OUCH !

Well, today I tried to cut my finger off...We were just getting ready for a run.   I had bought a reindeer hide to make a wee wee protector for Ford.  I was using my sewing scissors incorrectly and sliced my finger.   I was so surprised at how sharp they were.   OH MY, DID IT EVER BLEED.  Slight delay in our day...unexpected drip to the clinic.  The Dr. said it was good that the scissor were sharp because it made a clean cut.   She was going to put in two stitches, but after we discussed that I work with dogs daily and it was very important to not get my finger infected.  She opted to use surgical glue and glue the cut together and then she glued steri strips all across it.  She felt that it would reduce the risk of infection and be easier to keep it clean until it heals. 

Got back home and the only way that my finger could fit in a pair of gloves was to cut the pointer finger off it.  I will have to take a pic of it tomorrow.   My hand still fit in my over mitts so that was good.  Needless to say, my finger throbbed most of the run.   I hope that I can sleep tonight and that it feels much better in the morning. 

Our run was beautiful today and because of our delayed start we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the trail.

EARLY MORNING WAKE UP BY SPOT

Pic from last year.  Spot(left) and brother Roan
My loveable wheel dogs

This morning at 5:45 Spot started the kennel out with a howlfest.  Spot is the closest dog to the bedroom window (which is open at night to keep the bedroom cool).  I always love hearing the dogs go into a howl.  It is like a symphony...sometimes an elementary symphony with dogs that howl off key.  I can identify many of the individual dogs.  I will say that Spot has one of the most pathetic sounding howls.  He is also know to be a lazy howler...as I will look out the window and while the other dogs come out of their houses and raise their heads up and howl, he lays there and pokes his head out of his house, still on his side and howls.  He is such a sweet dog. 

-15 to 26 degrees

Woke up and it was the usual...-15 degrees cold.  Watered and scooped the kennel. 

Then Bob and I got busy.  Worked in the back room organizing.  Went through all of the boxes and bins from last year.  Sorted through the hand, foot and toe warmers and boxed by expiration date (so that we use the oldest first).   I have a better idea of our "Iditarod leftovers".    Found all of the fox tails and will go through and fix the broken ones. 

We added another shelf to our kitchen.  It is so nice to have more shelving.  When in town, I picked up wire shelf racks so that we could stack dishes.  We moved the microwave up on the lower shelf, freeing up some counter space.  Yea!  Love the new light for the kitchen...lol, now I can see if the dishes are clean when I wash them!  Added more cup hooks and have items hanging within reach. 

I headed to Wasilla and the winds were gusting to 80 MPH.  A big semi almost lost it's trailer...I thought that it was going over.   While at the gas station, I only filled up half way.  For safety, I wanted to get out of there.   When opening my car door, I would have to fight to hold onto it.  While at Lowe's they told me that they were not letting any shopping carts out the door.   I pulled up to the door and they loaded my car.  With the winds, the temps were in the mid twenties.  Back in Willow there were no winds and I was back to freezing temperatures. 

Bought 10 more ice cube trays and have been freezing trays of RedPaw Fat Blend for the dogs.  I now have 4 gallon zip lock bags full.  Picked up 4 outdoor garbage cans.   They will be used for storing cut up dog meat.  Bought the lumber for a shelving unit for in the hallway. 

Stopped off at the Iditarod headquarters and picked up Drop Bags for Bob, Angie and me.  Also picked up copies of all of the paperwork that we have to have for the the dogs and the mushers. 

We put the washed sled bags back on our sleds and have them rigged up for when we switch to sleds.

Enjoyed a pizza for dinner and played two rounds of Farkle.   A great day! 

NEW HOUSEDOG

Magic has always been a very shy dog.  In the past I haven't chosen her for my team because of this.   She is a good little leader and this year she is one of my main leaders.   I decided that I am going to start bringing her into the house and travel around with her in my car.  It will be interesting to see the changes, if any in her by this.  

I was quite surprised at how well she did in the house.  She went exploring all over and came out of the bathroom with a sponge and the soap.  I had to chuckle.  She learned real quick if she hung out with Buzz in the kitchen when I cook that they may be a payoff. 

It didn't take her long to figure out that Buzz's mat is comfortable.  She made herself right at home. 

BATTER UP !

Getting ready to cut up frozen salmon for the dogs. 

 

 

It is - 13 degrees out and rather cold.  I am wearing a garbage sack to keep my clothes from becoming spattered with fish powder. 

 After cutting up the fish, I bag the pieces into ziplock bags ready for snacking the dogs on the trail. 

 I also bag a bunch of cut up salmon in empty dog food bags.    This way we have plenty of cut up salmon to snck the dogs when we get back from training runs. 

 A dog food bag full of fish heads and tails.  Yum !  At least the dogs think so!

I save all of the "fish powder" that you get from using the chop saw cutting the fish up.   We will add it to the dog's water and food.   We try not to waste anything. 

I have over 200 salmon to cut up and bag...not to mention the tons of assorted meats for the dogs. 

ORANGES FOR THE TRAIL

Well, there is never a dull moment here.   There is always something to do and not enough time in our day to get them all done.  We just keep plugging away.  The oranges will be put outside to freeze and then I will package them up for the trail.  We try to eat really healthy while on the trail...don't get me wrong there are goodies as well. 

OUR THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION...

Well, I decided that I really wanted to cook up a turkey and have friends over, so I called up Ted and Paula and we decided to celebrate Thanksgiving together on Saturday.   I made a run into town and picked up a turkey and all of the trimmings. 

Friday evening I made up my stuffing and put it in the fridge.  Saturday morning I cleaned up the house  and then Bob and I stuffed the turkey and had it ready to put in the oven.  We then hooked up our teams and I ran back in the house at 2:15 and put the turkey in the oven.   I always cook my turkey in an oven bag.  I knew that I had 3 and a half hours to get back to the house.  I made it home by 5:00 and took care of my dogs.   Got in the house at 5:30 and we sat down to a wonderful dinner at 6:15.    Couldn't believe it...it was just like clock-work!   A nice evening with friends. 

Leaders, Krakatoa and Ursa

An earlier training run on Hatcher Pass--beautiful !

Morning after Thanksgiving...

Well, if anyone would have asked me what I would be doing the morning after Thanksgiving, I would have answered "having a piece of pumpkin pie for breakfast...before it disappeared.   It is quite funny, you wouldn't be alone...there would always be someone else showing up early for a piece of pie.  Well, this morning found me with my cup of coffee and putting up broccoli with cheese packs and also mixed berries.  

Right now I am parked in front of the Willow Library.  My ATT Hotspot is all but worthless.   It has been a source of frustration for a few days now.   I thought that it was my laptop, so I drove to the library to see if I could get online and check emails, and post on the blog.   Connection is great and I was able to post and upload a pic with no problem. 

Dogs are already watered and ready to go for a run.  When I get back to the kennel, we will hook them up and mix and match some of our old loops and add a few new ones to get the needed mileage. 

Yesterday we were unable to start our 4 wheelers because it was so cold.   We did end of getting them started, but decided to run today instead.   We spent the day cleaning and organizing and then ended the evening with a movie.   It has been so nice not trucking dogs for 2 days now.  It is amazing how much more we can get done in a day.   Trucking really adds so much time to our runs.   Before we know it, it is late and we keep getting behind in chores.   So, the plan is that we will run our teams locally and get caught up a bit and then head back to Hatcher Pass. 

HAPPY THANKSIVING TO ALL

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.   I hope that you are with family and friends having a wonderful meal and reflecting on all that you are blessed and thankful for. 

For me I am truly doing what I love doing, but I miss my family and friends dearly.   I am looking forward to celebrating and having our turkey dinner this Saturday....and of course, Pumpkin Pie !

FOR GRACIE

Floyd and Amber

Hi Gracie,  I will post more pictures of Amber.  Right now Amber has been running with Circus and they are Buddies.  She did not like running with Floyd. 

Busy and PRODUCTIVE Evening

 After the run we got home at 7:30.   When you truck dogs it makes for a looong day.  But there are always things that need being done.   I decided to get the food saver machine on a roll.   Put up packages of breakfast sausage.



 Tuna noodle casserole and chicken and rice casserole....



 

And also packages of oranges.  The oranges on the trail are delicious and refreshing.   Feels so good to be making such good progress on our Race/Iditarod meals.  

MEET THE TEAM...

Two very serious looking dogs...
Circus and Red

Red has been in my team for 4 years.  He made it all the way to Nome last year.  He is a bit shy, but always ready to go.  He is also a hard worker.   Circus is new to me this year.   He too made it all the way to Nome last year on Bob's team.  He is such a sweetheart.  He really loves to run next to Amber. 

Floyd

 Floyd is my "problem child"...he can be quite the stinker but he is also a hard working dog.  I have to be careful who I put him with as he can intimidate the dog next to him...wouldn't know it by that smile !   He too is very sweet and loves attention.  Last year he didn't make either team as he decided to go "hairless".  We think that he had a allergy to the oat straw we had...but we still have no idea what was the cause of him losing his hair.  This year he is doing great. 

Tyson

 Tyson is new to my kennel this year.   He is so sweet.  I run him in wheel with Jack, two of my most lovable guys.   They pair up well together.  Tyson is an Iditarod Veteran. 

Ursa

Ursa is new to my kennel this year and is one of my leaders.  She is such a hard worker.   She is on the shy side.  She runs great with Magic. 

-15 DEGREES AND HEADING TO THE PASS

A beautiful day, but cold.  

 

Well, we had a great run up on the pass.  It was a bit cold.  I changed gear and wore my Wiggies bibs, and put on the Neos over top of my tennies.   I wore the Neos and tennis shoes for the better part of the race last year.  I will say that I had my shoes loaded with toe and foot warmers and a hand warmer atop of the toes, under a second wool sock that fit over the toes of the shoe.  Today I just wore the tennies and Neos, no warmers.    It is the time to experiment with what keeps me warm at what temperatures.   After the run I decided that chemical warmers would have been nice.  Next run at these temperatures, I will go back to the added toe sock and warmers.  Believe it or not, I do like warmth!   

 

There is a hairpin switch back on the way up Hatcher Pass.   It is no big deal on the way up, but on the way down it is a bit hairy.   Someone cut it really tight and my dogs this run also did the same, following their path.  It was my worst time around that turn.  I have been able to in the past "gee" my dogs out and around the turn, without going into the ditch.  This time we were in the ditch.  Joy for joy.   

LeBlanc and Arnie in lead



SATURDAY...A DAY OF REST FOR THE DOGS

Well, you know the routine....woke up, put the coffee on, watered dogs, then scooped the kennel.  Came in and had breakfast.   I then went to a local church and helped with the Thanksgiving Dinner Food Distribution.   It was - 10 degrees this morning.   I thought that I would be working inside at the church, so I left with blue jeans on (no long johns), snow boots that are for mild temps, (even brought my slippers to change in to.)  Thankfully I packed a hat and a pair of wool mittens.  My job was to bag frozen turkeys and pass them out.  I borrowed a pair of gloves and worked with the frozen foods that were outside in a tent.  I went in periodically to warm up.   Then it was home to the kennel. 

Kennel size bottle of Pyrantel Pamoate

It was worming time for the dogs...armed with a syringe and a small bottle of Pyrantel Pamoate in my pocket to keep from freezing, I gave each dog their appropriate dose, determined by their weight.  I knew that Jimmy would be an issue.   Most of the dogs swallowed it right down, some easier than others.  I tried to persuade Jimmy to take his wormer, but I knew that it would be a real struggle.  For him, it isn't worth the trauma.  I will give him his in his food. 

Spent the late afternoon on consumers report checking out snow blowers and their ratings.  Then called all over Wasilla figuring out who carried the top rated snow blowers.  I had totally forgotten that the truck and trailer doesn't have tail lights and by now it was dark.  We measured the Subaru hatch opening and called the store and had them measure the snow blower.  We were a half in shy of the needed opening to make it fit.  Bummer.  So we will have to fit that in our schedule on another day. 



I then decided to put up more meal packs for Iditarod and races.  Did peas, mixed berries, bacon, and sausages.  I have sure been giving that Foodsaver machine a workout !

A BEAUTIFUL DAY UP ON HATCHER PASS

Today we ran on Hatcher Pass again.   It was a great run.  It was a bit more clear than yesterday's run.  Dogs did great.  So beautiful.  

A Beautiful Day

Woke up this morning to 4 - 5 inches of snow.  Sure love my Subaru...As I was heading home on the Park's highway I saw a driverless sled and 4 dog team.  I stopped and ran to the trail to try and stop them but they took a right turn onto Teeka Run and I watched them disappear out of sight.   I thought that I may find the musher walking so I turned around and drove for a ways and saw another 4 dog team with 2 mushers on the runners.   They said that their dogs pulled the hook and took off on them.   I told them where they turned.  I wonder how far the dogs went. 

Well, we headed up to Hatcher Pass for another day up there.  Another 10 dog team.  I upped my mileage by about 6 miles and the dogs did great.  Even though it was overcast, it was beautiful.  Didn't see any other teams today.   Can't figure it out...I am going to have to superglue my fingers...I have cuts and splits.  Usually I don't have to do that until way into the season after a few races. 

Petunia is the blonde dog on the left.  His partner is Kevin. 
In Front of wheel is Otter and Chad(Big Mouth) and
in wheel is Roan and Spot (eating snow).

Roan and Spot...they are really happy dogs.

We got a total of about seven inches of snow today.  Time to check out snowblowers.   We have got to stay on top of things this year. 

Hatcher Pass

 Well, we had a change of plans and we ended up at Hatcher Pass for our training run today.  It is much safer than Shirley Towne where the logging trucks were traveling so fast and with the blind hills.   It was a longer drive to get there, but I took advantage of that time to unbundle booties and get them ready to powder.   I did 300 of them on the drive.  As always, with trucking it makes for a longer day.  The dogs seem to like it and I am sure that they enjoyed the change of scenery.   It is really beautiful up on Hatcher Pass and I love how Willow Creek freezes up like a work of art. 

 After arriving home, we put the dogs back to their houses and then it was time to feed them and then the mushers.  I cooked up lasagna and spinach and cheese raviolis and put up 12 Iditarod dinners. 

IT'S TRUCK'IN TIME

Ready to unload and run our team. 

Well, it took a while to get going this morning.  When you truck, you have to make sure that you have everything.  I went over my check list and was good to go.  I had to take with me my quick release, my front end stake out, harnesses, towline, shovel, poop bucket, water bucket, ladle, water bowls, parka, extra mitts, hat, cell phones. 

 

A truck driver stopped and I talked with him and asked him to tell the other loggers that there would be dog teams on the road.  There are a couple of blind hills that make me a bit nervous of fast oncoming logging trucks.  We had a great run and didn't see the logging trucks until we were back at our dog truck at the end of the run. 

 

The turnaround at the end of the trail was terrible.  It is a trail through the woods off the road and then it has a loop that brings us back to the road.  It was so rutty and full of roots.  A couple of times I was worried that I might roll my 4 wheeler.  It was like riding a bronco buck.  It was easier on the way back out than on the way in.  I was just glad to get back to the road.  

 

The road was a great training run with hills to go up and down and up and down and down and up.  The only negative thing is knowing that you have to face the turnaround at the end of the road. 



Time to load up the 4 wheelers...

Made it up on the trailer and not off the end !

SUNDAY--CHURCH AND A CATCH UP DAY...

Got up and watered dogs.  Then we headed to Sheep Creek to Church.  On the way I brought booties to powder.  It didn't take long to figure out that from the front seat of the truck, powdering booties wasn't too productive.  After church we all had chili and homemade frybread.  I LOVE frybread. 

Then back home and to work on the shed and the dog truck.  We are planning on trucking dogs tomorrow so I replaced rusted hinges.  Bob got all the siding up on the storage shed.  We also got the freezers off the trailer.  Loaded up the 4 wheelers this evening to make our morning easier.   I powdered about 200 booties this evening.  That is just a drop in the bucket !   There are over 2000 to powder. 

FRIDAY

OUT IN THE SWAMP

It was so nice to get some snow.  It softened the trail a bit for the dogs.  I took out a  12 dog team.   I am with Daisy and Magic, two of my leaders.   For a little girl, Magic really works hard.  We went out across the highway, but took a different route.  We decided to pass on one section of the trail that had side hilling.  We figured that with the 4 wheeler we may not have much traction.  With the new snow the trail was really slick. 

After the run I decided to head to town and my first stop was the laundry mat.  I washed our parkas and insulated pants.   Before the snow came, we had been 4 wheeling in the dirt and dust.  Everything was covered in dust.  Also washed our sled bags and harnesses.  Here's hoping that we keep getting snow in small amounts.  

Finally....some snow !

Woke up this morning to about an inch and a half of snow and a temperature of 20 degrees. 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

Woke up this morning and it was -8 degrees.   Monday, when running my first team I came to the realization that I wasn't dressed warm enough.  I had cold hands and feet.  Not fun.  By the time I hooked up the second team, it had warmed up a bit and I was ok.   Time to start using the hand warmers and toe warmers.  I think that you go through an acclimation process, because I was thinking about - 50 and I shuddered.   I must still be adjusting to the colder temps.  Both runs were great.  Getting ready to bump up the mileage. 

Yesterday was a day in town.  We picked up two freezers for storing our dog meat and salmon.  Again, plug ins are great!  Then we checked out some storage sheds.  Trying to get things a bit more organized here at the home front.   That will make an easier training year and an easier prep time for Iditarod.  Picked up two 90 pound bales of straw for the dogs.  With the temps in the single digits they will love the added straw. 

I am picking up a new leader today.  He sounds like a real sweetheart.  We will see how it goes.  His name is LeBlanc. 

Well, it is evening and we had a great day.   We had our kennel inspected earlier and everything was in order and we now have our updated license.  After that we took out a team.  I ran LeBlanc and he did a great job in swing.  He is a really nice trotter....a little shy, but very sweet.  We had a wonderful run.  When we were heading back to the kennel the alpen glow on Denali was magnificent. 

We fed dogs and strawed the houses and the dogs are very content and happy. 

HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?

 

ONE BITE AT AT TIME....

 

 

Got up early this morning and decided to make french toast.  I made up a humongous batch so that I would be able to make up french toast packets for on the trail.  Probably the most demanding thing in our schedule other than training is getting the drop bags ready for Iditarod.   We are tackling that "One Bite at a Time".   I decided to make up this batch with bananas in them.  Yum !   

 

 

Then for breakfast I made steel cut oats.  Again, I made a large batch.  I was able to put together 4 breakfast pouches.  Each time I make steel cut oats it comes out very different.  Today I added flax, coconut, apples, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries.  Looks kind of gross, but it is oh, so good!

 

Brr...

 

Happy Car

Woke up this morning and it was about zero degrees out.  Brrr...  My Subaru is a happy car now as it has it's own cold weather (blue) extension cord and it is now "plugged in" during the cold weather.  Sure makes a difference starting it in the cold.  

 

THE JOYS OF "PLUG-INS"

Friday was an afternoon in Anchorage.  Picked up 2,300 medium dog booties.  That will give me a start on powdering and bundling boots.  I will have to take an inventory on the booties leftover from last year and then place my final order. 

Kind of funny...I just bought a vacuum cleaner and it was a big event.  Couldn't wait to give it a whirl...comes with a pet hair power brush.  Complete with a hepa filter and a sealed system...great for someone with Asthma and a dust mite allergy (me).

We now have music !  This last trip back and forth on Alaska Airlines I brought with me, everything but the kitchen sink (it wouldn't fit in my bag).   We now have a little stereo.  Hmm, programmable coffee pot, crock pot, food saver machine, vacuum and stereo...oh, also Christmas lights.  Electricity is so nice.  This last time coming through security they had to hand search my red carry on and also run it through the X Ray machine twice (must have been the stereo). 

We each ran one team today.  I had a fabulous run.   I had Daisy and Magic in lead, followed by Circus and Arnie.  Then came Chad and Otter, Keven and Petunia, and Spot and Roan.  We did a beautiful over taking pass.  They cruised right on by. 

A big Hello to the Duvall kids and also St. Matthew kids. 


Math question for you:  I just bought 2,300 booties.  They all need to be powered.  Then I bundle them.  A bundle is 4 booties that you Velcro together.  How many bundles can I make?