BACK IN WILLOW

Well, I arrived in Anchorage at 11:45 PM Friday night.   All I can say is it is wonderful to be back in Willow.   Dogs are all doing great.  I am sitting this morning, (actually evening now...I just looked at the clock and it is 5:15)  at the kitchen table and I can look right out the sliding glass door and see my entire team, less two.  They are sunning themselves on the tops of their dog houses.  Earlier when I got up I went to the door and opened it.  I howled and soon got the entire dog lot howling together.  It is my favorite "music" to hear.  Throughout the day they will break out in a group howl, starting off with one dog and growing until they are all howling in unison. 

I got a big kick out of Amber on the last one.   She was sleeping atop of her house and the howling began.  I saw her mouth open and could tell that she had joined them.   The rest were all standing with heads in the air while lazy Amber was laying down, eyes closed and giving a moderate effort to join the group. 

Break up is not a fun time around here.  We actually had to put the truck in 4 wheel drive to get out of the driveway.  Mud, mud, everywhere.  We have moved dogs to drier runs.  Some of the dog houses are like islands.  The ground is slowing absorbing the water from the melting snow.  Bob's dog lot is much better than mine.  His was well prepared with break up in mind.  His is sand and drains well.  My dog lot was put in right on the existing soil.  We will put in a more permanent run for my dogs later and it will also be sand. 

PRESENTATION AT THE EDMONDS THEATER

I am scheduled at the Edmonds Theater to do a powerpoint presentation. 

Saturday, June 2nd  10:00 - 11:30

415 Main Street

Edmonds

For resevations call Europe Through the Back Door  425-771-8303 or

Sign up online.... www.ricksteves.com  click on free travel classes and sign up.

COFFEE AT STARBUCKS AND THINKING OF DOGS

Well, I have been working on a mountain of mail that I have received from school kids across the US.  Love the letters.  One of my favorites is from a young boy.  He starts off his letter telling me that the only reason that he is writing me is because he has to.  He said that they are studying the Iditarod and that he thinks that it is boring.  Other letters are from kids who are now dreaming of being a musher. 

From what I can tell from the letters they have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Iditarod.  One girl wrote of her experience of being a dog and how they went from checkpoint to checkpoint.   At one she drank water...at another she ate pretzles.  She also said that her musher put booties on her...plastic bags on her feet. 

Love the many pictures that accompany the letters.  Thanks to all of the students who took the time to write to me.  I am still working on responding to your letters.

EDMONDS PRESENTATION

Well, today I was up early for a radio interview.   Then packed up the laptop and did a lunch presentation for the Edmonds Rotary.  It was a great time.  Ready to head out for a potluck dinner and presentation this evening.

It was fun sharing my experiences of the Iditarod.  Everything from the growling moose on the trail to dragging through the overflow.  Each presentation was followed by a lively question and answer period.  It is easy to talk about what you love. 

A WONDERFUL SURPRISE...

Well, I am not the most techie person around.  Finally got SKYPE figured out.  I got to skype my dogs !  It was so neat to see Jack standing on top of his house...still on a foot or so of snow.   Chad and Magic are running around, playing with each other.  Jimmy is sitting tall with his front legs crossed.  Love that pose.  A nice start to my day.   Sure do miss those dogs !

SOME FAVORITE PICTURES

RED AND ROAN



NUGGET AND CHAD

JIMMY

BUDDIES

CATCHING UP....

Well, last Tuesday I was at a coffee shop in Edmonds having an interview...and sitting next to me was Nancy from St Matthews.  I mentioned the word "Booties" and it caught her attention.   I heard my name called with a question....and there sits Nancy with friends having coffee.  We couldn't believe it.

After my interview I sat and talked a bit.  It is truly a small world.  It was great meeting face to face.
I have been busy re adjusting to life here in Edmonds.   The dogs are doing well in Willow.  I hope to head north soon for a visit... "we will see".  I am also hoping to bring Tok back with me.  That is another "we will see".  It would be great to have him here for the school visits. 

The beginning of breakup in Willow

One of the many letters from school kids

I have been busy working on my powerpoint presentation and I have been scheduling speaking engagements.  I am also working on answering the many letters from school kids across the U.S.  It is taking me far longer than I imagined.


 
Tomorrow I will see Dr. Matsen...for a check on the shoulder and xrays of my elbow.  It will be great to see the "Team".   Ten months ago I underwent rotator cuff surgery and a month and a half ago I put it to the ultimate test on the Iditarod.

BACK IN EDMONDS WASHINGTON...

Edmonds Waterfront by Pfly

Well, I am back in Edmonds and as always, it is a tough adjustment.  This time more than ever, as I have come home and my mom's death is a reality.  She passed away unexpectedly December 29th.  On December 29th I found myself on an emergency flight home and she died two hours into my flight.  I returned to Willow on January 1st and fully immersed myself in training for Iditarod 2012.  I ran my Iditarod in memory of my mom, June Steves and she was with me every inch of the trail. 

When in Alaska, family is "out of sight" but not  "out of mind".  Coming home now, family is "in sight" and every time I see my dad I am reminded of her absence.  I am getting used to having breakfast with my dad and looking at him across the table at Claire's (their favorite breakfast spot) and my mom is not sitting there by his side.  Kind of hard.

I left Willow earlier than planned, as I found out that my brother was heading for Europe on the 8th.  I caught a flight on Friday evening the 6th and Rick and Trish hosted a potluck on Saturday to celebrate my homecoming and finish of Iditarod.  It was a wonderful evening with 33 friends gathered together to hear stories of the trail. 

TWELVE DEGREES IS A GOOD THING

Wheel Dogs Spot and Roan

When I woke up this morning the thermometer said 12 degrees...Yeah!  That means that the trail will be set up and it is cold enough to take out a team. 



Team Raring to Go !

Well, I have been busy.  I finally have all of our return bags sorted through and the stuff put away.  I have washed thousands of booties and will run them to the Laundromat today to throw in the dryer.   I have also washed all of our returned wool socks.  They are all hanging to dry.  Dog coats are washed and ready to either store for the summer or return to who we borrowed them from.  I still have a load of wool mitts and fleece neck warmers to wash and then store. 



Taking a quick break

Saturday Angie Taggart came over and we ran dogs.  It was great fun.  We each took out  2 6 dog teams.  One of my teams turned into a 5 dog team at the last minute.   I thought that I would try Nugget in lead and when we were hooked up, he kept turning around in lead and wanted no part of it.  I quickly unhooked him and hooked him to the stake out chain.  I then took off with 5 dogs and Jack ran in single lead.  Dogs had a great time.   Nugget got to go out with team two and I did not put him in lead.  It was beautiful out in the swamp and it is so nice that we have reclaimed our trails from the moose. 

Saturday Evening we had a great potluck dinner at Linda and Larry Cline's.  It was fun celebrating with friends who helped get us on the trail.  They all brought their pictures and we brought ours.  We told tales from the trail.  A fun evening for all.  For me it was also Good Bye's to some of my friends. 

Sunday we went to Church and enjoyed our gathering after church.  Final Good Bye's to Pastor Cheryl, Linda and Larry and Mark.  Next Sunday is Easter Sunday and that will find me back with my family in Edmonds. 

Sunday afternoon we went to Eagle Quest Lodge for a juicy hamburger....when we got there  Shirley told us that she had no more hamburger.  Bummer...but not to worry.  Everything is delicious there.  We ended up having corned beef and soup.  While there we played a few rounds of Farkle(we were expertly coached by Shirley)...and now we are both hooked.  I said my Good Bye's and when we walked out the door Shirley gave us the little Farkle Box. 

So Beautiful

Well this morning I watered my dogs and then had breakfast.  Played a round of Farkle, my new pass time.  Actually it is quite fun.   Bob just took off to groom the trail and we will both hook up a team when he returns. 



Leads Tok and Jack

I just love these guys !