go to bed like a good girl now.
12:23 am on March 9th, 2013
Staff, this is from last year, still way cool.
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Design and create your own quilt square(s). Take a digital image of the quilt square. Send it to us and we’ll add it to the Iditarod Virtual Traveling Quilt.
1:01 am on March 9th, 2013
Head bumps to Staff for your post. My Lady giggled when you got it out of your system. At the Ceremonial Start, they announced as we crossed the finish. They slaughtered our last name and AJ called to the announcer the correct pronunciation. I feel better now that Staff feels better.
1:08 am on March 9th, 2013
Savidis….Sidivas, cool either way!
1:11 am on March 9th, 2013
Patsy, who every night has spent time running with the team whilst she is sleeping, woke her self up by her giggling and snorting. She told me that as she came back from being a watcher whilst the team ran, there were five dogs that kept climbing on each other until they were five dogs high. She recognised the Smoochers when she heard Sam shout, “Right, Luna. No, your other right!” Pasty head some muttering about gee and haw, but it made no sense to her. The townspeople, spirits and now, thought the whole thing was wonderful. I’m not sure if covert is the correct term.
1:15 am on March 9th, 2013
Patsy, settle down and let Melanie sleep.
2:01 am on March 9th, 2013
Who is still up? Mom’s coughing is not letting anybody sleep a wink in this house. We are all up. Cept Kat. We don’t know where she is.
2:16 am on March 9th, 2013
I’m up; probably for another hour. It got up to +40 and I had the exterior door to my work office open enjoying the fresh air. Things were dipping and snow falling off the roof. I have to start being careful where I park my car these days.
GO SNOWHOOK (or are we resting right now?)
2:19 am on March 9th, 2013
Yeah it looks like he got to Shageluk at 19:07 your time. Is that 11:07 our time? Math is hard normally, at this time of night we can’t do it.
2:20 am on March 9th, 2013
Almost forgot: GO SNOWHOOK!
7:33 am on March 9th, 2013
Out of Shageluk!
7:43 am on March 9th, 2013
Half hour out and on to Nome, home, roam, Rome…too early/late.
7:48 am on March 9th, 2013
Still has 13 dogs. Yippee! And now has his mandatory 8. W-L, we thought that mandatory 8 had to be taken on the Yukon, but we noticed that many teams took theirs at Shageluk, and now we see that our team did too. So is Shageluk considered to be on the Yukon?
8:28 am on March 9th, 2013
Greetings!
Another beautiful poem from the Royals. Amen.
Grizzly and I are still talking about our great Alaskan adventure. I am gently twisting Grizzly’s arm now for next year. Rebecca I think little B&B cottages are a great idea. Just make sure their is a permanent one marked Grizzly Rose Saloon. Rio can come and visit.
Godspeed to AJ and the team, and comforting hugs and love to Rebecca.
9:28 am on March 9th, 2013
Morning All! Gooooooo Snowhook! (Sorry, B. my old cheerleading days did that)
9:33 am on March 9th, 2013
I count twenty mushers and teams, ahead of AJ, that either have not taking their mandatory eight or are taking it right now.
Pondering . .
9:43 am on March 9th, 2013
Whew! I just returned from Shageluk, the Smoochers’ checkpoint. It was amazing how many dogs were there!!! And for some reason, they all (except some of the Smoocher team) chose to dress as Huskies, though not the Huskies I am familiar with. But as the A-Team was checking out, I glanced over and saw a team of Dima lookalikes entering the checkpoint! Cool.
Princess Sam did not return, because she said that her services were needed on Macy’s team at Anvik. Good luck Macy and company!
10:01 am on March 9th, 2013
AJ passed #35 Mike Williams, Sr. awhile back.
He’s closing in on #45 Curt Perano.
Both of them have taken their mandatory 24 and 8.
Cool.
#57, Wade Marrs is in Anvik. He might be taken his 8 there.
10:45 am on March 9th, 2013
What is up with Jim Lanier? He hasn’t taken his 24 yet.
11:01 am on March 9th, 2013
Has AJ made it to the Checkpoint? Can’t tell.
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