Iditarod 2012 the trail – Part II

Leaving the start chute is always a rush. Leading up to that moment is always nerve wracking, well for me at least. But I hazard a guess I am not alone in the knotted stomach and slightly nagging little voice that keeps asking “did you remember everything? Are you ready?”   We got to Willow early and were fairly well organized. I had double checked the sled and gear the night before. The dogs had eaten well that morning, and I had all the harnesses. Friends were there to provide me with coffee and support. (THANK YOU!!!) But I was still nervous.

Was amazed that Sue Crawford managed to catch me looking so relaxed in this photo, taken in the staging area before the start.

Greeting crowds on the trail. Thanks Diane Hirshberg for this photo.

The nice thing about being an early bib, you get to get the start over with quickly. No waiting around for over an hour in the staging area with time to dwell. Nope you pretty much are hooking up and getting your team out on the trail. We had been told by officials about a small wet patch on the lake on the way out of the chute, snow covered, but a little damp. But that it should not be a problem. Which, in theory, it should not have been. But my leaders Ribdon and Skittle managed to hit it and were surprised by the damp.  A small tangle ensued, and with the soft snow conditions setting a hook was impossible. So a volunteer held my sled while I did the quick untangle, and then boom we were off again. Yup, my very first tangle right in the chute. *Sigh* Hopefully was not a sign of how the whole trip will go. Luckily it wasn’t. But truth be told, over 1000 miles things do not always go right. And being able to laugh and adapt… well you just have too. Did manage to stop the team once, for a quick kiss from Iditarod Champion Dick Mackey at his tailgate party. They posted the Video from the party here.

Thanks to Diane Hirshberg for this photo from the start.

The first day you travel on rivers, and for the beginning there are people all along the trail, that first day we saw fans out there nonstop. They come out by snowmachine, ski, hike, fly and have tents or BBQ’s set. Some groups were really decked out, and looked like they were having way too much fun for my friendly team to pass by. We crashed a few parties that day as dogs veered off the trail. Even with a great snowhook it can be a lot of effort to stop a really amped 16 dog team! But mostly the kids, lead by Ribdon and Skittle were great, especially considering that during one Iditarod start they see more people, chaos and distraction all together in one place then they  will see all year. Was surprised and pleased to see the Pirate Chorus was out again:

That first evening our team slid through Yentna picking up straw with the intention of camping on the way to Skwentna. But with good fast trail conditions we had made it much farther then expected and opted to go all the way and stop at Skwentna. Along with hot water for the dog food there were also towels soaked in hot water for the mushers when they got inside. Just like they have on first class flights. Felt great to clean off your hands and face with a hot towel before having your meal.

Next section is the Alaska Range, and reports of good snow were proving to be true so far. The dreaded Steps were to be included after all, in a last minute trail decision. Read more here. So we were heading down those.  Rainy Pass itself, the pass not the checkpoint, can be fun. And then of course the Dalzell Gorge. And then you have not even tackled the run after Rhon with the Buffallo tunnel and the Farewell Burn.

So my run down the Steps was slightly eventful, but in no way tragic. I did smash into a tree and slid off the side of the first step, poor driving on my part. Luckily I was able to set a hook, push my sled back onto the trail, and continue down without incident. I was snacking my team on the Happy River when Sonny Lindner and Josh Cadzow caught up to me. Smiled as they passed; all the while thinking to myself, glad you guys were not closer. It would have been way stressful to have teams coming down the trail while I was getting back on the trail after my crash. Not really a good place to stop.

Going over Rainy Pass it was windy blowing snow. The wind had left parts of the trail bare. We bounced our way along them. Might have been a case where you were happier running at night, because you can see the reflective tape on markers and don’t see the whole scene ahead of you in all its rocky glory. The Dalzell Gorge was uneventful, at least as I remember it now. ..
… and I should warn you. This whole blog is just that, my memories. I am sure they are biased, fuzzy, and in were made under extreme conditions with very little sleep. I can tell you things are hard, and by hard I mean really hard. But in some cases words just do not do an experience justice.  Not complaining, not at all, I knew what I was getting into. And I wanted to do it. Now looking back at it I can honestly say I had an amazing adventure, and that yes it really is fun. I Love It. Are you happy every minute, (HA) no! But even those times you can look back and laugh at.

Case in point: So after making it through the Alaska Range I had planned on just stopping long enough to reload on dog food from my drop bags at the Rohn Checkpoint, head out and camp with the team on the way to Nikolai. The reloading part went well. But then: you hit glare ice shortly after leaving Rohn, and despite the fact that 4 teams had left right ahead of us, my team was not having any part of staying on the ‘trail’. Now to be fair the ‘trail’ was really just the tracks of other mushers riding their brakes across glare ice. No footing for stretches, and then you would hit a strip of gravel bar.  We had a few false starts where the team started heading out away from the direction of the trail, and/or got balled up on the glare ice because of lack of traction. (and I had even taken my teams booties off at Rohn, knowing there would be ice and that barefoot dogs have better traction)

When we finally made it to the land trail things continued to be a little ‘rough’. It was snowing out, but not long enough to add any real cushion to the bare bumpy trail through the Buffalo Tunnel. I do not have any strong negative memories from my rookie year of this section. But this year! Wow it was the part that beat me up the most. I got drug after tipping on a root in a bare patch. The bruise was impressive, still looking colorful even after I finished the race. Also managed to brake? sheer off? Or somehow loose? The bolt that holds the right hand side of my brake bar to the sled, Ouch! There was really no where I could possibly set a snowhook and do any real repairs. So using my drag mat, I did the best I could, and got the team and myself to our camping spot on the trail without further damage. That included a trip across the ‘Glacier’ an area of the trail known for being a difficult section of always frozen glare ice. I think Joe Runyans description here might be a little tame, but then again I am biased.  I do like this article in Mushing Magazine, showing photos from this years trail.

Anyhow the whole run had really not been great, and although we made it through I was sore. And just a little bit further down the trail I am in Galena with Kelley Griffin. And there we are laughing as she talks about how the Gloria Gaynor song “I Will Survive” was stuck in her head, except she was making up her own lyrics about the trail from Rohn to Nikolai. “At first I was afraid I was petrified, kept thinking I would never make it down this trail alive…”

Once I make it to Nikolai I start to breathe a little bit easier. Did last year, and did again this year. I had to carry a dog into Nikolai which slowed us down a little.  Sparrow had gotten sore pulling to hard in difficult trail conditions. It was her first major race, and she has not quite mastered the art of pacing herself.   I was able to drop her to vets (learn what a ‘dropped dog’ is here). Also in Nikolai I got to catch up with friends who were following the race, Marlys and Dawn. They got some great photos of me at the checkpoint, which give a little inside view to what our lives on the trail are like.

Checking into Nikolai

Teams in the dog lot in Nikolai

Working with the team.

The kids resting after a meal.

Headed out of Nikolai I knew I was running to my 24. Takotna was the plan. We had a good run over, with one minor snafu. I had 2 little speedy blonde leaders who had been running in wheel. Thought it might be fun to put them in lead for the last part of the run to Takotna. I had been saving them back there, well also kinda hiding them. Before we left we had been in heat at the kennel, and although they were not now, they had been recently. And in lead they were still causing some interest and distraction.  But this was a few days later, and I thought they might be ready to lead for a bit. Apparently I was wrong. Collectively the girls, Grumpy and Orchid, had the attention span of a teenager at a mall. And they had the added side effect of making the males in the front of the team extra goofy as well. I went along for a bit with the occasional accordion incident; you know, flirty girl flips look over shoulder, goofy guy catches look but trips, girl stops. When Ken Anderson and Josh Cadzow came up behind me I did not want my silly girls affecting their race, so I pulled over to let them pass. I took that moment to give my kids a meat snack. And rearrange the team with the girls safely tucked in back and my males all up front.

Now before you get to down on those little girls. Later in the race, on the Yukon and the coast, they would really step up. Orchid led the team for most of the second half. Paired with Skittle, a seasoned veteran of 1000 mile races, Grumpy (who really isn’t), Ribdon and a few others making guest appearances as lead dog, Orchid really led the show for the second half. Through some pretty impressive winds and white out conditions too.

Also got to catch up with Marlys and Dawn in Takotna.

Takotna is a nice place to 24. Signs start 6 miles out telling you what awaits: Pie, hot food, almost there…
We parked in a little side lot up near the school. The Takotna checkpoint has hot water stations for dogs at a few locations, and there was one right near where I parked. There is a small house where people can stay near the upper parking too. And this year I got there early enough to score a BED, in a room with plenty of space to dry gear. It was wonderful, I was able to care for the dogs easily, get plenty of rest, dry my gear, and eat pretty well myself on my 24. Takotna may be known for pies, but to be honest I am not really a big fan of pie. Luckily the menu there includes steak & eggs, breakfast burritos, burgers, and plenty of non-pie choices. For some reason it was the steak & eggs I had fixated on about 1 hour before arriving in Takotna. The idea just popped into my head and stuck there for  that whole hour as I ran into the Checkpoint, “hope they are making steak & eggs”. Happily; I report that they were, I got them, and they were marvelous.

Leaving Takotna with a freshly rested team is a great feeling. We had a really fun smooth run into Ophir, if I remember right it was getting colder. But as mushers from other parts of the state would joke with me; Oh your from Fairbanks, your used to the cold. And there is a bit of truth to that. In Interior Alaska we tend to have colder temps then our southern neighbors. So we are outside and training at -20F and lower. -40F is not unusual for parts of the winter.

Sporting the skittle for cold weather.

So the cold did not really affect me as harshly as it might have others. I carry a wonderful huge big puffy red parka I jokingly call ‘the skittle’, because I am sure I look just like one all big red and round when I wear it. But I have never been cold in it. You can see me sporting it in these photos taken by Larry Hausmann, my friend & coordinator of the I-AC Center in Galena.

Leaving Galena and heading out to the Yukon River.

After Takotna I had stopped at Ophir for a very short break. Long enough to feed the team, grab some food for the run to Cripple and a visit with the guys who run the Ophir checkpoint. They were actually frying up some wonderful applewood smoked thick cut bacon so I decided to join them for some, and a cup of coffee. I had also made a short camp with the dogs to rest on the way to Cripple. They were happy and strong after Takotna and I wanted them to stay that way.

By the time I had rolled into Cripple the cold had become a topic of discussion, Cripple is known for being a cold spot anyhow, but that night it was colder. The real cold always makes things go a little slower. Your hands don’t work quite as well. Snaps need to be de-iced to unsnap.  Takes longer to make hot water in your cooker. I don’t have a thermometer on my sled, but I know I am in ‘real cold’ by how quickly the condensation of my breathing causes my eyelashes to freeze together. Even the snow has a different sound when it crunches under your boots.  The dogs and I were both doing fine, they were coated and I was sporting the skittle. As I prepared to pull my snowhook and leave Cripple I saw Scott Janssen waving at me and pointing to himself. Having just finished a 2 hour nap I was a bit fuzzy, but I smiled and waved back.  A few miles and half a thermos of “mushers mochas”* later it dawned me. I had talked him out of sending his cold weather suit home in Takotna. He had been carrying it, just in case, but not wearing  it, and was thinking about sending it home in a return bag. “No, wait” I said, “the Yukon can get bitter cold, and Cripple is not known for being balmy” He had heeded my advice and was now very glad, as he needed to wear it for the run to Cripple.
*Mushers Mocha is a thermos of hot coco made with coffee instead of hot water. Started becuase I do not like the fake powdered creamers, and needed an alternative to go with my instant coffee on the trail.

Cripple to Ruby was a nice run. A bit slower  as a good portion of it was during the middle, warmest part with brightest sun, of the day. My dogs tend to get into a slump during the hot bright mid day portion of runs. And they are also not super excited about getting up to go at the crack of dawn. Wanting to avoid the heat and glare I totally understand from a sled dog point of view. But the early mornings might be my fault. You see I am NOT a morning person, so I rarely get up at the crack of dawn and charge out on a training run. My dogs are just taking a cue from me on that one. So lets say I am getting the team ready to go at oh 4am; the team just kinda looks at me like, what are you doing? Don’t you want to go have more coffee? Add more odd hour training runs to the list of things I want to make sure and work on next year.

The Yukon was beautiful and I was able to get a nice little nap at Ruby, Galena, and Nulato. Running into Ruby was one of the most amazing aurora I have seen splashing across the night sky. Streaking greenish to redish fuchsia in ribbons running so low it gave the illusion that the dogs were running right into them. Even the dogs seemed to be taken in by the beauty of it, perking up their ears and picking up there pace as we rolled into Ruby.   In Nulato I took my mandatory 8 and had planned a 4 hour nap. Not all things go as planned; sadly I must have turned off my alarm in my sleep and rolled back over. Because when I did wake up it was an hour later then I had set the alarm for. One side effect of distance racing is it really messes with your sleep patterns, and after a few days it becomes very hard to sleep for more than a short time. Which is lucky or I may have slept way longer. But one hour was enough of a setback. Then as I am gearing up to go outside and leave someone reminds me about daylight savings; clocks have moved ahead an hour. Great now I am 2 hours late!

Did stop in Kaltag long enough to get a photo with friend Jessica McGuinty. Always great to see friendly faces after long runs.

After Nulato I planned on only stopping at Kaltag long enough to grab some food from my drop bags, and then continue running out to Tripod Cabin for a break. The run between Kaltag and Unalakleet has 2 cabin options for mushers. One third of the way is Tripod Flats Cabin, Two Thirds of the way is Old Woman. This gives racer some options in how the break up the runs – rests on the way to the coast.  I had stayed at Tripod last year, and it had worked out well. And I was planning on stopping there again this year. I was joined by Ed Stielstra and Lance Mackey. Lance and I had arrived first and went to a nearby creek to investigate whether there would be open water. And there was, score. After getting our dogs cared for and chores done there was a small slice of time for some conversation and relaxing before we all hit the trail to Unalakleet. I have said it before and will say it again. I know the media has more fun when there is drama between mushers, but in reality most of us are really good friends, who else understands our crazy lives better than other mushers. So a few jokes and BS, over shared trail snacks, around the woodstove with friends was a wonderful way to spend a rest break.

The trail into Unalakleet was good and the dogs ran well. The last bit of it is a river that winds all around this way and that.  I came in at night, and earlier had seen a red light from a tower in Unalakleet, airport or radio maybe? Who cares, it was a sign that the checkpoint was near. Now on this river you traveled in turns that had you going away from it, and then back around so you would see it till, you would turn away from it again. A bit demoralizing, but there were always trail markers so I knew I was going the right way.  When you finally do come around a bend and turn onto the ice leading into the lit checkpoint it is a nice feeling.

My break in Unalakleet was relaxing. They had hot water in the dog yard so I could feed the team quickly after the cold run. The dogs all ate and rested well. As did I, Unalakleet has small rooms with cots and pillow for mushers, which is delightful. I did have to drop one of my main leaders Ribdon. He had not eaten well at the Tripod stop, and again at Unalakleet. His stomach was not feeling great, I could tell. Plus Ribdon was running a calorie deficit that would be hard to make up. Considering we were going to be doing some longer runs on the coast, and the weather can get bad (which it did!) making it tougher for teams, I did not want to take any dogs with me that were not 100% up to the task. Of course I was not thrilled at loosing a main leader , but as I mentioned earlier Orchid was really stepping up to her role as leader, and I still had others in the team who had the ability to run in lead.

Ribdon resting, in the care of friends, after being dropped in Unalakleet.

It was in Ribdon’s best interest to stop in Unalakleet, so before I left I took off his harness & booties, put on his coat, and gave him to the wonderful veterinarians to care for  him till he could fly back to Anchorage. Good friends TC & Dave, and TJ & Lindsey were working together to care for my dropped dogs once they get flown back to Anchorage during the race. I am so lucky to have had such wonderful people taking care of the kids! (look for a future blog post about which dogs were dropped and why)

Now the run to Shaktoolik  has 2 distinct sections 2 it. The first is one of my favorite on the entire trail. It goes over rolling hills and has beautiful views. The dwarfed wind blown trees have a Dr. Suess-esque feel to them. And there are 2 extended downhill sections as you roll down to sea level for the second section that are a total blast to run down. Love this part of the trail. Then the second flat section, this is not one of my favorite. It seems to go on forever, with the broad white expanse giving you an illusion you are moving without actually getting anywhere. And this year it was where the winds started. It had been sunny and beautiful, light breeze maybe, but nothing to write home about in the hills leading up to this. But hit the flat and *Bam* you are hit by winds.  Nick Petit had been ahead of me in the hills. But facing this stiff wind his team had slowed. I would end up taking trail and leading the way into Shaktoolik.  Orchid was impressive, running with Skittle, they stayed on track, and we made our way steadily toward the checkpoint. Visibility was limited, but we were able to follow markers. After some time battling the winds we made it to the old village of Shaktoolik, and I knew the checkpoint was not far. I could no longer see Nick behind me, and the winds were picking up. Yes we were very happy when we finally pulled onto the street that led to the checkpoint. They park teams in a lot in the back of the building, using the plowed snow to create as much of a wind-block around it as they can. But the wind still howls.  Using the cooker was hard as the wind blew heat right off it. You had to be careful about what gear you put down on the ground, dog bowls, coats, and booties would blow away instantly. I was parked near Lance and Braxton Peterson, and we all went about trying to get work done in the wind. Straw bales and snow chunks were made into rows of wind-blocks for the teams.

Inside the checkpoint with chores done the next question on everyone’s mind was the weather & when could we leave?  Trail reports came back that the trail was blown in and markers gone, so mushers should stay put. Later clarification would be that just the end section near Koyuk had lost its markers, and that crews were busy getting the trail remarked. The weather report was: Blowing Hard, with no end in sight. And for that first night the consensus at the checkpoint was ‘don’t go’.  The following day after an unplanned extra long rest break teams decided to was time to move.

By 11:30 the next day most teams were ready to roll. Although winds had gotten slightly better, that is only in comparison to how howling and amazingly terrible they had been earlier, it was still bad out. Blowing snow was making for very little visibility, and then there was the cold. Everyone loaded up with extra fuel for their cookers, dog food and gear. You want to make sure you are really prepared to make a major trek in extreme weather. Teams started taking off, and after a few it was my turn to leave the relative sanctuary of the dog lot for the trail. Out in the open you could really feel the full wrath of the winds.  Ryne of SP Kennel took some video of her rookie run, and there is some good footage showing the winds we were running in.  You can see it in her video here. She was one of the teams leaving Shak about the same time as me.   I was glad to be traveling in a convoy through this next section.  But as I headed out I ran into other teams ahead of me and slowly made my way to the front of the caravan. Here is where Orchid really impressed me beyond my expectations. We set out with me thinking I could follow other teams through the worst of it, and here I was leading them. She stayed focused, and took direction like a pro. In the flat wide open with blowing snow there were sections it was very difficult to see at times. I would get the team to a trail marker, and have stop and scan until I could see another, calling direction to the team when I did.

I am so proud of how my kids handled that section of trail. I wouldn’t call it fun, but I am thankful for it. Going through something like that gives a team great experience and confidence. But it also is harder work for the team in lead. And at one of our snack breaks Lance came up and asked if anyone had given us a break. “Nope not yet”  “Well I can” he said, and I was glad for it. Generally when teams travel together it is considered good trail etiquette to have everyone take a turn breaking or finding trail. That way no one team has to do all the hard work. Our team had worked hard, and I wanted to make sure they stayed positive and happy. Getting a little break now and then is one way I can help keep a good attitude.  The conditions improved as we got closer to Koyuk, and our caravan spread out more near the end. But we rolled into Koyuk that evening in a steady train. Colleen Robertia came in shortly after the group I was traveling in. She had been near us the whole time, but the conditions had been so bad she had never seen us.

After a short rest in Koyuk it was time to get back to racing. A nice run to Elim, where I took a short 2 hour break to recharge the team with a meal and quick rest. Then leaving Elim on the sea ice at first, but then headed into the hills again. There are some good climbs and some beautiful views. On one crest I could look out over the sea ice and see a ominous dark storm cloud headed our way. It looked beautiful from that vantage point. But later at White Mountain I would talk with Braxton who was traveling that section through that storm. What was for me a beautiful distant image of natures power was for him a force to be reckoned with that (in his words) almost blew him off the mountain.

After passing through Golovin I would get passed by Anjanette Steere and end up following  her into White Mountain, the mid day slump had again hit my team on the last bit of the run. But they were still more than happy to chase her. It meant that we were leaving within 1 minute of each other for the final leg. I was hoping that my team would get their spark back. We would be leaving at night, after an 8 hour rest. The kids ate well and enjoyed some massage in White Mountain.  I had time to change my runner plastic; take everything I didn’t need out of my sled to send home in return bags (more about return bags in this post), and repack my sled. Felt like we were ready for that last run to Nome.

The weather delay in Shaktoolik meant that mushers had gotten backed up and caught up and were all in a much closer group. Anjanette and I left shortly after Colleen and Lance, and we were being hotly followed by Cim Smyth and Kelley Griffen. It was going to be a push to the finish for sure. Needless to say everyone was ready to go at exactly the right time. I left right after Anjanette, and for the first mile or so both teams were getting stretched out and taking bathroom breaks. Eventually my kids would get their kinks worked out and I would call for trail.  As I started climbing the Topcock Hills I was trying not to spend too much time looking for headlamps coming behind me. But could not help myself, and as I peered behind me I could see I was being tracked by more than one. And I knew one of them was Cim Smyth. Now both the Smyth brothers, Cim & Ramy, are known for having strong finishes and super fast run times to Nome. Having one of them behind you is a huge motivator! Lance was a motivator too,  I was also thinking about Lance ahead of me. Not so much thinking I should try and catch him, it was more like what is Lance going to do to make sure I don’t catch him? Well he is going to work his butt off that’s what, and that is what I need to do so Cim won’t catch me.  And that is what I did.

After you come down out of the Topcock Hills you hit a section of trail affectionately known as ‘the blow hole’. Last year it had been rather tame, but this year more then made up for it. Howling winds that could literally blow your sled off the trail. Although I should note that major sections of this trail cross glare ice on windblown snowless frozen lagoons. Earlier teams had run into he same conditions, and the trail markers that were placed on that section had all been knocked down by sliding sleds long before I got there. But here Skittle (the dog not the parka) took control. She put her head down and took off. It felt like the sled was going in figure eights as we sped through the lagoons and brief patches of dry ground. Instead of even pretending I was in charge and calling out commands to the leaders I just yelled, I love You Skittle, and hung on. After what felt like a long time (in reality probably 5 minutes) we were on a beach traveling on a well run trail. Still no trail markers, but at least it was a trail that (in my limited experience) seemed to be headed the right direction. I promised Skittle right then and there,  that as soon as I saw an Iditarod trail marker again  (so I was sure we were on the right trail) the whole team was getting a snack break. A few minutes after I was grateful to see the familiar sight of lathe with bright orange paint, reflective tape, and a tail of blue flagging. True to my word we stopped and the kids all got a nice snack of poultry skins.

The run was smooth from there to Safety.  One image blazed into my memory is the orange moon setting. It was a half moon and bright fire orange. I had not really noticed the moon all evening, and then all of a sudden that morning there it was low and on fire in the sky over the sea ice, beautiful. One of the checkers at Safety was a Facebook friend Philip Walters. He checked me in, helped me get my bib on straight, got me signed in and ready to go. I did take a minute to drop Purge in Safety. He is an amazing dog, and always gives 100%. He had a slightly tight muscle in his shoulder, and I feared that the zippy trip over the lagoons in the blowhole had been rough on him. Now, headed to Nome from Safety, we got word we would be traveling over Cape Nome instead of around it on the sea ice. And I felt like there was no reason for him to have to pull over another climb, he had certainly earned a rest.

On the run from Safety I was still running from the threat of Cim behind me, but then as we got closer to Nome and started climbing over Cape Nome I caught a glimpse of Lance in front of me. I never did catch him, but arrived in Nome close behind him. Even had the honor of sharing the finish chute under the burled arch with him and his team. Here is a video interview with him in the chute; that shows why he is such a respected musher and true sportsman. Dan was there waiting for us, along with a great group of friends, including Janet & Walt (my Iditarider).

Coming off the sea ice and onto Front Street, Nome Alaska.

There were snacks for the kids, and lots of pets and kisses. Right when you finish you are so full of endorphins and enthusiasm and love for your dogs your energy feels boundless. This is an illusion though, and as soon as the dogs are cared for and resting the reality hits you. You are actually bone tired, exhausted really, slightly dehydrated, and very hungry! Dan made sure the team was totally cared for. And then that I was taken care of, which is good because I was starting to fade and loose my ability to think clearly. A meal at Airport Pizza did me a world of good. And then I slept, in a bed, for longer then the 2-3 hours length of my usual trail naps. And it was wonderful. I woke up once or twice with a  start and looked around, remembered where I was and rolled over and went back to bed. It was glorious. Dan took care of feeding the dogs while I slept that first night. But by the next day I was rested, and felt disconnected without seeing the team, so I went with him to the Nome dog lot to play with the kids and do chores.

At breakfast with friends after the race.

We were lucky to arrange to have our team flown out shortly after I arrived. Dan flew with them to Anchorage and then drove them home. It was the best arrangement, allowing our dogs to get home faster and relax in their own yard. I was fortunate to be staying with a dear friend Kristine, who took great care of me. I was also helped by Marlys and Dawn, who were also there for me at the Nome finish. Waiting for the banquet without the team was a little odd, it had been a long time since I had been away from my kids for more than a few hours.  But I spent the next few days sleeping, eating, and visiting with other mushers as we all cheered the other mushers coming in and waited for the finish banquet.

For the banquet I had the pleasure of sitting with good friends and fellow mushers Michelle Phillips, Kelley Griffin, and Colleen Robertia. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, especially after convincing one of the volunteer wait staff that; Yes they could just leave that whole tray of desserts right on our table, that would be fine.  Want to take a minute and give a huge congratulations to all the mushers finishing the 2012 Iditarod, it was an honor to run with some of the best mushers in the world. And I look forward to running with y’all again.

Also  I really want to express my thanks to all the wonderful people who came together to make this race possible. Along with my sponsors & members of Team Dew Claw, there is also a huge army of volunteers! I want to thank them for their efforts as well. To the race officials and veterinarians who watch out for mushers and dogs, thank you for your assistance. To the checkers and comms folks and everyone who makes the checkpoints run, I applaud your efforts and thank you for your hard work. To the Iditarod Airforce, no way we could do this without you. (Interested in seeing more about the Iditarod Airforce, alaskawings has a YouTube channel with an excellent series of videos from a pilots point of view. Here is the link, scroll down for part 1 of 13 ) And there are still so many people working hard behind the scenes year round to make the Iditarod the world class event it is, Mush Thanks

Map and Checkpoint for Iditarod trail, northern route.

On the sea ice outside of Nome. Look at how alert Orchid looks in lead (the white dog with a sweet expressions looking right at the camera) running with Skittle (the white dog with brown ears, wearing leggings).