The Percy - Part 2

The first thing that I did this morning was turn on the computer and check for a race update... and no GPS. Last night I had noticed that the trackers were not updating on a regular basis - in fact the 'Race Updates' page had Jeff into 40 mile before his GPS did. I spoke with a few of the race organizers (who are a super friendly bunch of gals!) this morning at the re-start of the skijouring race and they were hopeful that the GPS units may be back up and running - but we are not crossing our fingers. Either way, it was fun while it lasted!

I am definitely not as intuitive as Donna when it comes to all of the racing insight - but we'll see what I can come up with... (plus, it's filling the void as I listen to the news of Mount Redoubt exploding again.)

From the race updates, Jeff was 2nd into Eagle. There was a mandatory 6 hour layover there, as well as a make-up of the two minute intervals from the start. I expect Jeff to be into 40 mile shortly - if he is not already there. He had a 12 hour run time from Dawson to Eagle, so if all goes well I'll head up to the finish around 4:30pm and await his arrival.

From the looks of the in-times at Eagle, it seems that Ellen and Dave did travel pretty close to each other. Dave has been quite predictable in races this length and true to his word on his estimated run times. Doing the math, I would expect him between 6:30 - 7:00 pm. Just what he planned! Hopefully all goes well on the trail for both he and Ellen. I'd expect Ellen shortly after Dave.

What will be great for the finish is that it will still be light out! The days are getting so much longer up here - and I'll definitely be able to snap some pictures of all three at the finish.

I'll do my best to keep you posted!

Cheers from Dawson,
Carrie

The Percy de Wolfe Race

Greetings from Dawson City!!

Our trip from Denali went well ~ we stopped in Whitehorse for the night on Tuesday and arrived in Dawson City with time to spare for Wednesday evenings Musher Meeting. Ellen got signed up at the meeting, making her the third Husky Homestead Team in the Percy de Wolfe Race - no turning back after that!

We were ready to go pretty early this morning and headed to our assigned parking spot on Third Avenue to drop and feed the dogs. Jeff, Ellen and Dave each went through their sleds and were double checked by race officials who wanted to make sure that they had their mandatory gear on board.\. We were quite surprised to find out at the musher meeting that the mushers would all carry a GPS. Go figure! Just when you thought you were done being pinned down to the computer.... You can track the crew online via the Percy website at www.thepercy.com or click here for a direct link to the GPS tracker.

Jeff took off with bib #3, Miss Ellen had bib #5, and Dave wrapped up the Shake n' Bake team with bib #13.

The crew will be running 9 dog teams - here's a breakdown:
Jeff's team: Dublin, Dollar, Shannon, Klarney, Ross, Bronte, Solomon, Maverick and Viper. (All of these dogs finished the Iditarod with Jeff.)
Ellen's team: Deets, Call, Kronkite, Teddy, Berkeley, Opel, Snoopy, Charger and Cadet.
Dave's team: Titan, Sussex, UConn, Panda, Alamo, Charles, Beetle, Skeeter and Colonel.

As I write this, Ellen's GPS is not working and still shows her back at the start. It may show up later as the GPS units have to be reset by personnel at a point along the trail, but the plan was for her to travel in close proximity to Dave.

The weather was cloudy this morning and the temperatures were quite mild. The sun has just come out here in Dawson (it's gorgeous!), but when I walked over to the Yukon River earlier this morning I could barely see to the first bend in the river. Just lots & lots of white...

I took a few photos to share with you!

[pic] Ellen takes time out of getting ready to model some of her Cabela's gear.

[pic] Giving a little cuddle to Kronkite while putting some booties on him.

[pic] King Street in Dawson - home to the start of the Percy deWolfe Memorial Mail Race.

[pic] Two year old all-star Opel stopped playing long enough for Jeff to get her bootied.

[pic] Dave gets his team ready in the dog trailer.

[pic] Jeff making sure that his video camera is ready to roll! Look for some videos after we return home.

[pic] Father and Daughter take a moment to model their "Tasty Byte" and "Icy Waters" sponsor bibs. Ellen was hoping that her bib was not a precursor to something she may encounter on the Yukon...

[pic] A race offical has a few last words for Jeff before he heads out at the start.

[pic] Dave and Ellen offering up a little bit of "Shake n' Bake" action before they head out onto the trail.

[pic] Posing at the start.... :)

[pic] Dave and team get ready to hit the trail.

The crew expected that they would finish up some time tomorrow afternoon. I plan on being at the finish to watch them come in and take a few more pictures. We'll see what tomorrow evening holds, but I'll see if I can't get a second blog posted before we leave Dawson on Sunday morning.

In the mean time - don't forget to check the Percy deWolfe website for race updates!!

Happy Trails,
Carrie

Greetings Race Fans!!

Back home to the ranch, as always it's nice to be home and sleep in one's own bed - even if it is for just one night! That dog team that zoomed me down Front Street in Nome was just too hard to put on the shelf. We are on our way to Dawson City, Yukon Territory for the Percy de Wolfe Sled Dog Race. Check it out here.

The trailer has three - nine dog teams in it, and it looks like Ellen King may join Dave and I for the big race! Ellen is home on Spring Break and as always, game for just about anything! We're looking forward to a wonderful weekend. The race begins at 10am on Thursday. Carrie is coming as Strategic Analyst and moral support, not to mention bookkeeper - a woman with many hats.

Stay tuned for an exciting conclusion to the Husky Homestead Racing Blog next week!

POTUS

The 1/2 a Toe Update

DISCLAIMER: What follows are some pretty gnarly pictures of Jason's toes!! :)


You've been asking - so we're delivering!!

While Jeff was on the runners heading for the burled arch in Nome - Jason was all drugged up and under the knife having a portion of his toe removed due to the damage caused by his frostbite. Jason headed to Fairbanks for surgery in the wee hours of the morning this past Thursday. It was an outpatient procedure and surgery took approximately 1.5 hours. The tip (if you could still call it that) of his right big toe was removed down to the first knuckle.

Let's review:

[pic] I believe this was where we last left off... dried up and waiting for the black portions to "fall off".

[pic] Well, the black portions needed a bit of help in "falling off" - Jason's doctor assisted.

[pic] A close up of his toes after the removal of the dead skin. If you look closely at the right toe, there is a portion of bone exposed - just below the black section. Ouch!

So, that bone sticking out wasn't really a good thing. Jason was much more prone to infection. He did a great job of keeping it clean though, and never even whined - no $5 fee for him!

I picked Jason up at the hospital Thursday afternoon and we got him loaded up so that he could follow doctors orders and 'not get up unless absolutely necessary' for two days. That was a hard pill for Jason to swallow... I'm pretty sure that dog mushers in general have great difficulty in sitting still - much less for two whole days!

Jason was a good patient and reported that he was feeling pretty good - despite losing an appendage... He holed up in a hotel for a day and watched some t.v. - bring on the Chuck Norris movies!

We arrived home to the Homestead on Friday afternoon - and Jason, Cranmer and myself were all ready for the unveiling... camera in hand so that we could share with all of you!

[pic] It still looks like it's all there....

[pic] I believe this to be Jason's 'concentrating' face...

[pic] ... and voila!! There it is! Lot's of stitches, but so much better looking that before!

[pic] A profile view... It's lost some length - but definitely still enough there to sport some flip flops!!

So there you have it! A sewed up version of the 'new' toe. Jason has taken up residence on the King's upstairs couch - foot elevated as instructed. He is munching on lots of popcorn and so far has three movies and a number of Prison Break episodes under his belt. The Bourne Supremacy is up next!

Jason will be pretty immobile for a while and has been instructed to stay off of his foot. We are all hoping for a speedy recovery for him so that he can return to the dog yard and all of his outdoor adventuring that he enjoys so much.

We'd like to thank ALL of you that have kept up on Jason's progression through the various recovery stages, and sent well-wishing notes and e-mails. We make sure to pass them all on to him. :)

Happy Trails,
Carrie

Donna Newsletter - Part 15

Jeff and the team arrived under the burled arch just minutes after 11:00 this morning. I was able to watch the Nome web cam and see them cross the finish line. I called Rod on his cell phone and he held it up so that I could hear at least part of Jeff's interview. He was complimentary and congratulatory about the other teams and thrilled with his own dogs. Kilarney and Dublin lead the team in with their sister, Shannon,in swing. He even talked about racing in Canada next weekend. He said that the dogs are still interested in covering some more trail : )

Dave reported that the team ate well and looked great as they rested in the Nome dog lot inside the dog boxes that Jeff had shipped up. Hopefully they will be on their way home tomorrow!

Jeff was eating lunch with the Cabela's Crew, enjoying yet another latte from Mary's espresso machine (no doubt!) and looking forward to a well-earned nap. He will have a bit of doctoring to do on his hands so the next few quiet days in Nome will be a great time to heal up.

Another successful race for the Goose Lake Kennel team! Thanks to all of you for your support and cheers!!

Donna Newsletter - Part 14

Yeah! Jeff should be arriving in to Safety as I write this. He completed his mandatory 8 hours at While Mountain just after 2:00 am and is making great time into Nome. Safety is 22 miles from the finish line on Front Street. Dave and Rod were hoping to drive out the road to watch Jeff and the team coming in. It is nice to have the daylight for that. So, It appears as thought Jeff has secured a 12th place finish. Not too shabby! His first Iditarod in 1981, he placed 28th. His next attempt in 1991 he placed 12th, then 6th in 1992 and 1st in 1993. His lowest finish since then has been one other 12th place spot. Other than that, he has successfully finished in the top 5 for all but one or two other. That is an outstanding record for 20 years.

I don't leave for the airport until this afternoon so I will be able to talk with Jeff when he finishes. I will try to be sure to post one more time before I depart!

Donna Newsletter - Part 13

I spoke with Jeff in White Mountain a couple of hours after he arrived. He sounded tired but very good. He was very happy with the dogs' performance. Kilarney and Ross lead him most of today and were fabulous. I am so surprised by Ross. He was also the leader that finally was able to lead the team back to Shaktoolik from the shelter cabin, through white-out, very high wind conditions. Dublin has also been a wonderful surprise as a leader on this trip. The dogs have been eating really well, especially on the trail. Jeff said that he has been pretty tired, talking to his dreams and even falling off his sled like the Laugh In fellow on his tricycle! Hans even got to see that happen and got a good laugh. Jeff was warming up some Thai Curry Chicken and was able to watch several of the teams hit the trail to Nome. He thought most of them looked really good. He was disappointed that it is still cold and windy and that it hasn't improved as much as was predicted. His hands still bother him a bit and have some blistering from the frost but he said that they are not debilitating at this point.

Then he was off for a nap.

He should be into Nome around noon-ish tomorrow, if all goes well. Dave will be there to greet them on Front Street and our friends, Rod and Barbara, are patiently waiting there in Nome as well. Nome is reported to be quieter than usual this year; fewer teams in the race and folks not spending as much travel money are a couple of reasons, I'm sure. Larry and Amy, our friends and host family will take good care of Jeff and Dave can take care of the dogs, so all's well.

Sigh. It is always nice when I know that they are almost off the trail.

Donna Newsletter - Part 12

Well, I hadn't expected Jeff and the team to be so far down the trail when I checked this morning. It looks like they must have had a good run into Koyuk. The temperatures don't appear to have improved much but I am guessing that the wind has died down. I am not sure that the Tracker is a blessing or a curse at this point. Whenever the readings are off, my heart rate increases, millions of scenarios pass through my mind and time goes so slowly. Then it adjusts itself and with it comes a big sigh of relief until the next 15 minutes are up.... Torturous at times!

I spoke with Jeff a couple of times yesterday and that last call around dinner time, he sounded relaxed, rested and happy. He said that he was having fun with some of the folks at the checkpoint and he was laughing. Plans have been made for the Nome program. I will be headed to Seattle as planned late Thursday night and Dave Decaro will fly into Nome on Thursday night. He will have the truck and trailer waiting in Anchorage for the dogs' return trip home. Ellen flies in to Fairbanks on Saturday night for a two week break so she will be waiting for Jeff at home.

There is still plenty of trail left to get to Nome and I am sure a few more excitements along the way. I will miss seeing all of my friends in Nome, especially Mary Knodel who has been our host for many years, watching our children grow up and becoming part of our family. When Ellen was small, at any time of the year she would say, "Can we go to Nome? I miss Mary." Thanks to our dogs and the Iditarod, our family has enjoyed so many friends and adventures through life. We are fortunate to be able to have it be such a big part of our lives.

We wait and see what tomorrow will bring!

Two Rivers Wrap-Up!!

A fun time was had by all this past weekend at the Two Rivers 200 Sled Dog Race!! Dave & Jason headed up last Thursday night for the Musher Meeting and bib drawing. Dave drew #11 and headed out from Chatanika Lodge at 12:20pm on Friday afternoon. The weather was gorgeous and sunny, with barely a cloud in the sky ~ temperatures were moderate, hovering around zero. Great for the dogs!

Dave had a great run into the first checkpoint at Pleasant Valley Store. Jason and I were patiently (yeah, right) awaiting Dave's arrival and anxious to see the team - oh, and Dave too... After a 100 mile run everyone looked great!! Dave arrived just before 11pm and reported that he had tried to stop along the trail and bed the team down... but they wouldn't have it. After the team devoured their snack, they wanted nothing to do with the straw that Dave had started to lay down for them... instead they started horsing around so Dave decided it would be best to move on - so that's what they did. Dave's run time for the 100 miles to Pleasant Valley Store was excellent at just over 10.5 hours.

Upon arriving in Pleasant Valley, Dave took care of the dogs and fed them a nice hot meal - which they slurped up. Once they were snoozing he headed in looking for a meal for himself. Hot meatball subs were available for the mushers, so as he refueled he filled Jason and I in on all the details of the his run up to that point. Dave commented that the trail was in excellent shape, and compared parts of it to a luge run since it was hard, fast and curvy ~ he said it was awesome!

With a full belly and a weary body, Dave called it a night and caught about 3 hours of sleep in the Mushers tent (unheated, mind you) before awaking to begin dog chores. Jason and I camped out in a tent in the back parking lot and caught about 4 hours of sleep - setting an alarm to make sure that we were up in time to chat with Dave for a bit before he departed for the second half of the race at 5am sharp. Temperatures were around -11 when Dave hit the trail for the Angel Creek Checkpoint 50 miles away.

Jason and I cleaned up Dave's camping spot, snagged a couple of cups of coffee and made our way out to the Angel Creek Lodge for the next stop. We expected Dave at around 10am and just about kicked ourselves when we listened to the checkers who told us "Oh, we have a break in teams now for about an hour and a half." Hmmm...are you sure?? We said to each other "There is no way Dave is going to take that long!", but in our sleep deprived states we decided to venture back inside and force down some coffee. Leave it to Dave to arrive precisely at 9:58am - just 2 minutes ahead of his predicted run time for the 50 miles! Jason and I were caught inside with coffee in hand... we threw on our jackets, hats, mitts, etc and ran outside & around the building in an attempt to at least catch Dave while he was still with the checker. All of that waiting around and then to miss your musher when they come in!! Ugh - that to me, is the worst. Luckily we caught him... :)

[pic] Dave & team arriving at the Angel Creek Checkpoint on Saturday morning.

[pic] Kronkite checking out the discarded booties while Dave continues his chores.

[pic] All cozy in their staw beds and ready for a nap!!

[pic] It appears that someone else was ready for a nap too....

[pic] Dave getting Alamo and Krokite all riled up and ready to go!

[pic] Dave & Team headed back on the trail for the final 50 miles.

Dave departed the Angel Creek checkpoint and headed for the finish at 2pm. Jason and I were on the cleanup crew again, and once our job was done we headed back to get ready for the finish. True to his word - Dave rolled in just 2 minutes past 7pm... finishing off the race with another nice 50 mile run and placing 6th out of 17 teams.

Way to go Dave on a great run in the Two Rivers 200 race!! Way to Shake n' Bake!! :)

Stay tuned to all of Donna's great updates on the Iditarod!!

Happy Trails,
Carrie

Donna Newsletter - Part 11

I just got off the phone with Jeff from Shaktoolik. He and the dogs are fine though his hands are really swollen (from the cold). He said that the wind is certainly a factor but more significant is the temperature. He is "into the trash pile" for food and though there is no food shortage yet, he believes that it will become an issue. However, that is something that is fixable, he said. The race committee will get food into the checkpoints as needed. The good news is that our dogs are eating great. I'm sure they like the varied menu. He said that Mitch and Aaron had food enough until noon today and were going to wait it out.

He recommended that I not go to Nome yet.

It appears that this wind is supposed to maintain for another 24 hours.

Will keep you posted.

Donna Newsletter - Part 10

I am still waiting to get news from Shaktoolik. I have cancelled my plane ticket to Nome while I wait to see what is going to happen with Jeff and the team.

They camped at the shelter "cabin" just about 15 miles outside of Shaktoolik for 8 hours with Mitch, Aaron and then Hans.I use the term "cabin" loosely... only a musher would call it shelter. Jeff and Hans went back to Shaktoolik, I'm sure, for food for the dogs. The race is virtually stopped with the exception of the three front-runners and a few teams farther back. Mother Nature is hammering her fist.

The checkpoint of Shaktoolik is a single building on a spit of land situated out in the open. It is not a pretty spot when the wind is blowing. According to the stats, there are now 14 teams there... that is a lot of pressure for this small place. The biggest challenge along with keeping all of the dogs as comfortable as possible, will be having enough food for the dogs and people. This is a tough situation for the teams and the race officials. The race committee is earning their keep this year.....

So, I admit, the race has lost some of it's thrill for me. Now it is truly simply a management situation. I will keep you posted on any news I receive.

Donna Newsletter - Part 9

I used to pronounce that at this point in the race that you could be pretty sure that the sequence in which the teams come into Unalakleet is how they will eventually cross the finish line. That theory hasn't held up over the past few years and this year.... holy cow! Who knows? Obviously, Lance's spot is secured and he will always have a trail, as promised by the race committee. Everyone else is on their own. It appears as those six teams that left UNK virtually together are in for some slow going and trail breaking. The wind has hit the coast and will provide the stage for more Iditarod endurance stories. A close friend is working the Shaktoolik checkpoint. Her report last night was, "I can't believe that anyone would stop here!" However, it truly is the only friendly spot to rest in the 12 hour run between UNK and Koyuk.

One of the coolest things to see is that the first three teams leaving UNK all had 15 dogs; once again a testament to our increasing knowledge of care for these incredible athletes. Though the number of dogs in the team doesn't necessarily equate to a race advantage at this point, it can be a mental advantage for sure. It is emotionally difficult for the mushers to send any of their crew home. They are so connected that it feels like loosing a puzzle piece.

I have been waiting for a call from a friend in UNK to get the real skinny on how all the teams looked there. It is always nice to get a more personal report. Hopefully that call will come soon and I will be sure to post a message. I head up to Fairbanks in the early morning for my flight to Nome. This year will be very different: we will have none of our girls in Nome and I will only be there for two days. I fly to Seattle in the wee hours of Friday for a three day agility competition, a visit with Cali and Matt and to hook up with Tessa. Then Tessa and I head to North Carolina for the AKC Agility Nationals. Exciting! I'm hoping for some sunshine in Charlotte... : )

Meanwhile, with 200 miles left in the 2009 Iditarod, keep taking deep breathes as we watch this adventure unfold.

Donna Newsletter - Part 8

It is all becoming clear now. Lance had the fastest time coming into Kaltag and is headed to Unalakleet after a short rest. He is still very strong and will need something cataclysmic to de-throne him. Sebastian, the enterprising fellow, looks determined to give Lance some heat from behind. He arrived 5th in to Kaltag but rushed back out onto the trail again. Cutting his break in Kaltag can be deadly... he may very well be planning to camp on the trail, not so much for what's happening in front, but for what he has looking at him from behind. I expect Lance to do the 90 run to the coast without a rest which will put him arriving into Unalakleet late this afternoon. Mitch, Hugh and Jeff are making valiant efforts. Run times show us that it took Jeff a bit longer that Mitch... you never know, one potty stop or snack stop can take up that 15 minutes. John Baker is rallying and his team is moving very well. I am excited for him to have a strong team on the coast.

A 6 hour rest in Kaltag is fairly standard. This is an atypically close race with many strong teams breathing in each other's air. The fun of watching this year's event is exactly that; so many nice, strong, and healthy teams. The conditions are been great for that but it also demonstrates how far we've come in the advancement of dog care and training in this sport.

Also of significance is that their have been very few scratches from the race this year. I was devastated with Bjornar's withdrawal. He is a great contender and had a fabulous team. His injury was of serious enough concern that he truly had no choice. We wish him the very best and truly hope that he is able to compete in the race in 2010.

Well, on to Unalakleet! It is usually just over two days from the time they leave this coastal village until they arrive into the cheering throngs in Nome. Keep your fingers crossed....

Donna Newsletter - Part 7

I tell myself, "We'll know more after the eight hour breaks." Then, "We'll know more in the morning." And, "We'll know more when they get to the next checkpoint." Well, I have to admit that my math and race strategy skills are taxed this morning. Mitch was an hour ahead of Jeff into Shageluk, and although I believe Mitch was brilliant in taking his eight there, it doesn't look like it changed his relationship to Jeff's team. Jeff may have a slight advantage in that he is coming off a longer break leaving Grayling. Sebastian and Aaron now must take their eight in either Eagle Island or Kaltag. Historically, taking your eight earlier is better than later. We'll see. Hugh also took his eight in Shageluk and I'm sure he is a man-possessed after placing 2nd to Sebastian by only 4 minutes in the Yukon Quest this year, the same day he had to wait out a two-hour penalty for a rule infraction. Ouch. Sebastian would love to be only the second person to win both big races in one year. The plot thickens.

Jeff's team looked great going through Anvik. I was very proud of all of them as I watched the Insider video. Jeff called from Shageluk yesterday a couple of times. He couldn't talk much because he was in a crowded room. They have to be careful that it doesn't appear as though they are getting any outside assistance, physical or verbal. He sounded focused yesterday, not as light-hearted as our conversations were in Takotna. Of course, I don't believe that there is an Espresso stand in Shageluk....

So, there is a fat lady (with a very big hat) out there tuning up the vocal cords. She has some time yet. There are still days ahead for spectators to enjoy the thrill of this captivating competition. I enjoyed Lance's interview in Anvik. It oozed of experience in the winner's circle. Cockiness gone and a relaxed outlook on what the priorities really are. Great to hear. He knows that it is never a sure thing until you cross under that burled arch on Front Street in Nome.

More later.

Donna Newsletter - Part 6

Well, there is not a big question in our minds this morning on how the race is stacking up. Lance's run into Iditarod and then through Shageluk with a reportedly sharp team is reminiscent of Jeff's and Doug Swingley's previous wins. It is now Lance's race to loose. The trail conditions still appear to be good and with his time advantage at this point, even if the trail gets bad, he has enough of a buffer to hold his position. I believe that it is also unlikely for him to have any big problems with his team. His team of 16 appear to be moving well and reports are positive about their condition.

Jeff chose to get a 6 hour rest in Iditarod. Not surprising. With half the race still ahead, he will always play the conservative card. Mitch's team is also looking very strong and he has been a smart driver. The fast trail will provide the arena for these teams to show their stuff and we will see them clearly as they attack the Yukon River.

Each team will have to take a mandatory 8 hour break at one of the checkpoints along the Yukon. Anvik and Grayling are beautiful and friendly villages. The year Cali ran the race, I flew along the trail and especially enjoyed these spots. Eagle Island is basically a tent camp and right on the river, so it is quite open. I haven't been to Kaltag. Those are their choices for this second race mandated stop.

I hate to say that it is a race for second.... but that is how it appears today. To keep things exciting, we are supposed to say that anything can happen. And certainly, that is true... but historically, not highly likely. There is a thrill in watching a well managed team charge ahead and that it the beauty of this event.

Keep watching!

Great Links & the Two Rivers 200 Race

As we sit at our computers searching for more and more information on the race... I came across a great page that provides a link to nearly everything possible that you may want to check out!! It's on the Iditarod Discussion Forum and you can check out all of the info by clicking here. It's a really great compilation that includes some of the following: Iditarod links; photo and video links; television, radio and newspaper links; weather websites; individual musher websites (and lets you know of those that are currently being updated); as well as a few links for webcams!! Check it out!! :)

Our handler Dave DeCaro is wasting no time in front of the computer this weekend! He's signed up for the Two Rivers 200 Sled Dog Race! This will start just north of Fairbanks and continue around on a number of trails used by mushers in the Two Rivers area. The race start is Friday at 12pm. He will be assisted by Shake N' Bake crew member Jason, our sweet gal-pal Nicole, and I'll be heading up to help out and hopefully snap some pictures. I'm not sure that they will be updating any stats on their website - but we'll be sure to fill you in on the race after we all return home. Dave will be running a 12 dog team of mostly 2 year olds - four of which were selected for Jeff's Iditarod team but didn't quite make the final cut.

Speaking of the final cut for the Shake N' Bake Iditarod Team.... we never filled you in!! Whoops! Here's a pic of the final selections...

[pic] The final cut consists of the upper 16 dogs on the 'cookie sheet' - the 4 guys at the bottom took part in the Ceremonial Start and will be running with Dave this weekend.

Well, that's about all for now!! Keep checking back for more updates from Donna!! :)

Carrie

Iditarod Pics!!

Larry (our Batteries Plus sponsor!!) and Donna at the Mushers Banquet.

Our great friends and helpers, Maggie & Troy at the Ceremonial Start.

Titan & Alamo - ready to Shake N' Bake at the Ceremonial Start.
The man, the myth, the legend - Jeff King!! :)

Aaaahh! Carrie is out of the office!!

Donna at the Ceremonial Start!

Jeff's mitts - handmade and given to him as a gift after he froze his fingers during the Yukon Quest.

David Cranmer - enjoying his 1st Iditarod!

Former handler Nicole Torre (aka "Crash" from her unforgettable run on Jeff's second sled during the 2006 Ceremonial Start) came down to join in on all of the fun!!

Mike Santos, friend and neighbor from the Wolf's Den Kennel, stops by to check out his harness on our dog model. Sharp lookin' harness, eh?? You should see the matching dog jackets that they made!

Dave is all smiles as he puts jackets on the Deets & Charles.

Jeff, Carrie, Nicole and Iditarider Karen at the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage.

Jason at the Ceremonial Start.

Woo hoo!! Jeff gets ready to head out with the Gee Pole sled!

Jeff & crew get Bronte and Klarney ready for their ride at the Re-Start.

Donna & Jeff at the Re-Start on Sunday.

Donna Newsletter - Part 5

While I wait and watch the seconds tick away on the GPS timer intermittently bringing up the Current Standings to see if Jeff is going through Ophir yet, I drink my morning lemon-water in a very silent house. Ah... he's there! His time to that checkpoint is comparable to Lance's which is 45 minutes faster than Martin's time going in. Of course, coming off a break and just starting a break will describe away the difference. The teams are still moving well, convincing me that the trail is really pretty good. I heard someone say in one of the Insider Videos that the trail into Iditarod is much better than expected. Now that the teams are coming off their 24-hour breaks, it will be easier to see how they all stack up.

I'm glad to see that Jeff left Takotna this morning with 15 dogs. That means that Call's feet took advantage of the long rest. I spoke with Jeff very briefly last night and he said that Call was feeling tons better, eating and drinking lots, and that his feet had improved dramatically. Jeff sounded very chipper and rested.

And we can always play the "If Only" game.... if only the temperatures would drop just 10 degrees, I believe the trail would set up and provide a faster surface. It is warm-ish but overcast and not much wind yet, so, by Iditarod standards, pretty darn good weather. So far, the teams are running on schedule with previous years. The Yukon could bog them down a bit but that's nothing unusual. So, at this point we are still looking at a Tuesday finish in Nome.

Stay tuned!

Donna Newsletter - Part 4

So, I just got off the phone with Jeff from Takotna. He was drinking a three-shot latte from the new coffee shop there. He was told that he should talk on the phone only in a public area so he chose the coffee shop. Great choice except for the noise of the steamer that sounded like a jet plane landing next door! He had just had a 3-4 hour nap and sounded great. He reported that the dogs are looking good; very smooth and committed. They were all perfectly gaited arriving into Takotna this morning. They are eating well and "fat for a King Iditarod team". Jeff said, "Their weight is outstanding!" After their rest in Takotna, Jeff noticed that Call's front feet looked sore. He will have plenty of time to get them ship-shape before leaving in the morning. The rest of the team have perfect feet and stools.

Guinness was shipped home from Rohn. He believes that she must have tripped in a large hole on the trail and affected both shoulders. She should be in Anchorage this morning and headed home to Jon Little's in Kasilof within the next day or two.

The trail has been soft and slow, specifically to Takotna. Jeff reported that the depth of the snow is "staggering". The berms along the trail from McGrath were giant. Rumors abound concerning the trail ahead from feet deep with new snow to broken out and fine. Everyone has their eyes on the weather. He hasn't shivered once and has not been hot or cold anywhere along the trail yet. If there has been a wind, it has been at his back. The villages along the Yukon have reported warm temperatures and even rain. That could put a fast surface on the trail. The wind is reported to be howling on the coast. But, Jeff said, there has been nothing "miserable" yet.

On the trail to McGrath, he laid back on the sled and was watching the stars and half-dozing for a while. When he stood up, he realized that he was missing his $450 Petzl ULTRA headlamp. Knowing that it had dropped of his head during his recline and that no one was likely to return it, he decided to turn the team around and look for it. He found it about a mile back, turned the team once again and headed back in the direction of McGrath. He had giant tangles at each change of direction and lost a bit of time over the whole scenario.

He absolutely LOVES his sled. He said it is like having an extra dog or two. He is able to easily steer around holes in the trail that he sees others have gone through. The weight distribution of the trailer has been a significant advantage and has "performed spectacularly". He was tempted to set up his tent/cab last night. The snow coming down bothers him and if he puts his ruff up too tight, his glasses fog. He may put up the tent in Takotna for some of the dogs to rest in.

He was quite sleepy last night and has to make a concerted effort to manage his energy.... a three-shot latte may not necessarily be prescribed to achieve that. : )

He took some video footage with the camera attached to his sled during his ride along the Happy River Steps. It was daylight so it provided a good opportunity. He gave the footage to Greg Hiester and the Insider crew so we may see it posted soon.

He is very impressed with Dallas Seavey and also reported that Teva (from our shoes litter) is running in Aaron Burmeister's team. Cool!

My impressions from the conversation are that he sounded great, in good spirits and that the team sounds very solid for this point in the race.

More later....

Donna Newsletter - Part 3

There is a lot to peruse this morning in the Current Standings. While we slept, the teams charged through McGrath and into Takotna. Some stayed in McGrath to begin their 24-hour breaks while others continued down the trail. Jeff arrived with perfect timing in to Takotna. Assuming that he takes his break there, he will be leaving around 5:45 am tomorrow morning. The run times between these checkpoints that are closer together and on relatively flat trail can more easily and accurately be compared. I always like to particular pay attention to the times from McGrath to Takotna. This will give a real indication of how the teams are traveling in comparison to one another. Right now, Lance Mackey, Mitch Seavey, Bjornar Anderson and Jeff have comparable times and are moving a bit faster than the folks around them. Dallas Seavey had a great time as well. He is the kind of young buck that will surprise the competition some day... maybe sooner than later? Of course the teams that are coming off their 24 in McGrath will travel that short distance much faster so it will be difficult to get a true comparison with these teams mentioned above.

I expect a phone call or two from Takotna today so I will get the real skinny on each of the dogs, the trail, the competition. I will be sure to fill you in. Some observations over the years as the one on the other end of the phone line: Jeff usually doesn't have a clear understanding of the race dynamics; He has visual observations about the teams around him but is usually not accurate about how well his own team looks; I hear about his dogs from other folks in the checkpoints.

The trail is likely to become a bit more challenging from here to the Yukon. The trail between Iditarod and Shageluk has not been broken all season so may very well be a slog for the trail-breakers and mushers. The trail into Iditarod from Ophir typically blows over and provides some real trail breaking challenges for many teams. It is good that the teams are all still close together. It is not the time to be making a mad dash to get ahead.

Takotna is Jeff's absolute favorite for taking his 24-hour break. The community there is outstanding in their hospitality and support of the race. This little hamlet is picturesque to boot. Hot meals are made to order for each musher. Lots of hot water is available as well. This used to be one of the farthest checkpoints ever 24'ered in. In the "olden days" (the 70's and 80's) teams religiously took this long, mandatory stop in checkpoints like Finger Lake, Rainy Pass, Rohn and maybe Nikolai. This year we may see some brave souls venture to Iditarod in hopes of weather coming in behind them to hold off the chasing teams. Time will tell.

I will send along a second report today after I talk with Jeff. Until then....

MUSH ON!

Donna Newsletter - Part 2

Well, it appears as though Jeff's concerns for the trail were
unnecessary. The teams are all moving very well. There are very few
dropped dogs and the teams are still relatively bunched up. Those are
all signs of a good trail, but not a super-fast trail. The stats and
Tracker this morning show teams well under way across the Burn. From
Rohn to Nikolai is a stretch of trail that can make a musher's knees
wobbly by just hearing someone say "The Burn". It is notoriously a
snow-less, rough trail through an old forest fire area. Because the
trees are gone, the wind blows all of the snow 100 miles away. What
is usually left for a trail is rocks, tussocks, and ice. Many teams
will ship their valuable second sled to Nikolai or McGrath because
damage is sure to have occurred somewhere over the trail through the
Steppes, the Gorge, the Buffalo Tunnel or the Burn. This stretch of
trail also provides the thrill of roaming buffalo. Having said all
that, this year The Burn is trying to redeem itself. We have had
reports of plenty of snow there for a couple of months. If it is
there over time, the snow is likely to have settled and will be less
likely to blow away. That is not to say that there won't be blowing
snow; it is quite likely if there is any wind at all. But there will
be a snowy trail for dog's feet and sled runners at least. As I
write this, Jeff is half way to Nikolai and making good time.
Generally, the teams are arriving in Nikolai by noon today.

So far Jeff is running the race as planned. He wanted to be in the
top 20 by Skwentna and then try to "hang" in the 5th-10th spot for a
while. It looks like he may have dropped a dog in Rohn. I should
find out more about that later today. While most of the hazards are
behind them now, I still don't foresee the teams spreading out too
much for a while. Of course they will begin taking their first
mandatory break. This 24+ hour stop is taken at the checkpoint-of-
choice by each team. The time will include the time-adjustment from
the race start. It is very likely that Jeff and our team will be
resting in their favorite 24-hour checkpoint, Takotna. He is
prepared to go farther down the trail if conditions are right. I
heard some talk about having shipped plenty of food and gear to
Iditarod as well. We will soon see. These varying break locations
can produce confusion for us spectators. Get out the calculator
because if you truly want to be on top of it, your mathematical
skills will be tested!

It is too soon for me to be commenting on the other teams. I believe
this has been a forgiving trail and I am sure there are plenty of
shining teams right now. I'll stick my neck out when the first teams
hit the coast in Unalakleet! Pre-race, I thought to keep my eye on
the Norwegian, Bjornar Andersen. We have a soft spot for Norwegians
and they have historically proven to be avid competitors. I'm sure
Sebastian Schnuelle, this year's Quest Champ, would love to pull a
"Mackey". He is a happy, crazy German that captivates your heart.
Rick Swenson, as always, is running a beautiful race and should never
be disregarded. Martin Buser is showing some uncharacteristic
restraint that may have big payoffs down the trail. And Lance Mackey
is always full of surprises. This will undoubtedly be a spectacular
race to watch!

Stay up close and personal on www.iditarod.com and be sure to
subscribe to the Iditarod Inside and The Tracker! It's a blast!

Donna Newsletter - Part 1

The 37th Iditarod Sled Dog Race is underway! This is Jeff’s 20th Iditarod and 27th one thousand mile race. He should be feeling at home on the trail today.

The most significant concern of and for the teams this year, as always, is the weather and trail conditions. This year in particular with the recent storms and hefty amounts of snow all along the route… the entire state… Jeff’s thoughts and musings continually returned to the unknown of weather and trail conditions. Lots of snow can create dramatic stories of teams that get ahead of a nasty storm leaving the other contenders locked behind a nearly impassable trail (Libby Riddles 1985 and Doug Swingley for one of his wins). The reverse can also happen where the “rabbit” team ends up breaking trail for the teams behind only to exhaust his/her dogs leaving them to watch the others travel the same trail in half the time and eventually pass them. Both are gambles… but is it truly a gamble if the decision is made with knowledge and experience?

From the stats and GPS Tracker information this morning, it appears as though the trail must be in good shape. Travel times are comparable to other years and I don’t see any dogs dropped in the tops 30 teams, at least. Jeff typically arrives in Rainy Pass around noon on Monday and it looks like he is right on track.

Back tracking a bit now. The race start was definitely the quietest for the King Team. It was actually quite relaxing; if you could call a banquet, breakfast presentation, two booking signings, a gallery open house, the ceremonial start and the restart with dinner and breakfast engagements in between, quiet. Of course Jeff spent “down” time concocting equipment for specific conditions. He does have a couple of new inventions for his sled this year that will likely show themselves before too long.

The ceremonial start was very fun. Jeff brought his wooden freight sled complete with Gee Pole and skis. This is an old, traditional arrangement for hauling heavy loads (no offence to Carrie and our Iditarider!). Jeff spent many miles riding Gee skis during the time he was hauling freight up Mount McKinley for climbers. He even used this set-up during some years while racing in the Yukon Quest because of the heavy loads and long distances presenting by the race format. There are very few mushers still around today that are comfortable riding gee skis so it was a special treat. Check out the video footage from the sled with the You-Tube link provided.

The restart presented some tension and excitement; enough so that I realized that Jeff’s head is still wholeheartedly in the game. Bronte and Kilarney had a ride in the sled from the race start. Both are valued leaders that Jeff likes to offer additional rest to. Of course he was on his new and improved Tail-dragger sled with a trailer. The set-up is perfect for the conditions offered by this year’s trail. Jeff has a wonderful team this year. All but one have completed the Iditarod before. The oldest dog is six years old (I believe that is Bronte). Only one of our brilliant 2-year olds made the team. Dollar (one of the rental car litter) is a beautifully built female with tons of potential.

Stay tuned by checking out the Iditarod website and be sure to sign up for the Iditarod Insider and the GPS Tracker. What a fantastic addition to the race for us spectators! The Tracker this year is on all the teams and the signals are synchronized so that they send simultaneously. That makes it mush easier to truly keep track of the teams in relation to one another. Have fun watching the race!

One, two, three - GO!

We're off...locked and loaded...Shake n' Bake!! The team has been selected and can be viewed on our updated "The Dogs" page on our website. Click here to check them out!
With close examination I realize it is the most experienced team that I have ever started the Iditarod with - including only one dog that has not previously finished the Iditarod. Whew!

Just got back yesterday from our last round-trip (180+ miles) out the Denali Highway, and the dogs are now just stretching out an hour a day until the weekend.

We have decided to use a "Gee Pole Sled" for the Ceremonial Start. We were out practicing today as it's been a while since I've strapped on the skis. You can get a feel for it on our latest upload to YouTube called "". Check it out here.
"Giggles" (alias Carrie) will be riding the brake down 4th Avenue. Guaranteed fun to be had by all... except maybe our Iditarider if she dumps the sled again like she did in the YouTube video. All I ask is that she lets up off the brake before she runs me over.

If you're not an "Iditarod Insider", you're gonna wanna sign up. If you enjoy reading my blog, you will more than get your money's worth on the "Insider", as well as the very cool "GPS Tracker" option. We watched the Jr. Iditarod mushers via the computer as their GPS locators showed their location, speed, and outside temperature. All from the comfort of your home. Very cool.

It seems I have developed a reputation concerning the unveiling of some goofy innovative idea for my team. I have been asked by many of you - "What is it this year?" There is something on board my sled that is a little different, but I will refrain from sharing it with you at this time. It is something fairly unique (to put it mildly) in the world of dog mushing, and will only be implemented if certain conditions arise during the race. (No Tessa, it does not involve slurried plutonium.... [wink wink].)

My stellar crew, led by returning work-horses Dave and Jason, as well as newbie David Cran-berry have done an incredible job in helping me prepare an incredible team. I absolutely could not have done it without them. Thanks guys!

Also, a big thank you to all of those that have been sending good luck wishes!

Now, it's time to Shake n' Bake!!

Jeff