A LEAP OF FAITH...SIGNING UP FOR IDITAROD 2013

Iditarod Sign Ups and Volunteer Picnic--Sure wish I could have been there !

Well, when asked at the end of Iditarod if I would be running again this next year, my answer was always the same...I would love to, but...most likely I would not be.   The reality was that I was in debt and knew that I most likely wouldn't have Angie's pooches to add to my team for next year.  I knew that she was hoping to have her second run at Iditarod.  The exciting news is that Angie signed up for Iditarod 2013 and we will be on the trail together.  But, I have lost 3 good leaders.   

I will have to admit that there was a time on the trail that I was very sure that I would not do this again.  The crashes, the body slams, the bruises.  Not understanding why mushers would choose to put themselves through this over and over.  However, by the time I got to Nome, I had already replaced that thought with "I want to do it again...I have to do it again."   In the few short months following the finish (three to be exact), I have layed awake nights trying to figure out how I can do this again in 2013.   Can I put together a dog team...can I get the finances together for another Iditarod?  I am going to give it all I've got. 

It was a tough decision to make, but when it was a done deal, I was so happy and relieved.  Thank goodness for modern technology...faxed the neccessary paperwork just in the nick of time !

Following the Iditarod, I had the opportunity to share my dream through presentations.  When I do a presentation, I can feel myself slip into my element...and I love sharing my passion.  It is kind of like reliving a part of it all over. 

I loved the opportunities to visit school classrooms and cater to them, an age appropriate presentation, spending the time to answer all of their questions and sharing with them all of our gear.  I will never forget the expression on Jeffrey's face when he saw Bob walk through the door...his Iditarod musher that he chose to follow and now Bob was standing there in front of him live.  

Again I would like to thank all of you who sponsored me...who believed in me for Iditarod 2012.   I couldn't have done it without you.  I would like to invite you to JOIN THE TEAM again, so we can travel the trail together in Iditarod 2013.

EDMONDS THEATER PRESENTATION

Arrived back in Edmonds late afternoon on June 1st.  Limped all the way from SeaTac to Edmonds, stopping regularly to add water to the car.  Forgot to mention that when we were on our way to the airport, heading for Iowa, the car overheated.  We were just 6 blocks from the parking lot where the car was going to stay at for a week while we were gone.   Tried to get AAA to come and tow the car to Tyler's so that he would have a week to work on it and it would be fixed upon our arrival back to Seattle.  The tow was going to be at least 45 minutes out so we had to just park it for the week and deal with it when we returned. 

We did make it back to Edmonds and then spent time putting final touches on the PowerPoint.  Saturday, June 2nd at 10 am we were scheduled at the Edmonds Theater.  What a great opportunity to share the experience of the journey...the Dream,  with family, friends, and followers.   The theater was packed with over 200 people.  Bob's Iditarider, Molly, was there.  It was great to see her again.  Julie (school teacher who followed us on the trail) was there with her granddaughter. 

I got to meet the couple who have my Iditarod Bib hanging on their wall.  Pretty neat.  A big thank you to all those who came and for supporting my dream.