BUSY LONG WEEKEND....

Well, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Bob's daughter Melissa. I missed my family and friends back home. Made lots of phone calls.

We have been making a lot of late afternoon - into the night runs. The temperatures have been in the minus 20's. We have been experimenting around with different layers, mitts, boots, etc. I will have to say, I have gone from cold to warm. I am back to wearing my vapor barrier socks. They seem to give me the best luck with warm feet (of course with toe warmers). I will soon be buying a couple of boxes of full foot warmers.

We have been passing alligators in the swamp....hmmm....must be the dog type...with temperatures that cold. Snapping dogs....not too nice to encounter. I am so grateful that my dogs are well behaved.

I am slowly learning the swamp...or at least the first part of our runs. We seem to be at the same sections in the dark and then I don't have a clue where I am. I led us down to Willow Creek and under the overpass and out into the swamp past the RR trestle. Then Bob passes and I followed him out to Annie Oakley and the Tank Trail...beautiful run.

Tomorrow we are giving the dogs a day off. It will be only a day off from running for us. There is so much for us to get caught up with. We are going to organize the back room and build some shelves and make a run to the Post Office. We are going to start preparing items for our drop bags.

A FULL DAY....

11PM..Sitting infront of the oil burner stove...being so very thankful to the warm house that greets us after a late evening run.

Well, the day starts as usual, watering the dogs and scooping the kennel. (I am sure that you all know that by now.) Then we took off for Wasilla. Wrote Bob's Iditarod bio and sent it off along with a picture for the Iditarod website. (Bob officially signed up for Iditarod on November 9th.)

Our first stop was at MTA, where we returned our air card (a source of constant frustration). Then we stopped at AT &T and resigned up for their aircard. After we returned our original one which didn't work for us, we were told that it was probably a faulty sim card, so we are giving them another chance. This time we didn't leave the store until we tested it out with my laptop...and it worked. I was able to upload pictures to the blog. That was something we were not able to do. It has taken us two months to get this Internet connection figured out.

Then we stopped at the feed store, the grocery store and the gas station and back home to take out a team. With all of our running around, we knew that we would be out late.

I dressed warmer for the run. Yesterday I was cold on the trail. It is pretty funny, you have to layer up and get out the door quick or you start sweating. It paid off, as when we returned to the kennel I was totally warm, feet included. We ran most of the run by headlamp. I am still wondering when I will have a clue where I am out there in the swamp. You can imagine in the dark what fun I had. I just made sure that I could see Bob in front of me. When we cross the highway back to our side of the road, I am in familiar territory and navigate fine in the dark. I am looking forward to when I have the swamp figured out.

Dogs did great. Bob is mixing feed and I am catching up on my blog. we will soon go out and feed and then we will sit down to dinner...about 10PM A great day.

Tropical Weather...

Our temperatures have risen to - 5. The dogs are curled up in the snow, just watching the kennel life go by. This morning as usual, I was out early watering.

When I come out to the kennel with the buckets, the dogs are all excited and watch my every move. Each day I change my watering pattern, one day starting at the back of the kennel, the next starting at the front, and the third starting with the side kennel.

Each dog is so different and some really stand out. There are the ones who wait patiently, while those who bark trying to get your attention in hopes that you will start with them. Newman just races around and around until you get there and Jimmy...or should I call him "dancing Jimmy" He gets so excited when it is watering or feeding time. He just dances all over. He loves his food!

Sunday Run

Took out an 8 dog team. Decided to take out my old training sled. Had a fabulous run. Went across the highway over to the other swamp. Beautiful aspen glow on the mountains and then later followed with a gorgeous sunset across the swamp. For those of you who have never been on a sled behind a team of incredible dogs, I wish I could share the beauty of it with you. It is days like this that I am in my own world...and loving it.

Returned by way of our earlier route. Encountered one dog team head on. Alligators. No fun passing a team with biters. I was lucky...Bob, not so lucky.

Dogs returned to the kennel full steam ahead.

SUNDAY MORNING

Getting to church on time Sunday mornings takes a bit of planning. We had to get up by 7:45 so that we could start the generator and plug in the Subaru. As with every morning, the dogs need to be watered. I skipped cleaning the lot so that I could bake biscuits to go with the chicken chili that I made last night. I also make a light breakfast for the road. Then we have about a 30 - 40 minute drive to get to church. Afterwards we gather around the kitchen table and share a light meal...usually soup.

During the service, we were enticed by the smell of simmering chicken chili...yum. Great sermon Pastor Cheryl. We had a nice visit and now are heading home. We will hook up a team and run the same trails as we did yesterday. Our temps are around -15 degrees.

I will dress warmer than I did on yesterday's run and I will also put toe warmers in my boots.

FIRST NIGHT RUN

Yesterday was another day off due to high winds and trail work. Trees were down and the trails were heavily drifted in. Mike, Justin, and Bob had their work cut out for them, clearing trees and keeping the trail open.

We ran two teams today and had great runs. On our second run, we hooked up in the dark. It was our first night run and a fabulous one at that. The sky was filled with stars and it was a beautiful night out on the trail.

Before our night run, I changed socks and added layers. I wore my beaver mitts. I was very warm except for my cheeks...next time I will take an extra neck warmer.

I was most pleased with the second team out. We did the run nonstop and the dogs were strong the entire run. I ran Carmack and Stovepipe in lead. Then I had Thornton, Red, Max, Newman, Chad and Otter. Tomorrow we will up our mileage and I will also take out a 10 dog team.

Update on the propane refrigerator....it is installed and working. This evening after I feed dogs, I will transfer food into our new Crystal Cold Propane Refrigerator. Yeah ! I am excited !

HIGH WINDS

We are experiencing very high winds. Dogs will get a break today and we will spend the day clearing downed trees. The snow is all blown off the trees and they dance like they are haunted. Running the trails like this is like running a gauntlet...and often there will be surprises on your return run to the kennel...trees across the trail.

We are hoping to get the propane refrigerator installed today. That will be awesome !

A MINUS 20 DEGREES MORNING...

Brrr....I knew it was going to be cold this morning, but not this cold. I re strawed the dog houses last night in anticipation of the drop in temperature.

11:30 we were heading out of the dog lot, each with an 8 dog team. We took our current training run with no changes. I had Jack and Chop in lead and they were a really good combination. It was a great run.

We did have a little episode with two other teams. It was kind of ugly for Bob. The guy's team was all tangled in Bob's team. I wasn't looking forward to their attempt at passing me either. I too, pulled my leaders off the trail and they worked their way past my team and then they got hung up on my sled and ended up pulling my snow hooks...joy for joy. Never a good thing, especially when you are up in the front of your team. As my sled passed me I dove for it and slammed it into the snow drift. That stopped my sled and I was able to set one of my hooks before I up righted it. I was so glad that they were on their way home and we wouldn't be passing them again.

The rest of our run was fabulous...but a bit on the cold side.

I went into Wasilla this afternoon and when I got back Bob had the propane refrigerator in the house. Yeah ! Can't wait to get it hooked up !

8 BELOW

Hmmm....isn't that the name of a movie? This morning we woke up to a brisk 8 below. We had brought the generator in the house last night in anticipation of the cold. So, this morning a very happy generator started right up. Plugged the Subaru in to warm it up. A very happy Subaru started right up as well.

Watered the dogs and scooped the lot. The little white pup did her race around the dog lot and around the house. She is like a bullet. Then she is back in the puppy pen to lap up her water. She is personality plus and lots of fun to watch.

Justin, one of Dee Dee's handlers came by on the snowmachine and told us that trees were down on suicide hill. Bummer. So right now Bob is out on the snowmachine with chain saw and groomer. Hopefully he will be back soon.

I will be hooking up an 8 dog team and am going to run Tok and Magic together in lead. Anxious to see how they do together. Also can't wait to try out my sled. Bob modified it last night by lowering the handle bar. Should be much better...I hope.

Training Run

Shot Clinic

The Three Amigos...Roan, Red, and Chad

Well, we spent the better part of nearly 4 hours getting 17 dogs down to the Community Center in Willow. The Willow Dog Mushers put on a shot clinic. Kind of had to chuckle...the dogs who were left back at the kennel were really bummed and they sure put up a fuss. Little did they know chosen dogs were going for shots, not a run.

We didn't have the dog boxes on the truck yet, so we strapped 3 large crates to the truck's flatbed and Roan, Red and Chad got to ride in the back seat. It was so funny to see their reactions at first. They didn't know what to think !

Chad getting his Rabies shot...such a good dog !


THANK YOU WILLOW DOG MUSHERS !

Spontaneous can be wonderful...

Well, today was a day for errands...I had quite a list. First stop Underdog Feeds. Picked up bags of dog food and chicken skins. Then went to Freddies for some plastic drawers (for organizing two mushers). Then on to Wall Mart to get a file cabinet. Carr's for some groceries and Internet that isn't frustrating. Internet that actually has some speed to it.

Then I managed to detour (This is where spontaneous came in.) to a hair salon and got my hair cut. (trying to get my hair a bit more manageable...had to laugh as she commented about the tangles...) Then another detour to the nail salon. A pedicure...so wonderful. Fabulous foot and leg massage. I felt like I died and went to Heaven. Wish they had a Massage Envy in Wasilla ! Nope, not in Anchorage either : (

Well, I guess the lumber yard will have to wait until another trip into town...

The drive home was a slow one. It was snowing and blowing hard. We had about 3 inches when I got home.

GLORIOUS DAY

Well today was awesome. Each day starts out the same....drag the body out of bed, often earlier than it wants to. Sip some green tea and then go and water the dogs. Scoop the kennel. Buzz....the "house dog"...goes into stealth mode and sneaks around the perimeter of the kennel. When I get to a run and there is nothing to scoop...hmmm, I wonder if Buzz got there first. I also with catch him behind me. He has a way about blending in. He is probably in seventh heaven with a second team on the premises.

Then it is back to the house to have breakfast and figure out the two line ups. Today I will have to deal with the protests coming from Amber, as she will be one of 4 dogs having a day off. As I am harnessing dogs and hooking them up she gets pretty verbal with me. None of the dogs like to be left out.

We each run an 8 dog team. We met Lev out in the swamp and passed on a very narrow trail. Good passes...way to go team! On my second run, I had Stovepipe and Carmack in lead. We cut a sharp turn and I dumped the sled and those guys were ruthless. Like toddlers with deaf ears...I don't know why I even bothered hollering Whoa ! I have never plowed the snow before with my face buried in it. Fun experience ! As I was going through the snow fully buried, I thought of snowboarders who suffocate when they do face plants. I was glad when I got my face out of the snowbank. I had one hand(left) on the sled, gripping with all my might, not wanting to risk injury to my right shoulder. I thought those guys were going to drag me all the way to the end of the trail.

Well, all was well, I up righted the sled and and it was in full motion the minute it started to raise up. There was no "ready?"..."Alright !" It was just full steam ahead.


When we were back out in the swamp, heading back, the one word that describe it all was "GLORIOUS". The view was spectacular, a full moon and in the opposite sky, a beautiful sunset. I only wish that I could share the views that I experience. The pictures that I take most often don't even come close to capturing the beauty.

Glorious day.......

A FABULOUS DAY

Well, this morning started off with watering dogs. Then we were greeted by Gary and his snow plow. Yeah! It took him about an hour to get us plowed out. I started up my car and then we moved it so that he could remove all the snow that was around it. The truck had to stay in place as it wouldn't start. It is a diesel and with the temps near zero it wouldn't turn over.

After breakfast, Bob spent a couple hours working on the trail cutting more downed trees and clearing brush. He also used the groomer on the trail. When it was time to head out for our first run, I followed Bob out of the kennel. I took out an 8 dog team. When traveling north we saw a beautiful view of Denali. Then on the return we saw a beautiful view of Hatcher Pass in the Talkeetna Mountains. This run was really our first run on a sled. Yesterday's run was all of a mile, if that. Blue skies and ccccold. Gorgeous !

This is all new trail for me. It will take a while for me to really figure out this new trail system. In a way, I miss my old trails. I had my favorite runs and I was just in my glory, having the time of my life. Don't get me wrong, I had a fabulous time on the runners today, but I have to stay in visual sight of Bob so that I know where I am going. A whole new world of trails are out there and it will be great to explore them.

When it was time to take out the second team, we settled on a shorter run. Daylight would run out on us if we took the earlier run. The second run, even thought short and sweet, was a good one. However, we had no idea what surprise would be in store for us on our return. Thankfully we were close to the kennel. Three trees had fallen across our trail. Bob was able to tie off his sled to a tree to secure his team. I was in a situation where there was nothing for me to tie off to. I tried to set two snow hooks, but they wouldn't hold. So, I stood on my brake while Bob walked back to the kennel. He returned with the snowmachine and a chain saw.

By now it was getting dark and we traveled back to the kennel. I put my dogs back to their houses and then we mixed feed. Fed the dogs, fed the mushers...yum Salmon and chores to finish. Reflection on a Fabulous day. And looking forward to tomorrow.

FIRST TIME BACK ON THE RUNNERS !

Well, the two feet of snow we got sure made for some challenges. We are still "snowed in" and hope to see a plow in the morning to plow out our driveway. My car is still quite burried. The two feet deep snow makes it tough to trudge around in.

We pulled the sleds out and hooked up snow hooks and I had to figure out a new quick release system. All the while the dogs were anticipating being hooked up. After what seemed hours (and were) we were ready to go. Earlier that the trail was run by the snow machine and all the trees were cleared.

I hooked up an 8 dog team and so did Bob. His team headed out of the kennel first and then my team followed. Needless to say, dogs and I were quite excited. Just a few minutes down the trail and we had trouble. The road plow had shoved a huge mound of snow right up onto the groomed dog trail. We ended up turning off the trail and taking the roads back to the kennel.
It was a very short run and the dogs came back into the kennel still raring to go.

We took the snow machine back on the trail and dug the trail out and then I got the tour of the trail. It was so beautiful out. I love the trees all covered in snow.

I am looking forward to the new trails. In the morning after we are dug out, we will each take out two teams. One of us will check out the trail before we head out with the dogs.

SUNDAY TRAIL WORK...

Sunday Morning Surprise....

We woke up to a foot of new snow. Early morning phone call was Pastor Cheryle telling us that service was postponed til 7PM. This is actually our second real snow fall. Yesterday it snowed about 4 - 5 inches. This morning when it was time to water, I had to do some major excavating...searching for 20 dog bowls. When I searched Tok's run and couldn't find his bowl, I checked out his neighbors and when seeing that good ol Max was next to his run, I knew that my next step was to further excavate Max's run....low and behold, bowl number 2.

Dogs are all watered and the mushers have eaten breakfast. Now it is time to tackle the yard and stow stuff for winter now that the snow has arrived and seems here to stay. Guess we got caught a bit off guard. We were not expecting the snow fall last night.

I love the change in scenery when the snow falls. It is so beautiful. We will be storing the 4 wheelers for winter and will now begin training on sleds.

Good Morning...Hello Snow !