On the Iditarod Trail
Many, many thanks to Rebecca, CEO of Snowhook – our team! – for these thoughtful and well-written reports:
The race has many miles. There are the beginning miles that hold newness and the excitement of another adventure, and the last miles that offer a glimpse of the finish line. And, then there are the middle miles. These middle miles can be difficult. They may not have the rollercoaster ride of the Happy River Steps or the bone jarring bumps of the Burn, but this section of trail has its own hazard of dismay. With the starting line far behind and the finish line not close enough, discouragement can become a companion while traveling the middle miles on the Yukon River. The team is at the last checkpoint before exiting the Yukon River and heading for the coast where the team will leave the middle miles behind.
Once the team leaves Nulato, it will be a fairly short run to Kaltag, but a much longer run onto Unalakleet. We can expect AJ to camp the team between Kaltag and Unalakleet, the first checkpoint on the coast. He will likely stop at new Old Woman cabin, a safety cabin on the trail that offers respite from the run. However, old Old Woman cabin is not so welcoming. Before he reaches the new cabin, the team will pass by the run down remains of old Old Woman cabin. With the clean quarters of the new cabin not much further down the trail, why may AJ stop at the shanty? Call it race strategy. Custom holds that passersby, in this case mushers, should leave an offering at old Old Woman cabin or her spirit will bring you bad luck on the rest of your journey. A bit of candy left on the woodstove should satisfy her sweet tooth.
***
Melanie was on the mind of our musher as he reflects on his run from the Steps through the Gorge and onto the Burn. If you have the Insider, you can see an interview with AJ where he speaks of our dear friend.
Melanie—You are loved. Never forget it.
Welcome new friends Josie, Bear, Finn the snow dog.
Tags: AJ, Iditarod, Melanie, Old Woman Cabin, Rebecca
This entry was posted on Sunday, March 9th, 2014 at 11:15 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.
11:20 am on March 9th, 2014
Wasn’t it at the old Old Woman’s Cabin that AJ wrote the note on the wall to Plunder On?
I still can’ get his video to play!
11:20 am on March 9th, 2014
Melanie, you are loved and mom can’t get the lyrics from “And the lights all went out in Massachusetts” out of her head.
Have a swift Sunday 🙂
11:21 am on March 9th, 2014
Greetings!
Thinking of our Purple Pricess, And Truman .
Creator, please offer your loving touch to our Pixie so that she remains strong and healthy, and to AJ and the team, to ease the ache of their bodies, and help them to see clearly the Burled Arch in Nome.
11:25 am on March 9th, 2014
Pixie , how are the Plunderfest pups doing?
11:26 am on March 9th, 2014
Good morning, Admin.
We are sitting here looking at our copy of “Born to Run” with Annabelle and Tomboy’s pictures. Sniff
When Mom was out at the store where she restocks the pantry and fridge, she picked up her very own little bunch of yellow daddodils. They are now just starting to open. Spring!
Yesterday did feel like Spring here, and monday and Tuesday will be even warmer, then, it is back to winter with cold and snow. Mom and pop are not happy about that. Us? We love every season. Oh yes we do.
We love Melanie.
11:30 am on March 9th, 2014
According to Current Standings, both Aliy and King have left Shaktoolik!
11:32 am on March 9th, 2014
Good morning, or almost afternoon to all.
Thank you Rebecca for the informative update.
Love and blessings to Melanie and Truman this Sunday.
11:40 am on March 9th, 2014
I love the concept of the Old Woman and her spirit. (It reminds me of the Fates and the Weird Sisters.)
Diane: I wrote a response to you at the end of yesterday’s comments.
Go Snowhook!
Good morning all.
11:44 am on March 9th, 2014
Hello Everyone–Nice to see there’s a new post up.
Melanie–thinking of you as I put on my church purple.
11:49 am on March 9th, 2014
B. Stove–I was thinking in terms of the Wagner operas, but they DO have names (Urd, Verdandur and Skuld–charming, huh?, and here’s a link with more than you might ever want to know about the Norse Norns: http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/norse-mythology.php?deity=NORNS
Still don’t get why they HAVE to be involved with spinning, weaving, etc.
Visual interpretation to be posted separately.
11:50 am on March 9th, 2014
B. Stover–And here’s the visual (note chestwear)
11:56 am on March 9th, 2014
So what’s this about videos from the team? Amazing to think of internyet access out there. Wonder if they still use hams for race and emergency comms on the trail? (Yes, random.)
No outright aggression between cats, but Jaz is still growling and hissing a little at Jasper. And also a little at Leno this morning. Think she must be saying, “Hey, this is my home, don’t no one take me back to that shelter!” I really don’t think it will be very long before peace and harmony reign in our house, the discord isn’t terribly discordant anyway.
11:59 am on March 9th, 2014
Just went out to the mailbox and retrieved mail from yesterday. We had a nice surprise from C. Hobbit. We can keep the map right next to the computer, which will make it easier to keep track of A.J. They have had over a 20% scratch rate so far. We are at 15, with 24 being the highest ever, but then they had 15 more starters that year.
We are already using our new bookmark. Thank you, Carol. As soon as it gets warmer and the snow is gone we will be putting our bumper sticker on as well.
12:00 pm on March 9th, 2014
Good day all.
We are hoping that both our travelers have a smooth path today.
And we have a theory as to why the Norms “have” to be happy little domesticated sewers – probably because those writing about them were men.
12:01 pm on March 9th, 2014
Thank you Rebecca. Love the Insider video of AJ. We are all thinking of Melanie and holding our love for her close in our hearts.
12:05 pm on March 9th, 2014
Diane: LOL! It almost looks as though her belt contains bullets. The weaving has to have something to do with the “tapestry of life” metaphor. The Greek Moirai were worshipped as birth-goddesses, thus controlling destiny from beginning to end. (More things to ponder.)
“Weird” is derived from Old English “wyrd” meaning fate or destiny.
12:06 pm on March 9th, 2014
B: I don’t know why the link doesn’t work for you…just tried it here and it goes straight to the article Philip mentions. Try it from his F/b page (it’s on yesterday’s comments).
BooBear: Yes, believe AJ did leave that message at Old Woman’s o Cabin one year…along with his offering of course…it’s not wise to tempt the fates!
Diane: You & B are sure having fun with this!
12:09 pm on March 9th, 2014
Buddy, Congratulations on your new family member. I am sure it will all work out soon.
To answer your question about AJ’s video…One has to subscribe to the Iditarod Insider to see that video. With the mood I am in with the Iditarod Insider this year, I cannot recommend subscribing. Their level of incompetence has grown by leaps and bounds this year.
12:11 pm on March 9th, 2014
Tupper’s theory is making me laugh. That may also be why the connotation of “weird” changed from “powerful” to “strange.” Yes, I love the English language.
12:17 pm on March 9th, 2014
Hard to believe I’ve been Up for Hours and have not yet had Sunday Brunch. What’s up with that?
Holding our Weary Travelers and Loved Ones under the Quilt in our Hearts & Prayers.
May this be a Good Day. Smooth Runnings Everyone.
12:25 pm on March 9th, 2014
B: Yet another fact we did not know. Very “strange” indeed (and weird) the description of weird going from powerful to strange.
B&L: You have a very positive outlook on things. We like it!
Yay! Looks like we are almost to the next checkpoint Kaltag.
12:33 pm on March 9th, 2014
And now I’m thinking of Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shalott” and all of the Pre-Raphaelite artwork on her. (I’m not getting anything done around here.)
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/tennyson/loslist.html
12:34 pm on March 9th, 2014
Linda here. I have finally taken the plunge and am posting on Chet’s blog. I hope all of you have a wonderful Sunday. Love to Melanie and all. GO SNOWHOOK!
12:38 pm on March 9th, 2014
SiberH, mom does subscribe to the insider and made sure she was logged in. She can watch the other videos, but the one of AJ just shows a generic Iditarod short video and then says no related video found. The video before and after AJ’s are both watchable.
12:50 pm on March 9th, 2014
Welcome Linda, aka BB. Grab an avatar and join the fun
The clock says 9 something but my body says zzzzzzzzzzzz
Later taters
12:51 pm on March 9th, 2014
Linda!! WELCOME!!! WOO WOO
BooBear, The videos are working for me, but I know they are not working for everyone. I wish all of you could see AJ’s video.
12:51 pm on March 9th, 2014
Linda, We can’t call you Linda the Lurker any more. Welcome. Now you need an avatar!
Over 50 dog biscuits now. This is going to take all day! Gah.
12:54 pm on March 9th, 2014
Hi Linda!
Our team is into Kaltag! WoooHooo!!!
12:57 pm on March 9th, 2014
Billy’s Buddy???…snort!…Linda???…grunt!….Linda the Lurker?…heh!heh!….Wassup Lurker?
12:59 pm on March 9th, 2014
Finally!!! Mom did a restart on the big computer and got to watch AJ’s video. She knows she should always restart when she has a problem, but thought that since the other videos were viewable, that couldn’t be the problem. At least she finally got to see it. Whew!
Snowbella, any word on who the 3rd dropped dog is?
12:59 pm on March 9th, 2014
Trakker!…I still can’t figure out why my GPS tracker does not update every 5 minutes….grump!…Does anyone else have this problem?…wheeze!
1:01 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rio, when you said you love me (on this here blog) I couldn’t resist posting. Who can resist the love of a pug? Or any other four legged for that matter.
1:01 pm on March 9th, 2014
BooBear: So sorry the video is not working for you.
B: LOL. We are not getting anything done around here either.
sooooo….BBL
1:02 pm on March 9th, 2014
Problems!…Refresh!…Reboot!…Rejoice!…grunt!…Linda The Lurker, I do not recall saying I love you…(cough!)..
1:08 pm on March 9th, 2014
SiberH!…CHobbit!…Run like the wind and check your SDD’s…sniff!…My friend is threatening to take us out on a brutal walk because it is so nice outside…grump!
1:14 pm on March 9th, 2014
How long will he rest the dogs between Kaltag and Unalakleet?
Linda, tell us more about Billy, please?
1:18 pm on March 9th, 2014
Welcome, Buddy’s Buddy (aka LL)!!! It is so nice to see you on this here blog, since you have been part of our family for so long.
BB, glad you got to see OFM’s video.
Kaltag! Woo Hoo!!!
We all just had some cheesecake in solidarity with Bella (aka TBDHW). Ours was NY style, and the ‘rents had truffle.
1:23 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rio, Let me do a bit of research before I reply to your SDD
1:25 pm on March 9th, 2014
Shutting off the dog bone maker at 62. Need a nap, after 4 hours of non-stop baking. The will resume and make 24 more.
Question for youse – these dog bone treats are peanut butter or applesauce with organic chicken broth base. They are 4″ X 1″ and will be put in bags with a cute little bow and ribbon. Would you charge $1.00 for 3 or $1.00 for 4?
1:30 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rio, maybe you said you love my pretzels. Close enough for me.
Barb, Billy is a spirit kat, but I think he is back and forth like Bear. He fit perfectly into my strange family of all men except me. He was the best buddy I could have had.
In our local newspaper yesterday, there was an article about a native to this area who is running in the Iditarod. His name is Dan Kaduce and I think his number is 5.
1:31 pm on March 9th, 2014
Barb, $l.00 for 3.
You have put a lot of time and effort into this project, and it is for a worthy cause.
1:33 pm on March 9th, 2014
Billy’s Buddy, I recognize the name Dan Kaduce from past Iditarods.
1:36 pm on March 9th, 2014
Dan Kaduce is in Kaltag with AJ right now.
1:40 pm on March 9th, 2014
I’d say 2 or 4 because I don’t like odd numbers, but for no terribly good reason other than that. Alena would say 3, because she does like odd numbers, or at least she likes 3. Melanie (my wife, you understand) would probably agree with me, as she has the same aversion to odd numbers.*
* My aversion to odd numbers does not extend to 5. 5 is an honorary even for some reason. Maybe it’s an odd reason.
2:08 pm on March 9th, 2014
Tupper–Interesting theory (but a cooking symbol would work, too, in that case–and nourishment would be involved!) but you have a point.
Masquers–It IS fun! And why the symbols should overlap (as they often do) is kind of a mystery (even if Tupper is right).
B. Stover–why worry about doing anything else? The Pre-Raphaelites are so cool, beautiful pictures, and the housework and homework and bills will still be there after you’ve enjoyed some beauty for a bit.
Does anyone know any attributes of fate deities for non-European cultures? (e.g. Something other than 3 women doing textile-related stuff?)
2:09 pm on March 9th, 2014
Band M–Assuming you’ve already done a cost analysis, go with $1 for 3. If it’s for a good cause this forces anyone living with two dogs to buy two pkgs (and the goal is to raise money, I assume).
2:14 pm on March 9th, 2014
Then 3 it is !
2:18 pm on March 9th, 2014
B and L–An odd reason!–I just got it. Sorry, I’m slow today.
These IS some footage of the 2014 race available on Youtube including a silent 20 second clip of Team Snowhook passing. It appears to have been taken before the perilous stretches…
2:21 pm on March 9th, 2014
Oops–I think that’s just footage of the “ceremonial start”…
2:24 pm on March 9th, 2014
Diane: I especially like the Waterhouse painting with the Lady entangled in the yarn, and the Hunt painting of the same image. And the line, “The mirror crack’d from side to side;/ ‘The curse has come upon me,’ cried the Lady of Shalott” is one of my favorites. A question I always asked my students was, “Why does she have to die?” We had lots of interesting discussions on that.
(Does everyone recognize an Agatha Christie title?)
2:24 pm on March 9th, 2014
Whoooohoooo! Linda, welcome to this here blog, : )
2:29 pm on March 9th, 2014
Mama Luna: I left a post on yesterday’s blog for you. I hope you would never consider disembowling Pixie, The Giant, Belle Starr, the rest of the dogs, or your adopted daughter. You are so nurturing. I can’t imagine squeaky toy entrails hanging from your mouth.
2:29 pm on March 9th, 2014
Hi Linda! Come on in, the water is fine!
2:34 pm on March 9th, 2014
I received an email from the Insider that AJ has checked in to Kaltag.
2:44 pm on March 9th, 2014
Oh Linda, so glad to have you on board. Lurking is good…Speaking is better!!!!!
2:48 pm on March 9th, 2014
OK. a little over a year ago we’d lurked the spoke. took forever for others to jump in. Now ALR, Linda, and others are a part of this here family…Trust us..it is family.
3:12 pm on March 9th, 2014
Hounds: Same Here…Lurked for a while (from 2009)…then after meeting B at Chet’s Appreciation Society F/b page was encouraged to join the fun.
We posted, sporadically at first, then more regularly.
Nana always tells everybody who will listen that the ChetTheDog Family of Plunderers Saved Her Life.
I do not doubt it.
3:18 pm on March 9th, 2014
Yeah, Linda, trust me. As a sporadic poster here who still doesn’t have everyone and their doings straight yet, I can tell you this right here is a great bunch of folks. They still put up with me and even seem glad to see me when I resurface. So welcome aboard!
3:24 pm on March 9th, 2014
Buddy (and Leno) when will you understand?????We are family!….I got all my family with me!!!!
3:24 pm on March 9th, 2014
I think we will go with 3 for $1. Diane, if we were doing a cost analysis, there would be no doing this. 8 hours of labor (well not intensive, but have to be here for 8 hours, plus make 4 batches of batter). 72 bones =24 bags = $24.00. Oh well, it’s a fund raiser!
3:26 pm on March 9th, 2014
Gang!…Everyone here is okay except for that Alice Johnson…grunt!…She needs to go find her own Kat Blog somewhere…sniff!
3:30 pm on March 9th, 2014
Trouble!…So none of youse guys are having Trakker Trouble like I am?….sniff!…This STINKS!
3:32 pm on March 9th, 2014
Linda!!! Wonderful to actually have you here.
3:36 pm on March 9th, 2014
Our local musher is Rick Castillo. Can anyone tell me how he’s doing?
3:41 pm on March 9th, 2014
Oops – Rick Casillo
3:47 pm on March 9th, 2014
Sammie: Looks like he is almost to or in Kaltag. Bib No. 30
3:48 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rio, I am not having any problems with the Tracker because I am not using it. I dislike it.
Princess Sam, Rick is running in the middle of the pack. He is doing okay.
3:50 pm on March 9th, 2014
Riö, Our GPS seems to be working okay.
3:58 pm on March 9th, 2014
Sorry Masquers. I didn’t remember that you had already mentioned that AJ was in Kaltag.
Sam: Since MPM mentioned him before the race started, I chose Casillo as one of the mushers I receive alert for. I received the message that he was in Kaltag about one hour ago.
4:06 pm on March 9th, 2014
Casillo is down to eleven dogs according to “current standings.”
4:08 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rio: I hate the tracker but I can use it. I zoom out as much as possible, and move it around to see more of the field.
4:23 pm on March 9th, 2014
A photo can never do justice to the brightness of daffodils glowing in the sunlight. Joy and remembrance
4:35 pm on March 9th, 2014
I hope everything is well with Bella, I am worrit.
Barb, mom is a tightwad, and she would buy two biscuits for a dollar.
4:35 pm on March 9th, 2014
Pretty flowers, C.Hobbit!
On my tracker, AJ’s flag has turned the orangish color. Does that mean anything?
4:36 pm on March 9th, 2014
Maybe the Pixie is picking up the third dropped dog?
4:38 pm on March 9th, 2014
Greetings everyone – so much going on we don’t know where to start.
Welcome Linda!! Woo hoooo! See – all you Lurkers out there, and you know who you are, we love it when our Lurkers become posters. Come on, join us. We may be diverse, unique and serendipitous – we are also close, supportive and have a collectively wicked sense of humor.
Hobbit and all who have joined the Daffodil adopters – thank you for pictures of joy. We really need that.
Now, back tot he educational portion of our programs – Diane and Bee – if you think about the time from of the writings of mythological beings, women of any station in life above servant HAD servants who did the cooking and the laundry and the cleaning. Ladies of rank were regulated to the chores of spinning and sewing and needlepoint. Think about it – surely Lady McBeth or Lady Capulet never soiled their hands with chopping on onion – but they could sit in their towers with their handmaidens creating tapestries.
The servant women who did the cooking and gardening and cleaning were probably not even noticed by the men who were recoding the legends and myths – they were too far down in the social structure to matter, hence the female deities no matter how minor would only be pattered after the ladies of station.
How’s that for a Sunday afternoon discussion?
4:48 pm on March 9th, 2014
Trakker!….I liked last years tracker…sniff!…This one updates sporadically….wheeze!…I can pretty much count on it to stop updating the musher I am watching – no matter who it is….grump!
4:50 pm on March 9th, 2014
CHobbit, The flowers are beautiful, and I love the way you photographed them.
4:52 pm on March 9th, 2014
Boo Bear: On the list of Iditarod standings in the race, orange indicates a change since the last update. Don’t know what it means on the tracker flags.
4:53 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rio – none of the rest of us are having any trouble at all with the webtrakker. It is only you, you, you – it’s a conspiracy.
giggle
4:57 pm on March 9th, 2014
What a beautiful vase of daffodils. If Barb was not leaving town Tuesday she would be buying some too.
T & G, That was an excellent thought about the cooking and cleaning and gardening that you brought up. Heavy thinking for Sunday afternoon. We are impressed.
5:11 pm on March 9th, 2014
Thanks for the update on Rick Casillo. His sister’s friend is Josie who does Mommy’s, my girl’s, and Molly’s mom’s hair. Mommy is going to see her tomorrow night so she will give her the update.
5:22 pm on March 9th, 2014
Bye for now. Barb is heading over to Josh’s with a bag full of dog treats and some extra things for dinner. They are doing tuna steaks, salad and whatever else Josh and Jess are fixing. BBL Will catch up when she gets back home.
5:23 pm on March 9th, 2014
We have been outside all afternoon, having a “snowbepit”. Does that sound o.k.? Anyways, we are back in and munching has commenced.
Onward Snowhook!
5:26 pm on March 9th, 2014
5:39 pm on March 9th, 2014
Yeah, Mom got me some cheesecake so now I feel like I am officially a member of the team!!! Happy Sunday! Go Snowhook! Sloppy kisses to Melanie!
5:43 pm on March 9th, 2014
So many of us…so little time. We are strong! GO SNOWHOOK!
5:43 pm on March 9th, 2014
As I mentioned yesterday, the orange flags on the tracker indicate that a musher has stopped or that the GPS has no updated info.
5:43 pm on March 9th, 2014
Cherokee: Cheesecake? Lucky Dawg!
5:47 pm on March 9th, 2014
5:54 pm on March 9th, 2014
Love your avatar, Cherokee!
5:59 pm on March 9th, 2014
Hey Cherokee! Us too, we had cheesecake, because godmom said it is good for us!
6:04 pm on March 9th, 2014
Just went back to double check and the Pixie hasn’t posted at all today. I hope she is okay and just taking care of the kennel.
Sorry, B. We forgot that you had said that about the orange flags. Hopefully, AJ’s color change on the flag has nothing to do with the Pixie missing from the blog today.
6:35 pm on March 9th, 2014
Rebecca!….Maybe she is finally sleeping…grunt!…Not that she needs rest and good food, but maybe that is why she is not posting. Do not beg her to post. She needs to get a lot of rest….grunt!
6:36 pm on March 9th, 2014
Wow! Jeff & Aliy in Koyak within a MINUTE of each other!
Cherokee, Good photo!
Maybe Bella went to pickup the last dropped dog.
6:38 pm on March 9th, 2014
Very good point, Riö.
7:16 pm on March 9th, 2014
TEAM!….The A-Team is on the move!….WoooooooHooooooo!
7:18 pm on March 9th, 2014
Linda: Thank you for the info on Dan Kaduce. There is a video interview with him on yesterday’s Insider.
WOOOHOOO: AJ checked out of Kaltag about 10 minutes ago!
7:33 pm on March 9th, 2014
Dear Plunderers I have made a commitment to post a prayer every night for AJ and Mekanie and all others on need. I will be saying prayers tonight, but I will ask all of you to take over too.
Melanie continues to await her first step on the next path. Her sons are being so loyal and loving, it eases my heart, knowing my best friend is being so well cared for.
Tonight I will not be home to do the prayer. My father’s best friend has taken a bad fall and is in the hospital. I have brought my father here to be with his friend and will be here for a while.
I am going to ask you all to be not only a part of the prayer tonight, but to actually BE the prayer. At 9 please post your thoughts of hope, of support , of love.
Although there will be many voices saying different words, I know both AJ and Melanie will hear you.
Thank you, my family.
7:44 pm on March 9th, 2014
Nine!….Nine o’clock whose time?….sniff!…Even the blog is an hour off because of the damned daylight savings…grump!
7:56 pm on March 9th, 2014
I think 9 eastern time, Rio. But even if its each persons 9, it will be oky
8:00 pm on March 9th, 2014
Thank you all for welcoming me.
God bless us everyone.
And for all who are ours, let us truly give thanks.
8:02 pm on March 9th, 2014
Creator, I am not eloquent with words like many in our chosen family but my prayer is from the heart. Take special care of Melanie. She will know when it is time to let go. We know many of her pack left to go over the bridge this past year. Perhaps they felt they would be needed there to welcome Melanie, and the two that stayed behind are to comfort Zoe in the coming months.
Continue to keep AJ safe and strong. Take special care of the wonderful dogs that speed him to Nome. We all live his dream.
8:04 pm on March 9th, 2014
Amen.
8:05 pm on March 9th, 2014
Amen.
8:05 pm on March 9th, 2014
Thank you, Creator, for the gift of this family. Please watch over and protect the heart of each of us. Help us each to dance thru our own universe.
8:11 pm on March 9th, 2014
Amen.
Creator, hear the silent prayers of our hearts.
8:13 pm on March 9th, 2014
Bless Melanie as she awaits the next step on her journey. Our love surrounds her and her family.
Creator, Keep AJ and his team safe tonight as they start the next leg of their race to Nome. Keep the remaining dogs healthy and sound. And keep Rebecca well and rested as she awaits their return.
8:15 pm on March 9th, 2014
Creator please watch over Melanie and AJ and all who are in need of strength and comfort at this time. May loved ones feel the warmth of love flowing in their direction and may it resonate within them as it flows on again,
8:25 pm on March 9th, 2014
Creator, Thank you for giving us another day on this great Earth. You have blessed this day with the warmth of the sun, and it has brought our Plunderer family ever closer. And on this day, I humbly ask you to remember those in our family who walk a difficult path.
With your warm touch, please help ease the pain of Melanie, our beloved Purple Princess. May you reach out for her hand and help guide along the long path she travels. Embrace Melanie’s sons, such wonderful young men, and Zoe in the warmth of your arms.
I also ask that you keep AJ and the team strong, free of pain, and safe as they make their way to the Burled Arch.
I also ask that you touch our Pixie with your loving hands so that she may not be afraid, keep her health strong, and reassure her that soon she will be reunited with her humble and gentle Giant, and the loyal and trusted dogs that run with AJ in this great race.
I also ask that you restore good health to our friend Truman, and Amalia’s father.
Creator, You who have given so much, I ask for these things not for myself but for my Plunderer family, who mean so much to me. I love them dearly.
8:33 pm on March 9th, 2014
Amen
8:43 pm on March 9th, 2014
Wose. Beautifully said. Amalia would definitely approve. Amen.
8:47 pm on March 9th, 2014
Prayer!….I have a few things I’d like to say…..ahem!… Lord God tonight we gather together and ask for your strength and your wisdom to guide our team safely through each checkpoint and finally to Nome. I know you have a plan for each of us. I wish you would let us in on your plan so that we could plan for our plans…sniff!…Of course you like to surprise us and bewilder us which in turn makes us lean closer to you for strength and guidance. We rely entirely on you Lord to bring our Team home safely and securely. In you Lord, we place all of our trust. Amen!
8:52 pm on March 9th, 2014
RIO! Amen
8:56 pm on March 9th, 2014
Amen!…Rio stole my prayer…sneeze!…I had it all tippity-tapped out and den he took over and fixed all da spelling and grammar stuff and posted it as his own…sneeze!…I do not care, but just so youse know….cough!sneeze!
9:05 pm on March 9th, 2014
It’s ok Beau -we know how those dawgs can be – ummmm, you ARE a Kat, aren’t you?
9:12 pm on March 9th, 2014
Kat!…I am no damn ole Kat…sniff!snort!grump!…I am on Kat-Watch everyday – day and night – night and day…wheeze!…I spit and sputter and grump and growl and run through da house and slam off da walls to get to the back door when I see a Kat on my front porch…SNEEZE!gasp!…Funny thing though, I never see dem in da back after I see dem in da front…grump!
9:30 pm on March 9th, 2014
Melanie, we love you. Please go in peace. Truman, heal when possible. No more tears on this keyboard…it will short out! Love and hugs.
9:34 pm on March 9th, 2014
B. Stover–Yes! “The Mirror Crack’d”. I’ve loved that line ever since encountering it in a Jas. Thurber story, where the narrator is putting someone’s “big city” ways down with the statement “Back in Ohio we used to say “the mirror crack’d from side to side” ” in reference to some remark about ladies’ monthlies…
9:42 pm on March 9th, 2014
Diane, ARL, Lurkers, Buddy et al. we need to bind together to stay strong. Thank you for joining us in this venture. The more we have, the stronger we grow. Love, peace, caring. Strength to AJ. GO SNOWHOOK!
9:43 pm on March 9th, 2014
T and G–about women of rank–hmmm, you may be right (although spinning is kind of heavy-duty work, and one of the Norns apparently took time off occasionally to double as a Valkyrie warrior-maid–oh, but that would be cool because it’s MEN’s work, right?)
Thanks for the analysis–I’m really enjoying it.
9:49 pm on March 9th, 2014
Divine Beloved–What all the others, more eloquent that I, have already said. Hold all of us in your heart and let us attend and heed your slightest whisper as we move forward on the paths that open before us. Please take special care of those traversing the most challenging passages, and let them feel our love and support as well.
10:03 pm on March 9th, 2014
Herd of Hounds Mom, Sharon, I do bind together with you all in prayer and in wishes. I have taken your joys and your concerns to my heart. Tonight’s prayers are such wonderful expressions of love and may I add my blessings to those.
Someday I may tell you all about another extended family that started out online and grew as close as if we are all in the same room together sometimes……and many, many times we have been almost all together in one place! I may even tell you about the initials ALR…they are not my actual name! These little mysteries keep us going.
And may the Creator’s mysteries and spirit be with us all with an extra dose of strength and peace.
10:16 pm on March 9th, 2014
Jodi and Mick, the people not the dogs, Digger Daddy Dawg and I love you and hope we will see you again soon. Please stay in touch…right now an owl is hoo-hooting just outside our window. A message for sure.
10:34 pm on March 9th, 2014
Hope Grandpa’s friend is doing ok.
Night all. Wishing all have a safe and peaceful night.
10:36 pm on March 9th, 2014
…it’s probably too late for those of you in the East (and I hesitate to do such an abrupt change of subject, but Neil deGrasse Tyson is coming up with “Cosmos” 2.0 tonight…
10:40 pm on March 9th, 2014
B. stover–Just revisited your question about the Lady of Shallott. Are you familiar with a book about Victorian images of women in art called “Idols of Perversity”? I think you’d really enjoy it, especially in connection with this question.
10:44 pm on March 9th, 2014
Diane and HRH B, Love thinking about the “Lady of the Lake” and other items 🙂
11:05 pm on March 9th, 2014
Here is a late winter early spring song for us to enjoy during this time of year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKMuEOxir6w
Thank you Creator for all the beauty we have around us.
Thank you for the lovely daffodil’s that bloom brightly yellow and cheer our hearts. Thank you for the crocus and pansies that like the cool early spring air.
Thank you for the song birds as they start to move across the land. Help us to see and enjoy the beautiful spring colors as they come back to us.
Help us to see and hear the melting snow and ice and to feel the soft spring breezes against our face.
Thank you for the music of the drops of water starting to move down to the rivers and then out to the oceans.
Thank you for the little things we often ignore that make every day more peaceful and joyous.
11:09 pm on March 9th, 2014
Please take away our sorrow and replace it with joy, take away our anger and replace it with love, take away the chaos and replace it with peace.
Watch over Melanie, AJ and Truman and help them travel on their journeys.
Watch over all the mushers and dogs on the trail and guide them safely to Nome.
Please keep Amalia’s father’s friend pain free.
Bless all my brothers and sisters, my father and all the plunderers and lurkers (hi to Billy’s Buddy), even Rio.
Amen to all the prayers
11:10 pm on March 9th, 2014
We echo the prayers of all who have come before us expressing so well what is in each of our hearts.
Dear Melanie go in peace knowing you have lived an extraordinary life and are dearly loved by all who know you. Each of us will treasure each and every moment spent with you.
And may AJ & the team know they are protected & watched over as they race the Iditarod trail to Nome.
11:12 pm on March 9th, 2014
Staff, looking forward to Mass in March so we can add more Plunderers 🙂
11:50 pm on March 9th, 2014
Lets see if this works. A set of Justin Savidis dogs sleeping at Galena…reproduction prohibited so I am linking to it.
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-8-2014b/thumbs/thumbs_140308-1D3258.jpg
11:55 pm on March 9th, 2014
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-8-2014b/140308-1D3273.jpg
A volunteer veterinarian works with a Justin Savidas dog on Saturday March 8, during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2014.PHOTO (c) BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IditarodPhotos.com — REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION
11:57 pm on March 9th, 2014
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-8-2014b/140308-2D3047.jpg
Volunteer veterinarian Michael Leverone examines a Justin Savidas dog on Saturday March 8, during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2014.PHOTO (c) BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IditarodPhotos.com — REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION
11:58 pm on March 9th, 2014
Jason Mackey , Karin Hendrickson and Justin Savidas on the Yukon just before Galena , in the background on Saturday March 8, during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2014.PHOTO (c) BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IditarodPhotos.com — REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-8-2014b/140308-1D3076.jpg
12:02 am on March 10th, 2014
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-7-2014b/140307-1D2220.jpg
Justin Savidis gives his lead dog, May, a little TLC at the Cripple checkpoint on Friday March 7, during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2014.PHOTO (c) BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IditarodPhotos.com — REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION
12:03 am on March 10th, 2014
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-7-2014b/140307-1D2222.jpg
Justin Savidis gives his lead dog, Fritz, rub down at the Cripple checkpoint on Friday March 7, during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2014.PHOTO (c) BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IditarodPhotos.com — REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION
12:14 am on March 10th, 2014
Iditarod 2014 03 Monday
Justin Savidis leaves the Finger Lake checkpoint, Monday March 3 during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2014.PHOTO (c) BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IditarodPhotos.com — REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-3-2014b/140303-2D9922.jpg
12:22 am on March 10th, 2014
Just because he is so pretty.
http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/gallery/march-4th-2014/q1t1483.jpg
” Texas ” , a Lev Shvarts Siberian Husky rests at Rohn on Tuesday March 4 during Iditarod 2014 . PHOTO BY JEFF SCHULTZ/IDITARODPHOTOS.COM USE ONLY WITH PERMISSION
5:34 am on March 10th, 2014
The team has made it to the coast! Yeep!
6:47 am on March 10th, 2014
Yark!
7:14 am on March 10th, 2014
Rio’s comments made me think of Rio Junior, who is still running strong on AJ’s team as they pulled into Unalakleet a few hours ago. If our training runs are any indication, Rio Jr. is probably still lunging in harness, barking up a storm, and annoying everybody who is trying to get some sleep in Unalakleet. Typical Junior. Man I miss that dog…
7:15 am on March 10th, 2014
Whoops! Sorry for the huge photo– was trying to get it into icon size but didn’t know how to make that work….
7:18 am on March 10th, 2014
He takes after his namesake in that way. But then he also has all of those smooches thrown into the mix. Great dog.
7:20 am on March 10th, 2014
Sidekick, to make your avatar:
http://en.gravatar.com/
9:13 am on March 10th, 2014
Team Snowhook was Welcomed into Unalakleet in the wee small hours by Dima, Masquers and me. This is a Great Place to be…like the Pixie always says…the Best Pizza you’ll ever have is in Unalakleet.
Heh. For once I haven’t woken up hungry. Burp.
9:26 am on March 10th, 2014
BSD: you are quite a dog!
10:03 am on March 10th, 2014
That Junior!
So like his namesake. He had to be first to get his harness on then bark, bark, bark. When you went to give him some ear scritches to calm him down he would stand up and grab you tightly around the chest and soak up all the tummies and scratches you would give him. Raring to go, that Junior!
10:06 am on March 10th, 2014
That’s one of our boys!
10:14 am on March 10th, 2014
Hmm…I see someone is still a bit late getting to the blog (it usually takes about 4-5 days to get used to the time change, in my experience).
Melanie, you continue in my thoughts and prayers. Team snowhook and all extended family, a bright and blessed day to you all.
10:19 am on March 10th, 2014
Staff–thanks for the photos–the dogs are beautiful and the Sun is so bright. Kind of makes you forget that this really is a bit of an ordeal, however willingly undertaken.
2:09 pm on March 10th, 2014
Thanks O’Howler!
8:46 pm on March 10th, 2014
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1:36 am on March 11th, 2014
Now Kelly Maixner is out. Come on A J aim for 30th!
10:30 pm on March 16th, 2014
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