Jan and Bob arrived in Shageluk, population 139, race mile 461, at about 5:30pm (on Sunday) and they are currently resting. Angie has been ahead of them all day, is still on the move, and is at mile 549.
Shageluk is an Ingalik Indian name meaning "village of the dog people" which I think might be a fun place to live.
They are 24 miles from Anvik, population 82, which is the first checkpoint on the Yukon River. This river is the longest one in Alaska. It stretches from the Yukon Territory in Canada to the Bering Sea - 1,875 miles! The church bell signals the arrival of the first musher to arrive there. This year that musher was Martin Buser. He received a $3500 cash award and then was served a huge dinner cooked by Chef Bobby Sidro of the Millennium Alaskan Hotel. Here is the menu for that special meal:
Red King crab stuffed Portobello mushrooms, smoked sockeye salmon cucumbers with gourmet cheeses, Alaskan clam chowder, roast duck salad with mixed greens, 14 oz. ribeye steak topped with a Cognac and Alaskan Amber sauce accompanied by jumbo prawns and bacon wrapped sea scallops served with grilled asparagus and four cheese risotto cakes. Dessert was an assorted fresh fruit tart (because who could eat a rich dessert like Baked Alaska after all that food?) Four wine pairings with each course! YUM!!! Is it any wonder Martin Buser declared his 8 hour Yukon River rest at this check point? It might take me the whole 8 hours to eat all that!
Jan has two required 8 hour rests left: one anywhere along the Yukon River, and one at White Mountain, just 77 miles from Nome. So far the trail along the Yukon has been difficult because of standing water above the ice. It is really cold along the river right this minute though. It is about 11F. Maybe if we all yell loudly enough we can wake up Jan and Bob and get them moving. After all, Cindy Abbott, who has been lagging behind everyone and going for the Red Lantern, has reached the same check point. If she's not careful, Jan will win the Red Lantern again this year! Wake up, Jan. GO DOGS, GO!!!!
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We are thinking of you today Jan! We know you and the dogs must be SO tired! Keep going!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Peterson's Class
Worried about you, Jan! Don't see you on the GPS. Sending you prayers for safe travels and that your knee is okay. Sy. Matt School
ReplyDeleteI just read that Jan scratched in Eagle Island. I know that it is extremely disappointing for the mushers when they have to drop out, but those of us sitting in our warm living rooms have nothing but admiration for all the mushers, whether they make it to the end of the trail or not.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget, last year Jan joined the most exclusive club of adventurers and competitors in the world when she finished the race. More people have summited Mount Everest than have finished the Iditarod.
So we are proud of you, Jan, and hope you are proud of yourself. Don't forget, even though you did not finish, you are still one of the great mushers in the world.
Thank you so much for your kind words Spencer.
DeleteJan you did awesome! And I enjoyed watching you and the dogs every step of the way. Remember, everything happens for a reason and the Lord never gives us more than we can handle. Thanks for my first Iditarod experience! :)
ReplyDeleteJodie Matte - Essex, ON
Thanks for your support and caring words Jodie. It means a lot to me. If you are ever in Washington look me up!
ReplyDelete