HAPPY NEW YEAR !

   

Wishing you all a very Safe and Happy New Year !  I know that I will be sleeping through the arrival of 2014.  No party in this animal...yet !

BACK HOME AGAIN

Well, I wasn't so lucky.  On the 27th, I caught what ever it was that Angie had.  Knowing the course that this illness took with Angie, I wasn't too excited.  My temperature was over 101 and soon 102 and then up to 103.   I could sum it up with one word...MISERABLE !  My BIG concern is my lungs, as I have Asthma.

Sunday I went to the Emergency room and respiratory therapy came and gave me a breathing treatment.   Armed with a Zpack and also an rx for prednisone, I decided to spend the next few days in a motel, hoping that Bob would not catch what ever it was that hit me like gang busters.

My first thought was this would be rather nice...TV and a bath tub.  Well, day one and two, I could care less about either.  I just slept.  The last night I will admit, I enjoyed watching TV and I did enjoy a relaxing bath...A Sign !   I must be getting better.  I was.   My temp was back to normal and I was wanting to get home.  

I got home armed with a can of Lysol and a box of disinfectant wipes.

Still pushing fluids, and taking my supplements.  Breathing is still an issue and my peak flow is really low.  Trying to get through this without going on Prednisone, which I believe is a miracle and a curse.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

My Dad wishing you all a Merry Christmas !

Best Christmas present ever for me...a picture of my dad on Christmas Morning celebrating Christmas with the family back home.    Miss you Dad.  Love You !

As for us here in Willow, we have been having temperatures that have been sitting at -25 to -30.  The northern lights have been dancing in the sky.  So very beautiful.  We had planned to take a camping trip to Yentna Station, but we decided to wait, due to the cold weather, knowing that it would be far colder out on the river.  

Angie arrived earlier in the week and she was all excited to visit and run her dogs with us.  I have 6 of her dogs training with my team.  I was excited as it would be great to see Angie and a wonderful opportunity for us to get all of the dogs out each day.  We would each run a 10 dog team.  

We got in one run with Angie and she was terribly cold on the run. Turns out that she was sick and running a temperature of over 100.  She has been on our couch sick ever since.  No fun for her.  

This morning we had Christmas egg casserole and opened presents together.  Then we had Terry, our neighbor come over and we watched the movie Polar Express.  Another day off for the dogs.  Amber has been enjoying being a house dog and has been giving Angie a bit of competition for the couch.  

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Dé·jà vu

Power outage.  Back to lanterns and battery power.  A reminder of training back in 2011 for Iditarod 2012.   We lived off grid and it was a way of life.  So nice to have power on a daily basis.  Oh, how we have softened and like the conveniences that electricity gives us.

OUR NEW DRYING RACK

Still working on organization...makes traveling through life smoother.  Makes a musher's life easier.  I love the new drying rack.  It works GREAT.  And I love not having stuff all over the floor.  The booties dry in 20 minutes.

A BIG Welcome to The CV Kids!

A BIG Welcome to Carter, Nikoli, Moses, Samuel, Connor, Nicky, Sullivan, Michael, and Joe.   I hope that you have lots of fun learning about the Iditarod.  I am looking forward to visiting you guys this Spring and hearing about all of the books that you are reading !   It is nice to know that you are following the blog.  Tell Mrs. E that I say "HI".

Fun Question:   Who has the same name as one of the Iditarod checkpoints?   (It is spelled differently though.)

VACCINATION TIME

We order our vaccines by the tray

We vaccinate our dogs annually with 5 way and also for Kennel Cough. The dogs also get their rabies shots, but a Veterinarian is required to give those.  We save a lot of money by giving our own shots.     

Chop ready to get her shot 

Almost done...Good Girl, Chop!

Well, this morning as usual, we watered the dogs and scooped the kennel.   We chose today to give the dogs their vaccinations because it was a rest day for them.   It was a "Go To Anchorage Day" for us.  After a quick breakfast, Bob prepared the syringes with the vaccine.  Mary came over and helped me bring dogs in one at a time to get their shots.   We had quite the system going. It was a "revolving door" process.  As one dog entered, the other one left.  Bob was able to sit through the process and give the shots out of the cold.  

In the above picture you can see chop getting her shot.  Not one dog yelped through the whole process.  We were done in about an hour.  

A ton of Inukshuk

It is always a good feeling getting re-stocked with kibble.  Soon we will have to have a "kibble bagging party", bagging up all the kibble to send out on the trail for Iditarod.  

MINUS 25 DEGREES IS WARMER THAN -15

Booting Yen

Booting Otter

Well, woke up this morning to the thermometer reading -25 degrees.  We made the decision to run the dogs short due to the temperatures.  So it would be out to our loop on the other side of the highway and back.   Funny how today it seemed so much warmer than the other day when it was only -15 degrees.   That day we all froze.  I had such cold feet and hands and my core was also cold.  Today on our run, my feet were nice and warm and so were my hands.  Dogs did great.  

Along the Parks Highway

One of our road crossings.

Even though it was kind of overcast, there is a real beauty out on the trail.   I was bummed that my camera battery only lasted long enough to get two pictures on the trail.   When we got into the trees it was so beautiful.   I am going to order a special battery for my new camera and I sure hope that it will work in the cold .  My older camera that I have used for the past 4 years here in Alaska worked even in -50 degrees.   It had two AA batteries in it.  I used lithium batteries and never had an issue.  Sometimes change is good...sometimes frustrating.  Still trying to work out the bugs.  

-Minus 25 Degrees

Last night I re-strawed all of the dog houses.  The dogs just love getting new straw.  When they see me pulling the jet sled loaded with straw, they get so excited.  Some wait patiently, while others make it hard for me to get the straw into the houses.  I think that Amber and Otter seem to enjoy it the most.   They quickly get into their new strawed houses and curl up.  They just look so content.

A MUSHING STORY THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE !

I just received a letter and was asked to share one of my mushing stories.  

I have so many stories that I could write a book.  : )   This is the one that I shared.  I titled it  “HO HO HO, Merry Christmas…3 days early”. 

Two years ago, while training for Iditarod 2012, we were on a regular training run through a sub division.  An interesting note is that in Alaska, it is very common for dog teams to train on the roads.  We chose to make a loop through this subdivision so that our dogs would be used to cars, trucks, people and loose dogs.   When you come into a village you never know what you will find.  In some villages there will be roads, vehicles, and people and loose dogs. 

We had gone this route at least 40 or more times.  For whatever reason (and I can’t seem to figure it out), this time my leaders took me down a driveway.  I couldn't believe my eyes, and all I could think was “this could be ugly!”   I was heading down a narrow driveway that was plowed to the hard ground.  With that, there is no setting your hooks to hold your team.  My leaders went right up onto the front porch and turned to the right, out of sight.  It was all I could do to hold my team and I was standing on my brake with all my might.  I did not want to end up on the porch with the sled as well !  

A man came out of the house and grabbed my leaders and flung them off the porch…and under his breath I heard him mutter “Mushers”!

With a little difficulty, I was finally able to get my team untangled and we were heading back out his driveway and we turned back onto the road.   The rest of the run was beautiful and uneventful.

Cell Phone Saga....

Beautiful picture of Bob's team, taken by Bob with his iPhone.
If I had an iPhone that would work, I would post a pic of my team taken on this gorgeous, -15 degree day.  

Well, over the past 4 years, I have had nothing but fun with cell service and my cell phones, while here in Alaska.   Originally I had a T Mobile phone and it worked great.  However, I got a letter from T Mobile that said that I had 30 before they were ending my service.  I had too high a percentage of roaming...I was roaming 100% while training.  So...I ended juggling 2 phones, a AT&T phone and my T Mobile.

Two months ago I got a Smart Phone....(which is rather dumb).  In getting my iPhone, I got rid of my two other phones.   Now here I am, and I have no phone while I am on the trail and it is cold.  I keep it in an interior pocket where it is nice and warm.  When I take it out it lasts about 30 seconds and it shuts off.  Mean while, Bob is there with his phone and taking pictures and movies.  And...he can also receive and place calls.  

Why on earth doesn't my 4S iPhone work???  

Today's run was 42 miles.  Our temps were -15.  I will say that I was rather cold on this run.  It was a beautiful day.   Here's hoping that I will soon have a camera so that I can capture some of the beauty that I am so privileged to see and enjoy while on the trail.

OH WHERE, OH WHERE ARE THE DOG BOWLS?

Room Service, Please

 Woke up this morning to a winter wonderland.  We got nearly a foot of snow.  It was really fluffy and light.  I had fun this morning watering the dogs.  Had to play hide and seek with the dog bowls.  Found all of them.

Amber greeting me and excited about the new fallen snow.  After I watered the dogs, I went digging for buried treasures.  Then I took the snowblower out and cleared the driveway and the center of my dog lot.  I want to keep that area clear so that I can drive the truck between my two lots for when I want to truck dogs.

Mary came over today and we got all the dogs out again.   We had a fabulous run.  26 miles and nice conditions.  Only saw one other team out there today.   It was nice having a softer trail and I am sure that the dogs enjoyed it.  After we got home, we hurriedly put the dogs back to their houses and then I went into the kitchen and started cutting up veggies for a veggie tray.  Then out the door in our mushing clothes and off to a nice gathering of friends and a Christmas sing-a-long.  A wonderful time.  Now time for bed.    I will post pics of the run tomorrow.

SNOW COVERED ICED ENCASED SLED...INSIDE FOR A THAW OUT !

Yesterday we traveled some new trails for me.  It was wonderful.  One head on pass and no moose.  We were blessed with a gorgeous sunset and view of Denali.  My sled has been encased in ice since our warmer temps and rain and freezing rain.  It was a good opportunity for it to thaw out and dry out today.  Got all of the dogs out yesterday on our longest run.  It was great to have Mary run my second group.

Had one fun experience when Bob took an left turn and my dogs went straight.  As I looked for his headlamp, I could see it off to my left.  My team was only partially down the wrong trail, but partially still can make for fun.  This is when necklines on your leaders is nice.  I have been running my leaders without necklines(Turbo and Arnie).  I grabbed Turbo and tried turning the team on our narrow trail, however Arnie had ideas of his own and his stubbornness make it difficult to turn the team.  He went the opposite direction.
I finally got the team onto the right trail and then went back to my sled.  I run with Critter Hooks...love them, but not at a time like this.   I could not for the life of me get my hook loose.  By now dogs were rested...(takes only minutes) and Mary came forward to try and help me get the hook out.  No luck.  So I had her stand on my sled, on the brake and I got off and started kicking that hook from every which direction.  It came free and away went Mary, with the dogs flying down the trail.

I went back and hopped on her sled and pulled the hook and caught up with her.  Set her hook and went up to my sled and we switched back to our own teams.   We crossed a river that just a day ago had 6 - 8 inches of overflow.  It was nicely frozen up and we had no issues.

At about our half way point, we were using our headlamps and it started to snow.  We snacked the dogs on the trail with salmon snacks.  They love their salmon!

We got back to the kennel around 7 pm.  After dog chores, time for a late dinner.

WEDNESDAY...TRAIL WORK FOR BOB AND INTO TOWN FOR ME

Woke up this morning to 9 degrees.  After spending 3 hours on the phone this morning attempting to take care of Medicare billing issues for my Dad, I finally was able to head out the door to Wasilla.  Time to stock up on food for the freezer.  As our runs get longer and longer, my available time will get less and less.  Before I new it, it was time to head back to Willow...I had gotten a lot done, but still had a few things left on the list.   They are now added to a future "To Do List".

Efficiency will be the key at home and on the race.  Organization and routines need to be in place.  After arriving back home, I organized our chest freezer.  Made order out of chaos.  It is nice to know just what is in that freezer and now the new stuff is in the bottom of the freezer and the older foods are near the top, to be used before we dig into our new stores.

I spent a few hours dividing up large packages of meat into smaller portion sizes.  The same was done to the large bags of shredded cheese.  Everything is easy to get to and easy to use.  It is nice to be able to lift the lid and know where everything is and have easy access to whatever we need.   Martha Stewart...eat your heart out.  This is one organized freezer!

10:30 pm and it is -6 degrees.  We are planning a longer run tomorrow, with an earlier start time.  It will be a toe and hand warmer kind of day.

PS  Notice that I said "attempted" to get issues resolved for my dad.  


 

MOOSE NEAR THE TRAIL...

We were debating running today, worried a bit about the trail conditions with rain last night.  I gathered up my 10 dogs to take out on the trail.  All were booted and we were ready to go.  Sled was loaded with salmon snacks and spare headlamp and an extra jacket in case I got cold.  We took off for the other side of the highway.  The run started with a bit of freezing rain.  Ugh.  Then it turned to itty bitty snow flakes.   Yeah!  Well, I guess you really couldn't call is snowing, but I was hoping that it would pick up a bit.

Passed two teams head on and had good passes.  Dogs just cruised right on by.  Further out on the trail we had what I call a "Train Pass"...three teams traveling right behind each other.   For them, they each just experience one dog team to pass, but for my team, it is three, one right after the next.  Basically passing 30 dogs and 3 sleds with literally no time between passes.  On the last pass, I had to go way off the trail to avoid the other team and I ended up flipped in the snow.  All was fine and I just uprighted my sled and away we went.  I glanced behind me and saw the other musher with a dumped sled.

On our return to the power line, my dogs suddenly put it into high gear, accelerating as if they were on a race track.  I glanced off to the side and sure enough, there it was.  You guessed it.  A moose, just off the trail.  I am not sure if we scared it off the trail or if it had been just munching away along side the trail.   My first moose sighting was right in this spot, but they were much farther away.  A far away moose is a happier sight than an up close moose.

Made it back to the kennel safely and snacked the dogs.  Spent extra time with the entire team this evening.  Just talking and giving massages.  I will sit on top of a house or in between two runs and have two dogs loving on me and getting my undivided attention.  They are so very special, my dogs.

Hey Bronn Journey, if you are reading this post, I am enjoying listening to your music while I am on the trail with my dogs.  I have a mix of Praise, Country and Oldies and Bronn Journey on my shuffle.  My speakers are built into the ear flaps of my red hat.  www.bronnjourney.com

Leisurely Start to a Saturday...Late Afternoon Run

Well, today was a slow start.  Got up and watered and scooped the kennel.  Then worked around the house trying to get some more organization to the chaos.  Rigged up an accessory bad on my sled.  It is handy for my mitts, handwarmers, head lamp, etc.   Easy to get to without having to open up the main sled bag.

Then I hooked up a 10 dog team and we headed for the other side of the highway.   Went out to "Cookie Dough".  Trail was fast for the most part, standing water in some parts and slushy in others.  We didn't see any teams until we were on our way back.  Then we saw two teams heading for our side of the highway.  It was a headlamp kind of day end.

Arnie did great and had no problem keeping up with the team.  This evening our dog lot is like a skating rink.  It is very slick.  Time to put on the spikies.   Time to do the snow dance and pray for colder temperatures.

MUSHING IN THE RAIN...

You know the song "Singing in the Rain", Well, we are singing "Mushing in the Rain..."   in the freezing rain.
Went out for a morning run.  Just 13 miles.  Working Arnie back into the team.  He is doing great.  By the end of the run I was glazed in ice.  Time to put parka and mitts in front of the stove.

Later afternoon run was longer and happily, no freezing rain or rain.  Came in by headlamp...barely. Batteries failing and no back up.  Guess who will be putting a back up headlamp in the sled.  : )

Wonderful day!

A Picture of My Team Today, Taken by Donna Quante

2013 Husky Productions/Donna Quante

Got up this morning and same old routine...was able to do my dog chores without all of my layers.  It was a mere -5 degrees and actually warmed up to zero degrees after my run.  After watering, scooping the kennel and having a quick bite to eat, I hooked up 10 dogs.  I ran Ursa and Magic in lead, and I found myself worrying like a mother hen...hoping that we wouldn't encounter two certain teams on the trail.

At the end of yesterday's run, I missed out on sharing a most beautiful sunset.  My iPhone dies on me when I am out on the trail.  Kind of a bummer, as I have no way to make an emergency call or take drop dead gorgeous pictures.   In any event, today, I placed a toe warmer on the back side of my iPhone in hopes that I would be able to take pics while on the trail.

We went down to Little Willow Creek and under the bridge and the out onto the swamp on the other side of the highway.  We passed our usual turnaround and headed out for another run on "Cookie Dough".  Dogs were doing great and so was the musher.  We had a number of great head on passes with nice traveling teams and well behaved dogs.   Hoping to build back up the confidence in Ursa.

I had in my sled two pieces of salmon for each dog,  to snack out at our half way point.  When we got there, I stopped to rest the team, shower them with love and pass out salmon.  Then we were off and running.  On my way back to the kennel, when we were traveling along side the Parks Highway, Donna stopped and took this picture of my team.  Thanks Donna !

BULLIES AREN'T ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM

Bullies aren't only in the classroom or on the playground...they are on the trails too.  It is sure nice to encounter well behaved dog teams while on the trail.  There are two teams that I don't care to face head on on the trail.  Needless to say, my dogs don't like them either.  It can really take a toll on your leaders.  Kind of a bummer.  

NIght Run...Heat Wave up to -15 Degrees !

Great evening run with the dogs.   Took out a 9 dog team and headed over the other side of the highway and into the swamp.  27 mile run.  Passed a few teams on the way out and no issues.  Met two teams on the way back that I wish I hadn't encountered.  Not the best mannered dogs.

Tonight I made sure that I had a fully charged headlamp and my back up.  Last night I came in from a run on low beam, with the red light on....indicating that my headlamp could go out at any time.

After all the dogs were back at their houses, I tried out my new insulated gloves when I scooped the kennel. I was very happy with them and my hands stayed warm.  No dexterity, but you don't need much for shoveling poop!