Thanks to Rich Strömberg for this photo of Dan and the team headed out from Willow.
As I type this Dan is resting in Tokatna, and while he does I am taking some time to get caught up on emails, blogs, and updating the sponsors page on our website. So far, from what I can tell following the tracker and reports online Dan is doing fine. He still has 15 dogs, and the one dropped dog was a minor issue. I know Dan always errs on the side of caution when it comes to our dogs. We are hearing that the trail is TOUGH, like really TOUGH! And it is taking it’s toll on mushers and sleds. Dogs on the other hand seem to be handling it without problem. In all the photos I have seen of Dan his sled appears to be fine, and I heard from a friend on the trail that Dan is looking happy and moving good. You can see him and the sled in this photo of him checking into the Rohn checkpoint. Dan also has a nice soundbite in KUAC’s radio report from Tues. And a photo of him enjoying (yup you guessed it) Bacon in Takotna on the Iditarod website. I sure do appriciate all the people and media sharing news and updates from the trail. But truth be told: I would much rather be out there on the trail, then here behind the laptop.
Dan taking off in Anchorage with Iditarider Bill Harder
If you are following along like me I want to share with you some places to get good info about the race~
KUAC – public radio in Fairbanks has a reporter on the trail, she also has a Tumblr for more info.
Alaska Daily News – is reporting as well and has a section on their website
And now falling into the “better late then never” category, some photos from the start. Everything went very smooth both days. The dogs made us proud, they were visited by 100’s of fans; and time and time again we hears “wow these are the friendliest dogs”. And, once again, the blue eyed dogs were a huge crowd favorite. We really enjoyed getting to meet and greet the mushing supporters and our kids were really enjoying all the attention.
Sweet Pea giving hugs to Iditarod fans.
The Anchorage start is more like a parade then a race, and it is our chance to meet mushing fans and share the excitement of and passion for the dogs. Fans line the route cheering. We gave our Iditarider, Bill Harder, a huge bag of dog booties and 4 pounds of candy, all to toss out to kids (and excited adults) along the trail. He did an excellent job if distributing the goodies as we ran through Anchorage. We also enjoyed the refreshments being passed out to mushers and riders at the Muffin Man’s house and the Horizon Airline hot dog stop.
It is a festive atmosphere in Anchorage for the start.
The team is all lined out and waiting for their turn to take off.
The Anchorage trail is lined with fans. This particular place is the Horizon Air hot dog stand. Teams stop to get hotdogs and sodas before heading over the highway bridge.
Dan Fans!!!!
Now we head to Willow for the real start. The atmosphere is equally as charged, but for the mushers it is no parade. This is the real thing. Once again I am happy to report that with the help of the best crew of friends EVER we got Dan started without a hitch.
We had a relaxing morning with time for a nice breakfast before arriving early at the start area. Once there Dan had time to pack his sled and talk with friends and fans.
TC and I doing our best Vanna White displaying the white board announcing Dan’s Race Team
The team is harnessed and ready to walk to the start line.
Dan calmly waiting for his turn
The entire album of start photos is available here. And there are even more photos from various wonderful photographers and friends at our Facebook Page!
photo by Theresa Daily
