On the Iditarod Trail
We’re very grateful for the informative and well-written reports we get from Rebecca, CEO of Snowhook, “our” team in the Iditarod. Make sure to get some rest, Rebecca! Here’s her latest overnight:
Pacing is the name of the game for Snowhook, and so far the team is staying true to the plan. The second day of Iditarod has been one of waiting, wondering and holding my breath. The team has safely navigated the Happy River Steps, a notorious section of trail and after a resting at the Rainy Pass checkpoint has continued onto Rohn.
Between Rainy Pass and Rohn, the regularly difficult section of trail has been reported as treacherous this year. As a precaution, AJ packed a helmet for this section of trail as well as other sections as needed. Brains are difficult to replace and we want to protect his as much as possible.
Is the difficult section of trail over? Hardly. Once the team leaves Rohn, they will travel the trail that has damaged his sled the past two years. Thanks to Grizz and Rose, AJ will run toward a second sled in McGrath.
AJ dropped a dog in Rainy Pass. I have my guess that it is either Lefty, one of Snowhook’s resident thieves or Orion, a rescue dog. I could be wrong, but one this is for certain, AJ will be extra cautious with the dogs and drop them if there is any concern.
The trail for AJ is tough, Iditarod tough like Melanie. She is in our hearts and minds as the team continues along the trail.
And here, thanks to Oley Howlers’ Pop, an eagle yesterday in Wasilla.
Tags: AJ, Grizz and Rose, Iditarod, Rebecca
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 at 8:14 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
8:54 am on March 4th, 2014
Tough indeed. Both our team, and our Heart.
Good day to everyone and smooth running to AJ and the dogs
9:03 am on March 4th, 2014
The owl hat that Rio’s wearing in last night’s picture also came from the shop A Touch of Ellicottville. That Tyb runs a great store. I bought the hat a few years ago and put in our last auction where it was won by HOH.
9:21 am on March 4th, 2014
Hi MP’sM. guess we are the only ones awake and not on a plane this morning.
9:21 am on March 4th, 2014
We are at the airport. It was sad to leave the warm and welcoming Hobit Hotel, and to leave our now-not virtual friends. But I am looking forward to getting home to Meashka and Kat and T.C., and Annie, and Fern and…well, you know, the whole farm.
Alaska, I love you!
Onward, Snowhook!!!
9:30 am on March 4th, 2014
Good morning T & G and MPM, we are here too. Our team and our heart, how true.
Glad to know AJ is being cautious, good to hear about the helmet.
Safe travels to Howlers and all who are going back home today.
9:36 am on March 4th, 2014
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if somehow the Iditarod could be telecast. Thank you for the report Rebecca and go Snowhook!
Good morning all.
9:43 am on March 4th, 2014
Greetings!
Amalia, your words are pure poetry. Thank and Amen!
Safe travels for those who are traveling!
We are truly grateful for the wonderful Plunderfest news correspondents, and photographers. You have constructed a scrapbook of memories not just for yourselves, but for all of us here at home. And a huge thank you to AJ and Rebecca for allowing us into their lives.
Rebecca, please rest!
AJ, Godspeed!
I LOVE ALASKA!
GO SNOWHOOK!
9:54 am on March 4th, 2014
Good news with which to start the day. May Snowhook’s progress continue smooth and safe.
Everyone travelling, may your journey also be smooth and safe.
Rest for Rebecca, healing for Melanie, peace nd good season this day for all.
10:13 am on March 4th, 2014
I’m Here Too.
Masquers? He’s still posting on Last Night’s Page.
He did look a little Blurry Eyed when we brought him his Morning Cawfee.
Team Snowhook checked Out of Rohn 30 Minutes or so Ago.
No Snow on parts of the Trail? Time to put Wheels on that Sled and Wings on our Paws.
10:13 am on March 4th, 2014
CHobbit: I’ve told Pancho that he must take Rio back to his Friend. He put up a bit of a fight until I cited the ‘If you blur an evil pug to the kennel, you’re responsible for blurring said pug home’ rule in my ‘Making up Rules as you go Along: A Mama’s Guide’ manual. He will need back up for the job since he is sans his partner in crime.
10:48 am on March 4th, 2014
Me too here. Had a nice walk this morning (but no Zeta); the snow is still fairly soft although the roads are a bit icy and there is a lot of that yicky salt, but mom cleaned off all my paws when we got home. My dad just got a message that AJ has checked out of Rohn and is back on the trail. He said that he is really glad that the Oley Howlers mom and dad decided to go to Alaska after all, it sounds as though they had a really good time, and he says they will find some good Alaska snow waiting for them when then return to Oley as well. Beautiful prayer last night from Amalia and safe travels to everyone today.
10:54 am on March 4th, 2014
Luna!…I would like to hang out at Snowhook today with Pancho sans Lefty…snuffle!…I need to stay in Alaska today yet or I will be grumpy…sniff!
10:59 am on March 4th, 2014
Happy guests = happy Hobbit. A total of nine intrepid souls have ventured to Alaska to see Snowhook because of this blog and a tenth will arrive are the end of the month. How amazing is that! Today my heart is full even though my house is empty,
Sadie came in from her morning outing and made her way to her bed (formerly the O’howlers’ bed), heh
11:08 am on March 4th, 2014
NEWS!…My friend thinks she finally cracked the code on how to get the dawg-damned GPS Tracker working on my new computer at home…whew!….She just figured it out at the busy place and thinks the same thing is happening at home…twirling!…snort!…She says those little green flags are FINALLY moving…heh!heh!
11:21 am on March 4th, 2014
Hey, where’s Rio? Rio? Poncho? Rio? Sadie? Gah!
11:25 am on March 4th, 2014
11:42 am on March 4th, 2014
Rio: One blur coming up!
11:50 am on March 4th, 2014
Riö: Yark! This flight-tracker-kat has been up since the wee small hours…what with Dawson taking off on the Red-eye…and following our team through treacherous parts on the trail…and seing the Howlers’rents off on their flight early this morning.
Something tells me you had the easy shift last week!
Dawson! One hour to go!
12:14 pm on March 4th, 2014
Thanks Spencer and SnowBella for that Melanie Iditarod report.
Masquers: I believe you are tracking the flight Mr and Mrs Staff were going to take home. My plane is Sun Country Airlines SY 282 departing Seattle at 10:15 Pacific time. Hence, I am still here in Seattle and won’t arrive in Mpls until 3:25 Central time. My eyes are red.
Wose: O’Howlers Mom told me that the new sled was going to be waiting for the Giant in McGrath. We all agree that you are small and hugely generous.
12:22 pm on March 4th, 2014
I think Wose should change her name to “Small but Mighty and Proud.” She is a force of good for Snowhook and all who know her.
I must say this day is one for relaxation. Between Rio and Sadie it seemed like I was opening and closing the door all day long. I a not sure why they couldn’t go out at the same time but it was definitely double the work. Today it looks like I am going to get a break.
The O’Howlers gave me two tips during their visit: a heated water bowl for the outside so the water won’t freeze and that a dog door can be cut in the glass sliding door to the deck. Pondering as I plunder on.
GO SNOWHOOK!
12:26 pm on March 4th, 2014
Dawson!
ASA36 Arrival Information
Airport: KMSP (Minneapolis-st Paul Intl/wold-chamberlain)
Temp:
14° F
Wind: E
at 7 mph
City: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Arrival Time: 3/4/2014 11:52am (estimated)
Current Local Time: 3/4/2014 11:21am
12:34 pm on March 4th, 2014
Howlers’ Mom&Pop
Delta 2205 (Track inbound flight)
DAL2205 · “Delta” (all flights) delta.com
Anchorage Intl (PANC)
Gate B8 06:32AM AKST
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl (KMSP)
Gate G2 02:12PM CST
Duration: 4 hours 40 minutes
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
12:37 pm on March 4th, 2014
Good morning friends near and far. I have spent my last night in the 7star Hobbit Hotel, sob. The Hobbit has Things To Do this a.m., so I have a little time to get my brain cells together.
The sights.
The sounds.
The friends.
Ah, Alaska ,you sure throw a great party.
Last night, Dawson and HOH’s mom, crab cakes topped with roe of the Flying fish, if the menu is to be believed
12:38 pm on March 4th, 2014
The team is out of the Alaska Range, and hopefully through the worst of this stretch. Many trail reports cry of broken sleds and busted mushers. Could I be more grateful for the generosity of Wose and Grizz?—Nope.
12:51 pm on March 4th, 2014
Dawson: GAH! Your eyes may be red, but so is my face…so embarrassing…well okay…let’s start over:
Sun Country Airlines 282
SCX282 · “Sun Country” (all flights) suncountry.com
Seattle-Tacoma Intl (KSEA)10:26AM PST
Scheduled: 10:15AM PST
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl (KMSP
Scheduled: 03:08PM CST
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Status Scheduled (in 35 minutes)
Aircraft Boeing 737-700 (twin-jet) (B737 – photos)
Speed Filed: 445 kts (graph)
Altitude Filed: 39,000 feet (graph)
Distance Direct: 1,396 sm Planned: 1,415 sm
12:53 pm on March 4th, 2014
Aww, shucks, Whitey-Lance.
And the rest of youse too.
12:58 pm on March 4th, 2014
The Iditarod Inside site is offering an app for mobile devices. heh.
1:04 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rose! We here agree whole-heartedly with the others.
You are NOT small & meek. No, you are not.
CHobbit is small, but she is a Giant.
Dawson is small, but she is Awesome.
You are small, but you are Mighty.
And don’t you forget it missy!
1:11 pm on March 4th, 2014
And our Mama is not small but…..
1:20 pm on March 4th, 2014
Small, but mighty: It is true. We here are thankful for that second sled waiting for the team more than ever.
T&G: My Lady isn’t small either, but I wouldn’t cross her. That has to speak to something along the mighty continuum, no?
1:45 pm on March 4th, 2014
Thanks for the Snowhook updates every morning Rebecca and Spence.
Whitey-Lance, Great to have back as one of our most expert reporters. You have first hand knowledge of the Iditarod trail…well, part of it anyway.
1:58 pm on March 4th, 2014
I have my reservations at the 100-star Hobbit Hotel for the end of the month. I can’t wait. The hotel manager said there are gluten-free restaurants in the area and my mouth is watering for the good Alaska seafood. The picture of the crab cakes looked yummy, not gluten-free but yummy just the same.
2:28 pm on March 4th, 2014
SiberH!….snort!…”..part of it anyway.”…heh!funny!
2:30 pm on March 4th, 2014
MollysMaw!…I’ve got a path for you all carved out in the back yard of the Hobbit Hotel…snorkel!
2:35 pm on March 4th, 2014
No small Plunderers here.
Howler update: Flight arrives in MSP in 44 min.
Dawson flying over Montana now.
2:55 pm on March 4th, 2014
SiberH!…Refresh my memory…heh!…When do the 24 hour rest stops happen? At any point? Is this when the time is adjusted for when the teams started?…sniff!
3:05 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio, The musher can choose to take his 24 whenever and wherever he wants. I don’t remember where the time adjustments happen. It may be during the 24 hr. rest.
3:12 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio kept stealing the owl hat, but it does look good on him. Maybe I should go check where it is.
Just like the HOH, all the Snowhook dogs AND AJ wanted to eat the owl hat.
One guy up here thought it was ptarmigan. “Nope”‘ said we, “synthetic”. (and warm)
3:21 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio: AJ will take his 24 in McGrath. We sent extra food and supplies there for him and the team to rest. That is also where his Wosengrizz sled is waiting for him. The time will be adjusted with the musher’s 24.
3:22 pm on March 4th, 2014
Oh dear – Dee Jonrow has just scratched at Rohn.
We will be glad when AJ gets to the next checkpoint.
3:23 pm on March 4th, 2014
Make that DeeDee Jonrowe – otter corked again!
3:25 pm on March 4th, 2014
Our whole attention being on the Iditarod…we forgot the Academy Awards now this…It’s Fat Tuesday…Mardi Gras.
T&G: We saw that earlier. What a race!
3:27 pm on March 4th, 2014
Elusive Natasha’s elusive pump?
3:41 pm on March 4th, 2014
HOH’s Mom, Hide that s-h-o-e. Don’t let Natasha see it. She will forget all about the Iditarod.
3:55 pm on March 4th, 2014
Whitey-Lance, I like the name for AJs sled…the Wosengrizz!
3:58 pm on March 4th, 2014
Sob, my Iditarod adventure is over. Hobbit delivered me back to my family a while ago. The good news is, it is snowing! Not big or hard but snow nonetheless. Yippee!
Something else you don’t see in Texas .
4:02 pm on March 4th, 2014
Howlers’ M&P in Minneapolis (Dawson 13 min. to touchdown)
Delta 1624 (Track inbound flight)
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl (KMSP)
Gate C1 07:30PM CST
Philadelphia Intl (KPHL)
Gate D6
10:44PM EST
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
4:03 pm on March 4th, 2014
ML what exactly is it you don’t see in TX, snow?, tsunami warnings? higher ground?
4:13 pm on March 4th, 2014
Resting!…Or Repairing?…snort!…Looks like our team is taking a rest at mile marker 178 along with Allen Moore…chuffle!
4:18 pm on March 4th, 2014
Wose: The Wosengrizz! We think that is a Pretty Cool Name for the New Snowhook Sled too!
Gah! Anyone else having problems with GPS Tracker Updates? Don’t know about youse, but We Here are about to attack a Couch Cushion.
4:21 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio! But Mile 178 is Before Rohn which we have already checked out of early this morning.
4:37 pm on March 4th, 2014
Hmmm…grunt!…Well that is the mile marker that the stinking GPS says he is at….wheeze!
4:41 pm on March 4th, 2014
Hours!….It says his last update was 3 stinking hours ago…wheeze!…Does this sound right? GAH! I wonder if his gps dropped off the sled…gasp!
4:48 pm on March 4th, 2014
We are in Minneapolis! We will be here a long time. Enjoying a black bean burger and a Bells and catching up on this here blog. There are 5 scratches!
4:50 pm on March 4th, 2014
I think he is resting the team.
4:50 pm on March 4th, 2014
GPS was lost once before a couple of years ago. But if he is resting so not to run in the heat of the day that makes sense too.
4:51 pm on March 4th, 2014
Whitey-Lance! Thank Dog – The Voice of Reason.
4:53 pm on March 4th, 2014
Hi O’Howlers’ Mom! Here have a Couch Cushion to chew on while you are waiting.
4:55 pm on March 4th, 2014
Isn’t that 2 mushers that have scratched so far? Seems like early in the race for that to be happening. Must be an indication of rough trails this year.
Do not, we repeat, do not let you-know-who see that shew! We can’t understand how anybody can walk in those things!
The crab cakes look divine. Barb says she will have to have some out east. That trip is approaching very quickly. Dawson and Staff have just one week to rest up and be ready to rock and roll. Barb is not an outstanding card player, but she will give it a try.
5:01 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio – ve are so sorry. Ve got distrscted by most beautiful shews in vorld. Is 6 inch heel vith purple platform. Is so perfect, ve had to vait for store to open. AJ and team are vaiting on trailside. Ve vill get right back on trail – as soon as ve find matching purse.
5:02 pm on March 4th, 2014
The last Plunderer is gone. Sniff. I can actually hear the clock on the wall ticking. ML left her footprints in a snow bank for me. I guess she won’t be fully gone until her footprints are. Rio’s hair is getting vacuumed up today. I hadn’t expected a shedding pug. However, now the Plunderers who came can understand when I open the windows at 40 degrees. Full sun = warmth. With the clear deck and driveway from the melting, they actually accused me of making up the stories of cold and snow.
5:02 pm on March 4th, 2014
Barb, 5 mushers have scratched. Experienced ones at that. This trail must be awful.
Stay safe, Snowhook.
5:04 pm on March 4th, 2014
T&G: Every since I saw the photo of the otter cork, I can’t get made at it. I pays to be cute
5:05 pm on March 4th, 2014
I miss the Hobbit Hotel, and SADIE!
I’ll bet the quiet is nice, Hobbit.
5:07 pm on March 4th, 2014
It is scary that 5 have scratched. I know AJ planned to be careful. He and Melanie are uppermost in my thoughts.
5:09 pm on March 4th, 2014
Teddy, I think our snow is going to be much less than when we left Howlerland.
A guy on our plane, who lives in Willow, had a hat that said “Huskies howl, Sibers sing”. Heh heh!
5:10 pm on March 4th, 2014
Speaking of cute…there are 6 new puppies at Snowhook. It is only fair that they are balanced out by 6 new kitties. THIS ONE IS FOR YOU BELLE STARR. See they wouldn’t be any trouble at all–just hang them on the couch and they are like velcro. [Plus if you ask for 6, you might just get 1.]
5:35 pm on March 4th, 2014
Any update on the dropped Snowhook teammember?
6:52 pm on March 4th, 2014
6 mushers now scratched including DeeDee J. Mike Sanntos, and Gus G. It must be an awful trail 🙁 Pawsitive thoughts to Snowhook.
7:08 pm on March 4th, 2014
CHobbit, I will be in a very bad mood if I can’t have one of those kitties.
Strong prayers going out to AJ and the team. Stay safe Snowhook.
7:16 pm on March 4th, 2014
Six scratches, isn’t this unheard of? Trails must be terrible.
MPM, Will the falls be unfrozen by next week?
7:24 pm on March 4th, 2014
When you consider the number of mushers that entered the Iditarod this year and the condition of the trail in places, I am not really surprised to see this many scratches.
I feel for each and every one of them..
7:31 pm on March 4th, 2014
AJ knows what to do…he is taking care of himself and the dogs…he will get to Nome by taking no unnecessary chances.
7:40 pm on March 4th, 2014
But did my momma scratch on her way to Oley? 🙁
7:42 pm on March 4th, 2014
I wonder about the GPS. I has shown AJ at mile 178 for the past 6 hours, before Rohn. Hasn’t he gone past that?
7:43 pm on March 4th, 2014
Believe me Kat, if she scratched, it was only behind her ears!
7:44 pm on March 4th, 2014
HOH, I believe AJ planned this rest stop to avoid the heat of the day.
7:46 pm on March 4th, 2014
Team!…I bet The Giant and the A-Team will blow through the next checkpoint and make really good time tonight..heh!heh!…I bet that is the plan. I just wish he would have run it by us first…sniff!
7:54 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio’s friend, ours is not to reason why, ours is just to chew the cushions.
8:13 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio’s Friend: snort
8:13 pm on March 4th, 2014
We r off. Ttyl
8:29 pm on March 4th, 2014
Philip just posted on his FB-Running Towards the Iditarod page that AJ was expected to rest between Rohn and Nikolai at a place called Buffalo Camp due to the “intense heat of the day.” So even if the tracker had been updated in the last 6.5 hours, there would have been no movement. He also said that there are 23 mushers on that section so if there were problems, mushers help each other when needed. Yes he is nervous that the tracker hadn’t moved.
8:41 pm on March 4th, 2014
I wish the Chet blog would update more 🙂
8:42 pm on March 4th, 2014
Ramey Smyth’s GPS hasn’t moved either…4 and 1/2 hours for him now.
8:44 pm on March 4th, 2014
Kat: As your mom just reported…they are on their way home
to you, you, you!
8:52 pm on March 4th, 2014
There are a lot of comments about the GPS trackers not reporting accurate information…makes us feel somewhat relieved.
Of course, as per usual, the Iditarod Trail Committee is making light of all the problems.
9:00 pm on March 4th, 2014
Creator – we thank you for this day and the wisdom we have gathered by living in it. Help us to hold the knowledge we have, and learn to look forward each day to gather more.
We thank you for this gathering of friends, this family that has been created across the miles. Each of us has gathered new gifts from each other; each of us has shared what we have learned with those who seek that knowledge. We are a quilt in many ways for each one of us is unique and has beauty. When combined, there is a pattern, a beautiful picture, and each piece is stronger for the support of the pieces around them. And that quilt of many pieces can also bring peace.
Creator – tonight, we ask you for peace. Help us all to mend this damaged world, and spread the word of peace to those whose hearts have not yet understood it. Help us to lift war from the world, and replace it with feelings of peace. Let there be peace for those with worried minds that they can rest. Let there be piece for those with injured spirits that they can find solace. Let there be peace for those whose bodies battle illness that they can be uplifted from any pain.
Let our souls feel the peace of the starlit night on the Iditarod trail; peace of the whispering trees and the soft sound of running paws. Let the peace in our hearts be as soft as a field of untrodden snow. Let our minds have peace as deep as a mountain pool, where ripples are caused only by the blessing drops of rain.
Creator – As AJ continues his journey tonight, let there be a peaceful joy in the running. We ask you to surround him and the dogs with beauty and surety, and have peace in their hearts as they continue their prayer on the trail.
Creator – we ask you to blanket our Melanie with peace. Let her heart know that we each are holding her hands, and accompanying her on her journey. Let her breathe easy and sleep softly in the peace of our love.
Creator – we thank you for this day and the wisdom we have gathered by living in it. Help us to hold the peace we have, and look forward each day to sharing it more.
9:00 pm on March 4th, 2014
Problems!…Snoblems! The Giant and The A-Team will over-come and be on their way soon…chuffle!…”Have no fear”, sayeth the Black Pug who is far away from me tonight, “The Lord is with our Team tonight and every night on the trail.” …sniff!…I must make ready to say my goodbyes to Alaska…wheeze!…It is time to be on my way, so some say…heh!
9:03 pm on March 4th, 2014
Prayer!….What great timing!…sniffle!…What a great Prayer for all of us who are so intertwined together. Amen!!
9:06 pm on March 4th, 2014
Amen.
9:07 pm on March 4th, 2014
Amen and amen.
9:07 pm on March 4th, 2014
Posts!….Sorry, I have two internet sessions running and one has my friend as the postee and one has ME, Rio as the Postee..sniff!…This Windows 8 POINT 1 is hideous and I cannot keep the two applications straight…sniff!…But it is ME, RIO who is Posting…grunt!
9:08 pm on March 4th, 2014
Staff!…She will get a kick out of this, if she stops crying over the prayer tonight…sniffle!
9:08 pm on March 4th, 2014
Amen, and thank you again so much.
9:12 pm on March 4th, 2014
Such beauty and grace in this prayer. Thank you, Amalia.
Peace be with our dear Melanie.
Creator, please watch over AJ and the team, and lead them safely on the trail.
9:17 pm on March 4th, 2014
We are a quilt of many pieces and of peace. Peace to AJ, peace to Melanie, and also peace to those in the world who are worried about war tonight.
9:21 pm on March 4th, 2014
Amen. Peace & Protection to All.
We Trust Your Judgment AJ.
We Love You Melanie.
9:32 pm on March 4th, 2014
Thank you Amalia. I hope the prayers are going into the Dishlickers’ account.
I am sure that the Iditarod does aerial surveys via plane or helicopter. I wonder if there is someone SnowBella can call if the trackers aren’t working.
I checked on Sadie on the deck and she had her dog bed in her mouth hauling it to and fro. Must be the doggie version of chewing on couch cushions. I ran for my camera but was too late.
9:34 pm on March 4th, 2014
Alaska!… It is time for me to leave you tonight….sniffle!… I have never been away from home for so long, and yet I feel like this is my home too. It is where friends are family and men are moose. Lots of bigness. Everything is large and vast and high and majestic…wheeze! … I love Alaska. I love Alaska because this is where some of my best friends in the whole world live. They are lucky they live here….snort! ….I can’t wait to come back to Alaska and see my friends next year….whuffle!….But in-between I will miss them dearly….sob!sob!sob!
Places!…Now there are a few places I would like to say Goodbye to before I am lifted off into the sunset and dropped into my backyard…sneeze!….Please refrain from posting in the middle of the photos if you can. SiberH, this means YOU!….snort!….Here we go:
9:35 pm on March 4th, 2014
I already miss my Gal Pals plus HoHo who is not pictured here (or hardly anywhere)…sniff!
9:36 pm on March 4th, 2014
Goodbye!….Sadie. Thanks for the warm soft bed and all your treaties. They were delish!…snort!
9:37 pm on March 4th, 2014
Goodbye!….Big TV. I am really going to miss you…sob!sob!sob!
9:38 pm on March 4th, 2014
Goodbye! …To riding in the Hobbitmobil and the Plundermobil…snort!…I was always ready for the big crash that miraculously never came…heh!heh!…What a bunch of speed demons!…zip!
9:39 pm on March 4th, 2014
The Iditarod Trail Committee is going to have a lot to answer for at the end of this race. Jake Berkowitz reported that his sled is broken beyond repair and he literally can’t move it 100 ft in these trail conditions. He pushed his help button and scratched. You have to wonder what the ITC were thinking when the trail has no snow. It is not worth the lives of dogs and mushers and the wreck of costly equipment. Mushers train so hard for this race and they deserve better.
Phooey
9:39 pm on March 4th, 2014
Goodbye Snowhook!….It was so great seeing my son Rio Junior. …sniff!….I am so very proud of him, I really am…wheeze!….My pug heart bursts when I think of him out there on the rough trail with his teammates…sneeze!….Rio Junior, be strong for the team!
9:40 pm on March 4th, 2014
Goodbye Snowhook!….I had become very acquainted with the little Outhouse In the Woods while I was visiting …sniff!…Only in Alaska…heh!heh!
9:41 pm on March 4th, 2014
Goodbye Snowhook!….My Little Cabin In the Woods will always be in my heart…sniffle!…What a great place. I just wish I could live there forever and ever…..snuffle!….Goodbye Little Cabin In The Woods. I will dream of you always….wuff!sob!sob!
9:43 pm on March 4th, 2014
Finally!….I will remember warming myself at the blazing fire Rebecca and AJ built for me….snort!…Two great friends and two really big Giants in oh so many ways. Far too many to mention here, right now….choke!sob!…And one very small CHobbit Harris who is my friend and protector in a very big way…sniffle!….Goodbye Alaska!
9:51 pm on March 4th, 2014
Amen to Rio’s farewell song
and Amen to the beautiful prayer.
10:00 pm on March 4th, 2014
Thank you Amalia for another beautiful prayer.
Rio. Safe blurring back to home.
10:01 pm on March 4th, 2014
I hope I am not posting in the middle of photos or I will be in trouble with Rio.
Amen and Thank You for the beautiful prayer Amalia and Leonard. sniff
Ditto to everything C.Hobbit said about the Iditarod Trail Committee.
They, along with the Insider, seem to be very good at pretending all is well and ignoring problems…their screw-ups.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they claim the Trail this year was attacked by saboteurs.
10:14 pm on March 4th, 2014
Nighty noodles. Peaceful sleep to all.
10:18 pm on March 4th, 2014
We don’t usually come back to the puter after prayer time, but we just had to check on AJ. Now here’s the thing:
The GPS tracker shows AJ not moving for the past 8 plus hours, BUT it also shows Jake Berkowicz behind him. BUT the Musher Standings page shows Jake WAY ahead of AJ. And we know from the videos he smashed his knee up, and then smashed his sled up.
We are relieved to know that the mushers have a Help button.
We are going to go to bed, and believe that when we check tomorrow, we will find AJ safe (and peaceful) much further along the trail.
And Poo on the ITC!
10:22 pm on March 4th, 2014
Standings!…Can we even trust the Current Standings page? …sniff!….Because it still shows Berkowicz out there on the trail between Rohn and Nicolia…wheeze!…It has not updated AJ’s standing all day long. This really blows big time. …grump!
10:27 pm on March 4th, 2014
Know!…All I know for sure is The Giant and the A-Team are NOT where the GPS-Shitty-Tracker says they are…sniff!…They are still moving and making time. How do we get this resolved with the Insider? I do not know. My friend had to fix her own problems, no help from them…grump!
10:31 pm on March 4th, 2014
Home, safe and sound but with a scratchy throat.
I’m hoping to get my photos uploaded to someone’s computer…tomorrow.
Jet lag dictates I sleep now.
It is real winter here, snow and cold.
10:33 pm on March 4th, 2014
Riö: We know how much you will miss Alaska, but Your Friend and Beau are Missing You here at home. Thank you for posting the photos. You have given us Memories to last a lifetime or at least until we can follow in your paw-prints and make this trip on our own.
SiberH: Yes, they are Trying to Make Light of the Situation. It is NOT going over very big with Iditarod Subscribers that’s for certain. All their New & Improved Updates have Failed Big Time. First the Website Crashes, now GPS Doesn’t Work. We Here are VERY Upset.
Amalia: You are Wise. We will follow your lead.
Night All – Bear
10:37 pm on March 4th, 2014
Once a musher pushes the help button, they are out of the race even if they are not injured and a new sled is waiting for them at the next checkpoint.
10:41 pm on March 4th, 2014
Dawson!….Smoooch!….So glad you are home safe and sound albeit getting sick…Airborne?…sniff!
Hard!….The hardest thing right now is not knowing what is going on out there with our beloved team…wheeze!…Patience with crap software is not a virtue of mine…grump!
10:55 pm on March 4th, 2014
I wish AJ and the dogs safe travels tonight in the cooler air.
night all
10:58 pm on March 4th, 2014
Peace!
I stayed in the “peace”room at the Hobbit Hotel. You can see the peace license in the picture of Rio leaving me a surprise in my suitcase. I slept like a log in that room.
Amen to the prayer.
11:01 pm on March 4th, 2014
Rio: so sorry I posted in the midst of your goodbyes. By the time I tippy typed and posted and checked the blog, I realized my mistake. It is just that I am so worrit about the mushers. I couldn’t be SnowBella, no I could not.
My sweet little evil pug…I will miss you the most as you are a dog who captured my heart. It is an honor to know you.
At 6:00 AST, there was a small earthquake in Anchorage. Youse all missed it. Small but I have to go around and correct some of my artwork hanging on the walls.
Dawson: thanks for checking in. Take Zinc and rest! Gah!
HOH: haven’t heard from you all day, are youse ok?
Visiting Plunderers: my sister thanks you for leaving so much beer behind.
SST to SNOWHOOK (safe, steady travels)
11:08 pm on March 4th, 2014
Beer!…There was more beer than I was allowed to get my paws on? Well, I’ll be….sniff!
CHobbit!…How am I supposed to sleep tonight with Beau in the same room snoring very loudly, and then there are no candles and no soft muszak playing for me to drift asleep quietly and softly….grump!….Home is going to take some getting used to…gah!
11:14 pm on March 4th, 2014
I am thinking of AJ and Melanie, both traveling on journeys that are separate and yet intertwined. I am thinking of AJ, moving swiftly across ice, accompanied by teams of dogs, both Spirit and flesh.
And I am thinking of Melanie, transitioning between this world and the next, surrounded also by dogs both spirit and flesh.
Each is surrounded and uplifted by Plunderers. All hearts are joined together. We travel together. Our hearts are full.
11:22 pm on March 4th, 2014
Thank you Wolfie…I feel like we are together holding hands.
11:25 pm on March 4th, 2014
Carpola, too late to help:
“A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for The Susitna Valley, including Talkeetna, Cantwell and Willow. This will be in effect through Noon Wed.
* SNOW…7 TO 11 INCHES…HIGHEST AMOUNTS OVER THE NORTHERN VALLEY.”
11:29 pm on March 4th, 2014
I will be up another 4 hours and will post anything I learn on the local news or via FB.
Sadie is enjoying her bed again:
11:31 pm on March 4th, 2014
Bed!…I am going up to my warm soft bed and I will be praying very hard for my Team and its welfare….snuffle!…Right now all I want most in the whole wide world is for our Team to be safe and not injured…wheeze!…Heck, they may be in McGrath checking out the new sled for all we know. Wouldn’t that be great!…chuffle!..I will be praying for that along with complete safety….wuffle!…GoodNight!
11:32 pm on March 4th, 2014
Sadie!….Snort!…You will never find some of your toys I hid around that big house…heh!heh!
11:34 pm on March 4th, 2014
RiO: pfff…
11:36 pm on March 4th, 2014
We are in Philly. Another hour and a half until I see my kids.
11:40 pm on March 4th, 2014
Just finished eating here at the Chugiak Hilton. Moose. It’s what’s for dinner.
Bed is calling. Beware. Plunders will wear you out, out, out.
Nighty poodles
11:42 pm on March 4th, 2014
Howler’s Mom – yes, we are still up for some unknown reason.
Give all your kids kisses from us too.
11:42 pm on March 4th, 2014
O’Howlers: I laid down on the big bed this afternoon and it was as I feared–it played heck with my vertigo. I need to be 8″ from the floor rather than 36.”
11:44 pm on March 4th, 2014
Snowhook FB update 3 minutes ago:
“My heart has been in my throat all day…”
11:54 pm on March 4th, 2014
OH’s Mom: long day, be safe. Thanks for the memories. Scratch all the critters from me.
12:01 am on March 5th, 2014
Idit. Inside shows 7 scratches now: Jan Stephens is newest. No Jake Berk, on scratch list yet. Hope there are no serious problems other than the Bl@$*^% tracker.
12:02 am on March 5th, 2014
Dawson! Not you too?
Hobbit, you will have to sleep on Sadie’s bef and she can sleep in the big comfortable bed.
12:05 am on March 5th, 2014
Current standings shows AJ in Nikolai!!!!
12:07 am on March 5th, 2014
From Snowhook FB 2 minutes ago:
“Despite the GPS tracker showing the team at mile 178 for more than 10 hours, according to the race standings the team arrived in Nikolai 20 minutes ago. I can breathe now.”
12:07 am on March 5th, 2014
The team arrived in Nikolai.
12:14 am on March 5th, 2014
Is this a good time for a hallelujah?
12:15 am on March 5th, 2014
From the Alaska Dispatch:
“Willow musher Justin Savidis’ team made it out of the gorge only to take a wrong turn when it emerged onto the smooth, glare ice of the Tatina. Savidis had a hard time getting the team stopped on the glare ice. It took several miles before he could stop his team and turn them around.
He described conditions through the gorge in vivid terms.
“Imagine a deer trail that winds through the mountains, up and down, with rocks and trees and stumps on all sides of you,” he said. “Then you hook up a dog team and try to go through it.”
Some mushers came in swearing and angry…. ”
FULL ARTICLE AT http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140304/gnarly-trail-brings-top-iditarod-mushers-sorlie-jonrowe-their-knees
12:57 am on March 5th, 2014
HOME!
Nighty night
2:17 am on March 5th, 2014
10 pm TV news: 10 mushers have scratched. Two scratched from injuries during the Dalzell Gorge; Abbott hurt her shoulder; Ramstead had an injury “too significant to continue;” Janssenn had a bad crash and broke his leg and had to be rescued first by another musher who took him to a safety shelter and then by helicopter; another musher whose name I didn’t catch busted his knee and vet tape was used to lock it into place. Ally Zerkle was interviewed and looks beyond exhausted and stressed. I almost splorted just watching her. She says that there are sections on the trail where mushers can’t use their brakes or they will break them.
Dee Dee Jonrowe who has competed in the Iditarod 28 times, scratched and said that the Dalzell Gorge “physcially beat her up.”
4:51 am on March 5th, 2014
The team left Nikolai about twenty minutes ago with 15 dogs still on the line.
7:53 am on March 5th, 2014
Onward Snowhook!!!!
Karen Ramstead is hurt and scratched. 🙁
3:44 am on March 24th, 2014
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8:50 pm on July 29th, 2014
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