On the Iditarod Trail (More)
Here, from Rebecca (CEO of Snowhook, our team in the race), is her brave overnight report, for which we’re very grateful:
The team is currently on the trail to Cripple, yet will likely have arrived by the time many of the Plunderers read this post. It is a long haul.
Because of my recent health concerns, AJ received permission from the race marshal for me to send updates about my health status to AJ during the race. AJ insisted these updates occur at each and every checkpoint along the trail. Is AJ overprotective?—-Yep.
Doing as I was instructed, I provided my standard issue ‘I’m fine,’ and ‘all is well,’’ email when the team reached Ophir. Shortly after, I received an email from a volunteer at the checkpoint. The short, clipped sentences informed me that AJ’s ribs are hurting and that he loves me. That’s it. Nothing more. It is likely his body was more than jostled as he hit and hammered the trees along the trail from the Steps, through the Gorge and onto the Burn. However, the trail reports for the interior of the race are that it is hard and fast. Despite the much improved trail conditions, AJ plans to pace the team. It won’t be too long before the team drops onto the mighty Yukon.
AJ dropped Natty, a dependable lead dog before the trek to Ophir. She will be welcomed home in the near future as Orion was on Thursday night. At this point of the race, when dogs are dropped for injury or illness, they are shipped to Anchorage. From there they will be sent to the women’s correctional facility where they will receive great care before they can be picked up and brought home. The dogs are treated like celebrities. It is a wonderful program for women who may have been estranged from family and friends to care for members of the nation within the nation. Dogs—they offer support without judgment.
While my mind may be on the trail and the race, my heart is with Melanie. We are honored to consider her a friend of Snowhook Kennel.
And, to set the scene, this photo courtesy of ML:
Tags: AJ, Alaska, Iditarod, Melanie, ML, Rebecca
This entry was posted on Friday, March 7th, 2014 at 7:36 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.
7:50 am on March 7th, 2014
Our people are home, Life here is whole. Mom has explained about Melanie’s great battle in preparation for a plot twist and another adventure. She is concerned about AJ and the team on the trail and about Rebecca waiting at home and wants to say to the Alaska branch, “Thanks, what a wild ride!”
Have a far north Friday. (Mom’s going back to bed)
8:25 am on March 7th, 2014
Good morning HOH and all.
The morning star was brilliant early this morning, the same star shining on all of us.
It looks like AJ and team zoomed to Cripple. Onward Snowhook.
Peace to Melanie and those around her.
Peace to Plunderers.
9:19 am on March 7th, 2014
We awoke this morning to a heavenly Chorus of Birds, seemly
Gathering from Everywhere for a joyous occasion.
With tears in our eyes we joined them in song.
Thank you, Wolfie, once again for your words, the inspiring quote of Katherine Kubler-Ross.
HOH: Happy to hear your mom and Daddy Dawg have returned safely.
Godspeed and Care to our AJ & Team Snowhook.
9:33 am on March 7th, 2014
Wolfie, thank you for sharing your words with us last night. You feel how we all feel.
I am thinking of our “Purple Princess”, our beloved Melanie, and sending soothing prayers and much love as she goes through her journey.
Creator, Please take care of our Pixie, so that her health remains strong. And please keep the Giant and the team in good health so that they may finish the race without any more injury.
9:41 am on March 7th, 2014
Good morning. HOH, so glad your ‘rents have arrived home safe and sound. Our ‘rents are STILL tuckered out, so that must be SOME TRIP !!!!
Onward Snowhook.
9:45 am on March 7th, 2014
Hey! Did anyone notice that my very own godmom posted on this here blog the other day? Nobody noticed, and best of all, the Evil Pug did not snarl. Heh!
9:51 am on March 7th, 2014
Kat: But of course we noticed! How could we not with that great photo and story of Cherokee.
10:14 am on March 7th, 2014
Kat – we noticed. And it us wonderful to hear new voices like Cherokee’s mom an ALR. Hope some more so-far-silent Lurkers will join in.
Good morning everyone
Welcome home Sharon. And ML – hope you get home soon. We fear for Miss Macy’s reputation if she remains unchaperoned too much longer.
10:20 am on March 7th, 2014
Good morning all.
We loved the quote for Katherine Kubler-Ross, to go dancing thru the galaxies. What a wonderful vision that makes. Thinking of Melanie this morning.
Welcome home HOH, rest up.
Another nail-biter of a report from Rebecca. Safe travels, A.J.
10:49 am on March 7th, 2014
Wose: Love, love the name Purple Princess!
Whitey-Lance: Please take care of your Lady. Big Order of Cheesecake en route.
Don’t think we’ve said it yet…Good Morning Everyone.
10:59 am on March 7th, 2014
BSD, We love the name Purple Princess too.
Howlers, How did Fern do while you were gone?
We are getting warmer temps here, so some of this snow will start melting. Just not too fast, please!
11:14 am on March 7th, 2014
Good to know the trail conditions are expected to be better from now on.
Macy’s Mom, Very nice photo.
Kat, young lady, I noticed the picture of Cherokee and commented on it.
Whitey-Lance, Enjoyed the stories of dogs and the trail you posted last night.
11:18 am on March 7th, 2014
As Rebecca said, Our hearts are with Melanie.
11:22 am on March 7th, 2014
How many scratches so far? Has everyone completed the Dalzell part of the trail? Yes, it does sound like the rest of the trails will be improved. Jensen said they probably should have started from Fairbanks.
11:28 am on March 7th, 2014
Siber, yes I did see you post about our friend Cherokee.
Barb, I can’t count past 2, but Momma says there are still the 13 scratches. I do see that everyone is past the DG part of the trail.
Fern is still Fern.
11:29 am on March 7th, 2014
Barb, I believe it is 13 scratches so far. The latest one got stranded on the Farewell Burn. I learned this from the Anchorage newspaper and not the Iditarod website.
11:32 am on March 7th, 2014
We heard 13 also, but were not sure our info was up to date. Hopefully the worst is behind them.
Off for some errands, will be back later.
11:39 am on March 7th, 2014
According to Phillip, AJ and Our Snowhook Team posted the 11th fastest run time from Ophir to Cripple. Yeep!!!
11:59 am on March 7th, 2014
Hey, guys! Check out the facebookie thing on the side! Info on the upcoming e-story!
GoSnowhook!!!
12:14 pm on March 7th, 2014
Hey BooBear, Thanks for the heads up!
GO SNOWHOOK!
12:18 pm on March 7th, 2014
Kat, The Pixie has Cherokee’s photo on Facebookie, along with a great picture of Tenzing, and a lot of cheesecake.
BTW, I love Cherokee’s Snowhook blankie.
12:35 pm on March 7th, 2014
Just before mom abandoned us to go to Alaska, she posted a picture of 3 or 4 mini-daffodils. That was all there were but lots of buds. She came home to a sea of yellow and cream and more blooms on each bunch than usual.
12:52 pm on March 7th, 2014
Woo hooo – an story about the Teitlebaum divorce. As seen through Chet’s eyes. Should be pretty funny.
Sharon – beautiful daffodils
We did watch the live stream interview with Scott Jansen (the Mushing Mortician) last night. Although the live stream started very late, it was only because Scott was at the dog yard making sure his team was ok. He has a broken ankle, but fortunately no brain injury. His dogs saved him from hypothermia until he was found by Jamaican Nelson. He is bruised from head to toe, but all he talked about was how wonderful his dogs are, and the fact that he will be back next year.
And AJ is our hero.
And Rebecca – EAT BIG PEOPLE FOOD! tee hee
1:14 pm on March 7th, 2014
Chet’s eBook is going to be so much fun!!! Can’t wait.
1:33 pm on March 7th, 2014
Herd-of-Hounds: oooOOOH Daffodils! A Sure Sign of Spring 🙂
Like, C.Hobbit, We here are going to Treat Ourselves to a Bouquet.
A New e-Book. Hurray!!!
1:37 pm on March 7th, 2014
When Sir Whitey-Lance shows up, I have a question for him about Norton Sound.
The daffodils are beautiful. I want mom to buy some next time she goes out.
We will be waiting forever to find out what the e-story is about.
Woo Woo New e-story!
1:53 pm on March 7th, 2014
HOHs, Such beautiful daffodils! A touch of Spring !
1:55 pm on March 7th, 2014
Hey Kat – Yes, I was so excited that my Mom actually opened her mouth (or should I say fingers) and blogged about me!
I was also excited to see that the Pixie posted me on FB, that was way cool for this old guy to see! I do indeed love my Snowhook blankie!! I decided I like FB because Mom told me that the Pixie told her on FB that cheesecake is good for medicinal purposes so now Mom promised me cheesecake over the weekend while we keep hitting refresh on the standings!
Happy Friday all !
1:55 pm on March 7th, 2014
SiberH: Gulp. We have that Same Question.
Everyone (Especially Admin: BStover just sent Nana this message on facebookie:
Nana: I haven’t been able to post on Chet’s Blog today. I write a comment, receive a “thank you” but it doesn’t show up. If I try posting it again, I receive a “duplicate” sign. B
2:06 pm on March 7th, 2014
Oh Boy, Cherokee posted!
Hi Cherokee!!
Bear, Thanks for letting us know about Stover. I hope they can get this problem fixed soon.
2:10 pm on March 7th, 2014
Hi Cherokee of the Beautiful Blanket!
Aha – that’s why we are missing Bee.
Ahem – Mr. Baker???
2:15 pm on March 7th, 2014
Hmm. Are some people having trouble posting here? Please let me know. Seems odd to have it working for some and not others. Maybe those having trouble should try refreshing.
2:28 pm on March 7th, 2014
Why is AJ still in Cripple? Must he wait for cooler temps now?
2:29 pm on March 7th, 2014
Silly Siber! The fb post says what the e-story is about: The Teitlebaum Divorce!!!
2:32 pm on March 7th, 2014
Back from shopping. Got some fish and all sorts of healthy stuff for dinners.
HOH, the flowers are beautiful. Somewhere under 3 feet of snow piled up in our front flower bed, we have daffodils, tulips and crocus, all planted last fall. Hard to believe we should be able to plant early veggies 4-5 weeks from now!
2:35 pm on March 7th, 2014
Seeing HOH’s daffodils made Mom smile for the first time all day.
Barb and Maggie, we would normally be planting our early veggies 10 days from now!!! We do not think it is going to happen on St. Pat’s Day this year.
2:44 pm on March 7th, 2014
TC Thanks. I guess I was reading every other word.
I am not having trouble posting, but Stover is. I wonder if anyone else is?
Howlers, AJ must be having a longer rest in Cripple plus waiting for cooler temperatures.
2:48 pm on March 7th, 2014
The forecast high today for Cripple is -14 degrees. The forecast low is -28 degrees. The sun is shinning.
2:49 pm on March 7th, 2014
Rose: B said she sent you a SDD, but you haven’t responsed.
Sibers: Our team still in Cripple? Hope we aren’t trusting the Insider for that information. Gah.
2:50 pm on March 7th, 2014
responsed? no, responded.
2:57 pm on March 7th, 2014
Buser!…How can Martin Buser have taken both his 24 hour and 8 hour and be in SECOND PLACE? …snort!….That guy is going to winnit all this year I betcha…chuffle!
Trakker!….AJ’s GPS Tracker has not updated for me in over 4 hours…sniff!…Is he still in Cripple?…wheeze!
3:22 pm on March 7th, 2014
I am guessing AJ is having a nice rest in Cripple. He is very good about resting the dogs.
3:24 pm on March 7th, 2014
Riö: THAT is the question.
I, for one, DO NOT trust the crappy GPS tracker thingymajig.
3:28 pm on March 7th, 2014
Anyone else having trouble posting? If so, please post it! (Sort of a joke – instead email Spence at spence.quinn@gmail.com. – Admin.)
3:43 pm on March 7th, 2014
Glad our flower brought some joy. Glad our friends are y’all. Glad Chet is on top of any posting problemos!
3:55 pm on March 7th, 2014
I’m thankful that the Giant added a helmet to this year’s essential equipment for the trail. I’m thinking that a helmet should be on the Iditarod’s list of essential equipment also. For this year’s trail, full body padding would have been nice.
I’m missing not being able to get a word in edgewise between ML, Sharon and O’Howler’s Mom, although my sisters do come in a close second.
Tonight we are celebrating Dad’s 90th (a couple days early so we will all be here).
HOH: Glad your ma and pa made it home safely. Did you get treats?
ML: Loving your Alaskan scenery pictures.
Melanie and family: There is a song in my heart yor you, you, you.
3:56 pm on March 7th, 2014
Could AJ be taking his second (8 hour) mandatory stop in Cripple? That may be the reason for he delay. He did cover quite a bit of mileage yesterday after his 24 hour stop in McGrath/
3:56 pm on March 7th, 2014
Thinking of Melanie, the Team, and all of you. Edgar is sending his special (really good breath) smooches to those who need them most.
4:02 pm on March 7th, 2014
Teddy, I am going with your theory.
4:08 pm on March 7th, 2014
Masquers, I responded to HRH, B from my I-Phone about 15 minutes ago. I also sent her an e-mail. I had the same problem about a week ago.
4:12 pm on March 7th, 2014
Howlers, We have panted as early as St. Patty’s Day, but more often late March-first part of April. They are predicting a cold late spring here, so we are not sure what to expect.
Barb has gotten a call from an agent from her old company. He wants to talk to her about working 2 days a week for him. He is a super nice guy, and she is tempted, however, she has gotten over the guilt of not working and is actually enjoying total retirement now. Money would be good, so she is going to go talk to him when she gets back from her Plunder visit. 2 days a week 9-4 wouldn’t be too hard, and it would give her a lot more treat money for moi.
4:18 pm on March 7th, 2014
AHEM….
You may or may not remember a post of mine about a film called ” ZERO%”. It is a documentary made about the degree program that Mercy College offers the inmates of the big house, Sing Sing Prison. The Prof participates in this program.
When we saw the film at the Latino Film Festival, Many of the scenes that included the Prof had been edited.
HBO purchased the film, and will begin showing it on March 31st. It has been reported that many of the Prof’s deleted scenes will be included. I am very proud of the Prof, and was moved to tears by the film.
BTW, Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this weekend.
4:27 pm on March 7th, 2014
Wose, we would like to see that film, but we don’t get HBO. Hopefully it will be available elsewhere at some point.
Teddy, we think the mandatory 8 hours must be taken on the Yukon and at White Mountain.
4:33 pm on March 7th, 2014
We just got a message AJ checked out of Cripple!!! WooooHoooo!!!
4:35 pm on March 7th, 2014
Fellow Sibers, I think you are right about the mandatory 8 hour rests.
Wose, We don’t have HBO either but would really love to see that film
time change…GRUMP
4:36 pm on March 7th, 2014
O’Howlers — You are definitely right about being on the Yukon; I was not sure whether Cripple qualified as on the Yukon or not. But given those who are shown as having taken their 8 hour already, it seemed to me that for some of those at least it would have to be at Cripple, which is what I based my theory on. But then again, what do I know, I am just a 9 month old puppy and an Iditarod virgin.
In any event, we just got an email alert that AJ has checked out of Cripple.
GO SNOWHOOK!
4:37 pm on March 7th, 2014
Woo Hoo !!! We got that email too, Masquers!!!
4:43 pm on March 7th, 2014
Forgot….The film is now called “The University of Sing Sing”.
Siber-H, I hate the time-change too.
Woooohooooo, go Snowhook!
Hi Teddy! Something tells me you are going to grow up to be a gentleman and a scholar, just like your brother Wookie.
4:43 pm on March 7th, 2014
Dear OFM, From now on, can you please do your racing when Mom is at work and we can be on her computer without her knowing? You always leave a checkpoint just as she is finished working and then she makes us go outside and play.
4:52 pm on March 7th, 2014
The Insider may have, at least partially, Redeemed Themselves in our book.
Royals: At your suggestion we, too, have Watched the Incredible Story of Scott Janssen, the Mushing Mortician. IMHO it is Worth the Price of this year’s Insider.
We here have a whole New Respect for this man.
When you watch it Allow for some Time & be aware that the sound in the first part of the video isn’t good.
Oh…and bring a Box of Kleenex.
4:54 pm on March 7th, 2014
Is mom nuts or what? She told us she misses having her bedroom window open at 20 F. We thought here was perfect but is there another perfect? Perhaps Pancho and Whitey-Lance and Luna and BelleStar could inform us.
5:04 pm on March 7th, 2014
Dawson, beware, mom has made the cribbage board fit into her carry-on for coming to see you in MA. She said she has to whup your-self to keep up the family dignity.
5:13 pm on March 7th, 2014
Absolutely incredible story and I learned some things that weren’t explained, or gone into detail about, in previous accounts of the accident.
Some lines from the Janssen video that we especially liked:
Question at checkpoint after the DG: How was it going through the gorge?
SJ: Do you realize I’m 80 years old?
A: No! Really?
SJ: Yeah, but I was only 52 when I started.
5:15 pm on March 7th, 2014
You can’t make this stuff up.
5:18 pm on March 7th, 2014
Masquers: How right you are.
Rio: Mom just read that in Japanese the owl says “ho-ho”, so you must think we are really wise 🙂 Knew we liked you for some reason.
5:22 pm on March 7th, 2014
Scott Janssen also Told the Story of how he was able to save the life of his dog, Marshall, the year he’d had a heart attack and now this year his life was saved by a Musher named Newton Marshall.
Wose: The Documentary. Wish we had HBO! Sob.
We will find Some Way to watch it, yes we will.
5:36 pm on March 7th, 2014
Wose: The Dirty Digger Daddy Dawg lives for HBO so you can bet your ankles we will see that film.
5:59 pm on March 7th, 2014
Rose: Looking forward to seeing The University of Sing Sing, but, what’s this about the Prof being edited out of some scenes? We need to send over Chet to bite the pants leg of the one responsible.
Thank Kat HBO has included those same deleted scenes in their documentary.
6:10 pm on March 7th, 2014
Masquers, the original version of the film “Zero %”, included interviews and classroom scenes with the Prof. The director of the film is the son of one of the Prof’s colleagues. I guess it was more important to have his mom in the film.
Nepotism. snort
6:22 pm on March 7th, 2014
Grrr, we hate those nepots. Can we grab them by the pant leg?
6:23 pm on March 7th, 2014
The Insider sure picked the right musher to ask about conditions on the trail and, if knowing what he knows now, would he go again? We must say…the interviewer sounded a bit shaky himself when asking the question.
SJ, very diplomatically, somehow managed to side-step the question while at the same answering it.
More than ever before in any previous race we were made aware of what the mushers go through on the trail.
AJ is our Hero of Heroes. His BDHW is the Bravest of the Brave.
We have more respect for them than we will ever be able to express.
GO SNOWHOOK! Go Like the Wind!
6:34 pm on March 7th, 2014
Hellow everyone. I think I am worse having seen the doctor for my vertigo and been given meds yesterday. I am trying to google to see if the meds interfere with the one other prescription I take. Didn’t get fully up until 30 minutes ago. GAH.
It i a beautiful sunny day so when Sadie had me get up this morning to let her out, I just kept the door open.
I wonder what the next challenges are on the trail. Just because DG is behind him, it doesn’t mean smooth sailing.
BBL
6:35 pm on March 7th, 2014
The Janssen interview was fascinating. Wow. Thanks for telling us about it.
6:55 pm on March 7th, 2014
Wose, Sorry to say we don’t get HBO either, Sob. Maybe there will be some other way we can see it.
C Hobbit, take it easy, we don’t want you losing your balance and falling. Do you have a cane you can use to help stabilize?
Loving thoughts for Melanie.
7:01 pm on March 7th, 2014
After the film the professor is in is shown on HBO, I bet it will show up somewhere on the internet. Most everything ends up on the internet.
7:05 pm on March 7th, 2014
CHobbit: Sorry to hear the meds aren’t helping the problem…vertigo is bad news…it’s like being on a ship.
7:35 pm on March 7th, 2014
Siber-H: You are so right.
CHobbit: Hope your meds do not interact badly, and that you will be tip-top soon!
Love you Melanie.
GO SNOWHOOK!
8:10 pm on March 7th, 2014
Hobbit, did you ask the doc about possible interaction problems? We are worrit about you.
Speaking of worrit, when was the last time we heard from bella.
8:12 pm on March 7th, 2014
Admin!….heh!snort!heh!…That was a humorous post about posting if you can’t post…snorkel!…I bet Stover is yucking it up right now…grunt!
8:13 pm on March 7th, 2014
CHOBBIT!….Now I am very worrit about you, you dizzy blond…snuffle!
8:28 pm on March 7th, 2014
Whitey-Lance: We hope Your Lady is getting some well-deserved rest although, if we know her, I doubt it.
Please tell her that the Rest of Us will do all the worrying for her. (((Sigh))) If only that were possible.
C.Hobbit: You too! Heal!
8:32 pm on March 7th, 2014
Riö: Heh, heh. HRH B has become a Lurker.
8:44 pm on March 7th, 2014
Love to our Melanie.
Health to Hobbit.
Relax to Rebecca.
HRH B get on board the computer!
Rio: no “ho-ho” in Japanese comment? We are hurit 🙁
Everyone else, y’all are too much 🙂
8:46 pm on March 7th, 2014
Letting you all know that Bella is ok – just very busy. She got word that her second dropped dog was back in town and she had to make a dash to go pick up Nattie.
We aren’t sure if it was Snowhook’s Nattie or if it was that silly Borzoi who insists on wearing spike heel boots on the Iditarod trail. She probably fell down the Dalzell and twisted her ankle.
We are sure that she or Whitey-Lance or Pancho will be posting at some point to let us know how the travelers are faring. Or maybe she and Commander Bee are off in a corner plotting up a way to beat Dawson at cards.
8:47 pm on March 7th, 2014
HoHo!…Owls in a different country are smart so you think that pertains to you?…grunt!…I don’t get the connection…sniff!
8:54 pm on March 7th, 2014
Oh, Rio, and after the Musher’s Banquet, you pierce us to the heart 🙁
8:59 pm on March 7th, 2014
HoHo!…Don’t be so dramatic…snort!
9:00 pm on March 7th, 2014
Creator – we thank you for this day, a day when we have seen strength and courage in the world. We have seen how strength can come from just the smallest gesture or the largest sacrifice. It comes from yellow daffodils against the snow; from the light of stars in the darkness of night. It comes from grace, from beauty, and it comes from love.
Tonight, we ask you to bring the strength of our love and support to AJ. Borrow from us the energy and fortitude that will carry him and the dogs safely over the remaining trail. Keep all of them free of injury, aches or pain, and let the loneliness that enters AJ’s soul be assuaged by all the goodness we send him. Please grant surefooted strength to those good dogs who accompany him. They would only give their loyalty and their hearts to someone who is worthy, and we ask you to let their teamwork flow to be as the strength of thousands.
We ask you to give Rebecca the strength to bear the worry of the wait. Let her natural stoutheartedness carry her through these days until the finish line is crossed. Let her sleep in peace, knowing that AJ and her dogs are coming home to her.
Creator – we thank you for setting before us the strength of Staff and Dawson’s father, his life is a testament to his will. We honor him for his service as a veteran, we honor him for the years he has attained, and we honor him for the goodness of the family he raised.
We thank you for setting before us the strength of our beloved Melanie. She has lived a life of durability, of fortitude and tenacity. She has raised her sons well; their lives are a testament to her honor and courage. She has battled illness until her body could take no more, and yet, even as she surrenders, she is undaunted, for she has lived her life well, and with determination.
We thank you for setting before us the example of the brave men and women who have pledged themselves to the military, and now come home with unbearable injuries. The strength and endurance they present as they learn to walk on artificial legs, or work with artificial arms – these are truly the honored ones who can teach us.
Creator – tonight we ask you to give us strength as we move forward. Help us to bear the pain of loss. Keep with us as we wait for AJ and the team to come safely to Nome, and give us the courage to keep our hearts uplifted, no matter our worries.
Creator – we thank you for this day, a day when we have seen strength and courage in the world. We have seen how strength can come from just the smallest gesture or the largest sacrifice. It comes from yellow daffodils against the snow; from the light of stars in the darkness of night. It comes from grace, from beauty, and it comes from love.
9:01 pm on March 7th, 2014
Trakker!…Hey! Right now our Tracker is working…snort!….Mark this day. Or hour….grunt!
9:04 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen and Thank You so much.
9:04 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen.
9:10 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen and Thank You for another beautiful prayer.
9:10 pm on March 7th, 2014
AMEN!…And God Bless us one and all…snorkel!
9:11 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen.
9:12 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen. Thanks again Amalia for a lovely prayer.
9:14 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen. Thank you, Amalia.
Peace be with us all.
9:15 pm on March 7th, 2014
G’day, Liz.
9:19 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen and amen.
9:33 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen.
9:40 pm on March 7th, 2014
A-Team!….The team is really moving out right now!…zow!….Fly!Fly!Fly like the wind Snowhook Team…wheeze!…We need to get AJ a Kamera to hookup on his hat like that Jeff King guy did…heh!heh!
9:44 pm on March 7th, 2014
It does seem like the GPS has begun to function differently. Easier access, more info.
9:47 pm on March 7th, 2014
SiberH: We Here have Forgotten Two Very Important Things about the Race.
No.1: What is the Least Number of Dogs a musher can have on his team to reach Nome and…..
No.2: How much money will the runners-up receive ($20,000?) and how many will receive it?
We know You know this because you are very knowledgeable about the Iditarod.
Whitey-Lance knows it from experience.
Gah. This is my fourth Iditarod and I’m still asking stupid questions.
9:48 pm on March 7th, 2014
HOH: Maybe if we’re lucky the Insider will have it fixed by the time the race ends.
9:49 pm on March 7th, 2014
Amen.
9:50 pm on March 7th, 2014
Bear!…No need to feel more stupid than you really are [jk]…snort!…I too ask and ponder these questions each year…grunt!…I think we need someone to write up a “Plunderers Iditarod Handbook”…wheeze!….Then we would all have the answers to the same questions at paws length…chuffle!
9:53 pm on March 7th, 2014
Oh dear. I’m so sorry I’ve been away again. Work interferes with my socializing. I’m gathering things aren’t well with Melanie. Someone wants to fill me in and catch me up, please do, you can Email if that’s better, because, you know, everyone else already knows what’s going on. And I’m a rotten friend for not checking in more often.
We lost Phoebe on Monday. She passed overnight Sunday or early in the morning Monday. She was the friendliest cat on Earth, and we all miss her. Tomorrow, I go to one of our animal shelters to look for a new kitty to cuddle with Mama Melanie.
Sorry to hear that the sled dog race also isn’t going so well.
I really will try to do better.
10:03 pm on March 7th, 2014
Ramey Smyth scratched in Ruby.
10:04 pm on March 7th, 2014
Buddy, Very sorry to hear about Phoebe. She will be welcomed at the Rainbow Bridge by many.
10:04 pm on March 7th, 2014
Ah. Now I am sad. I’m so, so sorry. I think my slow brain has figured it out. 🙁
10:05 pm on March 7th, 2014
Buddy&Leno! Welcome Back! We were Wondering Where you were.
Sorry to Hear about your Phoebe
10:06 pm on March 7th, 2014
O’Howlers: OMD! That makes 14 Teams out of the Race.
Did they say why?
10:07 pm on March 7th, 2014
Bear, I don’t remember either. Is it 8 dogs a musher can come into Nome with?
I have never known for sure how the race purse is divided up. I believe it trickles down to more mushers than one would suspect.
Not that it helps much with the overwhelming cost of running the Iditarod.
I have never had the patience to read the rules for mushers that were/are? on the Iditarod’s website.
10:10 pm on March 7th, 2014
Buddy, It is good to hear from you and we are sorry you lost Phoebe.
10:11 pm on March 7th, 2014
I was just checking out the Snowhook website. It appears as if it has been revamped, and it is way cool. I looked at a few pictures, and when I tapped on Orion’s picture, I read a nice article about Snowhook, Spence, and the Plunderers. Rio, you, you, you were mentioned as one of the bloggers to watch for.
10:11 pm on March 7th, 2014
The rules are on Insider but we can’t open them.
Ramey is listed as Scratched on the Current Standings page, but we have not seen anything in the news items.
10:15 pm on March 7th, 2014
The rules were once available to everyone on their website.
10:17 pm on March 7th, 2014
Ramey!…He has never scratched as long as I’ve known him….gruffle!….Things are bad. Bad Dawgs! Bad!…wuffle!
Buddy!….Glad you are back with us for a while…snort!…Hold on, you are in for a ride…wheeze!
10:19 pm on March 7th, 2014
Rules!…Well, there must be a way to get the official rules …grump!…I will look into it this weekend, unless someone else does it first…snuffle!
10:24 pm on March 7th, 2014
It is hard for me to wrap my mind around it being prayer time when the sun hasn’t even set here. Amen
We did a lot more sight seeing today. My favorite thing– the frosted trees along the Knik River.
10:30 pm on March 7th, 2014
The fog on the river causes these little ice crystals to form. Where they have fallen from the trees, it looks like a pile of fairy dust.
10:31 pm on March 7th, 2014
ML – that is indeed a beautiful sight. Especially since it is a picture of there, and we are here, with warm feet and cuddly puppies.
10:33 pm on March 7th, 2014
Alaska!….Has Macy’s Maw moved up to Alaska? Does she live there now?…snort!….This is great news!
10:39 pm on March 7th, 2014
Macy’s Mom, You take great scenery pictures.
10:45 pm on March 7th, 2014
ML, love your fotos. A lot like downtown Anchorage in the A.M. Buddy we are so glad to hear from you and so sorry things have not been as good as they could have been.
10:49 pm on March 7th, 2014
G’night all.
11:09 pm on March 7th, 2014
UP!…For some reason we are still UP…sniff!…. I missed a lot today – it pisses me off…grunt!…Jason Mackey and The Giant seem to be running neck to neck!…chuffle!…That Mackey kid looks a lot like his father…gah!
11:20 pm on March 7th, 2014
night all
11:21 pm on March 7th, 2014
Grump!…So now everyone’s tracker is working except for AJ’s….sniff!…WHAT THE HELL? Why is this happening? Could it be where he has placed it on the sled? This makes me so dawg-damned MAD!…grump!
11:27 pm on March 7th, 2014
I would have to do research but I think a musher must have 6-7 dogs to finish. The first 30 finishers get cash prizes to finish. As I say, I’d have to do research.
Spent most of the night and day sleeping and won’t be up long. Tomorrow will be better. Sadie periodically pokes me and wants to play.
11:33 pm on March 7th, 2014
Rio, You’re p.o. ….Mom has kept us up this long…. GAH! We want to go nighty night and there is a crazy woman in our house.
11:35 pm on March 7th, 2014
Macy’s Mom: More great photos! You are a natural.
It’s Buser, Lindner, Ally, King & Petit.
Go Ally!!
GoSnowHook!!!
Going to bed now.
11:37 pm on March 7th, 2014
Fairy Dust, what a nice idea. Night all from us too.
11:39 pm on March 7th, 2014
Buddy: Herd of Hounds here. Don’t have your mail but read as a word for herd…. shakverataoldotcom. If this makes sense, contact us.
11:42 pm on March 7th, 2014
The Iditarod rules were working a week ago because I looked at them. Now they are not opening. Aaargh!
12:03 am on March 8th, 2014
From a google search. The number of dogs you must have to finish is 6.
The prize money is 600,000 which is apportioned on a percentage basis to the top 30 mushers. I don’t remember the percentages but say the first place gets 50 thousand then each place after that gets a lesser percentage until the 30 th place. After that, each finisher gets $1049.00.
12:14 am on March 8th, 2014
CHobbit: I hope you and Sadie are okay.
I sent a email to Buddy and Leno.
3:06 am on March 8th, 2014
Hi Plunderers! It was incredible being able to spend time with all of you during your visit to Alaska. Mick (the person, not the puppy) & I are in awe of your overwhelming support of Snowhook Kennels. You have no idea how much you all mean to AJ & Rebecca!
Hey, how can we view the video Ray took at the starting line?
8:38 am on March 8th, 2014
Hi Jodi, the video was posted near the end of page 5 of the blog titled “GO snowhook”. It says Who needs Insider when we have Ray…
8:39 am on March 8th, 2014
Hey! Here is the link:
http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/trim.86FCF8B8-A182-46E5-9B15-8A45682B369D.MOV
11:51 pm on March 8th, 2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Kn3j7o2yY
I just caught up on the prayers and yesterday’s beautiful prayer made me think of this beautiful Kate Wolf song. Across The Great Divide
good night everyone.