MAGIC IS HOME SAFE

Magic sharing Buzz's sleep pad

Well today has been kind of crazy.  I kept wanting to hook up a team and go out looking for Magic.  I knew that it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.  I knew that she would be better served getting the word out and posting her missing status on the Willow Dog Musher's site. 

I made the tough decision to stay home and get needed stuff done and to be here is she showed up.  So, I took care of the pile of snow that piled up when the roof slid.  That took a couple of hours and it was hard work (just what I needed). 

Every time the phone rang I was so hopeful, and sadly no good word about Magic.  Then we were getting ready to vaccinate Bob's kennel and the phone rang again.  It was wonderful news.  A black and brown sled dog in a green harness was found and was at the Nancy Lake Ranger Station.  That was in the right area.

So, we raced to the ranger's station.  I made a couple of calls along the way announcing that we were off to hopefully bring Magic home.   When we got to the station, I walked up to the door and could see a rather overweight black lab mix sitting inside and he was wearing a green harness.   My heart sunk.  I walked in the door sadly saying that wasn't my dog.  The guy replied "this is not the dog"  I replied back "No, that is not the dog"  Then he said that the dog was in the back room.  Oh, what a relief.  There was still a chance that Magic was found.   I walked through another door and there she was.  It was her.

The Park Ranger said that he saw her and tried getting her to come to him...he couldn't get near her.  Then a group of snowmachiners found her and used their machines to corner her.  Then they were able to grab her.  They took her to the Ranger Station and the rest is history. 

A HUGE thank you for all who were involved with catching a very scared timid sled dog.  She is home safe. 

We did get all of Bob's dogs vaccinated.  Yea! 

TEMPERATURES 40 DEGREES...UGH!

 
With the temps 40 degrees above zero I buried our Iditarod frozen People food. We will have to watch the temps and make sure that they stay frozen. Will also bury the dog meat.   Hope that our temps drop back down to at least 10 degrees. 

Snow Treasure


 



                                 
Will have to make a map so that we know where all of our buried treasures are.  The roof just slid and all the snow is now off of it.   Will have to get the snow blower out and move some snow. 

 

CAMPING TRIP WITH THE DOGS

Well, yesterday we each took of with a 10 dog team.  Destination...Yentna Station.  Rest for the dogs, juicy hamburger for the mushers.  It is always great to get out there with a loaded sled and test out your gear and your routines.  Also gives the dogs a chance to get used to sleeping on their straw and away from the kennel.   I have dogs this year who have never camped out. 

In any event, we didn't make our leave time...didn't surprise me.  But soon were on the trail.   Started out so nice...dogs moving down the trail all happy, musher too.    I love the beauty out there and the peace and quiet.

Met a number of snowmachiners on the trail and as is my usual experience, they were more than courteous.  They were very cautious and gave the teams the trail.  A number of them stopped their machines, shut them down and watched our approach with cameras out.   Lots of smiles and waves as we went by.   One comment from a guy when my team came along side their stopped machines was "wow, you guys just made my day".    Further down the trail our experience with a group of about 18 snowmachiners was not so nice.  Quite a rowdy group and no consideration for the dogs.  About 8 or 9 of them came screaming by my team, within feet of the dogs.   Glad when they all went past us. 

Shortly afterwards, we saw Justin heading our way.  He yelled as he passed by that his team was attacked by hogs.  HOGS???  On the trail???  As we went a short distance forward I had visions of wild boars and their teeth.   We ended up turning our teams.   I didn't want to risk my dogs.  So, change of plans...bye bye juicy hamburger...hello cold sandwich that was in the sled. 

We ended up heading for Cow Lake and we camped the dogs aside of the trail.   All was fine until the fireworks started.  Dogs got freaked out.   They were all bedded down and peaceful and then we had tangles and dogs trying to get away.   One of Bob's dogs chewed tug lines into tiny pieces.  Magic, my little leader was the most freaked out.  Fight or flight???  She was definitely into flight mode.  Somehow in all of her twisting she managed to pop her snap and she took off like a bullet.  Breaks my heart to think of her out there...with most likely 3 more days of fireworks going off.   Hoping that she finds her way home.   On Cow lake and Redshirt lake, the trails were just obliterated from all of the snow mobiles. 

We got back to the kennel at 4 am and sadly there was no sign of Magic.  When I woke up at nine, I went back out to her dog house and looked in...empty.   I really dislike fireworks...so many dogs are terrified of them. 

Within minutes of me losing her, I called Angie and she called and had her posted on the Willow Dog Musher's website.  We are hoping that she will be spotted soon and reunited with her buddies.   She will be easy to spot, in a green harness and wearing a florescent orange neck line. 

HARRY & DAVID

 

While at the post office this morning we received this package...from Harry & David.  Their saying is "Happiness Delivered"   Well, I knew that it was most likely fruit and I knew that it would be a real treat for us here in Willow, Alaska.   I didn't have time to open that package as we were expecting a group for a kennel visit and Dog Sled Rides.  So, the package was set aside. 

 

This evening I opened the package and you can see that we already enjoyed one of the Royal Riviera Pears.  They are so very delicious !   Thank you Rick and Trish!   Today was such a nice day to follow yesterday.  What a relief! 

I will blog tomorrow about our Kennel Visit and Dog Sled Rides.  I had a wonderful time sharing my passion with some great people.  We had orchestrated our own head on pass out in our turn around...but the bonus was that we had an unexpected head on pass with Dee Dee on our trail out from the kennel.  Then we had another head on pass with Jamie out in the swamp with our second rider.  Will post a followup when we receive pictures from our visitors. 

To the Sudents at Cherry Valley School

Our Christmas Window
 

Well, today I had a wonderful surprise.  When I went to the post office to pick up our mail I had a large mailing envelope from Julie E. and when I opened it, it was full of wonderful cards from the Cherry Valley students.  It really brightened my day.  I would like to thank Sam, Gracie, Dafne, Ikaika, Valeria, Katie, Alex, Alexi, Nathan, Terry, Melani, Brennan, Bruce, Julie and Alyssa for the wonderful cards and artwork.  I put them all in our Christmas window.  

I am glad that you are all excited about learning about the Iditarod.  There are many fun books to read.  I am looking forward to you sharing with me, your journey into the Iditarod.  We can't wait to visit you this spring.   Bob is looking forward to meeting you all. 

I will answer some of the questions that you asked in your cards...

Yes, it has been really cold here in Willow...temperatures have been between -20 and -34 degrees.    But this week it finally warmed up a bit.  Right now it is about 10 degrees out. 

My dogs are Arnie, Daisy, Ursa, Magic, Jack, Krakatoa, Red, Nugget, Jimmy, Petunia, LaBlanc, Tyson, Spot, Roan, Chad, Otter, Floppy, Amber, Kevin and Circus. 

Two Iditarods...My first Iditarod was 2012 and the route was the northern route.  This year it is 2013 and the route is the southern route.  You can see the two routes on the map below.  We have a ceremonial start in Downtown Anchorage and then restart in Willow and head for Nome.  Over a thousand miles. 

 

 

 

We had a very Merry Christmas and we are training hard.  Looking forward to a Happy New Year.  There is so much to do to get ready for Iditarod so we are so very busy.  Our days are quite long. 

Dogs send their love and so do we!   Jan and Bob

ONE OF THOSE DAYS !

Well, I woke up with a computer still terribly infected with a couple of different viruses...each rated severe.  Joy for joy...  A computer techie I am not.  So...I called my brother's web guy and I spent the morning running scans and trying to get rid of the buggers.  Finally I had to just shut down my computer and deal with it after my run. 

My cell phone also died...

and it just kept on coming....

When I hooked up my team and we were ready for take off, my leader who was in heat decided to detour into Lablanc's run (much to his delight!) which was alongside our take off chute.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  NEVER had she EVER done this before.  I switched out my leaders and we finally were headed out the kennel on our run.  Going down the trail I was thinking that my next book may be titled "nightmare on the Iditarod Trail"... 

Thankfully the run was a good one and there were no more shenanigans.  Beautiful sunset on the trail.  We went out to Almond Lake and turned what was going to be a long run into a short run.  Getting back to the kennel I snacked the dogs and put them back to their houses.   When I went in the house, I poured a cup of coffee and ended up pouring coffee all over the counter and floor...(it was dark).  Ugh ! 

Spent the whole evening working on my computer.  Running scans and having the viruses being quarantined as fast as I was removing them.  Downloaded another malware scan and removed the viruses...but they kept quarantining on Microsoft Security Essentials.  Very frustrating.  I finally took the chance of restoring my computer to an earlier date and thankfully that took care of everything. 

Looking forward to a new day tomorrow ! 

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

OUR DECORATED BOOTIE TREE

3 AM found me awake and unable to sleep.  I tossed and turned a while and then my brain got working overtime.  I realized that I was not going to fall back to sleep so I figured that I might as well get up.   I decided to bake cranberry bread.   At 4 am I put the bread in the oven and then I crawled back to bed.  I set my alarm for 5 am to wake up and  take the loaves out of the oven. Crawled back to bed and drifted off to sleep with the wonderful smell of fresh baked cranberry bread. 

 

We are wishing you all a Merry Christmas.  Just getting ready for a long Christmas run with the dogs.   Hope to update this evening...

Well, we had a wonderful run...our longest yet this year.  It was so beautiful out on the trails.  I called my brother and he put the phone on speaker and I was able to talk with all of my family.  My oldest daughter was enjoying her visit from New York and was spending time with grandpa.  It was nice knowing that all were gathered together on Christmas morning.  Dad was enjoying time with his grand kids.  Then it was time to put the phone away and focus on the dogs. 

The dogs did well.  We explored some new trails and actually found a turn a round so we didn't have to turn the dogs in the trail.  The dogs got to run some hills along with the flats.   When crossing a lake, we could see a family all gathered together and they were barbecuing out on their deck overlooking the frozen lake that we were traveling on.  We exchanged waves and continued on our way. 

With the temperatures warming, we had soft snow part of the way.  We actually had water on the trail and we removed their booties for the run home.   No moose so we were happy.  Back at the kennel the dogs were fed and then the mushers were fed.  A wonderful Christmas Day. 

Hugs and a special moment with Spot after our Christmas Eve run. 

VACCINATIONS AND AN EVENING OUT

The temperatures are still in the -30's and we are rather tired of the temperatures sitting between -20 and -30 degrees.  It's just downright cold!

One at a time, each one of my dogs were brought in the house today.  They were vaccinated and then their feet were inspected and toe nails clipped.  I was a nice opportunity to check them over well and we also noted their weight.   They have had a couple of days off and I think that they are eager to get back on the trail. Hoping for warmer temperatures...at least a little bit. 

After getting my kennel vaccinated, we drove down towards Anchorage and spent the afternoon with friends celebrating Christmas with a wonderful dinner prepared by Jane.  It was a fun time and good company and plenty of "musher talk". 

Then we headed for home and mixed feed and fed the dogs. 



Right now it is kind of a hard time for me. This is the first Christmas my family will spend

without my mother.  She is with us in our hearts.  I call my father most every day and it is a sad time for him.  This is his first Christmas without his wife of 60 years.  She passed away unexpectedly last December 29th.  I miss her dearly.  Mostly I worry about my dad. 

MOVIE NIGHT AND POWDERING BOOTIES

Well, powdered and bundled 400 booties while watching a movie tonight.  Only thing missing was ice cream!   Spent what seemed like hours going through bins of booties from last year.  Separated out all of the powdered and bundled booties from last year and started sorting out all of the gently used ones.  Figuring out our bootie count and determining how many more booties we have to buy to get us to Nome this year. 

MOOSE ON THE TRAIL

Today we had planned a longer run for the team.  Angie and her dad came over and ran from our kennel.  They parked their dog truck at the end of our driveway.  We all knew that we were getting our propane delivered but none of us realized that the dog truck would block the entry for the propane truck.  When we got back from our run we had a phone message that the truck couldn't get into our driveway so there was no delivery. We somehow overlooked our low propane level and when we checked our tank, it was at 10%.   We had to wait nearly a week for our regular delivery day.  We were now down to 2% and we knew that we couldn't make it another week.  Our delivery day is Tuesdays. So...we got put on the delivery for Wednesday and Amerigas charged us a fee of $216.00 to come on a non delivery day for our address.  What a BUMMER !  

On the bright side...We are so fortunate to have such great trail right out of our kennel.  We can head out alongside the highway and go under the bridge at Little Willow Creek and we have a wonderful trail network on the east side of the highway.  We can also head down suicide hill and access a huge trail network on our side of the highway. 

We had a great run today, that connected numerous lakes and by the time we were heading home we were running with headlamps.  Bob had turned onto the Lucky Shot trail and as I came around the lake and got closer to the trail, I heard all kinds of commotion and didn't know what was going on.   My fear told me moose, but usually moose aren't much of an issue with such a low snowfall.  I turned onto the trail and heard Bob yell STOP !   TURN YOUR TEAM !   I waved my arms at Angie and signal to her to stop.  Then I went up to my leaders and begin to turn my team and Angie's team was on the trail behind my team.  So there you have three teams on a narrow trail and a moose ready to charge Bob's team.  We were all turning our teams and trying to get the heck out of there.  Thankfully, Angie's dad was still out on the lake.  

After untangling a few tangles, we all got our teams off the trail and back onto the lake.  We ended up going different directions around the lake and met up at the Wind Sock trail at the other end.  That is where we found out that there was a large Bull Moose on the trail and he was ready to charge.  He was holding his ground and had no intention of giving up the trail.  Not good.  So Bob was taking us on a different trail back home.  Needless to say, we encountered ice and overflow and we were going through one foot of water on the trail.  We made it home without any more moose encounters.  Whew! 

Self portrait on the sled driving this wonderful team
(next picture)

As you know...love these guys (and girl)

Had a great run yesterday.  Because of warmer temperatures there was a lot of overflow and water nearly knee deep at Willow Creek.   At that point I made a U Turn and headed back to the kennel.   Still soft snow and not comfortable setting a hook in it.  Had Red in lead again and didn't want to stress him out.  He balked at the early overflow but went through it OK...didn't want to have a mess in the deep stuff if he didn't want to go through it.  Will run more experienced leaders today. 

THE PULLED HOOK

Well, had a great training run.  Real work out for the dogs.   The snow was soft.  Red had been showing signs that he could be a leader...taking commands from swing when dogs in lead didn't.  In any event, he is a no nonsense hard working dog.  I am really dealing with a lack of good strong leaders and the thought of developing a leader from within the team is awesome. 

Sooo...on the run back to the kennel, about 4/5 of the way home, I stopped and hooked down the team (mistake) and switched out Arnie with Red.   And away my sled went, a hooks dragging.   It was just within a couple of inches of my grasp and I found myselft running desperately after it, yelling Whoa!   AT one point the sled stopped and the dogs started barking and then off it goes again and then I see it disappear around a turn.  

I am frantic and knowing that Bob is behind me I know that I can hop on his sled and we can chase after the team.  It seemed like it took forever for Bob's team to show up and when he did I hopped on his runners and we were off on a slow slog (due to my added weight to his sled) following sled runners infront of us.

All the while my mind is trying to second guess my team...will they take the needle eye or will they go straight out to the highway.  If they take the needle eye, will they come through the turnaround or go out the back side?  If they come out the needle eye they head home or take a gee out to the highway?  

I hop off Bob's sled and watch him head to the needle eye. I try calling Angie who is at my kennel and her phone is not on.   Then I call Terry and she heads out to the highway to be prepared to catch the team in the remote chance that they take that trail.   I check out the sled tracks on that trail and breath a sigh of relief.  No sled tracks.   At that time I look up and I see a glorious sight... my team and sled heading towards me.  

Bob pulls up and tells me that when he entered the turnaround my dogs were 3/4ths of the way around it and they did a beautiful driverless head on pass with his team.  Red was looking good. 

They were heading home...A happy ending

GENINI HEADLAMPS LIGHT OUR TRAIL

To all my mushing, mountaineering, and biking friends...If you are in search of a fabulous headlamp Talk with Jim at Action LED Lights (815-317-6682).  http://www.action-led-lights.com We got our Gemini headlamps just before Iditarod last March and our Gemini headlamps did a wonderful job of lighting our trail all the way to Nome !  

It is the brightest light we have ever had.  You look like a Mac Truck coming down the road.  Comes with a Lithium Ion chargeable battery.   This headlamp gives the Lupine a run for its money, at a fraction of the cost. 

We would like to thank Jim Harger of Action LED Lights and Gemini for sponsoring both Bob and I and lighting our world. 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow !

Woke up to Snow !

Yeah, Snow !   We got 7 inches overnight.

Guess I won't be wearing my fleece lined Crocs
 outside any more !  Parked in front of the
fireplace to dry. 
 

Hmmm...what is hiding under the snow covered tarp?

Ta Da!  The unveiling of our snow blower.  WE ARE PREPARED !

A man and his dog...



Bob and Buzz



My first time using a snow blower...Fun ! 
But I know the novelty will soon wear off !

 



 The snow blower was great !  After last year I was determined that we would be ready for the snow.  We cleared the whole driveway into our kennel and a bit around the buildings and also along side of the house and out to my kennel.  No more waiting three days to get dug out !  We can also keep my kennel accessible to the truck.  Last winter you could not drive up to my kennel and it was quite the job to truck my dogs anywhere.  Now we can drive up and load up my team with ease. 

We took the dogs out for a run.   It was so nice.  The trails were soft, the ice was covered.  Before when the sled traveled across the frozen overflow, it was so loud.  Now traveling on fresh snow was quiet.  You could hear the feet of the dogs down the trail. 

Dogs did great breaking trail.  Can't wait til tomorrow !  And...it is still snowing.  Good night.

Surprise, Surprise

Took out a ten dog team...suicide run going through the swamp...the trail was hard packed and icy...and the dogs seem to know that they can give you a ride of your life.     Made our way to better trails and had a terrific run.  We were able to really boost our miles which was good. 

On our way back it started to snow.  Finally!  Yeah!  In any event, it was easier to travel with our headlamps off.  A great time on the trail...you could see the shadows of the dogs in front of you...the contrast of the dogs against the white snow.  Kind of fun taking all the turns, driving the sled by feel.  Lots of signs of moose, but thankfully no sightings.  I have only seen one moose this year...and he was crossing the Parks Highway quite a ways away from us. 

Before we left for our run, I had put one of my sled dogs in a dog crate in the house.   We always barricade the bedroom entrance so that Buzz, the black lab doesn't sleep on the bed.  Well, when I pulled into the kennel and I looked at the house, I could see eyes reflecting back at me.   Hmm...I had a feeling that it wasn't Buzz...as he never stares out the window at me when I bring a team in.  He just lays on the couch until we open the door.   I walked towards the house and sure enough, it wasn't Buzz. 

Oh my, I had no idea what I would find in the house...two dogs home alone...and one a sled dog.  Well, I peaked in the door and there was dog hair all over the place...they both are black dogs and Buzz is really shedding.   I had a box of fox tails and they were scattered all over the house along with garbage from the bathroom and kitchen and laundry.  It looked like they had the time of their life.  I am so glad that the bedroom was barricaded...if they could have gotten in they would have been jumping on the bed and having a pillow fight. 

I reality they were pretty good.   They only helped themselves to a little bit of kibble and didn't get into the buckets of beef that were thawing for their evening meal.   I gathered up the fox tails and they were still all intact.  Thankfully because they are hard to find.   I did notice that one was in the dog crate. 

COULDN'T SLEEP...WOKE UP AT 3:30

Well, I couldn't sleep and woke up at 3:30 am.  Went out and sat in front of the stove and thought that I would get caught up on some paperwork.   I decided that I would update my website bio...which is over a year old.  So, I cruised back through my blog to get some dates...I soon found myself back to the start of last year's Iditarod, reading every entry and comment.

...Reliving the experience and bringing it all back to life.  I was so touched to read all of the comments from so many who were following my journey.  While on the trail and updating my blog, I never had access to my blog.  It wasn't until I was back in Willow that I learned of the out pouring of love, support, and prayers.

This Iditarod 2013 will be a whole new experience for me.  It is already presenting with a new set of challenges.   With most everything in life, each experience is so different.  I know that Iditarod 2013 will be every bit as (or more) challenging than Iditarod 2012 was.  

PS...I didn't get my bio updated...sigh. 

PPS...8:30 AM AND IT IS ZERO DEGREES!   Shirt sleeve weather!

"WALK OUT FREEZER"

Well, you have heard of a "walk in freezer"...we have a "walk out freezer".   Just have to walk out the door and you are in your freezer.   We are getting a bit tired of the cold.  However, this morning it feels like the tropics.  It is only -12 degrees.   Yea!  

Yesterday we couldn't get my 4 wheeler running and we nearly torched it trying to warm it up.  Never did get it running.  Friend Angie couldn't get hers going either. 

Right now I am sitting in front of the Willow Library and hopefully it will be my last morning parked in front of the library.   This morning I am the only car out front.  Other mornings there are a few of us out here all doing the same thing. 

Tomorrow morning we will get Internet through MTA, the local phone company.  Can't wait!

Made the tough decision not to go home for Christmas.   Trying to stay on top of the training and I am not where I would like to be mileage wise.  

MINUS 25+ BELOW

Picture taken after our run yesterday...about -20 degrees



Well, I am parked out in front of the Willow Library.  Woke up this morning and it was somewhere between -25 and -32.  Our internet is not working and has been a constant pain the the rear.   This morning I called MTA and we will have Internet through them hooked up on Friday.   So...hopefully my morning Internet runs will end.   

I will have to say, to help me deal with the frustration, I had to stop off at our local espresso stand and grab  a hot mocha.  Yes, you heard me right...we have an espresso stand just down the road on the Parks Highway.   Can't get a good Internet connection, but we can always count on a good hot mocha. 

Yesterday our run was a good one.   However, from here on out I will always travel with an extra headlamp and lots of extra hand warmers, etc in my sled.   We ended up doing a bit of exploring again and realized that we weren't on the trail that we thought we were on.  Ended up coming home by headlamp.  I realized that I didn't have a backup and that is truly not a good feeling.   I also ended up back at the kennel on my last hand warmers.  All was OK, but if we were out a whole lot longer it could have been a problem.   In these temperatures you don't want to take chances. 

Well, I have got to get back to the kennel and hook up a team and hit the trails again.   Brrr...

A MINUS 20 DEGREE MORNING

It was a cold morning scooping poop.   Our run today covered new territory and we ended up breaking trail and exploring.  We decided that we would not return on the trail that we traveled out on.   Had some areas that would boarder on being unsafe taking it from the other direction.  Made it back safely.  Dogs did great. 

After returning home, the dogs were snacked and put back to their houses.  Then I went into the house and poured a cup of hot coffee.  Finally figured out what is better than coffee and a homemade cookie after a -12 degree run.  A cup of coffee and a homemade cookie with Nutella on it. 

Also what takes it to the top is when the cookies are sent to you from your Iditarider in a care package full of goodies.  Thank you Terri!  We are really enjoying your treats.   Can you believe that we still have some left??

While sitting at the table discussing our run, we had a HUGE Shaker...EARTHQUAKE !   The chandelier was swinging along with the hanging coffee cups.  I was ready to dive for cover.