tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69006519497236089702024-03-05T19:58:57.630-08:00Alamogordo to AlaskaAbout Gwynn's first Alaska adventure and her grand plan for a very special book. It will be about the incredible female mushers who run the long endurance races and their fabulous dogs without whom none of it would be possible! Smooth trails and good runs, ladies, to your and your canine partners. Please visit my Go Fund Me page to help this project! It's at www.gofundme.df04r0Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-2344356154597424722020-02-26T11:10:00.000-08:002020-02-27T08:26:34.099-08:00YQ Wrap-upThe Yukon Quest had a tough year. Of the original fifteen entrants for the main race, it gradually tapered off to eleven. Some well-regarded mushers scratched out for a variety of reasons, mostly weather conditions which took a toll on dogs as well as the mushers. I was sorry that Jason Campeau had a bad 'wreck' in which several dogs were hurt as he came off Eagle Summit and hit some bad ice. He sat out a year to recover from a near-fatal concussion issue in 2018 and had really struggled to get back up to speed for this race. He will be back again I am sure and said ias much in his comments afterwards.<br />
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Besides this ice on the steep down slopes early in the race, there were blizzard snow conditions and later some major overflow problems that challenged everyone. However, I am really proud that the four women who had signed up completed the race, all but one in the top ten--which is kind of a feeble joke since only eleven finished! However they all did awesome jobs, even Olivia Shank-Webster-Neff who won the Red Lantern, arriving just at the start of the finisher's banquet on Feb 15. She had fought a real campaign holding last place for almost the whole thousand miles and braving deep blown snow and some fierce overflow as she made he final distance from Pelly to Whitehorse. She got a standing ovation from the crowd as she came into the hall after settling her dogs.<br />
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The big competition for me was the two who led much of the race, double winner in a prior race and last year, Brent Sass and Michelle Phillips of Tagish Lake Kennel. They were running different schedules and played leap frog over and over as they passed each other while one had a team resting. Finally the last stretch seemed to be more manageable by Brent's very strong and tough team and he got and held the lead. Michelle and her team came in not too far behind--a couple of hours as I recall. Then there was a l-o-n-g gap before the third and fourth place racers arrived, Cody Strath of Squid Acres at third and Allen Moore of SPK as fourth. Another gap and Torston Kohnert, a Swedish musher came in 5th and Ryne Olsen, once a protegee of SPK and now building up her own kennel was 6th. The other woman, Nora Sjalin, another Swede, got seventh place and rookie of the year.<br />
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I was very proud of all the women and enjoyed the speeches they made as they accepted their trophies. Michelle had run a very fine race and to be a close second under the savage conditions was a real win in every way. I was also impressed by Nora, whose command of English was very good and they all had wonderful things to say about their teams. It often seems to me that although all the mushers have a good bond with their dogs--it is really essential--that the women are at least more expressive about it and openly emotional with and about their canine partners. Well, maybe it is just a 'female' thing!<br />
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The jolt of the night came when Allen Moore admitted he had only been training for thirty days before this race after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer. He announced this was his last big race and he was not going to fully retire but would be a handler for his daughter Bridgit who is following in his and step-mom Aliy's runner tracks and will be competing in the 2021 season. That brought a few tears as Allen is one of my mushing heroes but I know he will be part of Aliy's team as long as she is competing and now his daughter and maybe some grandkids will be coming along in the tradition. He is such a neat guy. I love his droll Arkansas humor and his upbeat attitude. In that he is very like Aliy but just lower key and the old country boy comes through in all the little jokes and homey phrases. He needs to write a book and I'd be honored to help him on that!<br />
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A few pix I grabbed on line. The musher's banquet; that is Olivia getting a hug with her Red Lantern.<br />
The next is Allen with the Black Team at the finish--he said the dogs were awesome! Only two 1000 mile 'rookies' were dropped, Decaf and Sanka, for minor injuries only. Third is Michelle as she gave her speech. She is right up there with Aliy and Deedee as my most revered lady mushers! Her dog care is amazing. BTW, Cody got the Vet's award.<br />
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-3829155849717983842020-02-26T10:35:00.004-08:002020-02-26T11:20:19.671-08:00What the "L" is Qrill? In the last two years a new word has made its appearance in the international mushing scene. I've been simply watching and listening but decided to share a bit of what I have discovered so far since this blog is all about the sled dog racing world and the folks involved in it, most especially the feminine.<br />
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First off, many of us have hard of Krill Oil being touted as a wonderful health panacea for humans. Krill is a tiny shrimp-type crustacean found in bitter cold waters. mainly around the antarctic. I admit to taking daily capsule of krill oil myself; I get it from Wallyworld which is probably not the best source for a quality product but that is not germain here. Well, as in many cases, what is good for us hoomans is also good for our critters, especially the more carnoivorous ones. With that in mind a Norwegian company has begun to produce and market pet food based on krill. What do they call it? Qrill! The logo features orange and their marketing and PR efforts are getting pretty spectacular.<br />
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A closely linked enterprise is their sponsorship of first one and now several racing dog sled teams in an effort to promote the value of their special feed and to support, sustain and educate the public about the sport of mushing. You may recognize a few of the names and the rest will likely become more familiar soon. Here is the URL to the team page: <a href="https://www.qrillpet.com/theqrillpetteam">https://www.qrillpet.com/theqrillpetteam</a><br />
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<b><i>Thomas Waerner</i></b> is a Norwegian musher who has competed in the Iditarod in the past and though not winning turned in a good performance. Then a few years ago, a younger countryman by the name of <b><i>Joar Leifseth Ulsom</i></b> appeared. To date he has run the Iditarod seven times, was rookie of the year his first try and has finished above tenth in each run, peaking as the winner in 2018. That year like last, he featured a lot of orange and carried the Qrill logo on his truck and some of the other gear. He was a close second last year to the 2019 winner, Pete Keiser, who so far is not involved in the Qrill enterprise. Joar currently resides in Alaska in the Willows area, north of Wasilla.<br />
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A name even the more casual mushing fans will recognize is <b><i>Dallas Seavey</i></b>. Scion of the old and well known mushing Seavey family--both his grandfather Dan and dad Mitch are I'rod winners--Dallas was the youngest competitor to run the big one on his rookie year at age 18. Since then he has scooped up for wins plus one win of the Yukon Quest. He got crosswise with the Iditarod board in 2017 about a badly botched and mishandled issue where two of his dogs post-race tested positive for tramadol, a synthetic opiate, and has not run that race since. Instead he migrated to Norway and started racing there. So far I do not think he has won the two big Norwegian races but he's doing well..<br />
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A couple of Norwegian ladies are also part of the team, Marit Beale Kasin and Hanna Lyrek. I am sure we will be hearing more of them in the future In short, keep your eyes pealed for orange dog trucks, parkas, sled bags and other gear that certainly seems will soon be ubiquitous on the major international competitions. The orange hexagon and slanted tear drop shape of their logos are already flashing in many places.<br />
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The latest project this very ambitious and energetic crew has taken on is a "world championship of sled dog racing" which for now involves mushers earning points in four major races--two in Europe--Russia and Norway-- the John Beargrease in the lower US 48 and the Iditarod. One musher/team will grab the most points--winning the Iditarod is the highest valued placement--and will be declared the world champion.<br />
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On this in particular I do have mixed feelings. First there are far too few races to claim this level of a title. The Yukon Quest is not included and a number of major mid distance and stage races in Alaska, Canada and the lower 48 states to say nothing of several long-running events in Europe are not factored in. And sprint racing is totally ignored. IMHO much more inclusion needs to happen before any grandiose titles are awarded. The point system seems pretty complex and even confusing although I have not really read the who schedule and rules on this yet; not sure where to even find them! Back to the search engines...<br />
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As an alternative I suggested a final race among only the winners of at least six to ten of the most onerous and long distance races competing in a race to be held at a revolving location of one of those big races after the main season is over or early the next winter if the venues lack sufficient snow. I admit this would be a logistical nightmare due to the complex requirements most countries have for bringing animals across their borders plus assembling a vet team, volunteers and all the needed facilities for the whole entourage and the reporters likely to follow. But if it could be accomplished, what a PR event that would be! I visualize a jewel studded "platinum"harness set for the lead dog or pair of the winner, a fancy belt or badge or helmet for the musher and great hoopla!! Well, one can dream. I was not exactly pooh-poohed off the page on the FB groups where I posted it but did get a dash of ice water on the difficulties involved!! For now I am in a wait-n-see mode on the Qrill World Championship Musher project but will follow developments closely and certainly watch the orange decked teams as they compete in the 2020 races and into the future. There were none in the YQ , Kusko300, CB300 etc. since they are not "sanctioned' by this new enterprise!Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-90765035306005304172020-02-04T19:44:00.003-08:002020-02-04T19:44:23.852-08:00The Yukon Quest(s) Now UnderwayBoth the 1000 and the 300 mile versions of this race began Saturday, this year starting in Fairbanks, Alaska. Although a number of other races, several in the lower 48, were either starting or in progress, most of my readers here know my heart is in the Big Ones and those mushers. Of course those mushers also run in some of the mid-distance for many reasons. First, it is good training for dogs especially when they are bringing new young dogs into their teams. They may not run their top flight dogs--it all depends. Another is a chance at some decent prize purses which help with the very expensive business of maintaining a kennel and keeping 20 to 50 dogs healthy, fed, doctored and fitted with harness and other equipment to say nothing of what the musher requires in cold weather gear and other supplies. Serious sled dog racing is a bottomless money pit. Nobody is going to be doing it unless they love it fiercely and cannot envision a life this activity is not central to.<br />
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The fields in both the YQ races were small this season.There are a lot of reasons and issues behind this. Two young mushers who had signed up for the 1000 did not complete a needed qualifier when they scratched from the CB300. It was too late for them to change and run in the YQ300. There was some controversy over whether this was a fair and right decision but it stood. Then Matt Failor who had been running mid-distance races--no need to qualify for him since he has many races under his dogs' harnesses--also decided to try to pull out of the 1000 and run the 300 and again was not allowed. So in effect this actually reduced the contestants in both by three mushers. That left the fields at roughly fifteen for each race. That is enough competition to make each one a real race but it does reduce the purses some and probably gives PeTA and HSUS more ammo to twist and spin for their propaganda.<br />
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Anyway, as I write the 300 is nearing the close. At last count some nine or ten musher teams were in. Dave Turner won with Jeremy Traska close behind him. Madeline Rubida, a protegee of Tagish Lake Kennel, the home of Michelle Phillips and Ed Hopkins, got third and Karolyn Bristol, working with and sponsored by SPK is shown on the tracker as 7th and Misha Wiljes as 8th. Misha ran the 1000 last year but lost a dog to aspirational pneumonia and perhaps did not think her team was up for the longer run. Three more are 'there' but not officially marked finish yet. The red lantern is either Leigh Strehlau or Deke Naaktgrboren. I had seen he had scratched but the tracker is not showing that yet. Two other racers did scratch earlier. Anyway it is virtually over and all remaining is the awards banquet which if memory serves is run in conjunction with the 1000 finish festivities, at Whitehorse this time.<br />
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So on to the big one. The leading group is at or out of Eagle Creek. Brent Sass is setting a scorching pace--I think he is really hungry for a third win. Giving him a run for his money is Michelle Phillips. She's run this race several times and it would be very neat to see her win. She'd be only the second female musher to do it. Aliy Z won in 2000, fairly early in her career. Cody Strath, Torston Kohnert and Allen Moore along with Ryne Olsen are hardly a safe distance back but not out of Eagle Creek per the tracker. That puts this group roughly a third of the way to the finish line. For now it is still a wide open race with a chance of a spoiler or two moving up though that gets less likely with each hour. Even at fast dog speed, twenty miles is a long way.<br />
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Two mushers scratched earlier today, and I am sad for them both. Dennis Tremblay and Jason Campeau stopped for their teams welfare, they said. Of course that is the normal response but generally is is for real unless a musher is badly hurt or equipment too trashed to fix. Not much had been said but it appears the trail is pretty rough, icy, heavy snow, bare rock and all the extremes in various sections, rough on dogs, mushers and gear. Jason suffered a life threatening concussion two years ago and had worked and struggled for months to make a comeback so I feel especially sad for him. I hope he will have another chance in the coming years.<br />
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Bringing up the Red Lantern rear is Olivia Webster, actually Olivia Shank Webster Neff. I admit to mixed feelings about her. Her grandfather was almost the analog of Joe Redington as for as the Quest goes and naturally she wants to honor him. She tried last year and made it to Dawson (going west then) but with controversial issues and problems. She ended scratching in lieu of being literally withdrawn by the judges. It was a messy situation and since I was not there and only heard different sides of the story which might all have been miles off the truth, I can't take sides. I do know her husband, Hugh Neff, is a very controversial figure and has been banned for alleged dog abuse and other issues. Again, what is fact versus rumor is hard to separate. I assume he is handling for her this time but do not know that for a fact.<br />
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I suspect she will scratch again but she is out of Slavin Gulch and still lugging along. Just ahead of her are Dave Dalton and Pat Noddin. Dalton's name is familiar but not the other; not even sure if it is a guy or a gal as the name could be either. Need to go check the musher bios. They seem to be at a stop and she is less than ten miles behind them.<br />
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So the sled dog train is heading for Dalton and the 36 hour layover. Aliy is on her way there, handling for Allen as she usually does for the second half of the race. She kept tabs on Karolyn until the younger woman was heading for the last lap of the 300 but then did go on up to see Allen and the Black Team at the last checkpoint the road can reach. I bet she is in full mama mode this time not being distracted by running herself! She and Allen are very supportive and even protective of each other. I like that!I think Michelle and Ed are too and I know that fits Paige and Cody. Really admire these couples who are in it together and apply the musher teamwork to the max, even when they sometimes may compete. That is not usual although they may run a race together just to do it as Paige and Cody did the YQ a few seasons back. Often one will run the A team while the other uses the puppy team in a learning role. Or they take turns running the two big races, one to each a year.<br />
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So now we follow the tracker and listen to the gossip and wait to see what happens next. Yep, it is still a dog race and **anything** can happen!! I reckon Lance knew that if anyone does!Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-62796310457183072932020-01-26T19:25:00.003-08:002020-01-26T19:25:33.166-08:00The John Beargrease Marathon<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The John Beargrease ‘marathon’ is one of the older and better
known mushing races in the lower 48. It’s
been an annual event since 1980 which means it is just a bit younger than the
iconic Iditarod (first run in 1973). The
famous—or maybe infamous!—Yukon Quest is actually younger, first run in
1984. There are actually three races,
the main “marathon” close to 300 miles, a 120 miler and a 40 miler, run in one
day. The big one is a qualifier for the Iditarod and many names well known in
Alaskan racing circles do come down to participate in this notable event and others use the Beargrease to prep or qualify for their rookie run at the Iditarod. . <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The race honors John Beargrease, a Native American of
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anishinaabe tribe although also said
to be of the Ojiba and the Chippawa tribes. This needs more research to unravel which I will attempt shortly. At any rate, he was born in 1858 and became a mail carrier, using a boat and
dog sled to make his deliveries. Thus a sled dog race in his honor is a very
logical and appropriate event. That this race is now part of the developing "world
series of mushing," is one indication of how significant and how well regarded it
is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">This year, the race started on the 26<sup>th</sup> of January—today
as I write this—and will finish probably late Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is being tracked with regular updates at
checkpoints and there is plenty of coverage if one knows where to look. I am
delighted to see more and more of the mid-distance races are being given
national coverage, active video recording and gathering a world-wide following
that uses every bit of modern technology to further their fandom. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">A relatively
small cohort of mushers and their fourteen dog teams took to the trail, just fourteen. However, several names
would be familiar to folks who have mainly followed only Alaskan or in the case
of the Quest, Alaskan/Canadian races. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the complete list and bios on all this
year’s competitors. </span><a href="https://beargrease.com/meet-the-mushers/">https://beargrease.com/meet-the-mushers/</a> It is pretty 'wow' and even the 120 mile race includes many recognizable names. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me I am
rooting for the women, of course, especially Jennifer Freking, Laura Neese, J. Foucher—a Facebook friend, and then Ryan Redington. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see who crosses the
finish line first Tuesday evening and may the best team win!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This time of year there is a race or even two just about every weekend and you can be busy indeed if you try to keep up with all of them. I do--and also don't--quite. I have my favorites, both races and mushers, and check to see who is racing where and focus on them while giving others a more cursory watch. Fortunately I have a number of Facebook friends and others who are happy to share our mutual passion so I can almost always find out quickly what is going on everywhere dogs are tracking the snow. Mush on!!</span></div>
<br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-75434749960780859022020-01-20T10:18:00.000-08:002020-01-21T10:09:49.118-08:00Kuskokwim 300 2020As one of my heroes, Lance Mackey, so famously said, "It's a dog race, anything can happen." In this year's Kusko, this past weekend, that certainly applied!!<br />
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The Kusko--actually three races, the Akiak Dash, the 150 miler and the 300 miler--is often very cold and blizzardy being closer to the coast and incoming weather events. This year the CB300 was worse, though it is seldom balmy either. The Kusko had been postponed a couple of weeks due to weather but this time i was all right.<br />
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Anyway, twenty one mushers made the race. There were no scratches which is kind of rare, really. Two women entered and finished, Paige Drobney and Joanna Jagow. Both were rookies on this near legendary race and both ran well, finishing in the 13th and 14th places, coming in almost together. Two other mushers came directly from the CB300 to the Kusko, the winner and second place finisher from the former, Nic Petit and Matt Failer. Their results here were very different.<br />
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Matt admittedly used most if not all different dogs and I think that helped him to finish second, close behind Pete Kaiser, who won this one, his fifth win in the Kusko! Matt won this one last year but Pete is the reigning Iditarod Champ and one heck of a dog man. It runs on the family. His father has won the Kusko and this year managed a very close second in the K150. It was almost a family affair in the winner's box!<br />
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Nic, however, was well back in the pack,. So, if you will entertain an armchair musher's thoughts, I will share a question and concern. I've not yet found whether Nic raced a new team in the Kusko or not but I suspect some if not all his dogs had just run the CB300 in some harsh cold and difficult conditions. It sounded that way as he flew them all right on over to Bethel. Were they not quite up to par? We may never know. I am a booster of Nic's but have to allow that he does err in judgment at times and maybe push too hard. I do not question his love for and care of his dogs but like some doting parents may overdo his enthusiasm to see them excel. I hope they now rest well before taking on the I'rod come March. Not sure what his schedule is except the YQ races are not on it at last reading.<br />
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A cute little aside, as Matt F finished his check in at the finish, he approached partner and handler Liz Raines, pulled a small box out of a parka pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond flash! She is either a great actress or was truly surprised, almost blown away. Hand to her face she nodded and stammered her acceptance! That was a sweet bit of business and I am sure most watchers were thrilled. Who can resist a good romance and happy ending event? Surely not me!!<br />
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The next weekend's big race is the John Beargrease, one of the staged type I believe, and one of the few well known, long running major races in the Lower 48. There are always some Alaska mushers and it usually gets quite a bit of coverage. I'm sure there will be video and tracking. Maybe I can get links for that before the start.<br />
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One last note on the Kusko. Lance Mackey and Jeff King were entered as was Iditarod tradition Jim Lanier with his Siberians. Jeff finished along with Nic and a few others in the mid-pack. Jim I think was 3rd from last and guess who got his first Red Lantern!! Lance did not push; perhaps he had that in mind all along. He is so quirky, it is possible! He'd never won the Kusko; nor had Jim but Jeff has about ten times, all some years in the past. Anyway I will try to catch the video of the awards tonight and see what Lance says. I expect I will both laugh and tear up. That is one absolutely amazing guy!<br />
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I share one photo--not mine--to illustrate. Joanne Potts had been the secretary and virtual soul of the Iditarod Headquarters for many years. The new officers abolished her position this past year. Many mushers and fans protested but without success. Before the planned celebration in her honor was finalized, her husband passed away. She insisted since a lot of work had been involved that her 'going away party' continue and it did. One in attendance was Lance and this touching shot portrays his sympathy and caring as he spoke to her. Joanne was "Mom" to so many in the Iditarod community; she is sorely missed and her treatment left a bad taste with many. Sadly it seems kind of in character for the new team; I withhold judgment but am inclined to feel very negative about the future under their direction.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lance and Joanne Potts</td></tr>
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<br />A final addition, 21 Jan 2020: Nic did use the same dogs and in his recap he pretty well admitted that might not have been a good decision. I really do respect the guy and will continue to root for him but at times his willpower and enthusiasm does override good judgement. BTW it was Jim Lanier that he worked with and apprenticed under several years ago. Jim was the oldest K300 finisher ever --his speech as he took his 19th place award--and Lance had little to say as he took his red lantern but he was smiling and said it was his first ever--deliberate for sure. Last, Joanna Jagow got the vet's care award; all 12 of her dogs finished and in 14th place of 21. I need to research--was she the Jr I'Rod winner a couple of years ago? Maybe just a similar name--will confirm next report, which ever.<br /><br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-57626689359086371352020-01-13T19:50:00.000-08:002020-01-13T19:50:15.445-08:00Copper Basin 300--2020It is not over-over but despite some confusion on the tracker I am pretty sure the top five are in. Nic Petit finished some time ago and scored a three-pete, his third top place in this race for three years running, similar to what Pete Kaiser, last year's I'rod Champ, did in the Kuskokwim. The exact order the other four came in is still not clear but the top five are as I had begun to be sure: Brent Sass, Aliy Zirkle, Ryne Olson and Matt Failer--who had snagged Deedee Jonrowe for a handler!! I mean how fantastic is that?! I am happy for Nic. He will be contending with Pete and with Joar Liefseth Ulsom in the Iditarod 2020 come March. Not to denigrate Aliy, Jessie Royer and Paige Drobney who were all top-ten finishers last year and any one could be a winner.<br />
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Let me take a little detour here and talk about Nic. When I started this blog in 2014 after my first trip to Alaska where I met several amazing people and many more amazing dogs, I chose "Alamogordo to Alaska" for the title. Right then I had no way to guess that another person could have used that as well, a guy who was going to bust into the upper levels of the sled dog racing world very soon. That guy was Nic Petit.<br />
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He arrived in Alamogordo from France with his mother and lived with grand parents when he was in middle school and into high school while living there for several years. While that may not figure very much in his eventual move to Alaska and advancement into the sled dog business, it remains a fact and one the local newspaper there covered the last couple of years. So in that we have a very strange and small kinship--we are both Alamogordo 'refugees'. He might say it is a good place to be <b><i>from</i></b> too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Nic and Lolly</span></td></tr>
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As I said on my Facebook page, Nic is kind of an underdog. He is, along with Aliy, in that "always a bridesmaid" category of second place finishes and rotten luck events that just won't go away. I know many say he brings most of the bad crap on himself but I don't really buy that. I met him my second trip to Alaska in 2016. He was at the annual meeting and first sign up day at Iditarod Headquarters with a dog who was then his favorite leader. She was completely loose and free but seemed to be Velcroed to his side if not in his lap! I think he called her Lolly or Libby, two well known names in the racing world and she clearly loved him as he did her. He seemed very unassuming and a rather gentle person, at least what I saw. So he is an underdog and after the women, I will root for him this year in the I'rod.If Aliy cannot win and Jessie or Paige do not, then I hope he does!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Aliy and Deedee--like jeff and mutt!</span></td></tr>
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An odd tidbit on the two female mushers in the CB this time. Ryne was an apprentice and handler at SPK for a season or two before she started her own kennel and now is doing quite well. I know Aliy and Allen thought a lot of her. The two women have been friendly competitors in several races now that Ryne is doing her own thing. One of Ryne's dogs was the sire of Junior's litter last year. Junior, now that Quito is gone and her own mother Olive is retired, is one of the top dogs at SPK so you know a slouch dog would not be picked to produce her first litter of pups! It will be interesting to see how those pupsters do. This year Aliy had three newbies on her team--Razz, who was an adoptee from another kennel and Sanka and Perky from the Coffee Litter. Razz and Perky were left at the last checkpoint but did very well up to then. Both were getting sore and Aliy will not push dogs at that point. She wants them to always feel it is fun and running while hurting is not fun.<br />
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At any rate, CB300 is just about in the history books. It was a cold and hard race. nearly half the starters scratched out at some point. Of course the stock answer is 'in the interest of the dogs,' and for the most part that is truth but i do know some mushers this time felt it was not worth the stress to the team and even maybe to them when the purse is small and bigger events are coming. Why risk an injury or a frostbite incident to a dog that might be critical to your success in the YQ or the Iditarod? Or even the Kusko--which was delayed due to weather conditions and will run this coming weekend.<br />
The organizers of that race are really working to build it up with a very appealing purse and a lot of publicity. Several mushers opted out of the CB300 after the reschedule which left two hard mid- distance races back to back with just short days to make a long trip between them. I know Paige Drobney was one and there were several more.<br />
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<br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-87507188441805473932020-01-11T10:11:00.000-08:002020-01-11T10:11:15.495-08:00The Races Are OnThe Copper Basin will be starting today by mid-morning Alaska time. <i> </i>I found the tracker and put it on my bookmark bar already. <a href="http://trackleaders.com/copper20" style="color: #99cc33; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background 0.25s ease 0s, color 0.25s ease 0s;">http://trackleaders.com/copper20</a><br />
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I do not have the list of all the mushers--there are 27 last I saw. Aliy Z drew bib 13--she is not superstitious about that number and considers it lucky, BTW. She will start in the middle of the pack and have about a half hour's differential to make up at one checkpoint/rest stop. Her team of twelve has a mix of three rookies and four old timers who have made this race 4 or 5 times. Both Olivia/Nacho (life long mates at SPK) and The Late Very Great Quito are well represented with their descendants. Junior and Violet, two Olivia daughters who greatly resemble he, are providing a lot of experience along with two powerful boys from other litters. It is going to be bitter cold--they say -49 with some wind chill at the start! This is generally harder for the mushers than the dogs. Their enemy is heat and above 32 starts to give them overheating problems. The CB is generally cold and previews some of the same conditions as the western end of the YQ/YQ300 coming along next month.<br />
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There is also a lower 48 race in progress, The Gunflint 2020 in Montana. A couple of the Reddingtons and Laura Neese, an I'rod and YQ vet, are in it. Trackleaders also has a tracker going on it. That is a super website, BTW, as they track most of the major sled dog events and many other competitions as well.<br />
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Most of the lower 48 races are the 'staged' type. This means times are taken from checkpoint/stop to the next one and added together to determine the winners. They are not one long continuous dash like the I'Rod and the YQ and a few in Scandinavia but the total distances can be into several hundred miles. Some European races are also run this way. So there are several different types of sled dog races.<br />
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The 'big ones' that are 1000 miles --more or less--or similar kilometers, the mid-distance at roughly 3-500 miles or equivalent and the staged races, and then the sprints or short races of a few to maybe 20-50 miles where sheer speed is the only way to get there first. Most dogs are best suited for one type or another and very few distance dogs sprint or vise-versa. The Fur Rondy event in the Anchorage area just before the Iditarod has a number of those.<br />
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I am most invested in the distance races, the big ones and the mid-distance qualifiers. To enter both the Iditarod and the Yukon as a rookie, mushers have to complete some of the mid-distance ones to validate experience and ability to take on the real marathons. Some choose not to go beyond the mid-distance races, also. I still respect and admire them as some of those shorter races are real bearcats--terrain, weather conditions etc.<br />
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Anyway the season is underway and I am amped about it.<br />
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I really hope next year to be up there for both the big ones. The YQ will end in Fairbanks in 2021 so I might make that and the I'rod both!!!<br />
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I swiped this photo off FB but like the feel of taking off into the sunrise. Fast smooth runs to all those on the trail today!Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-68272942740022261452020-01-08T19:44:00.000-08:002020-01-08T19:44:03.690-08:00Time to Run Again!For two years I did not post anything here. There are a lot of reasons for this. I did not quit following the races, both in Alaska and Canada and the northern US as well. I stayed an avid fan and dreamed of the day I might again go to the north 49th and be near the beautiful dogs and heroic mushers I so love and admire. I just did not write or post here.<br />
<br />For one thing about the time I backed off, my brother/roommate and I decided we had more than enough of New Mexico and were ready to move back to our spirits' home in the state of Arizona. That was a huge and difficult project--covered in my detail in my Dreams, Dogs, Deserts and Druid (4Ds) blog. I also had gotten a bit crosswise with one lady musher who took an exception to anything I said on several Facebook groups that focused on racing, sled dogs and similar topics. She accused me of being an attention hogging stupid fan who pretended to know a lot when I really did not have a clue and would jump on anything I said, even the most mild and innocent comment. I still do not know why. However, given my history of low self esteem, lack of confidence and such--again covered a lot on 4Ds--I began to doubt myself and question whether I had any business aspiring to write a book about the sport I love and the wonderful dogs and the amazing women who drive them in the races. That project was placed on the back burner, never forgotten or surrendered but jammed up against an enormous writer's block that threw a blanket of silence over me--including here.<br />
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Also things up north have been very disrupted and many changes have taken place and continue in my first race love, the venerable and iconic Iditarod. Dallas Seavey was accused--probably falsely-- of drugging his dogs. Other mushers were hassled by the 'official' drug testing vet clinic's main man. PeTA threw huge protests and eventually the whole board structure of the organization was turned inside out and rebuilt. I am still feeling a bit shaken and uncertain about the eventual result of all this but with the 2020 race season about to begin--despite some <b><i>fierce</i></b> cold temperatures and lack of snow in many areas--I have caught the fever and want to get back to talking, cussing and discussing with anyone who is interested and of course following the excitement.<br />
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We have two new champs since I last posted. Joar Leifseth Ulsom won the 2018 race and Pete Kaiser won in 2019. Some old regulars have either retired or ceased to compete in a real intensive way, simply making the run for the joy and good memories. Deedee Jonrowe scratched out in 2018which she had said would be her last and in 2019r went along as a commentator and reporter by snow machine. Jeff King, Lance Mackey, Martin Buser and other multiple winners seem to have admitted their fifth win is unlikely and now leave fighting for the top ten to the young up and coming bunch. And that group now includes several women, a fact I cheer with much enthusiasm. There were three in the top ten in 2019: Jessie Royer, Aliy Z and Paige Drobney! This year will be very exciting, I am sure. Joar vs Pete, Nic Petit still hungry for a win and those hard charging gals...<br />
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So enough of that. The Copper Basin 300 kicks off Saturday and will be live broadcast. Several of the other mid-distance races will be happening soon too. Watch for dates, links to the trackers or the sites etc. The The Yukon Quest will start from Fairbanks this year in February and of course the Iditarod will begin March 7. Oh, how I would love to be up there as a volunteer again but this year it just isn't possible.<br />
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Anyway I will be back and sharing details and even some of my ill informed and misguided opinions in all likelihood! Yes, I can joke about it now but for some time I was really depressed and nearly devastated. Thankfully my dear friend Helen Hegener always tried to support and encourage me and her help was invaluable. I saw how Aliy came back after her terrible encounter with the drunken snow machine guy and decided my trauma was way, way, way less than that. I knew it was time to musher up and get back on the trail!!<br />
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On by! I am heading out. See you very soon here!! Smooth, fast trail and good runs to one and all.Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-15820670370552009872017-09-20T19:54:00.003-07:002020-01-08T19:45:28.114-08:00Changes in the windIt seems fairly certain that Lance Mackey will not be racing long distance again. He dropped out of the Iditarod entry last year and now has been selling off some of his dogs and equipment. Although it is not definite yet, there are some rumors he may be doing some stage races or even sprints. Unconfirmed is a possible entry into the John Beargrease race in the lower 48. He is also getting much more involved in racing cars. Since he is not one to sit around, I am sure he will stay busy, and you can never write him off although his health issues cannot be ignored or, in many cases, worked around.<br />
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There has been a recent announcement from the iconic Deedee Jonrowe as well. 2018 will be her final Iditarod. She is now 63 and also has the chemo treatment circulation issues that Lance suffers from. It is inevitable but a little sad for she has been a fixture for over thirty years and although never winning has been second a few times and in the top ten for about half the races she has run. She never attempted the Yukon Quest, but I would never hold that against her! She has been Ms. Iditarod for longer than I have been really following the race and is a legend in her own time. I hope she will still keep some dogs and perhaps run them just for fun and also maybe mentor and support some of the young up and coming female mushers since she has a world of know-how and experience to share.<br />
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The Lady in Pink will be a big hero of mine until the day I die.She has been a great inspiration to many over the long years of competition and rose above many problems and tragedies such as her and her mother's cancers, loss of her home and most possessions in the tragic 2015 fire and her mother's death just a few weeks later. I certainly ask divine protection for her in this upcoming final race and wish her a happy and comfortable retirement after it is over.<br />
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I'm going to be away from home for a week in Arizona so will probably not post again until I get home, so I ask your patience. I can assure you that Aliy and Allen are both signed up for both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest and are now well into fall training. There has been no word of any new litters this year but I would not rule the possibility out completely. However the old champs are getting late in their lifespans to endure the strain of pregnancy and whelping and the younger dogs are mostly still in the stage of proving their merit, so perhaps are not to the point where their traits are deemed special enough to try to pass along. The Surfivers are now three and fully grown so I expect we will see a lot more of them this season and the two 2015 litters are ready to start showing their stuff in the shorter competitions. Quito's Olympic Medal three are yearlings and will be starting to learn the business of running in harness but will have to wait for another year or two to see if they are their mother's equals. I'm for little Prata who is still almost the image of her amazing mom. I hope that is true inside as well!<br />
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The fan and support season for SPK begins about October 1 and I'll be jumping in to put my money behind several faves of the last three years' pups. More on that and other news shortly. Last count there were about 65 registered for the Iditarod. I'll give you the scoop on that in about a week.<br />
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Meanwhile let's musher up and do what we need to do!<br />
<br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-8231794012105735862017-09-15T10:39:00.000-07:002017-09-15T10:44:26.072-07:00A Quick UpdateI did not get to make my usual June trip to the North 49th this year and there was not much to say here. The efforts on Women Who Run With the Dogs move on slowly. Right now I feel like I am on that very long and cold stretch along the Yukon when it is -50 or maybe over that treacherous highest summit on the Yukon Quest--head down and hood forward, plodding and wondering when it will ever end as my dogs strain into the harness and fight inch by inch into the wind.<br />
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Yes, as time goes by I realize just what a humongous project I have taken on, perhaps a much bigger bite than I can properly chew, but I still intend to musher up and press on. A year ago I was almost ready to depart for my great stay at Slow Rush Kennels just out of Fairbanks. That still remains a stellar experience and a great source of much needed reality with boots to the ground (not much snow yet) behind the dogs and in the muck of the dog yard!<br />
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From her FB page I know Kyia Bouchard has gotten her rustic camp B&B up and running and I am very glad to learn that. She has gone through many tough times but that lady is a fighter and a survivor--in her way an epitome of what I see in most of the women mushers I've become acquainted with. Here is a link to Kyia's page--https://www.facebook.com/slowrushmountainview/?fref=tsit<br />
It is not real busy but interesting. Below is an aerial view of the site. The slant roof behind a big evergreen in the middle right is the handler's cabin where I stayed; I see lots of changes since then in this shot. I did help clear the flats for the white tents you can see, so I have a tiny stake in this new project. I may well return there in time.<br />
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More soon on what is going on with some of the mushers and looking ahead to the 2017-18 racing season. I do plan to be a volunteer again next spring; I was hoping to try to make it to Nome but it is getting almost too late to attempt that now so we'll see. But I can't resist the lure of the magical mythical north and those dogs...! Like the general said, in the Philippines as I recall, "I shall return."<br />
About half of this desert rat is a born again Alaskan!<br />
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<br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-66824052250329391822017-05-08T15:22:00.002-07:002020-02-13T21:29:31.549-08:00Doing the Dog Drop FunctionThe closest most volunteers can come to the mushers and dogs is working in the Dog Drop area. Next year I will hope to do this a lot more but I did two shifts there and loved it.<br />
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For a little background, as you probably know,each musher starts out with sixteen dogs. There are very few exceptions. That is the maximum team size allowed by the rules. In the Yukon Quest it is fourteen and some of the shorter races have varying team sizes, but for the Iditarod it is sixteen. A thousand miles is a long way to go, especially when you realize how fast they have to move to make that journey in less than nine days--including at least forty hours of mandatory rests and more as the musher may choose to take. It is no surprise that some dogs get tired, some get injured and some get sick. At each checkpoint, sometimes as early as the very first one, mushers decide or the vets advise that a dog be taken off the team or 'dropped.'<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dog Drop Office-a Conex</td></tr>
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Each checkpoint has a waiting crew of dog handlers who take charge of these dogs and care for them until they can be picked up by one of the aircraft of the "Iditarod Air Force", volunteer brush pilots who ferry people, supplies and dogs to and fro along the route. Sometimes this can be a matter of hours and sometimes a day or two, even more if the weather gets too stormy for flying. Generally the dogs are put into crates or shipping kennels although occasionally they are just leashed and controlled by one or two handlers on the smaller planes. They are brought back to Anchorage and there the Dropped Dog crew takes over.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHPCK_VuLtf7Mhyb1ekPIfrOSio_wHy6MZ8aDHhPiO0aVHdr1QCLTgbO5AA5LSAikGBkKs2MA7sJb_L3DU0zWJzTYDRoRtFUH-CqghYlRM26Wwt_GlGBKbuvllhlvSCsnIlBwmD8YC4V7/s1600/Dropped+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHPCK_VuLtf7Mhyb1ekPIfrOSio_wHy6MZ8aDHhPiO0aVHdr1QCLTgbO5AA5LSAikGBkKs2MA7sJb_L3DU0zWJzTYDRoRtFUH-CqghYlRM26Wwt_GlGBKbuvllhlvSCsnIlBwmD8YC4V7/s200/Dropped+dogs.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog drop area with dogs,<br />
big trailer in background.</td></tr>
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Sometimes the aircraft can land on the frozen lake that sits just south and west of the hotel headquarters. This year most of them came instead in larger aircraft to the general aviation airport at the south end of that small lake. Some of the Dropped Dog crew drives over in a dog truck to pick them up. Below is a photo of a typical dog truck such as almost every musher has to haul his or her team. This year there was also a trailer with even more boxes for the dogs--a total of forty! Back at the hotel, an area has been laid out in a staff parking lot--a long line to which the dogs can be fastened and most of the snow cleared. The dogs are unloaded from the truck one by one and clipped in place, just far enough apart they cannot fight, attempt to mate or get tangled up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjlX0ThgfyttjzqYuVaZrYHYZNZOZ8i6UUkzHYVmC6UARUNDFYuhAuReIAp6AbdlETH7fdHk74O6ay9K24kSs-zd-Yo2PSZu_o_-448D1PQ-xLuJurIdGoH3BcH_DQiJJsoDSFve7etes/s1600/typical+dog+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjlX0ThgfyttjzqYuVaZrYHYZNZOZ8i6UUkzHYVmC6UARUNDFYuhAuReIAp6AbdlETH7fdHk74O6ay9K24kSs-zd-Yo2PSZu_o_-448D1PQ-xLuJurIdGoH3BcH_DQiJJsoDSFve7etes/s200/typical+dog+truck.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical dog truck </td></tr>
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Almost at once, a team of two or more volunteer veterinarians and their assistants careful check over each dog, checking any wounds, taking vital signs and noting their general condition. Meanwhile other volunteers spread straw so each dog has a little nest just as they use out at the checkpoints to give them some insulation from the cold wet ground. The old time Malamutes and Siberians could sleep comfortably on a snow bank but the modern racing dogs have much thinner coats and can get chilled, especially if they are weary or not well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsXi6yp6mQE5C6Iu8l70EKYxeux9JNLZHsonGyXLyvSrCZKV9x04wV17YaSD0avBcKfXAIB7dau5J5M3XvJ56NAU_5LIgwqFIBbJge4crlw9iH8aNxQBAY6baK9xlGvmIk2jHCzXGWhDF/s1600/One+dropped+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsXi6yp6mQE5C6Iu8l70EKYxeux9JNLZHsonGyXLyvSrCZKV9x04wV17YaSD0avBcKfXAIB7dau5J5M3XvJ56NAU_5LIgwqFIBbJge4crlw9iH8aNxQBAY6baK9xlGvmIk2jHCzXGWhDF/s200/One+dropped+dog.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dropped dog--they come in all colors!</td></tr>
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Once the vets have checked them and taken any dog needing urgent care into a small Conex that is the temporary clinic, each dog gets a bowl of kibble and water. Most of them gobble and lap this right up but a few are finicky, maybe preferring another flavor of dog food or feeling anxious. This style of feeding is common in the mushing community and used at most kennels. Putting the dry food into water--warmed if it is cold enough to freeze very fast--helps insure the dogs stay hydrated.<br />
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Meanwhile another volunteer is contacting as many of the designated handlers for each musher as possible for them to come and pick up their charges. If the dogs cannot be picked up within a few hours, they are reloaded and taken to the women's prison at Eagle, just north of the city on the Parks Highway, where they will be cared for by inmates, who love the privilege, until the race is over and their folks can come for them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wAGqJOlyTGGvAnXfmY5KwSLiwU1MAmYK9MTSf40I067rXE1erV2LI3xPNOyPiZNH_iTndShTheQF6CloLO-AqhR66Fh0uv8rLe0htrzcgpjuKSbt8GALIH77uBBYmckpMiBS0LtSkxn8/s1600/Idit+selfie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wAGqJOlyTGGvAnXfmY5KwSLiwU1MAmYK9MTSf40I067rXE1erV2LI3xPNOyPiZNH_iTndShTheQF6CloLO-AqhR66Fh0uv8rLe0htrzcgpjuKSbt8GALIH77uBBYmckpMiBS0LtSkxn8/s200/Idit+selfie+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie at the Dog Drop Office</td></tr>
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The afternoon I worked, I helped to spread straw, feed, scoop up any messes quickly and then just talked to the dogs that seemed anxious, maybe get down close to rub and massage them. Not only have they been separated from their musher and teammates but they have been hauled around from pillar to post and some of them are feeling a bit of trauma. A calm voice and a gentle touch can make a big difference. These dogs are mostly very people-oriented since they are socialized extensively from early puppyhood. A few are aloof but most of them are friendly. I fell in love with several and would have spirited one or two away if I could have. It was another great experience!<br />
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I was well assured that each dog is cared for with much TLC. Any sickness or injury is dealt with promptly and those with no serious issues get food, water, attention and their needs are met as well as possible. That was heartening indeed and I wish those naysayers who feel these dogs are abused or unloved could witness the love and attention lavished n them. It truly is "all about the dogs."Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-47473217871309058342017-04-12T13:54:00.001-07:002017-04-12T14:03:46.364-07:00More Tudor Crossing PhototsIf you have seen one team go by you've seen them all?? Maybe to the jaded Anchorage residents but not to me. Every bunch of dogs looked a bit different and how they watched the spectators, took the sharp turn just past my vantage point and of course the mushers--their stance on the sled, their response to the crowds, and overall demeanor--there were no two alike. I just wish I could identify each and every team, but I can't. I'm not a pro photographer and my eyes were not the best that day so I felt lucky to get the level of shots I managed. I got the greater part of the women, pure luck! There was no way to quickly identify most of the mushers and teams. I could not always read the bib numbers, much less record them! So in some cases, my best guess--the numbers get fuzzy the longer you squint!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FNNXMnuDjTBpry_RTkQx95cTAV-7dadoSRLwED28qrU6Di0ZftvMdDKJdA6y-XnBsf5ZXymP4lARLEcIt8TLrU94qWw0AaIIH3AarNVOigkXuGjZOmElHWwpLksbJswmV6aGTVJkBDWj/s1600/Bib+32-+Hans+Gatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FNNXMnuDjTBpry_RTkQx95cTAV-7dadoSRLwED28qrU6Di0ZftvMdDKJdA6y-XnBsf5ZXymP4lARLEcIt8TLrU94qWw0AaIIH3AarNVOigkXuGjZOmElHWwpLksbJswmV6aGTVJkBDWj/s200/Bib+32-+Hans+Gatt.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 32 Hans Gatt</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bnSx6vvrzijYMZRv8mn97yIwSetb7JHujYdcL7AliABD0BWzUXP5FmmyY1vM_bQYt5nF2FOHJXl6N-0ssQkq2xB9gxG8xMHyC_CiKKtOffWKVX8CiiB4tgjFinohlP4vrECBxpB2SSrv/s1600/Bib+34-+Jeff+King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bnSx6vvrzijYMZRv8mn97yIwSetb7JHujYdcL7AliABD0BWzUXP5FmmyY1vM_bQYt5nF2FOHJXl6N-0ssQkq2xB9gxG8xMHyC_CiKKtOffWKVX8CiiB4tgjFinohlP4vrECBxpB2SSrv/s200/Bib+34-+Jeff+King.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 34 Jeff King</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtzk2ErwkidrO_cZECvVq2ZQs7rG3imaiBPAKRyyxgT61g8oq-bsQTjUNE3BGgbclMsWGkOT65mlbebHeDpSgDFkwc9OO162G1DuNe_V7xCMd1vmyFT4lXJc0aP3qH_hRKeeEGMZk56du/s1600/Bib+36-+Allen+Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtzk2ErwkidrO_cZECvVq2ZQs7rG3imaiBPAKRyyxgT61g8oq-bsQTjUNE3BGgbclMsWGkOT65mlbebHeDpSgDFkwc9OO162G1DuNe_V7xCMd1vmyFT4lXJc0aP3qH_hRKeeEGMZk56du/s200/Bib+36-+Allen+Moore.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 36, Allen Moore<br />(Mr. Aliy) SPK</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB8qlqAqCJo584WkEC_8PMzv4hfmnHKMWF5LeTbpgoV0-w4tfQW3ze9oa3QXRtz64JeoQYMo-cDyMtIR2uJ8kAepnz-lAQ7nzKsRfVoJU4EY16Mx-g6y5rlsRKm0hKfE_FP0P8RyDiY-m/s1600/Bib+37-+Jessie+Royer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB8qlqAqCJo584WkEC_8PMzv4hfmnHKMWF5LeTbpgoV0-w4tfQW3ze9oa3QXRtz64JeoQYMo-cDyMtIR2uJ8kAepnz-lAQ7nzKsRfVoJU4EY16Mx-g6y5rlsRKm0hKfE_FP0P8RyDiY-m/s200/Bib+37-+Jessie+Royer.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 37 Jessie Royer (5th w/ all16 dogs!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla1-IyHoqlDTQ6Rdmc9kBof6nJ4HAHzktWXmcUWtI8-qPoBRmNaFtNtMOHayQhsmCtkyH2hJc_pbH8JJoWZH4XBKJmfcJXiXHU6LZUrFCUOnnE24Zj87zczoRfI4ewUxmS7gqSF2iLsWU/s1600/Bib+52-K+Keith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla1-IyHoqlDTQ6Rdmc9kBof6nJ4HAHzktWXmcUWtI8-qPoBRmNaFtNtMOHayQhsmCtkyH2hJc_pbH8JJoWZH4XBKJmfcJXiXHU6LZUrFCUOnnE24Zj87zczoRfI4ewUxmS7gqSF2iLsWU/s200/Bib+52-K+Keith.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 52 Katherine Keith</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK643NEeVDFLIanfMyAqegMcWPqxZzH-3klmDDEHyU_IcJZ5ssSEE97rv0BV-QR6ctQNHH1dKG4oathVfYwfTfb1-FxsaavZUghhDweY_Yx0moLuxfv2ZBntcCRJAD6Qt1_ctFgEhmDlA/s1600/Bib+56-M+Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK643NEeVDFLIanfMyAqegMcWPqxZzH-3klmDDEHyU_IcJZ5ssSEE97rv0BV-QR6ctQNHH1dKG4oathVfYwfTfb1-FxsaavZUghhDweY_Yx0moLuxfv2ZBntcCRJAD6Qt1_ctFgEhmDlA/s200/Bib+56-M+Stewart.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 56 Melissa Stewart (?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkSvp8K8zBEUfwHsNNoaCQe95ZeG8O5RJvItL5i07hgFkmNmSkSN1g9N0SxIlg9pAFNanWEhyIuCtPAe1sJvNrA-uKGX6XI-jyGeeMEWapTVmVqzLl-BZ3UYjwqx-cDWbyu2iKhraUG-_/s1600/Bib+58-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkSvp8K8zBEUfwHsNNoaCQe95ZeG8O5RJvItL5i07hgFkmNmSkSN1g9N0SxIlg9pAFNanWEhyIuCtPAe1sJvNrA-uKGX6XI-jyGeeMEWapTVmVqzLl-BZ3UYjwqx-cDWbyu2iKhraUG-_/s200/Bib+58-.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 58 Monica Zappa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oACmEw0cVebOlTcT8GWTMFKXTHEB8ZuOCd_PQewKBiwzTELswcYM8j5OCngkFhph0lvnPc1okOV_ch3UVUMhAZrw3aBysYxidwwppysy4Q2S17zEPWFjAvpU66j8BskJspaIt2fQz0tc/s1600/Bib+73Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oACmEw0cVebOlTcT8GWTMFKXTHEB8ZuOCd_PQewKBiwzTELswcYM8j5OCngkFhph0lvnPc1okOV_ch3UVUMhAZrw3aBysYxidwwppysy4Q2S17zEPWFjAvpU66j8BskJspaIt2fQz0tc/s200/Bib+73Q.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 73 Kristy Berington</td></tr>
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<br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-32067137802437149952017-04-10T20:01:00.002-07:002020-02-13T21:24:42.240-08:00At Tudor Crossing-Ceremonial StartI want to get to some of the best parts! As I mentioned, I went along with some trail guards out to an area called Tudor Crossing. I took as many pictures as I could, trying to get every single musher. I did miss a few, some along in the 20s when I changed my vantage point and then three or four when the batteries suddenly failed in my camera--and of course one I missed was Aliy! Darn Murphy's Law!<br />
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I've gone through all of them and tried to enlarge to the point where I could read the bib number and identify the musher. For some it is impossible but I have positively identified quite a few. Those are some that I will share here. The first shot is the area before the racers reached there and later I show the map that marks the route in Anchorage The rest are identified with bib number and/or name.<br />
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In most cases the mushers ran less than the full sixteen dogs. It is hard to control a very large team with the crowds, traffic etc so it is safer so most are running about a dozen. Also many use a second sled hitched behind the main one. Called a "tag sled" this also adds some drag, lets a handler or friend ride along and just allows a bit more fun. All that is not done in the official race and there, most mushers start with the full sixteen dogs. You can drop one or more but not add any dogs once the race is underway. Cindy was one of the first I caught at the better vantage point, which is about where the trail appears in the middle right of the other photographs. I will post some more on a separate entry shortly so I don't overload one section.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU__sU7rToxFPWBveDRLYphcx3GMssLtsv5inYeZpqij4j75bhKtwTRn_X97ocT74AYop-fSKpQtJIFw7M4bq8AgUmFhWgnND1wkQduZwLxZyMim-Z3qkW7wIXXiUX9sFBmOwx49oEA-V/s1600/at+Tudor+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU__sU7rToxFPWBveDRLYphcx3GMssLtsv5inYeZpqij4j75bhKtwTRn_X97ocT74AYop-fSKpQtJIFw7M4bq8AgUmFhWgnND1wkQduZwLxZyMim-Z3qkW7wIXXiUX9sFBmOwx49oEA-V/s200/at+Tudor+corner.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The diagonal line R toL is the trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpQvgoMvjdgZOnspVAB7Zz1C6wibjhwX_lpKRbx9BihVGpNvuLkd17BKSNf00UIZDeAyqoVplcDsGU5x3eHM-7WwRO53_gCudDw_24asqwnc1z-T8CtBoH5F5TAqaBos611MClVyWhyWm/s1600/Bib+31-+Cindy+Abbott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpQvgoMvjdgZOnspVAB7Zz1C6wibjhwX_lpKRbx9BihVGpNvuLkd17BKSNf00UIZDeAyqoVplcDsGU5x3eHM-7WwRO53_gCudDw_24asqwnc1z-T8CtBoH5F5TAqaBos611MClVyWhyWm/s200/Bib+31-+Cindy+Abbott.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 31 Cindy Abbott (Red Ltrn)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOvcAahOq_zAEOk4Kgc90McQ0C_PtnsMnJwA9D7nolAPd2QBL9_dG7un3Ik9lRqtNGXwU9c0XBBJfDtDHNCRkJmXC6dewFiyDrfRhNZ2gMxahfIZ29iSI-eAi7Lhyphenhyphen94ZgBs8V0oICbpvS/s1600/Bib+20-+K+Hendrickson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOvcAahOq_zAEOk4Kgc90McQ0C_PtnsMnJwA9D7nolAPd2QBL9_dG7un3Ik9lRqtNGXwU9c0XBBJfDtDHNCRkJmXC6dewFiyDrfRhNZ2gMxahfIZ29iSI-eAi7Lhyphenhyphen94ZgBs8V0oICbpvS/s200/Bib+20-+K+Hendrickson.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 20 Karin Hendrickson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkI02wn4siJUvlBo0yEkzi7G5tz1CC-smDTL6kAVOAeeLVDZiSep4olYTpKbtj7Cur7givBhKm_h4DyDw05IeifHUYSnJfa6DrLYuTD88TWG41ebB77JgcnXQECRP-b6xVomNSsT8mzEc/s1600/img018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkI02wn4siJUvlBo0yEkzi7G5tz1CC-smDTL6kAVOAeeLVDZiSep4olYTpKbtj7Cur7givBhKm_h4DyDw05IeifHUYSnJfa6DrLYuTD88TWG41ebB77JgcnXQECRP-b6xVomNSsT8mzEc/s200/img018.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bSgF8c4jeIwGd2nL5FR2D9BTOXTCh6Yj_ED4DtHS8rtzrTQQJfIw7JsCujwzisWbIEEqbq0DTq2ok-h7gBncvl2bTx1baehn6qACaH9sBwFFXNAQTz4qy04t8a5tBFt6n5b7ELPfTTIy/s1600/Bib+15+Martin+Buser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bSgF8c4jeIwGd2nL5FR2D9BTOXTCh6Yj_ED4DtHS8rtzrTQQJfIw7JsCujwzisWbIEEqbq0DTq2ok-h7gBncvl2bTx1baehn6qACaH9sBwFFXNAQTz4qy04t8a5tBFt6n5b7ELPfTTIy/s200/Bib+15+Martin+Buser.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 15 Martin Buser(4 time champ)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBrQQ1wjfOsvjStCIz2NjAWg3IOTDQw029bl8qBnEzRhGzt9gD1tySUrTBXr2Arlsw3ctgK9Dwc1TlOGo0Lcyq9TD4xlJvYuF-ydbo5LTtc5OGhl_AdHQBFB6tJC8MXz3QLyvAC9vMM_N/s1600/Bib+16+Mitch+Seavey-Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBrQQ1wjfOsvjStCIz2NjAWg3IOTDQw029bl8qBnEzRhGzt9gD1tySUrTBXr2Arlsw3ctgK9Dwc1TlOGo0Lcyq9TD4xlJvYuF-ydbo5LTtc5OGhl_AdHQBFB6tJC8MXz3QLyvAC9vMM_N/s200/Bib+16+Mitch+Seavey-Q.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib 16, Mitch Seavey ('17 winner) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK11277wAUIEatqWF2XtDeHU6G6pe3YJ4c2HgOY_GWo0zlhnOpozazrNoz3KXl8aUs93v7DGKNNhPZxBHRbALp8WtSh_WGU9XYiMO_d0HXDezdsJzQlnou7Lve3djcS1q77M4UouUePIg/s1600/22nd+Team--Deedee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK11277wAUIEatqWF2XtDeHU6G6pe3YJ4c2HgOY_GWo0zlhnOpozazrNoz3KXl8aUs93v7DGKNNhPZxBHRbALp8WtSh_WGU9XYiMO_d0HXDezdsJzQlnou7Lve3djcS1q77M4UouUePIg/s200/22nd+Team--Deedee.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deedee Jonrowe with her pink<br />
Bib #22</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-62924165565913910532017-03-29T09:45:00.001-07:002017-03-29T09:50:04.352-07:00Iditarod Volunteer Corps--Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I covered the volunteer subject in the previous post, I
semi-intentionally left out one function. It will lead right into some of my
experiences that were more closely linked to that area than the others. That final
function is security. Volunteers working in this area do a wide range of
things. They assist in guiding the musher parking in downtown <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city> for the Ceremonial Start. Imagine
lining up about seventy five dog trucks, some with trailers, so that each
musher can proceed with his or her team to the starting line in an organized
and orderly way. Yep, that is one big job.
Then the same work is repeated at the official start, be it at <st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city>, as usual, or in <st1:place w:st="on">Fairbanks</st1:place>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, while the ceremonial start takes place and the ensuing run
for eleven miles through the city and out to the BLM Compound on the northwest
side, others serve for crowd control and make sure the snowy path stays clear
and no one gets into a hazardous spot or distracts the dogs. Once again they control the crowds as the official
start gets underway. Everyone wants to
see it ‘up close’ and they jockey for the best photo op spots but spectators
must not be allowed to interfere so volunteers man the barriers and keep people
in a safe place. Volunteers also assist
at the Mushers’ Banquet—more on this shortly—and they keep watch on the dog
yards, both that for dropped dogs returned to Anchorage and at the finish in
Nome where dogs are housed for several days until all the mushers have arrived
and the final awards ceremony is completed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt9Bx60rh2d_HmXt1sJQIoun6qChIbf-bGJGAu1GNiokUG7pj9I5c2DHMqWzvxllwxyn-73vf39_THXMCQDFNbFTe5MZmxfyxUB-yY0Oa2OHsiiFcbwH34hrXjxffnZUQq1yorL7K4Qtz/s1600/table+decor+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt9Bx60rh2d_HmXt1sJQIoun6qChIbf-bGJGAu1GNiokUG7pj9I5c2DHMqWzvxllwxyn-73vf39_THXMCQDFNbFTe5MZmxfyxUB-yY0Oa2OHsiiFcbwH34hrXjxffnZUQq1yorL7K4Qtz/s200/table+decor+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table decorations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the first jobs I had was working at the Mushers’
Banquet. This is a big event held in a huge hall in downtown <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city>. At the event, fans and supporters
can purchase tickets to dine and socialize with the mushers and watch the
action as the mushers are called up in the order they registered for the race
to draw their bib number which also determines their starting position. There
is a big silent auction to raise added funds for the event and some volunteers
help with this, using tablets to collect and record bids. Kids all around the
country have made table decorations and long before the doors open volunteers
put them, race guides and other documents out at each place—roughly 2,000
chairs in this enormous room, ten places at each of about 200 round tables. Every
table had at least one item made by a school child somewhere in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>. Some were
very creative and handsome, too!</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygFGl5YbDGs81bczvIStK6xcINq0ZowAC2UqU4pPXw8daimQj_fdQu6CDN4bbdHuAbKJcAQ87Gfv8gaFxPWsYvmjYUB4cS1xBYW9XGyETFdJUPC_e7uEfDYOd9kQQ70F3W-cMPLvMVYqA/s1600/view+of+musher+banquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygFGl5YbDGs81bczvIStK6xcINq0ZowAC2UqU4pPXw8daimQj_fdQu6CDN4bbdHuAbKJcAQ87Gfv8gaFxPWsYvmjYUB4cS1xBYW9XGyETFdJUPC_e7uEfDYOd9kQQ70F3W-cMPLvMVYqA/s200/view+of+musher+banquet.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da'anina Center, Banquet site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally the doors opened and more volunteers stood in the
portals and asked to see tickets of everyone who enters.. Most are orderly and
polite but a few get pushy and have to be asked to stay out—or someone goes to
find a supervisor and be sure the person is allowed to come in. I helped with
both tasks and then got to observe the rest of the event. Unfortunately I was
having a bad eye day and instead of wandering around to chat and get some
photos as I had hoped, I watched the blurred action and mostly listened from
the back of the room. Still, it was a thrill to be there. I heard Aliy speak
after she drew her number—42—and thank the supporters for the love and good
wishes they had poured out to her after the tragic snow machine issue last
year. And I cheered for several other favorites. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This was Thursday evening, March 2. Two days later, I
considered going to downtown <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city>
to watch the start –busses ran from the hotel and later brought people back--but
instead opted to go out a bit farther with a group of the “Trail Guards” that
included a new friend who had also volunteered at the banquet. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
At about 7:00 a.m. (still before daylight savings) it was
c-o-l-d. The mercury hovered around the zero mark. Bare hands went red and then
blue in mere minutes and you wanted a scarf or neck gaiter to cover your lower
face! We took a cab out to the area known as Tudor crossing where the trail,
normally a hiking and bike trail through some parks went in a tunnel under a
busy road. We soon found the rest of the group who were mostly local residents.
Everyone pitched in to help set up a big tent to give a warm-up place and to
serve later for the tailgate party after the last team had passed. By then the
sun came up and before long it was up in the twenties and did not feel bad at
all.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKq6elVVHPpls_bpMOD6H4_sGbKrM6XbvFcIUJutTjWXRVOxcQqd3Q0lIfuEWb5yvpPD2VVC6DBSz7IOVFNvRte5ijopngn0NAwK-hQAWApbocV8RCBdWmrb80EiQcfeDUf6W8aijTonB/s1600/After+the+last+musher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKq6elVVHPpls_bpMOD6H4_sGbKrM6XbvFcIUJutTjWXRVOxcQqd3Q0lIfuEWb5yvpPD2VVC6DBSz7IOVFNvRte5ijopngn0NAwK-hQAWApbocV8RCBdWmrb80EiQcfeDUf6W8aijTonB/s200/After+the+last+musher.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tudor Crossing trail guard gang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I found a couple of likely view points not far from the
trail and set up with the goal of getting a photo of every team as it passed. I
missed a few but got about sixty five of the seventy four or so that ran by.
Besides the seventy three entered racers, the Honorary Musher—someone selected by
the ITC Board each year for their support and contributions to the race-- led
the way with a non-racing musher as their ‘taxi’. I’ll be posting several of these photos in a
later post.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
After the final team had gone by—it took about three hours—we
gathered for a great feed the local people provided. I had some ‘moose
bratworst’ that was delicious and other more ordinary tailgate party treats.
Finally my friend and I rode back with another volunteer who was in the same
hotel we were—the <st1:place w:st="on">Lakeside</st1:place>. It was a
beautiful, sunny and mostly still day—what the Alaskans call a “Bluebird Day,”
a real blessing and treat. What a
fabulous day that had been!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R1Ww9BxI3GIPTLkC6mJ57Zq1RiBBR0waBwEDdSRChlSwqfcUlXAuI1oUeY-_1Lbyg3gPmKr89L6srCgkcKHuUjV-lieKDN7h4Jlvbe4SQpbNKrJ4JeiCxgQ6ujdcElIEYrRzZbuQtA9U/s1600/Table+decor-musher+banquest+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R1Ww9BxI3GIPTLkC6mJ57Zq1RiBBR0waBwEDdSRChlSwqfcUlXAuI1oUeY-_1Lbyg3gPmKr89L6srCgkcKHuUjV-lieKDN7h4Jlvbe4SQpbNKrJ4JeiCxgQ6ujdcElIEYrRzZbuQtA9U/s200/Table+decor-musher+banquest+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fave of the table decor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt66We2I9m2BBTiqFzQkgQsboEmxBYqNYsv6F1He_xl-6OQLsBZSmUMwSj0U6KoprsaSCaaYs2fZ6bki6l2MKgRQOYaiHqdKdIJJq3zayk4HFdFjA_zrxBiuGlpNKH18Z_IhU-1_TRivJ/s1600/Aliy+talks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt66We2I9m2BBTiqFzQkgQsboEmxBYqNYsv6F1He_xl-6OQLsBZSmUMwSj0U6KoprsaSCaaYs2fZ6bki6l2MKgRQOYaiHqdKdIJJq3zayk4HFdFjA_zrxBiuGlpNKH18Z_IhU-1_TRivJ/s200/Aliy+talks+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aliy via big screen video--know by red beanie<br />
that it is her!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-77437761557693617392017-03-25T19:48:00.005-07:002017-03-25T19:53:31.504-07:00The Iditarod Voluteer Crops-Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It takes a virtual army of people with a variety of skills
to support the massive endeavor that is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in the
twenty-first century. When I arrived at the Lakefront Millennium Hotel on the
south side of the city early in the morning on March 1, many people were there
already. During the next two weeks, a conservative 2,000 people came and went,
some heading home early, some out to the checkpoints, and some remaining long
after I returned to <st1:state w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:state>.
They come from almost every state and a number of foreign countries. It seems very
popular with Aussies and New Zealanders, Germans, some Japanese etc.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TYnfpzo4i8Fl58eTLlouPiIEsTODOQUy6Wtx1-TwcoAkqKIsNOv-M0UWvMdrielvIPcLra4RkDLYHdCUbce0ALptT0FAerXA-oIK8dnZ1uFSVd8zURYUVDweIbMwR7g1AXxDXkp-679J/s1600/Hotel+view+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TYnfpzo4i8Fl58eTLlouPiIEsTODOQUy6Wtx1-TwcoAkqKIsNOv-M0UWvMdrielvIPcLra4RkDLYHdCUbce0ALptT0FAerXA-oIK8dnZ1uFSVd8zURYUVDweIbMwR7g1AXxDXkp-679J/s200/Hotel+view+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakefront Millennium Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are a few of the special functions that must be
performed:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Veterinarians
and Vet Techs. These folks have to examine and drug test every dog that
goes out on the trail before the official start. Teams of them also go out
to the checkpoints, sixteen in this year’s race route which ran from <st1:city w:st="on">Fairbanks</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on">Nome</st1:city>
for the third time in the race’s forty-five year history. The normal official
start is in <st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city>, just north of Wasilla
and about sixty miles from <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city>.
Then, as dogs are “dropped” which
means taken off the musher’s teams, normally due to injury, sickness or
just being overly tired, they are checked before they are transported by
air back to Anchorage and after they arrive there. The wellbeing of the dogs is very
important to everyone involved and each year more advances are made in how
they are managed and cared for. More vets are at the finish at <st1:city w:st="on">Nome</st1:city> to reexamine
all dogs and ensure they are not in need of medical aid.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Dog
Handlers: This bunch has several jobs at different points in the race. For
the ceremonial <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1EkGo2W9VOI7-vX50hAH8OHnWE15-QKwhyphenhyphenXrAqs7Kl0_CltlsDdgOlZk3Z-wt49zIXPyMfF4CsZ7ChL5U-f76tDMjG9a8S75VxTsP0GOPqzHEmMHaxn1TCnQaQTr3_2bELNHG0lMkwu-/s1600/Hotel+Grounds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1EkGo2W9VOI7-vX50hAH8OHnWE15-QKwhyphenhyphenXrAqs7Kl0_CltlsDdgOlZk3Z-wt49zIXPyMfF4CsZ7ChL5U-f76tDMjG9a8S75VxTsP0GOPqzHEmMHaxn1TCnQaQTr3_2bELNHG0lMkwu-/s200/Hotel+Grounds+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel grounds, SW end</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
start in Anchorage, which is the “show” part of the event, they
assist the vets/techs and then help the mushers get the excited dogs lined
out and kept under control until each team receives it’s “go” from the Race
Marshall. They start at two minute intervals here just as they do in the second
or official start. Next, groups go
out to the checkpoints where they assist the mushers by directing them to
rest or parking places, locating drop bags (bags of food and supplies sent
out ahead of time, each marked with the musher’s name) , watch and check
on all dogs to include the dropped dogs before they are transported, help
the vet with the examination of each dog and clean up the bedding straw
and debris after each team departs. They also monitor the dog yard at <st1:city w:st="on">Nome</st1:city> while the
mushers are busy with the festivities and public activities there, keep unauthorized
people out and sometimes dispense food and water. Another group stays in
Anchorage to pick up returned dogs at the airports and care for them until
either the musher’s authorized representative can come to take them or for
those not picked up with a few hours, groups are taken to the Women’s Prison in
Eagle River where inmates are privileged to care for them. </li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Communications:
This covers two broad functions, data collection and recording and
answering incoming calls from the public. Groups of comms folks go out to all
checkpoints on the trail and with laptops and other electronic devices send
back information on the arrival and departure times of each musher, number
of dogs in and out for each team, monitor the mandatory rest times, and
any other critical information. This data is received and compiled in <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city> and entered
into the data bases which generate the status reports given to the public
and maintained for the entire period of the race. Meanwhile, after the official start,
people want to know who is ahead, where their favorite musher is and often
seek to find out about rumors and ‘wild tales’ which do circulate. Information
on such things is only given out after a press release is prepared but
current standings can always be shared. This crew also sends out “Mushergrams”
which are notes of support and encouragement sent to mushers by family, friends
and fans. This function is not as busy as it was before the extensive use
of the internet with videos and live streaming of portions of the action,
but not everyone is on line, even today!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAb_Ypi2CF3Pu2CM1K1fiMTM5q7bIPFrs00a8eaiRatAU9u5NrWh0ZZlsUx3KKosvUGKomL0LhUA3SJoBZ1VkBs2u0JZ_ogxh7aqvUemKvPuFj3siRfxLcqnuJuJJlhGSlHFKj4Z5V913/s1600/VOl+Reg+Room-Sal+in+aqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAb_Ypi2CF3Pu2CM1K1fiMTM5q7bIPFrs00a8eaiRatAU9u5NrWh0ZZlsUx3KKosvUGKomL0LhUA3SJoBZ1VkBs2u0JZ_ogxh7aqvUemKvPuFj3siRfxLcqnuJuJJlhGSlHFKj4Z5V913/s200/VOl+Reg+Room-Sal+in+aqua.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer Registration Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Miscellaneous: Other assorted tasks include packing materials
to go to various checkpoints and in this instance to <st1:city w:st="on">Fairbanks</st1:city>
for the official start and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nome</st1:place></st1:city>
for the finish. All volunteers must register, receive a badge and the year’s
cap, sign releases if they are not ITC members (that is not an official of the actual
board but a ‘card carrying’ supporter, such as I am and most of the volunteers
are.) In short the race headquarters is a busy place, even after the preliminary
mushers’ meeting, the banquet where they draw start or bib numbers and get their
dog ID tags and bibs etc. and the ceremonial start events. A few also go out to some checkpoints to cook
to feed the volunteers and mushers. Not until the last musher arrives in Nome,
the last dropped dog is safely returned and the ‘loose ends’ of the rce are neatly
tied up do the last volunteers depart.</span><br />
<div>
</div>
Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-22712084101065748972017-03-22T15:49:00.004-07:002017-03-22T16:08:21.204-07:00The Miracles of Modern Travel<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a lot of ways I am awestruck by something we almost take
for granted these days. It is almost too easy—you get on an airplane; it leaves
the ground and soars hundreds of miles in a few hours to return to the earth
and deposit its passengers to take another form of transportation to their
destination or get on another plane to continue their journey. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For many years, the north forty-ninth state, which was not
even a state when I was born, seemed incredibly distant to me and beyond reach.
Then a dream and an idea began to take shape in my mind. In 2014, I discovered
that by air, it is not so far at all—mere hours had me there. Now I have been to <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> and back five times and spent a total
of close to three months there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any long trip is an adventure. My latest was no exception.
Although I am certainly not Catholic and really not even religious, I nearly
feel I need to light a candle for St. Christopher, the patron of travelers.
Either he or my guardian angel had to have been working overtime to ensure I
made the trip as I had planned it and even my checked luggage did the same. It
was by the narrowest of margins not once but twice!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday, Feb 28, I boarded a ‘regional’ jet at <st1:city w:st="on">El Paso</st1:city>, bound for <st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place>.
Although the wind was blowing close to hurricane force gusts and moving clouds
of dust, the plane took off without issues and landed safely in <st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city> at the appointed
time. My gates were some distance apart as usual—switching from the short hop small
planes to the larger long distance ones usually has the result. I had more time than I expected because some
issue –I think they said “a minor maintenance matter” kept us on the ground for
quite while after the expected take off. Finally we were airborne, headed for
SeaTac, the Seattle-Tacoma airport. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was fretting about making a fairly close connection and
expecting to have to take the tram from the “D” to the “N” concourse since I
was switching from American to Alaskan. One of my seat companions was a younger
business man who clearly traveled a lot. He had an app on his phone to look up
gates and assured me we were to come in at D-11 and I would go out at D-3. What
a bit of luck. Coming into the crowded airport, I checked the first board I saw
and found that was true. I scurried and found the plane already in the boarding
process but I was far from the last passenger. I did worry a bit whether my
suitcase had made that flight, though. However I knew Alaskan is very good with
luggage and would ensure I did get it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Off we went to land about three and a half hours later in <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city>. Lo and behold,
my suitcase had indeed made it on the same plane and popped up quickly on the carousel.
I grabbed it and went out in the chill to catch the shuttle to my hotel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two weeks later on March 14, I rode the same shuttle,
emblazoned with a picture of sled dogs running in harness, since the hotel is
the long-time headquarters for the Iditarod. At sundown the local temperature
was about 10-15 (above zero!) but wind chill made it feel colder. I was early—I’d
had to check out of my room at 12:00 noon and got tired of schlepping around
the hotel. Now I just wanted to be home! The old hurry up and wait routine, too
familiar!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I checked in, made it through security and found my gate.
Still had time to burn so I visited a McDonald’s for a snack, wandered through
some shops and finally it was time to board. We were about on time and landed in
<st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city> at 2:00
a.m. Again both gates were in “D” but the outbound was in a new area where the
concessions had not even been opened yet and at that hour might not have been
anyway. Oh well, I was then too tired and dull to want to eat. We were to leave
at 5:00 and I would have an hour in <st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city>
to get back to the puddle jumper gate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hour came and we were not boarding. The growing crowd
was restive. Finally the representative told us they were missing two crew
members, an officer and a flight attendant for whom substitutes had been
summoned. We waited some more. It was right at 6:00 a.m., an hour late, when we
took off. The pilot told us there was a headwind so he could not make up much
time but he’d do his best to help all of us make any connections. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just before take off I texted my brother and the friend who
was picking me up that there might be a delay. An hour of my expected seventy-two
minutes in <st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city>
was gone… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we touched down I had about forty minutes before the
next plane was to leave. My set was back in row 21 and it took forever to get
everyone on their feet, gear collected and moving. I tried not to get frantic.
They had promised me an electric cart when I expressed concern at Seattle but
someone lese must have nabbed it. With about twenty minutes left, I went to a
customer service desk and got the gate number—the usual long run from the outer
wing of “A” to the inner wing of “B”. I ran; even on the moving sidewalks, I
ran, almost certain it was a lot cause but I had to try. Gate B-15 was obscure—I
asked for it at B-16 and dashed back to find it hidden behind Starbucks. By
then I was shaking as I both cursed and
blessed the fact more construction had these smaller planes out on the tarmac
in the old fashioned way, though with a long ramp rather than stairs to climb
aboard. I was the last passenger to get there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I barely had time to text that I had made it and would be in
<st1:city w:st="on">El Paso</st1:city> at the
appointed time. My hand shook so much I could hardly hit the letters. <i> </i>I
was and amazingly, my bag was too! Outside it was pushing 90 degrees. Even my
flannel shirt was too hot and the mid-weight parka I had worn to the <st1:placename w:st="on">Ted</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Stevens</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Airport</st1:placename> in <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city>
was a useless albatross. I shed both when we reached my friend’s SUV. He
cranked up the air and two hours later I was home to be greeted by my eager red
dogs. A journey of about fifteen hours total, from winter to summer, from <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> to the Mexican Border, on which <st1:city w:st="on">El Paso</st1:city> sits. From sled dogs to pet dogs and
my own bed at last. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, miracles on all sides. Heartfelt thank yous to whichever
of the Powers-that-Be interceded for me. Thanks also to the chap with the app between <st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city> nd <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city> and the
two young men who shared my set from <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city>
back to <st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city>
and helped me slip on my backpack and blocked those behind so I could head down
the aisle as soon as it was possible. Maybe looking like an old lady,
especially a kind of eccentric ‘cowboy girl’ sort of one has its perks!</div>
Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-29036255817887902602017-03-05T12:21:00.002-08:002017-03-20T10:44:23.200-07:00IDITAROD 2017I am here, crazy busy and having a blast. Not a. lot of spare time so I am doing mostly Facebook for now. I have taken lots of pix but not uploaded them yet. Really need to get home to crop and clean them. . But I did get about 65 of the 73 mushers yesterday. Volunteers are from all over and have made many new friends. Check my FB page (Gwynn Morgan) for short updates and I will be back here if and when I can!! Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-7937558434111356952017-02-17T19:03:00.004-08:002017-03-20T10:44:03.628-07:00Blazing through the Race SeasonI tried but did not fully follow the many mid-distance races that have taken place the last several weeks. Some of them do not have nearly as much internet presence and cannot afford the GPS trackers for every entered musher. It's even a small challenge to find out who won some of them. I know Cim Smyth won the Tustumena 200. He is the son of Lolly Medley, the second woman to complete the Iditarod back in 1974 when she drove "under the arch"--which was not there then!--in Nome a few minutes behind Mary Shields, who was the first female to run that race, in its second year! Nic Petit was second, running a very tight race with Smyth.<br />
<br />
A third generation Redington, Robert, won the Northern Lights 300 and Pete Keiser won the Kuskokwim 300--for the third time straight! Jodi Bailey got third place in the Northern Lights, running a great, fast race. Only a few women competed in the Kuskokwim and finished but did not place high. It is a hard, cold race though! out on the coast around Bethel<br />
<br />
Now that the Yukon Quest 2017 is history, I'll share a fw comments. Several of my favorite mushers were involved in either the YQ300 or the YQ1000. The 300 kind of came down to a race between Michelle Phillips who is a Yukon Terr resident and running on mostly familiar ground and Aliy Zirkle who has run one or the other YQ races many times since she won the YQ1000 in 2000, so far the only woman to do so. Michelle took this one and I applaud her for it even though I am a very loyal Aliy-ista! They both did great and finished with most of their dogs. That is one of my personal measures for what musher is really doing it right!!<br />
<br />
In the 'big one" lots of kudos to Paige Drobney who finished in 4th place!! Then to round out the top ten, we had Katherine Keith (partner to John Baker who in 2011 was the first Alaskan Native American to win the Iditarod) come in as 7th, then Jessie Royer, a 'cowboy girl' from the lower 48 who is an Iditarod vet but making her rookie YQ run was 8th and Ryne Olson, the CB300 winner, was 9th! There were some very recognizable names among the male competitors so these ladies beat some tough competition to place this high. And their larger teams looked awesome coming in to the finish, very few dropped dogs among them.<br />
<br />
The thing I find most impressive is they all made some fairly long and very fast runs on this rough trail but they also rested longer between them than most of their male counterparts. Thus, their actual travel times and their average speed while running were both very good. Even their total elapsed times were nothing to sneeze at as evidenced by their places. This comes back to my contention that the mushers whose teams finish the closest to complete and in the best shape are the <i>real winners</i>, the <i><b>real </b></i>mushers.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of chatter on some of the Facebook pages about the musher who had two dogs just suddenly keel over and ended up pushing the 'panic button' to call for help and then scratched out of the race with about 75% of it completed. I am not going to throw any stones but when this situation is added to the fact his team essentially 'quit' on him in the 2016 Iditarod at the next to the last checkpoint and he'd dropped from 3rd place to 20th when he finally got them going some 20 hours later and finished the race does raise some questions. Generally he is a well thought of musher and was just written up with two others in <i>Mushing Magazine</i> as one of the three best hill climbers among the current mushers. He defended his own case in an emotional post and I was touched but did not totally cease to question. Looking at the teams of Paige, Katherine, Jessie and Ryne when they came into the chute at Fairbanks proved their care and pace was effective. Those dogs all looked ready to run 1000 miles more as did Allen Moore's (Mr Aliy) when he came in 3rd. I know and trust the SPK (Allen and Aliy) folks explicitly in their dog care. They've both won recognition for this several times including Aliy in last year's Iditarod. I am lobbying to make the dog care award a much more prestigious and valuable one because n many ways it means more than just getting there first!<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will try to catch up on my schedule and plans for the volunteer stint in Anchorage next month.Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-84888592766367472442017-01-16T18:54:00.001-08:002020-02-13T21:30:50.291-08:00A Woman's Place is...<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
behind that racing sled dog team!! I am thrilled to see
several of my favorite lady mushers leading the pack in the Copper Basin 300,
which is nearing its end as I write this. We will have a winner in another hour
or two. Right now it is looking like
Ryne Olsen but Paige Drobney is giving Ryne a run for it. Behind them is Allen
Moore, the sole male in the leading five. Michelle Phillips and Aliy Zirkle
round out the leading pack. Cody
Strath, who is Paige’s other half, is moving up on Aliy but has not passed her
at last report. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paige and Cody are a fine young couple who came to racing by
the back door, starting out just wanting to take dogs out into the winter
woods! I met them briefly in 2014. They also have Dog Paddle Designs making
competition sleds and other gear. And I
am pretty sure I shared a seat with them on the flight from <st1:city w:st="on">Fairbanks</st1:city>
down to <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city>
last October! I was just slow on the uptake to realize, oh yeah<i>, that’s</i> who they are!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sad news that Nic Petit seems to have a problem with a dog
about 40 miles out and has scratched. He was in the leading group most of the
day. I wish Nic well and hope he can get his failing team member the help it
seems to need. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sebastian Schnuelle scratched earlier. He'd been sharing some great videos taken as he drove down the trail. He was the one who
lost two dogs and had some more hurt when a vehicle plowed into his team while
on a training run not far from his Two Rivers home just days ago. It was a tragic accident and no charges were
filed; I think the driver covered the vet care for the injured dogs. An
incident like that has to take a huge toll on the rest of the team and the musher.
I understand Sab or Seb as he is known to friends may also have withdrawn from
the Iditarod. I really feel empathy for both these guys and their problems.
Sled Dog racing is not a sport for the weak or timid!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This has been Aliy’s first race since the traumatic
encounter in last year’s Iditarod. Although she does not seem to have pushed
super-hard, she’d done very well and between her and Allen I am sure they are
picking out the “A Teams” that both will be running in the Yukon Quest and the
Iditarod. Aliy, having won the YQ once years ago now runs only the YQ 300 but
Allen will be seeking to add one more win to his record on the main race. They seem to have an unofficial agreement not
to directly compete—perhaps another reason why Aliy is not closer to the lead.
I expect to see Allen drive the B Team in the Iditarod this year as usual.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weather has been rough up in east central <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> with some heavy
snowfall and wind, blizzard conditions and biting cold. The snow is the dry powdery "sugar" snow that is tough for the dogs to navigate as it will not pack. That may have
contributed to the eight or so racers who scratched earlier. Several were rookies but some seasoned mushers
also ended their runs early.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SPK’s current handler and apprentice Chris Parker is running
some of the Surfivers and a mix of old and younger dogs. I think he is back in
the pack but I am anxious to hear how Ginger and her brother Ernie have done on
their first real race. As an aside, it is kind of an irony that Ryne Olsen was
also a handler and apprentice for SPK a few years back. It appears she learned very
well!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The YQ begins on February 4 but there are several more
mid-distance races for the rest of this month which I will be following. The
registered racers for the YQ is now posted and probably will not change. They
do limit how many. The field for the YQ 300 is also limited. They will both
start In White Horse, Yukon Terr. this time and the big one finish in <st1:city w:st="on">Fairbanks</st1:city>. Several women
are competing in the main race this time to include Jessie Royer—a rookie there
although a multi Iditarod finisher. And several past winners will be racing
again to include Allen and Hans Gatt, who won last year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last I heard there are 79 signed up for the Iditarod but if
Seb did withdraw it may be 78 now. More changes possible before the ceremonial start
restart on March 4 & 5. And a last
bit of news, I will be there! I made my plane reservations and reserved a room
in the Lakeside Hotel which is the race headquarters. I will arrive very early
on March 1 and sing in to do my volunteer stints in several areas. I am really
looking forward to this! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
More soon as the 2017 racing season unfolds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are two pictures of Aliy and Ginger. Yes they are both still great favorites of mine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiGxxg4Izc7cZclMLo41jZXPibQgHQaT6u6mnqpR3LVM_iN7mpKrH82tSWW-Srl1yIV7rRUeEiyQRSJmJFtU9r5WSw1pfu5yAznZjhYGazyD4umsgwbQtlY_1YCRfC72XbAGOntr7UkQi/s1600/Aliy+witih+Ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiGxxg4Izc7cZclMLo41jZXPibQgHQaT6u6mnqpR3LVM_iN7mpKrH82tSWW-Srl1yIV7rRUeEiyQRSJmJFtU9r5WSw1pfu5yAznZjhYGazyD4umsgwbQtlY_1YCRfC72XbAGOntr7UkQi/s320/Aliy+witih+Ginger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PxQv-KReb-FrHXIwBlRL11RiTK-OIPJbH7SqA4Ygma3vKu_IYtE7gdoYK7xfr1MZ0qy8c2B9PJ3lkQoNNg_eTXQU2JOHIx1wA1EgVKgWeUwhhzMoZyV7gkowgyEQqPYbh4N9Sl7-vMiy/s1600/Aliy+and+Ginger+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PxQv-KReb-FrHXIwBlRL11RiTK-OIPJbH7SqA4Ygma3vKu_IYtE7gdoYK7xfr1MZ0qy8c2B9PJ3lkQoNNg_eTXQU2JOHIx1wA1EgVKgWeUwhhzMoZyV7gkowgyEQqPYbh4N9Sl7-vMiy/s1600/Aliy+and+Ginger+selfie.jpg" /></a></div>
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-26091787319109905372016-12-22T18:47:00.001-08:002016-12-22T18:52:49.565-08:00Delayed Update--Lots of News!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello folks. With the election drama and fighting my usual winter seasonal blahs, I
have kind of let things slip. While I was off track, there have been some real
items of news –definitely not fake news here—which have major impact on the
sled dog racing world, especially the Iditarod. I’ll share them here briefly.
If further developments surface, I will try to keep up to date on reporting
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, the ITC
announced in late October that they have made a rule change. <i>Mushers will not be permitted to carry dogs
in a trailer/caboose or other sled-appendage
conveyance</i>. Such devices can be used to carry gear and required items,
straw or dog food etc. but NO DOGS. There has been some outcry and a few whines
but it has generally been accepted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am certainly not going to say this was in response to my
letters to the board members last spring but my words may have added a bit of
weight to complaints from others and some of the traditional-minded members and
mushers who did not think this was a good practice. Safety of the dogs was the
main reason cited. (i.e.) Since the dragged item is behind the musher who will
be at the rear of the actual sled, s/he cannot keep an eye on the dogs being
carried or will be distracted from the trail and the running dogs in trying to
do so. I think this is a very good change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dogs can still be carried in the actual sled—but that means
one or at the most two at a time and most mushers will use this only in the traditional
and normal manner—a way to get a sick or injured dog safely to the next
checkpoint where it can be dropped and given into the care of volunteers and vets,
if needed. This is totally legitimate and not a ploy to rest some dogs while
others work!</div>
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The new rule allowing mushers to carry cell or satellite phones
was upheld. There may be some restrictions but I have not been able to read the
entire rule. I have mixed feelings on this but will defer to the board’s wisdom
here and the fact quite a few mushers were in favor. A safety net of any kind
is probably valid given last year’s events.</div>
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On that subject, the trial of the young Mr Denosky who ran
into Aliy and Jeff King with his snow machine was finally completed very
recenty. He was given a six months’ sentence—most of which has already been
served--and a moderate fine. The exact reparations paid to the two injured
mushers for their losses and trauma is not clear from the articles I read but
there are supposed to be some. I am not sure where those funds are coming from.
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In a recent post on her SPK blog, Aliy admitted she is still
struggling with the after-effects of this traumatic encounter and that she will
never be quite the person she was before it occurred. My heart goes out to her.
I still think there are facts that may never be revealed or made public. She
did address him directly at the sentencing and found some closure there. He
wept and said he was sorry but still insisted he had almost no recollection of
the events. I just shake my head. It was a terrible thing but it’s over and
done and everyone has to move on and do the best they can. Many felt a harsher
punishment was called for but like many states, <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> has legislated more lenient measures
for many situations. Somehow the wrong doers end up with more ‘rights’ than the
victims… No, I will stay away from anything even slightly smacking of
politics!!</div>
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On another topic, there has been a lot of discussion on
various sledding/mushing FB pages and blogs etc. about a recent video (film)
made in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>,
with considerable financial backing from a government agency. The video is a
vicious “expose” alleging the abuse and horrors for the dogs in all sports
involving sled dogs from the long distance races to tours and expeditions etc. The
film maker obtained a lot of footage on the basis of false assurances and
purpose given to a few younger/novice mushers. They feel violated and betrayed,
understandably, and the whole community is enraged. </div>
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One prominent Canadian official, equivalent of one of our national
Senators, is investigating but the agency has allegedly done their own investigation
and feels all is cricket. How this will eventually play out is still unknown. My
hope is that it will not actually result in any curtailment or lasting damage
to the sport and its adherents. The tourism involvement in both <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region> is huge and a source of
income that would be impacted if such occurred.</div>
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Last but not least, I have been accepted to serve as a
volunteer for the Iditarod and will probably serve my first race in the
headquarters offices at the official hotel location in <st1:city w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:city>. I expect to learn a lot and at
least observe the ceremonial start and hopefully also the restart at <st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city> the next day. I’ll
miss following the race on my computer at home for the viewpoint will be very different. I
will of course take one or more devices along to do that when I am not working even
while I feel the excitement as the race progresses by following it with the
formal organization. </div>
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This year’s one litter at SPK is growing and already at the
leggy, lanky stage more dog than puppy. Last year’s two litters are definitely
dogs now and starting to learn the trails a bit while the Surfivers are going
to be running for real this season. Watching them grow and develop is exciting
and I’ll be keeping a close watch on all these pups in which I feel I almost
have a real interest and investment. Well, I do have a favorite for which I am
a “fan” in each litter and contribute a small bit to their care. Here is a photo from the summer of Aliy with
Ginger. More soon!</div>
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-57888963239609012562016-11-10T09:52:00.001-08:002016-11-10T09:52:14.510-08:00A concluding look at a fairly typical Sled Dog KennelI've been home now for some time but the memories are still fresh. Last night I submitted my application form to be a volunteer for the 2017 Iditarod. I'll see how that plays out!<br />
<br />
Anyway, it isn't exactly true that you see one Alakan kennel you have seen them all but there are a lot <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHyp86TZQu65d8ubkTFwZnNr0AbFEsTqouc6ZbT5zenX2p7rlYbRQnw1AShYjhAQrZG7saW1Pv1A_5VNlDWX3x8FI_n9FNpWGMfdGlhzFw8jlZVGxI168plSXb2Au8lo7zlMtQgPRtvln/s1600/Main+cabin+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHyp86TZQu65d8ubkTFwZnNr0AbFEsTqouc6ZbT5zenX2p7rlYbRQnw1AShYjhAQrZG7saW1Pv1A_5VNlDWX3x8FI_n9FNpWGMfdGlhzFw8jlZVGxI168plSXb2Au8lo7zlMtQgPRtvln/s200/Main+cabin+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">main cabin with solar panel<br />water tank in front, oil to the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
of common things. The house that the owner/musher lives in can vary from a small simple cabin to a fairly ordinary house-type home. The handler's cabin is typically smaller, simpler and has a fewer amenities. It is usually sited close to the dog yard(s) because the dogs are going to be the focus of the life of whoever is living there. Many kennels are off the grid and this means limited electricity from generators and/or solar. Naturally with only 4-5 hours of sunlight in the winter, the solar is not as effective! But everyone has smart phones, tablets, notebooks or all of the above and a way to charge them. Water is often limited too. There are not a lot of wells because the fuel for pumping would be costly and perhaps the ground water is not readily tapped. You will see water tanks, some insulated against the more moderate cold, but there will normally be one or more big tanks inside. As an adjunct to this, outhouses are common, some a simple little shack and others more elaborate and even heated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8jI8s7hq2IECnjVTZKmHFegqbw8nvedEJq3nYH1R4j2eiXkCpJ2Howz38dMTfbsggSbuJPWFWHP6BB-9WbKTCYpVhavaHgu9WOcFtXupn3959o6Crui__csEcpb-7abOJxjk-Jzf1ZrC/s1600/Main+cabin+in+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8jI8s7hq2IECnjVTZKmHFegqbw8nvedEJq3nYH1R4j2eiXkCpJ2Howz38dMTfbsggSbuJPWFWHP6BB-9WbKTCYpVhavaHgu9WOcFtXupn3959o6Crui__csEcpb-7abOJxjk-Jzf1ZrC/s200/Main+cabin+in+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interior-main cabin-propane stove and fridge</td></tr>
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Dog yards are very similar. Those neat little square boxes with a hole in one side just big enough for the dog to go in and out are almost ubiquitous. So is the post or pole where a chain is attached--one for each dog. There will be a bowl or bucket in which the dogs are each given food and water, usually together which is most effective in the cold so that they stay hydrated. These dogs only eat huge amounts when they are training hard or actually racing. They are lean--almost looking 'skinny' but you have to remember they are athletes like swimmers, long distance runners, etc where any ounce of extra flesh is just a burden. Lean and mean fits, although few of the Huskies are "mean" despite their high-energy and very vocal behavior. Many are love bugs! They are socialized from very small puppies and usually very acceptant if not friendly to people. Many kennels will have a few fenced pens although the majority of the dogs are chained. The pens are reserved for females in heat or lactating, old or infirm dogs that are kept by the mushers when they are retired, or one recovering from some vet procedure. Fencing is expensive and most mushers are hanging on to the fraying end of their gangline! The cost to feed and care for 20-30 or more dogs, get and maintain the necessary equipment and then just to live in Alaska's pricy economy is <i>enormous</i>. Hardly anything is cheap up there!<br />
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A few other features: some kind of a truck or truck and trailer equipped with a 'dog box' that holds at a minimum the sixteen dogs normally started in races. Each dog has its small compartment in the 'dog box' and the sled etc. is typically carried on top. Up there you need four wheel drive since the paved roads are still not widespread and there is going to be snow and ice even on them for several months of the year. Everyone has one or more ATVs, a snow machine or two (snow mobile in the lower 48) and usually several sleds. These may be in a shed or garage or covered with tarps when not in use.<br />
<br />
Sometimes there is a traditional bear proof cache or a storage shed up on stilts with a ladder to access it. Bears do hibernate some but with the current milder winters, many are roaming around much of the time. You will still see the old style sod roofs on many cabins and sheds. This is insulating, practical and kind of pretty in the mild season with grass, flowers or other plant growth there. Fuel oil (diesel) is a widely used for heat -I think more economical than propane although gas is widely used for cooking and appliances. That means tanks--a similar style to the water only smaller for the oil and the familiar cylinder with rounded ends for propane. Alaska exists in a dichotomy between the nineteenth century and the twenty first--so there is a mixture of traditional and very modern everywhere. The cities are just like any city--offices, shopping malls, fast food joints and service stations. I simply pass through them!<br />
<br />
Although there are some, Alaska is not a place for those who want a five star hotel and resort amenities on their trips. Sled dog kennels surely do not offer that or any facsimile but for those who do not mind some rougher, primitive accommodations and a taste of 'reality' in terms of adventure, hard work, challenges and extreme in superlatives, it is amazing and will draw you back over and over again. I admit to a life long addiction for which I will require a regular fix for the rest of my days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_qOTnMPkIQCPPlqovrIbP61qwrdevFgKS2iEw-BUNmu-9qv2RTvjF9036UUs9BOmePjE9qfg9f38vJ2B2QuLfF2fPQVujAoqZt8ERbd8mERdhWNo20fV4-1Uh_5IqZ0wz3c8fthjYzDv/s1600/Bear+proof+cache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_qOTnMPkIQCPPlqovrIbP61qwrdevFgKS2iEw-BUNmu-9qv2RTvjF9036UUs9BOmePjE9qfg9f38vJ2B2QuLfF2fPQVujAoqZt8ERbd8mERdhWNo20fV4-1Uh_5IqZ0wz3c8fthjYzDv/s200/Bear+proof+cache.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Cache</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fXFpodp9QBuE4c8HWN8O-aXRnwjqcylRZgJ1Bps6DEvQyMOFY7WJMWT0nw_u-0338mojAOfAOMvPUmtxAUFz5lZG1UEuCpKUpCNnSzc4uBM0I70S2WiA8bU3Y6Sl7-nVGfUDEo-fmHcQ/s1600/F450+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fXFpodp9QBuE4c8HWN8O-aXRnwjqcylRZgJ1Bps6DEvQyMOFY7WJMWT0nw_u-0338mojAOfAOMvPUmtxAUFz5lZG1UEuCpKUpCNnSzc4uBM0I70S2WiA8bU3Y6Sl7-nVGfUDEo-fmHcQ/s200/F450+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diesel Dually F450- "typical" truck,<br />dog box off for summer.<br />rustic sod roof cabin background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1khj8dMvbpK8935qdZKXGOTNlYeO-9YMnkY-0Yh2cDE6O4-2KFTIJkAE4XYyer86EV0KXE0IZ9mo-Y-c3uGRQpdB40Jufq3n9rKItHFBqoOrxiR0gtYf3eKfVtTKgwTu4b3jy51qORBP/s1600/Main+cabin+in+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1khj8dMvbpK8935qdZKXGOTNlYeO-9YMnkY-0Yh2cDE6O4-2KFTIJkAE4XYyer86EV0KXE0IZ9mo-Y-c3uGRQpdB40Jufq3n9rKItHFBqoOrxiR0gtYf3eKfVtTKgwTu4b3jy51qORBP/s200/Main+cabin+in+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interior--main cabin with loft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0tvnfIefjsesQOm9nD6-pvDe1Edom53K3lDs7vdYW8JJZgkWlQkMxsvlol_GhieV0S-xXDlrHo4TZ9tl2IVNuNbLI4KwZ_Ml7Fpb3zuIxTRPLqoyaYea2yCStmeQ3Ws6h9XauItN7oHy/s1600/West+side+main+cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0tvnfIefjsesQOm9nD6-pvDe1Edom53K3lDs7vdYW8JJZgkWlQkMxsvlol_GhieV0S-xXDlrHo4TZ9tl2IVNuNbLI4KwZ_Ml7Fpb3zuIxTRPLqoyaYea2yCStmeQ3Ws6h9XauItN7oHy/s200/West+side+main+cabin.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Min cabin, west side<br />mini-cache and ATV on left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7pgA0KY_LrLanGHATBC9eSqy22p6dwcVsfSQ8UtBgQrHguLOqpXMlv19uNo9O_e0-XCa5VIG6JJqCaGqwWFrQh55h3EhskL48RXuGcyLe0ZWGVcnCij0OqZvn7e1dntoFxLGzzO73HGa/s1600/Main+cabin+in+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7pgA0KY_LrLanGHATBC9eSqy22p6dwcVsfSQ8UtBgQrHguLOqpXMlv19uNo9O_e0-XCa5VIG6JJqCaGqwWFrQh55h3EhskL48RXuGcyLe0ZWGVcnCij0OqZvn7e1dntoFxLGzzO73HGa/s200/Main+cabin+in+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main cabin interior--main room</td></tr>
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<br />Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-66126103994830262642016-11-06T18:39:00.001-08:002016-11-06T18:57:46.233-08:00Some technical stuff about mushingYou can hardly talk about the sport of sled dog racing without using some of the terms and lingo that is used. It's no different than football or golf--you need to understand about touch downs and tackles, par scores and birdies and holes-in-one! So let me cover a bit of the gear and terms.<br />
<br />
Lets start with the gang line. This is the line--usually a steel cable about 1/4" in diameter--which<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gang line connection to vehicle</td></tr>
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attaches to the sled, the ATV, the snow machine or whatever the dogs are going to pull., From here on I will just say "vehicle." It is critical and the linkage must be secure. My hostess, because of her background with sailing, knows a lot of knots and hitches which some mushers may not use. She also is ultra careful and cautious about things being secure! However I think most mushers border on being anal about these critical things! Any break or problem can get serious very fast.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we have the gang line, long enough to spread out however many pairs or single dogs you intend to hitch. It is stretched out and you check the linking lines that they are secure and not damaged. Now we get a dog--some mushers hook up the wheelers (the pair right in front of the vehicle) first and others start with the leader(s) who will be at the farthest end of the gangline. Most use a common kind of harness that forms Xs down the dog's back. You can see this well in the final shot. The front part fits much like a simple harness such as I put on my little red dog to walk him--there is a chest strap and one under the belly just behind the front legs that link at the withers (crest of shoulders on the back). Then the rest extends down the animal's back and ideally ends with the loop right at the root of the dog's tail. Harnesses come in several sizes and are identified by the color of the link line at the rear. This is where the harness is linked to the gang line. Often there is a second line linking the dog's collar to the gang line as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquLTU633ex0P46BbwTnXhOuEfV3HWwlu4G0pKq3Hqk7lM3uVQLP8_t9hupyDbkFWkX60jxbqbL0r4hn6VgENQkgLn8vv5634XdyKet5f1tkgT6uT1J96XpzLNBYprFSOSJ_PpZOs5SH44/s1600/training+ATV+w+gangline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquLTU633ex0P46BbwTnXhOuEfV3HWwlu4G0pKq3Hqk7lM3uVQLP8_t9hupyDbkFWkX60jxbqbL0r4hn6VgENQkgLn8vv5634XdyKet5f1tkgT6uT1J96XpzLNBYprFSOSJ_PpZOs5SH44/s200/training+ATV+w+gangline.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training ATV with gang line</td></tr>
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If you are using a sled, you need to set your "snow hook" and probably also tie securely to an immoveable object while you harness up. These dogs are raring to go and you don't want them to take off without you. They will if they get a chance! The snow hook is a kind of bent fork on the end of a short line to fall just behind the sled. It has steel prongs that dig into the snow to serve as an anchor. On ice or bare ground it is not very effective, though. Now remember, driving a dog team is like driving the famous Twenty Mule hitch--with no reins!!! You have little to actually control the dogs beyond your voice and the training you have built to instill obedience to various commands to go, stop, turn etc. Actually, well trained dogs are incredibly obedient!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4tVTBw89J4HPL5HuFmq8ihb5yPdNm6wDFJMDm3rwvcTB21sKRKSEwCbBfMWnYTPH9o31lG6grd2Kq5M9AJqPYAFhSlnz-jyi85_gOQkDpY8_ksY_dAj3n6v0-jXVOASA9moDImbTzMvP/s1600/hitching+Piper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4tVTBw89J4HPL5HuFmq8ihb5yPdNm6wDFJMDm3rwvcTB21sKRKSEwCbBfMWnYTPH9o31lG6grd2Kq5M9AJqPYAFhSlnz-jyi85_gOQkDpY8_ksY_dAj3n6v0-jXVOASA9moDImbTzMvP/s200/hitching+Piper.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dog about to be harnessed</td></tr>
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Finally you have all the dogs hitched and double check all the links and connections. Now it is time to go! You untie your anchors, and you'd better be ready to roll! The dogs may wait for the signal--and you hope they do. Something like, "All right. Let's Go." And they are off. You yell "gee" for a right turn and "ha" (haw) for a left turn. Probably have to repeat each command two or three times to get their attention but good leaders are attentive to this and respond quickly. The rest of the team follows. To stop you yell "whoa" just like for horses and apply whatever brakes you are using. If they have had a chance to run that first edge of energy off, they probably will halt without too much fuss.<br />
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They want to sniff, maybe lick snow or ice if there is some, pee and even rest just a wee bit. They are dogs, after all, with most of the traits our familiar pets have. If you did your preps right, everything works smoothly and you have a great run out on the trails. It is invigorating and addictive--watching those flagging tails and hurrying feet as the brush country flies by. No, it is not car speed but about like a trotting horse--enough to stir a breeze on a still day. And an afterthought--these dogs truly love to go and those left behind set up a howl of protest while the lucky ones are screaming and leaping while you harness all of them up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end result--team hitched and taking a break</td></tr>
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-84037784303313996832016-10-24T20:51:00.000-07:002016-10-25T10:12:44.928-07:00A Few Special Highlights of the TripBefore I go into a fairly technical and detailed discussion of the harness and gear used for sled dogs, I will just take a little track back and cover a few of the highlights of my trip. There are a number of things that will stick in my memory as long as I have most of my wits about me!<br />
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I'll start with the first night, chasing around on several intersecting roads around the Fairbanks club, almost an institution, Ivory Jack's, which is at a crossroads where various routes lead on to where a number of mushers live up in the hills NW of town. On weekend nights the area is jumping and a black dog loose in the traffic was a tragedy waiting to happen. Kyia was not about to let that befall. As a passenger I had to go along, but went without protest. When we finally had the wet, scared standard poodle in the truck with us, I tried to sooth her and feel for any injuries before the woman who had bumped her came up and asked to take the dog to the vet in Fairbanks just to be sure. Turned out she was okay and did get safely home. That was a special introduction!<br />
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Then there was the night we saw a few flickers of green aurora above the hill to the north so we got on Kyia's big ATV and went chasing around on trails used to drive the dogs and by other ATVers to find the best views. Josh, the young man who was her summer help, and I perched on the back fenders and rack, hanging on for dear life. We did get some good views--brilliant ribbons of silver-green light twisting and twining in the dark sky until close to half the dark dome overhead was illuminated with them. We spent a couple of hours bouncing and bucking over the hills and holes and it was almost like the kid days of joy riding at night with KOMA blasting on the radio except there was no music--just that light show overhead. That was about the closest I came to being cold--it really wasn't but with a clear sky the temps did fall down into the 20s and going maybe 15-20 mph the breeze had a nip. What a blast!<br />
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Of course it was a thrill to go around the hill to Lance Mackey's place. Anyone who is a real fan and follower of the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest knows that name. He lives no more than a half mile from Kyia. and has cleared off about ten acres--to help keep down fire danger for his home and kennel--and besides the dogs has an amazing array of vehicles in various states of repair and demolition and all sorts of "stuff" He is definitely into "trading and trafficking" as an old horse trader friend of mine from long ago described it--swapping is a fine art and a sport to those who do this! He is getting into some drag racing and stock car type auto stuff now.<br />
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Lance is a throwback "hippie" of a guy--a small, compact man about 5'8" (guessing) with his brown hair streaked with gray in a single braid behind like Willie Nelson. He has a droll way of talking and a dry sense of humor, a bit crazy but then most neat people are! He's had an amazing career with the dogs but due to cancer treatments some years ago is growing unable to handle the cold and some of the rigors of the races. He had signed up for the 2017 Iditarod but withdrew while I was up there and many people wept for that. He's struggled so hard and done so much. He is the only person to win both the big races the same year--twice! He still will have dogs though and I got to see the three litters of 2016 pups ranging from the fat fuzzy little cuties to some lanky 'teenage' looking kiddos about six months old. Most of them will probably be sold but he will keep quite a few dogs to give rides and demonstrate for fans and tourists, at least. And I guess never say never, as he has come back before. A lot of wannabe racers want to have a Lance Mackey dog or two in their teams, anyway.<br />
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Of course the first time I helped harness up a team and then scrambled onto the ATV as we blasted off from the homestead was a thrill I will always cherish. Cowboy and Piper in the lead and the others lining out and running up a fairly steep hill, across the one paved road and out on some of those trails. Ears perked and listening to the instructions of 'gee' and 'ha' to take the turn they were not expecting--sometimes it took a slow down and insistence!--but they went. Often Kyia would shut off the motor on the ATV and let the dogs handle it--which they did easily. I would think the machine and the two of us on it totaled 500 pounds or more but for a couple of hours that is almost nothing. The dogs did not get extra food but did get water when we got back.<br />
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Then the morning flying out of Fairbanks heading home and looking down as the first rose rays touched the mountains--range after range of crags and peaks and fierce, daunting mountains that dwarf the Sierra Nevada and make the US Rockies look paltry--the ethereal colors and delicate light and the contrast of those mountains which form barriers that would challenge even the most hardy souls...there is a poem there but I have not yet found the words. In time I will. Right now my eyes mist just remembering. What a farewell...<br />
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I do not have photos of any of this, and I do regret that, but most of it was impossible to capture. Either my camera was not that capable--the aurora and sunrise were far too delicate and subtle and running the dogs, one is too busy to remember the camera half the time. And I flat forgot to take it over to Lance's for which I kick myself still! But then maybe some things are just to be remembered and cherished in the mind's eyes alone. They are etched into my spirit for the rest of my days. I may still be a cheechako for I did not make it through the winter but I feel much more a part of Alaska now. And I promise again that I will be back. So I will just share an Alaskan dandelion and the state flower, Forget-Me-Not which were still blooming through several good frosts--Alaska has hardy flowers, too!<br />
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-22116309108137222642016-10-23T19:16:00.001-07:002016-10-23T19:21:37.389-07:00And Still More Dogs!This time I will head down to the lower dogyard area at Slow Rush. On the east side there are two more pens with six-seven dogs apiece in them. These are all girls. Then the other side has the boys. All of these dogs are racing type huskies. Some have come from Lance Mackey stock, some from Hans Gatt, another Iditarod and Yukon Quest racer who I think bases in Canada and a few other teams. These are the main group from which Kyia will seek to put together a group of twenty or so to train intensively through the late fall and winter and try to make some of the mid-distance races which are qualifiers for the two 1000 milers.<br />
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Okay in the higher of the two girl pens, we have Piper, Lola, Didi, Amy, Lena and Reo. Piper is black and white, a leader, and kind of got to be a pet of mine. She has a shrill, yappy bark when she wants you to notice her and holds up a front paw, usually the right, and acts like it is hurt. Down from her is Lola, a solid black dog, and one Kyia rescued but she is a good team dog. Below her is Didi, another black one and one of the 'crazy' bunch that runs wild circles around her post. I think she is the sister of a couple of the boys who do the same thing. To her right is Amy. Amy is a small gray brown dog, very small for a husky and I think young as well as a runt of her litter. She is rather shy. Above her is Lena, a larger yellow dog. According to Kyia, Lena is half Golden Lab and half Husky but she loves to run and is a good team dog. Above her and on Piper's right is Reo. Reo has some kind of allergy and snuffles a lot. Her meds have been on backorder for ages and they cannot seem to get them for her. She is another black and white and a team dog. <br />
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Down the hill but adjoining on the one side is another pen. In it we have Minto, a gray-brown girl, then Abra, a black dog and Osprey, another gray and tan. To the right we find Ronnie. She is another very small dog and was getting extra feed. She is quite shy and I tried to make friends with her but only half succeeded. Coming back up in a kind of zig zag, we find black and white Heidi, who wails like a banshee when she is feeling neglected--a most hair-raising scream! Above her is black Kyia who is also a circle-er, black and white Pok who's the mom of some of the younger ones,and then another black and white, Cowgirl. Cowgirl is also good leader but loves to jump on her box and shove at you when you come to feed her. She is feisty but good in harness.<br />
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The boys are in an open space, fenced on the outside. There is a big water tank in this area and also a shed where the harness is kept. Just past the water tank we find Albert. He is black and when I first came would growl at me and look tough but I hand fed him a few times, just a dozen kibbles or so, and pretty soon he would give me 'hugs' and we'd dance, his forepaws in my hands. He was one of my pets. Off to the side we fine Combo, a tan and gray dog and also lead material. Behind him are Victor and Dillon. Vic is tan and gray and Dillon is black. They are both <i>very</i> active.<br />
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Down from them is Chewy. No, he is not Chewbacca--he chews things, especially the roof of his house which is splintered around the edges. I called him the "giant stride" dog. Did you ever play on a piece of playground equipment where there were handholds hanging from a pole and you could run and swing, sometimes going way out in a big circle? Well, that is what Chewy does on his chain! He is a nut but a good team dog, lots of energy. Below him we have Beaver, a tan and gray guy with a very deep voice when he howls, the basso of the pack. Then there are Phoenix-black; Whiskey- gray-tan; Cody- gray-tan; Connor and Jackson, more of the same. Then there is black and white Cowboy. He had the cutest way of 'dancing' with his front feet when he was waiting to be fed. His hind end was still but he'd go back and forth, barely lifting one paw at a time from the ground. I wish I had a video! It was adorable. He is also a leader and I think a sibling to Cowgirl.<br />
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That is the crew, except for the two "house dogs"--Princess is old and way past any running. She is the mother or grandmother of most of the black and white dogs. She spends most nights inside and stays on the front deck in the day. Ozzy is her son, I think, and one of Kyia's pets. He is a good active team dog still but often gets to go inside at night and sometimes has a pen to himself beside the cabin or a chain below the deck where he climbs on a pile of firewood. I think he is prone to fighting with some of the other males and doesn't get that chance.<br />
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The amazing thing if you are not used to being around a lot of animals is how unique and distinct each one is. No two are quite the same and you learn quickly to see the quirks and traits that mark each dog and make it an individual. Some are friendly; some are aggressive or pushy; some are shy and stand-offish and some just seem to ignore everything except their personal needs. When they are taken out and put in harness, they show different facets but the inner dog is still there. The traits that make some leaders and others totally unsuited for that can sometimes be surprising. Some dogs will run well in any position and others have friends or enemies they want to be near or need to be separated from, It is a special skill to select dogs that will work well together and then hitch them in the right spot! Piper and Cowboy were the leads on the first team we took out.<br />
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Here are a few photos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert on his house; water tank behind</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Lower dogyard --boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East lower dogyard--girls<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZroTE2D2w7haovxuHPYkzUFkf6qYBo6_5SiJ_lSFkahyphenhyphensu-1bI8ZqYTCGoAnV_4Ak774sx_Q5U2leUoyrzJxJGtdo0p9J-XIncEKcUhWM3-2ahULumgFoNtU50pSqPmgUcUrJ0X_YMEY/s1600/Mento+FHusky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZroTE2D2w7haovxuHPYkzUFkf6qYBo6_5SiJ_lSFkahyphenhyphensu-1bI8ZqYTCGoAnV_4Ak774sx_Q5U2leUoyrzJxJGtdo0p9J-XIncEKcUhWM3-2ahULumgFoNtU50pSqPmgUcUrJ0X_YMEY/s200/Mento+FHusky.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mento, female Husky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piper-female Husky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ozzy on his woodpile</td></tr>
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Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900651949723608970.post-32607330780604303322016-10-18T20:23:00.002-07:002016-10-19T07:19:30.532-07:00And more dogsI'll digress briefly here to discuss some of the business of driving the dogs. Two familiar commands came into the sled dog practice from driving horses and oxen in earlier times. Gee and Haw (hah) are used in the traditional way to indicate right or left to the dogs, especially the leaders who direct the course for the rest of the team. Different mushers use a variety of different commands for other actions. Nobody says "mush" that I have heard of. The command to get moving can be "Let's go", "All right",,"Hut or "Hike"and more rarely just "Okay". Most dogs are very attuned to their normal driver's voice and inflections so even in races when a number of teams may be in a fairly constrained area at a check point, there are few signs of confusion. They are listening as keenly as the familiar little dog listening to the gramophone in the old trade mark!<br />
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Kyia uses "easy" a lot and "down" to make the dogs calm down and not jump so much. When harnessing up that is nearly almost cause, though. She has a series of commands when you're getting ready or starting again after a break. It goes "Line out" (get back to your place along the gang line,)"Tighten Up" means tighten your own tug-line and get ready to move. Then it's "Ready" and "All Right" which says the brakes are off and it's time to go.<br />
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A few words on the harness and gear, too. The gang line is a cable long enough to space out however many pairs or single dogs you want to run. It's connected to the sled or the vehicle very securely. The tug lines are smaller and shorter, just long enough to give each dog some maneuvering room. This clips to a loop in the rear of the harness at the root of the dog's tail and is where the pulling takes place. Some mushers also use a short neckline to link each dog to the gangline and it runs from the big cable to the ring on the dog's collar. This is usually used for training new dogs and can be used at other times, depending on the musher's choice and conditions. I'll provide more detail and photos later but now to introduce a few more dogs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudy is a character</td></tr>
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We go into the second of the pens near the cabin. The first dog is Rudy. He's a funny little guy, black and white with speckles like you might see on an Aussie Shepherd and some other breeds. He is goofy but Kyia says he is a good leader. Unfortunately he also has seizures and had two while I was there. He is not a typical husky of any kind but just a unique character.<br />
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Behind him we find Duke, another black and white dog but typical of a lot of contemporary huskies. He's rather reserved. Behind him is Sylvester, a brother to Newman and Redford, another older dog. (The three actors--get it?) He's reddish too and somewhat timid and sad looking. Kyia says that is just his way; he has never been abused. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quanik</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ting and Tipi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clyde in the first snow</td></tr>
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In the back corner, we find Iluq, another of the 'big dog' litter, the common gray-brown color and markings. He's quiet unless it's time to go. Down from him we find another brother, Tinginik. He too is the gray brown and moderately friendly. In front of him is yet another brother, another yellow-rusty colored guy. His name is Tipinik and he likes to be called by name. He warmed up to me slowly but we got to be pals. The last brother is next, another darker one, and his name is Quanik.<br />
Then we come to Clyde, another black and white guy, a strong puller and a kind of happy-go-lucky dog.<br />
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The whole "big dog" crew went out on one run with a couple of the racing dogs in lead, Cowboy and Piper. They live in the lower yards and I'll visit them next time.Gaye Morgan-Waltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00055225577546839810noreply@blogger.com0