PRODUCTIVE DAY

Woke up early and watered and scooped the kennel.  Then Angie and Justin came by and picked up their fish.  We all kind of wished that we each had more fish.   Contemplating another run to pick up more fish.  We will see. 

Then I took a run to Talkeetna DMV and picked up my plates for my subaru...now officially registered in the state of Alaska.  Transfered the title to the trailer.   There were strong winds on the road. 

Got home and Bob had moved the freezer out to the shed and had 110 fish in it.  Sure is a good feeling looking at all of those fish.  My dogs love salmon.  We will have our work cut out cutting and bagging fish. 

We did a longer 4 wheeler run and the dogs did great.  On coming pass with another musher.  We are not running into many mushers these days.  They must be running Hatcher Pass...or? 

DOGS WILL BE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN...

Well, 6 am this morning found me driving to Big Lake to pick up 8 sled dogs, 1 house dog, 12 chickens and Al.  The animals all belong to Mary and Al is her boyfriend.  Two weeks ago Mary was involved in a serious accident that resulted in her leg being crushed.  She has been in the hospital undergoing many surgeries to try and save her leg.   Bob and I drove our passengers to Nenana where they will be living and Mary will be rehabbing there when she is finally released from the hospital.  In the mean time, Al will be driving his own vehicle back to Wasilla where he is staying by Mary's side in the hospital.

Prayers for both Mary and Al to get through this difficult time and hopes and prayers that Mary's leg can be saved. 

We left Nenana with a load of salmon for the dogs.  We got home this evening at 9 pm.  We will have our work cut out for us, cutting and bagging salmon for snacks for the dogs.  Can you say gallon size zip lock bags???   That is something that we go through hundreds of. 

Little tractor that loaded up our three fish totes that were strapped to our trailer. 
Each bucket load was about 40 fish. 

TRAINING RUN

Spent the morning working on the roof and took a late afternoon run with the dogs.  The usual, out the driveway and take a gee, two more gees and a haw and then a straight ahead and a haw and we are traveling north along side the Parks Highway.   We gee under the Parks at Little Willow Creek and then run along side the Parks going south.    The only thing different about the run was the excitement of having a loose dog in the team.   Floppy in the state of excitement watching the team take off somehow managed to get loose and he was in seventh heaven racing the team out of the driveway and then on to Bob's team in front of me. 

We both stopped our teams and Floppy was caught.  I had a walk back to the kennel with Floppy and hooked him to one of Bob's dog houses.  Then a walk back to my team.  I was amazed that they waited patiently...well, they were screaming and ready to go, but they were still nicely lined out and my four wheeler wasn't dragged down the road.  Hopped on and away we went.  Today we didn't pass or see any other teams out there.   Wish that I had my camera with me.   Denali was so very beautiful.

FIRST IDITAROD MEAL MADE

Well, I think that the FoodSaver machine is going to stay out on the counter...I just made up two meals for Iditarod with leftovers from last night's dinner.   The plan is going to be make enough for two meals and then seal the leftovers into meal pouches.   We are really trying to stay ahead of the game this year. 

We worked on the roof again today and we got about 1/3 of the metal roofing on it.  Tomorrow morning I will make a run to the hardware store in Willow to get some more roofing screws.  Then we will try and get the rest of the roof done and still have time to run a dog team. 

I ran Daisy and Magic in lead today and they are doing great.    Drove a really nice looking 12 dog team today.  We upped the mileage just a bit.  Dogs handled it well and they are coming back into the kennel strong.  I had Floyd in swing and he was being a bit of a goof off.   I put him back in team and pulled Arnie up to swing.  That took care of things.   Near the end of the run I was cold.  Tomorrow I will dress warmer. 

A DAY OFF FOR THE DOGS, BUT NOT FOR THE MUSHERS



 

Well, the day starts out as a new normal...waking up to brewed coffee.  Woke up to 2 degrees.   Then the usual, watering and scooping the kennel.   The dogs got the day off but the mushers worked hard.  We were up on the roof nailing 1 x 2's up to get ready to put on the metal roofing.  



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Bob changed out the ignition coil and my car runs beautifully !    We then fed the dogs and headed off to a Willow Dog Musher's meeting. 



 

2 Degrees...BRRRR !

Woke up to 2 degrees this morning.   Watered dogs and took off for Wasilla for a lumber run.  Stopped off at Fred Meyer and we picked up a programmable coffee pot and a crock pot.  I can already smell the fresh brewed coffee that will wake us up tomorrow morning.  That ought to make getting out of bed a bit easier.  Yea Electricity!  Hmm...have you figured out that I am loving being on grid??

Updated while traveling on the Parks Highway heading home with a full load...Thanks to our "Hotspot".  

EARLY MORNING WAKEUP

Well, this morning about 5 am the kennel went crazy.  It was the kind of crazy that Bob and I looked at each other and muttered "loose dog".  Something that you don't look forward to at 5 am and when it is 3 degrees outside.  Sure enough, when we turned on the kennel lights and took a look and there was Spice running through my dogs.  She was just having a hay day.  Every dog in the kennel was barking and wound up.   We both ran out there and Bob ended up catching her.   As soon as she was back to her dog house, the kennel was dead quiet. 

We got another hour of sleep and then it was time to get up and start the morning routine...But, we have a NEW routine.    We no longer have to go out and start the generator.  YEA!   Remember, we now have electricity.   So, first I put on water for Coffee and Tea.  Bob starts drawing the water for the dogs.   We water and scoop the kennel and then it is back inside for breakfast.

This morning after breakfast I took 6 dogs to the mobile vet at the Community Center.  They got their Rabies shots and now the kennel is all up to date and records are good for Iditarod. 

We took our teams out on the 4 wheeler and we went across the highway.  We increased the mileage of our run and the dogs did well.  Had a nice head on pass with another team.  I ran Ursa and Krack in lead.  They ran quite nicely together.  I had Ford and Grant in swing.  Those two young ones are just raring to go. 

When we got back we made the decision to just run the one team and get the second one out in the morning, with an earlier start.   We spent the afternoon working on the sled shed and then Bob replaced the spark plugs and wires on my car.  Bummer.   The check engine light is still flashing.   Tomorrow he is going to change out the coil.   I am so hoping that that will fix my car.   If not, it will be towed into the shop.   I was hoping to be able to avoid a big repair bill. 

Working on the rafters

 

Almost ready for the roofing !

GOOD TO BE HOME

Roses, fresh coffee, and Farkle...what a way to start the day !

 

 

 

Training run with my team.  A little snow on the ground and temps around 10 - 15 degrees. It warmed up in the afternoon to around 30.

 

         

With Temperatures dropping at night it is time to straw the houses. When ever I fill the sled with straw and start filling dog houses, the dogs get quite excited. It is really a favorite time for some of them. Here Spot is talking to be and excited with the anticipation of fresh straw in his house.



Otter had to get right in and fluff up his straw. In and out, in and out. Oh Boy !

 

 Happy Dog !

BACK IN ALASKA

AT TED STEVENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ANCHORAGE

My flight left on time and arrived shortly after 4 PM in Anchorage.   Bob was there to pick me up and then it was off to Costco to stock up the pantry for the winter.  We had quite the truck load.   As we headed north to Willow, I was welcomed home by beautiful mountain peaks and crisp, cold weather.  The drive home was just under two hours.  Of course I had to greet each and every one of my dogs.  Lots of hugs and kisses.  It is so nice to have lights and running water...electricity!

WEDNESDAY MORNING



MY SHOULDER TEAM

Wednesday morning found me getting up at 4 AM. There was still a "To Do List" to tackle. At 7:20 I was replacing a kitchen light fixture and was contemplating canceling an 8:00 coffee date with Karen and Carrie. I decided that it was important to spend a moment with friends. We enjoyed our visit and I was back home to continue working on my list. Karen was going to take me to the airport and would be by to pick me up at 10:00.  

When she arrived we started loading up her car and the funniest thing happened...one of my pieces of luggage was making a very strange noise.  I laughed and opened it up and pulled out my Sonicare toothbruch.  Unscrewed the top and then put it back in the zip lock bag.  Good thing it happened at home rather than at the airport.   It could have created quite the scene.    Karen was so gracious to pick me up at 10:00 and make a few stops on the way to the airport.  

A very important stop was to see my Dad.  We didn't have time for breakfast this morning, but we had made every opportunity the past week to have breakfast together.  We hugged each other and said "I Love You".  He will miss me, but he is very proud that I will be running Iditarod again this year.   I will miss you dad. 

I made a quick stop to give photo callages to Dr. Matsen (my shoulder surgeon) and Sarah (my physical therapist).   It was  great to see them and then it was on the road to the airport.  We made it on time and I got through security with no problem.   Here I sit at gate N16, waiting for the flight to load.   Willow...here I come.

COUNT DOWN...

Dad and I at Claire's having breakfast.

Well, bags are packed and taxes are done.  Flight is booked and I am ready to fly home to Willow on Tuesday.  Monday will be a really busy day, packed with an extremely long "To Do List".  First on the list is to have breakfast with my Dad.   We will both miss our breakfasts together.  I am so blessed to have Jackie and Doris as caregivers for my dad.  They are family to me and I have grown to love them as much as they have grown to love my dad.  Jackie told me today that I don't need to worry, that they will take good care of dad and that I should go and live my dream.  Even though my dad will miss me he is so proud of me.   He is excited about my participation in Iditarod 2013 and he is wanting to know who I will bring home this next spring.   He really loves Amber and also Tok.  He will just have to wait and see.  



 

IMPROMPTU SCHOOL VISIT...

Well, I got the opportunity to make another "Mini Visit".    I was on the phone this morning with Julie and within 2 hours I found myself driving across town to Duvall.   Last June I made a visit to her students and now here I was returning to welcome her new group of 4th and 5th graders into the world of learning about the Iditarod. 

When the kids came in I recognized Nathan from last year.  He had a BIG smile on his face and he even remembered and asked about Stovepipe.    Ava, one of the new kids shared with us that she had been to Alaska and actually got to go for a dog sled ride...in the sled bag.  You could tell by the smile on her face that it was a fabulous memory for her.    I got to meet Shane this year.  Last year he wasn't at my visit, as he had stopped coming after his musher scratched.   Shane, this year I hope that your musher makes it all the way to Nome.  Remember to not give up...if your musher scratches...just hop on the sled of another musher on their way to Nome.    In any event, I hope to see you this spring when I return.

This was a great group of kids and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm about what was ahead of them.   They were full of questions and when I asked questions, arms were eagerly waving in the air.  It was fun getting to know these kids at the beginning of their Iditarod journey.  I am looking forward to my return visit this spring to see how much they have learned and to share with them my experience preparing for and my journey to Nome...Iditarod 2013.

Perhaps we will have to Dress Mrs E. up as a musher when I return this Spring !

So sorry kids that I don't have a picture to post.   I was out the door so fast that I didn't think of a camera until I was on the road driving and your teacher left home this morning not knowing that we would be setting up this visit.   Thanks for a wonderful class visit for me.  You were all Awesome!  Happy Reading !

A DAY CLOSER...

IT FITS ! ! !

Well, when I came home from Alaska last April, my garage was entirely full of my parent's life.  Everything from their boat and cabin was stuffed into my garage, along with their personal and business records dating back to the 60's.  You could not even walk in my garage.  UGH !   I have spent the entire summer working on getting rid of their "stuff".  My car actually fits into the garage and it will be parked alongside of what are the remains of their boxes(now just a small mountain)..  They will be dealt with next April. 

 

I missed my target date of October 8th...that was today.  Bummer.  However, it does look like I will leave this week.  I am hoping for perhaps Thursday.   We will see.  I will be leaving absolutely gorgeous weather and returning home to RAIN, rain and more RAIN.  

MISS MY MORNINGS AT STARBUCKS WITH BOB

Hey Starbucks...how about sponsoring an Iditarod Musher???

When Bob was here this summer, we would walk downtown Edmonds and start our mornings off with a Starbucks coffee.  It was fun watching the people as we sat right in the center of town, across from the fountain.  We would play a couple of rounds of Farkle and then walk back up the hill and work as gardeners, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. 

 

 

Sitting at our usual table.