Well, we did the usual and then hit the trail. It was a great day as we ran some new trails for me and we got in a nice longer run. Dogs did well and I led the way home....amazing...we made it ! Lol Only a couple of uncertainties and a quick look back behind me for a hand signal to confirm where I was leading.
I had Tok and Pepe in lead and ran a 10 dog team. Hands and feet were cold and overall...mildly cold. Tomorrow I will wear the snow suit. I like warm.
This evening Linda from church called. We are having a get together at her house on Friday and there will be friends there to sew, powder booties, measure psyllium and package, prepare meals and seal them. It will be so much fun to hang out with wonderful people and work together. It will also be neat to see so much accomplished in one day !
This evening I made chicken dinners, and steel cut oatmeal breakfasts for the trail. I also sealed up some snacks.
I will sleep well tonight. It is snowing....hopefully not too much overnight.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
MONDAY
The dogs have been down for two days now and they will be very happy to hit the trails again tomorrow.
It has been a long day, even though we didn't run dogs. The FoodSaver machine has been running full speed ahead. I have made up a bunch of grape juice pops and pomegranate pops. I also finished up the washcloths...a luxury on the trail. I have taken washcloths and soaked them in water and then I set them outside to freeze solid. Then they are FoodSaver sealed and ready for drop bags. On the trail you toss one in your cooker and you have a nice steaming hot washcloth.
I also sewed wristettes. They are great. While booting dogs in the very cold, you have your fingers out. You can tuck a hand warmer in the palm of the wristette and also on the top of the hand if it is very cold.
Made a trip into town and picked up 360 pounds of race mix, two boxes of foot warmers. Picked up an assortment of work gloves and we are going to put them to the test and figure out what we will buy and pack up for Iditarod. Picked up some lumber so that we can build some shelves for all of our "stuff" that we will have to start storing for the big race.
While at WallyMart, I picked up 4 snowmen with fleece blankets. A screaming deal as they were marked down 75%. Hmm....what to do with 4 stuffed snowmen? There were two small children in shopping carts where I was checking out and I pulled the snowmen free of the blankets and left with the vision of the two small children hugging the snowmen and a smile on my face.
Movie night...Fried Green Tomatoes...but no ice cream(doesn't sound too good with tomatoes).
It has been a long day, even though we didn't run dogs. The FoodSaver machine has been running full speed ahead. I have made up a bunch of grape juice pops and pomegranate pops. I also finished up the washcloths...a luxury on the trail. I have taken washcloths and soaked them in water and then I set them outside to freeze solid. Then they are FoodSaver sealed and ready for drop bags. On the trail you toss one in your cooker and you have a nice steaming hot washcloth.
I also sewed wristettes. They are great. While booting dogs in the very cold, you have your fingers out. You can tuck a hand warmer in the palm of the wristette and also on the top of the hand if it is very cold.
Made a trip into town and picked up 360 pounds of race mix, two boxes of foot warmers. Picked up an assortment of work gloves and we are going to put them to the test and figure out what we will buy and pack up for Iditarod. Picked up some lumber so that we can build some shelves for all of our "stuff" that we will have to start storing for the big race.
While at WallyMart, I picked up 4 snowmen with fleece blankets. A screaming deal as they were marked down 75%. Hmm....what to do with 4 stuffed snowmen? There were two small children in shopping carts where I was checking out and I pulled the snowmen free of the blankets and left with the vision of the two small children hugging the snowmen and a smile on my face.
Movie night...Fried Green Tomatoes...but no ice cream(doesn't sound too good with tomatoes).
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Eve
Well, we got a later start on our morning run....so knowing that we may be in after the post office closed, I ran down to the post office to send out some packages and pick up two that I knew were there waiting for me. I knew that they were full of goodies. I got to the post office 5 minutes after the window closed. I was so very fortunate that the gal working there opened up the window and brought me my two packages. She saw my packages in my arms and asked how I was sending them...I told her they were priority flat rate. She said she would take them. So, what a very wonderful thoughtful postal employee who I know wanted to get home as fast as she could.
Got home and we hooked up our teams and we both ran 10 dogs. We went across the highway and decided to run our 26 mile loop. They had to break trail for half of the run. We had soft trail, firm trail and a deep trail. Dogs did great. We only saw one musher out there...it was Lev. He ran out to Shirley Towne. We opted not to. Dogs came home happy. A good run. I had Thornton and Magic in lead...my two female leads. They did really well and I was pleased.
We then headed out for dinner with friends....had a very nice evening. I called home and talked with my family earlier and it was so nice to talk with each one. Also it was nice knowing that my kids were with their grandparents and my brother, Trish, and my Aunt and Uncle.
Got home and we hooked up our teams and we both ran 10 dogs. We went across the highway and decided to run our 26 mile loop. They had to break trail for half of the run. We had soft trail, firm trail and a deep trail. Dogs did great. We only saw one musher out there...it was Lev. He ran out to Shirley Towne. We opted not to. Dogs came home happy. A good run. I had Thornton and Magic in lead...my two female leads. They did really well and I was pleased.
We then headed out for dinner with friends....had a very nice evening. I called home and talked with my family earlier and it was so nice to talk with each one. Also it was nice knowing that my kids were with their grandparents and my brother, Trish, and my Aunt and Uncle.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
HO HO HO...MERRY CHRISTMAS...3 DAYS EARLY
Where is the Christmas spirit??? Wouldn't you think that if you opened your front door to find 6 sled dogs on your porch and an additional 6 sled dogs wanting to be on your porch and a musher who would like to be anywhere BUT standing on a sled in front of your house, that you could offer a cheery greeting? I think that I must have met the grinch that stole Christmas, out of costume.
You have to realize that the driveway that my dogs turned on was plowed as if it was surfaced by a Zamboni (equipment that ice skating rinks use). As my team turned on that plowed driveway I had no idea what was in store for me, but I knew that it could be ugly. Sure enough, when we came further down the driveway, the dogs were headed straight for the front door...up onto the porch they went and to the right...with 6 dogs waiting to follow suit. UGH !
The guy came out of the house and grabbed my leaders and pulled them off the porch and then I asked him to stand on my brake so that I could unhook tug lines. Then he went back in the house after he muttered some unkind words. I had no idea how I was going to get my team out of this situation, with no hooking down and no snub line or static line to tie off to anything.
I decided that I would untangle the dogs. They could have been all balled up and a mess so I was lucky. While I was untangling them, the leads headed out the driveway. I grabbed my sled and hopped on and then steered it into a snow bank and tried to set my hooks. No such luck. So we went a little further and again I tried setting the hooks. I got a very poor set and one that you couldn't trust. I went and untangled a dog and then we went out onto the road and I drove the sled to the right side of the road and finally was able to set my hooks.
I then lined the dogs out and went up to the leaders and hooked up their tugs. I worked my way back to my wheel dogs and I was so relieved that the hooks held. I was prepared to hop on the sled if they pulled the hook. Well, with the dogs all lined out and all the tugs hooked, I hopped on the sled and we took off. We went around the subdivision and then headed back to our trail. Whew ! Just another day in the life of a dog musher...
It was much easier going back. We were the only teams on the trail in a few days and had to break trail on the way out. It was hard work for the dogs but they did a great job.
Tomorrow we are hoping to run some new trails. It is snowing lightly...and we are hoping that we don't get much new snow. It makes it so beautiful, but also so much more work.
You have to realize that the driveway that my dogs turned on was plowed as if it was surfaced by a Zamboni (equipment that ice skating rinks use). As my team turned on that plowed driveway I had no idea what was in store for me, but I knew that it could be ugly. Sure enough, when we came further down the driveway, the dogs were headed straight for the front door...up onto the porch they went and to the right...with 6 dogs waiting to follow suit. UGH !
The guy came out of the house and grabbed my leaders and pulled them off the porch and then I asked him to stand on my brake so that I could unhook tug lines. Then he went back in the house after he muttered some unkind words. I had no idea how I was going to get my team out of this situation, with no hooking down and no snub line or static line to tie off to anything.
I decided that I would untangle the dogs. They could have been all balled up and a mess so I was lucky. While I was untangling them, the leads headed out the driveway. I grabbed my sled and hopped on and then steered it into a snow bank and tried to set my hooks. No such luck. So we went a little further and again I tried setting the hooks. I got a very poor set and one that you couldn't trust. I went and untangled a dog and then we went out onto the road and I drove the sled to the right side of the road and finally was able to set my hooks.
I then lined the dogs out and went up to the leaders and hooked up their tugs. I worked my way back to my wheel dogs and I was so relieved that the hooks held. I was prepared to hop on the sled if they pulled the hook. Well, with the dogs all lined out and all the tugs hooked, I hopped on the sled and we took off. We went around the subdivision and then headed back to our trail. Whew ! Just another day in the life of a dog musher...
It was much easier going back. We were the only teams on the trail in a few days and had to break trail on the way out. It was hard work for the dogs but they did a great job.
Tomorrow we are hoping to run some new trails. It is snowing lightly...and we are hoping that we don't get much new snow. It makes it so beautiful, but also so much more work.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
CAN YOU SAY SNOW?
We woke up to more snow. We just had the driveway plowed yesterday and had it plowed again today... joy for joy. After digging out the generator and the path to it, we watered the dogs and then headed for Wasilla. 
It was a day for stopping by the Iditarod headquarters to drop off paperwork, going to the post office to mail a few packages. Then we tackled our shopping list of necessary Items for our Iditarod drop bags. I stopped by the chiropractor for an adjustment and Bob got a hair cut.
Then we went to the nail salon and had pedicures. Bob had his first pedicure and I think that he is hooked ! He left with the same reaction that my dad and brother had when they had their first pedicure. He loved it. We went bold and left with matching "Holiday Toes" red and green and with glitter !
It was a day for stopping by the Iditarod headquarters to drop off paperwork, going to the post office to mail a few packages. Then we tackled our shopping list of necessary Items for our Iditarod drop bags. I stopped by the chiropractor for an adjustment and Bob got a hair cut.Then we went to the nail salon and had pedicures. Bob had his first pedicure and I think that he is hooked ! He left with the same reaction that my dad and brother had when they had their first pedicure. He loved it. We went bold and left with matching "Holiday Toes" red and green and with glitter !
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
TUESDAY
Well, this morning started out as usual...watered the dogs and then we had half of our breakfast at the table and the other half underway in the car. We headed south from Willow to Pittman to pick up the truck from "The Need for Speed" doctor. Bob says the truck drives like a brand new truck.
Then we buzzed over to 3 Bears and picked up zip lock bags and food saver bags...hmmm....what on earth for??? Could it be for Iditarod drop bags? You got it !
We are set to start powdering and bagging booties, and preparing our meals for the trail. Time is going to fly and we really want to have it all done well ahead of time.
Stopped by the post office and our headlamps arrived and also Bob's cooker. When we were at 3 Bears, we ran into Gary, our snow plower and after we arrived back home, he came over and plowed us out. We then each hooked up a 12 dog team and armed with our new headlamps, we hit the trail. Shortly after take off, it started snowing. It snowed and snowed and snowed.
The snow was coming down such that we were breaking trail almost the entire run. I had visibility of my wheel dogs. They are the dogs that are right in front of the sled. It was actually easier to see with my headlamp off. I ran the first half of the run with it turned off. For most of the run, I couldn't see my leaders. Dogs did great.
When we got back to the kennel, I snacked the dogs and watered them. Then I put them back to their houses. I put away harnesses and tow line and mixed feed. Fed the dogs and then went and dug out each of the dog houses. I had to clear the snow build up away from the doors and then shovel out in front of the doors. I also picked up all of the dog bowls. During that time it snowed an additional 6 inches of snow. It is still coming down. Ugh ! ! !
Then we buzzed over to 3 Bears and picked up zip lock bags and food saver bags...hmmm....what on earth for??? Could it be for Iditarod drop bags? You got it !
We are set to start powdering and bagging booties, and preparing our meals for the trail. Time is going to fly and we really want to have it all done well ahead of time.
Stopped by the post office and our headlamps arrived and also Bob's cooker. When we were at 3 Bears, we ran into Gary, our snow plower and after we arrived back home, he came over and plowed us out. We then each hooked up a 12 dog team and armed with our new headlamps, we hit the trail. Shortly after take off, it started snowing. It snowed and snowed and snowed.
The snow was coming down such that we were breaking trail almost the entire run. I had visibility of my wheel dogs. They are the dogs that are right in front of the sled. It was actually easier to see with my headlamp off. I ran the first half of the run with it turned off. For most of the run, I couldn't see my leaders. Dogs did great.
When we got back to the kennel, I snacked the dogs and watered them. Then I put them back to their houses. I put away harnesses and tow line and mixed feed. Fed the dogs and then went and dug out each of the dog houses. I had to clear the snow build up away from the doors and then shovel out in front of the doors. I also picked up all of the dog bowls. During that time it snowed an additional 6 inches of snow. It is still coming down. Ugh ! ! !
Monday, December 19, 2011
MONDAY...MOOSE DAY
Well, we took out 3 - 8 dogs teams today. The trail was hard and fast. We had 4 head on passes. I had Tok in lead with Carmack and then changed Carmack out with Nugget. Nugget really picked the pace up. On the home stretch back to the kennel there were two big moose on the trail. Thankfully they both scattered through the trees when we approached.
Back at the house I got caught up with scooping the kennel. Spent time with the dogs at their houses. They all ate well and are snuggled in their houses. 11 PM and it is snowing.
With the generator running I got to enjoy Christmas music and our Christmas lights while I worked in the kitchen. Looking out the window was so beautiful...the dog lot was lit up and the snow was coming down quite heavy. Right now we have our lights draped around the windows and it just made everything look so festive.
This evening I made french toast and sausages for our food drops. The food saver machine will really get a work out from now until drop bags. Bob and I started our list for Iditarod. It is really crucial that we get everything figured out and prepared, bought, packed, etc.
I have a ruff being made for me by Pam Redington out in Manley Hot Springs. I met her last year when on the Serum Run. She makes beautiful ruffs.
Well, it is off to bed....morning will come early.
Back at the house I got caught up with scooping the kennel. Spent time with the dogs at their houses. They all ate well and are snuggled in their houses. 11 PM and it is snowing.
With the generator running I got to enjoy Christmas music and our Christmas lights while I worked in the kitchen. Looking out the window was so beautiful...the dog lot was lit up and the snow was coming down quite heavy. Right now we have our lights draped around the windows and it just made everything look so festive.
This evening I made french toast and sausages for our food drops. The food saver machine will really get a work out from now until drop bags. Bob and I started our list for Iditarod. It is really crucial that we get everything figured out and prepared, bought, packed, etc.
I have a ruff being made for me by Pam Redington out in Manley Hot Springs. I met her last year when on the Serum Run. She makes beautiful ruffs.
Well, it is off to bed....morning will come early.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
LONGER RUN TODAY AND HILLS !
Great run today. The dogs worked hard with added miles and hills. Fun trails for the musher as well. I had Tok in lead with Stovepipe.
When I was ready to leave the kennel, my quick release wouldn't release. I had to take out my leatherman and grab the pin with it and give it a yank....then I had to get it folded back up and into my pocket before the turn onto the road. Keep in mind that the team is full speed ahead racing out the driveway. All went smooth. Whew!
We hit our trail out to the highway and headed for Little Willow Creek. On that approach, we hit the overflow again, and Tok and Stovepipe charged right through it, with the rest of the team following. Again, I was splashed up to my knees, amazed that no water entered my boots. We hit more overflow on the other side of the highway and then headed for the trestle. I followed Bob's team out as we were going to take a bunch of new trails. When we were headed home, I passed his team and lead back to the kennel.
I love having my dogs just outside the dining room window. I think that it is entertainment for both the dogs and us (me). They sure seem interested in what is going on in the house and I enjoy watching them in the mornings wake up and come to life. Max is forever playing with his dog bowl...with a frenzy...quite amusing. He will often end up with two extra bowls in his space. Jimmy and Red frolic and play together. They are one happy group of dogs.
Dogs are fed, quiet and in their houses. A peaceful end to a wonderful day.
When I was ready to leave the kennel, my quick release wouldn't release. I had to take out my leatherman and grab the pin with it and give it a yank....then I had to get it folded back up and into my pocket before the turn onto the road. Keep in mind that the team is full speed ahead racing out the driveway. All went smooth. Whew!
We hit our trail out to the highway and headed for Little Willow Creek. On that approach, we hit the overflow again, and Tok and Stovepipe charged right through it, with the rest of the team following. Again, I was splashed up to my knees, amazed that no water entered my boots. We hit more overflow on the other side of the highway and then headed for the trestle. I followed Bob's team out as we were going to take a bunch of new trails. When we were headed home, I passed his team and lead back to the kennel.
I love having my dogs just outside the dining room window. I think that it is entertainment for both the dogs and us (me). They sure seem interested in what is going on in the house and I enjoy watching them in the mornings wake up and come to life. Max is forever playing with his dog bowl...with a frenzy...quite amusing. He will often end up with two extra bowls in his space. Jimmy and Red frolic and play together. They are one happy group of dogs.
Dogs are fed, quiet and in their houses. A peaceful end to a wonderful day.
This picture was taken yesterday on our training run. This is the beauty that embraces me when I am out on the trails with my team. We had a really good training run. Again, the dogs just plowed through the overflow, different leaders today. Trails are slow and we broke trail for quite a while. I am really proud of them.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
THURSDAY AFTERNOON RUN
Well, we each took out a 10 dog team. We headed out the driveway and down the street to our trail access. Then we traveled along the Parks Highway and under the Little Willow Creek bridge. Just before the bridge we ended up going through water about 12 inches deep. Sent water spraying up to my knees. Made for frozen pant legs. The dogs just plowed through it.
My old trails are inaccessible...as Deception Creek has opened and the water is high and flowing fast. I am so glad that I am training on the other side of the Parks Highway. I don't have to worry about Deception Creek anymore. Last year I ended up trucking my dogs most of the time. It is so nice to be able to run right out of the kennel.
The dogs had to work hard with the new snow. It was slower going, but they did great. They came back to the kennel strong. Back at the kennel they were nback to their houses and are anxiously awaiting their dog biscuit, which I give them when I get to their house.
For dinner tonight I made a big pot of goulash...enough for a few meals and also for some Iditarod meals. We will turn on the generator and I will food saver seal meal pouches for us. They will be great on the trail ! YUM !
We are getting into the Christmas spirit, sitting in the dark with our LEDs listening to Christmas music from my laptop. Mannheim Steamroller. This will be my first Christmas in Alaska.
My old trails are inaccessible...as Deception Creek has opened and the water is high and flowing fast. I am so glad that I am training on the other side of the Parks Highway. I don't have to worry about Deception Creek anymore. Last year I ended up trucking my dogs most of the time. It is so nice to be able to run right out of the kennel.
The dogs had to work hard with the new snow. It was slower going, but they did great. They came back to the kennel strong. Back at the kennel they were nback to their houses and are anxiously awaiting their dog biscuit, which I give them when I get to their house.
For dinner tonight I made a big pot of goulash...enough for a few meals and also for some Iditarod meals. We will turn on the generator and I will food saver seal meal pouches for us. They will be great on the trail ! YUM !
We are getting into the Christmas spirit, sitting in the dark with our LEDs listening to Christmas music from my laptop. Mannheim Steamroller. This will be my first Christmas in Alaska.
THURSDAY MORNING
Well, I was up early this morning and decided to work at my desk...illuminated by my headlamp that I run with at night. Can't complain about not enough light. Today's forecast calls for a high of 25 degrees and a low of 13 degrees, with light snow showers. Sunrise is set for 10:03 am and sunset will be at 3:40 pm.
Yesterday we each took out a 10 dog team and it snowed most of the run. Bob led out of the kennel and I led back to the kennel. Dogs are doing great. On the way in I put Jimmy up in lead for the first time this season. He is the dog that really came through for me last year on Serum run, on our last day on the Yukon River. He was a swing dog and I hadn't run him in lead and he showed me that he was a leader. Jimmy did great in lead yesterday as well.
When we were out on the Tank trail, we encountered moose holes. Thankfully no dogs were injured by stepping the holes. I had two head on passes with teams and they went well. We have a couple of road crossings that we do and also we will run right out of our driveway and down the road to a trail access. I am hoping that we will get some "dog teams on road" and "dog team crossing" signs put up.
While out on the trails, my mind will wander all over, just as the trails do. I can only imagine my life if I had come to Alaska sooner...I wonder if my kids would have been mushers instead of skiers...I can easily picture my youngest, Kelsey driving a team.
Even though I waited til I was 50, I will never regret trading skis for sled runners ! It has opened a whole new world for me.
Yesterday we each took out a 10 dog team and it snowed most of the run. Bob led out of the kennel and I led back to the kennel. Dogs are doing great. On the way in I put Jimmy up in lead for the first time this season. He is the dog that really came through for me last year on Serum run, on our last day on the Yukon River. He was a swing dog and I hadn't run him in lead and he showed me that he was a leader. Jimmy did great in lead yesterday as well.
When we were out on the Tank trail, we encountered moose holes. Thankfully no dogs were injured by stepping the holes. I had two head on passes with teams and they went well. We have a couple of road crossings that we do and also we will run right out of our driveway and down the road to a trail access. I am hoping that we will get some "dog teams on road" and "dog team crossing" signs put up.
While out on the trails, my mind will wander all over, just as the trails do. I can only imagine my life if I had come to Alaska sooner...I wonder if my kids would have been mushers instead of skiers...I can easily picture my youngest, Kelsey driving a team.
Even though I waited til I was 50, I will never regret trading skis for sled runners ! It has opened a whole new world for me.
Monday, December 5, 2011
MONDAY
We each took 2 teams out today. Had two great runs. Second run was with headlamps start to finish. We ran into Mr. Rather Large Moose on the side of the trail heading back to the kennel.
We got in at 10:30 pm. Dogs came in happy, strong and energetic. I am glad that we took the time to have dinner in between runs. We have been getting in the habbit of eating dinner after 9 pm. I really don't like eating that late. Tonight it will be the dogs who will eat late. Bob is mixing feed right now and I am hoping to have dogs fed and be in bed by 12:30.
We got in at 10:30 pm. Dogs came in happy, strong and energetic. I am glad that we took the time to have dinner in between runs. We have been getting in the habbit of eating dinner after 9 pm. I really don't like eating that late. Tonight it will be the dogs who will eat late. Bob is mixing feed right now and I am hoping to have dogs fed and be in bed by 12:30.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ROOKIE MEETING...IDITAROD
This weekend was the Rookie Meeting, with Saturday being in Anchorage at the Millenium Hotel and Sunday at Martin Buser's place. I thought it was a fantastic weekend.
It was great to meet the other rookies and we had the opportunity to listen to DeeDee Jonrowe, Aliy Zerkle, and Iditarod Champion John Baker. All three were inspirational.
On Sunday I went for the first time to Happy Trails Kennel, home of Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser. He spent the day sharing and talking to us about the race. We had the opportunity to check out all his gear and see his operation. A wonderful kennel setup.
It was great to meet the other rookies and we had the opportunity to listen to DeeDee Jonrowe, Aliy Zerkle, and Iditarod Champion John Baker. All three were inspirational.
On Sunday I went for the first time to Happy Trails Kennel, home of Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser. He spent the day sharing and talking to us about the race. We had the opportunity to check out all his gear and see his operation. A wonderful kennel setup.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
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