Its Not Just You (The Cartoonist)

I understand that there have been a lot of complaints about the lack of updates on the Iditarod site. We certainly hope that they are able to provide better updates throughout the race. Its certainly not a job I'd like to have, being responsible for that many people, dogs, locations, and statuses. I can barely keep track of one musher.

Some of Karen's helpers are able to track her progress using the state of the art GPS data available to us. Even though she complains about the ear tag, its helped us out a lot on finding out where she's at, how fast she's moving, and how far she's traveled.

We try to keep everyone posted about when she's on the move, what checkpoint she's nearing or has passed, and whether she appears to be camping out. We realize that the data is not 100% accurate as far as checkpoints, landmarks, etc. but its pretty close, and frankly our only other alternative was to pack a person with a satellite phone and camera in her bag and the Iditarod officials frowned about that, even if we could have found someone willing to do it, so GPS tracking will have to do.

What we haven't told everyone (shhh, you're the first to know) is that we have a supercomputer and very expensive graphics mapping at our disposal so that we can actually zoom in and see her.

Most people will see something like this when they use the GPS tracker:
I mean, that's a bit pathetic. a tiny little blip with her bib number on it. Oh sure if you put your cursor on the bib number it gives you all of her stats, including the temperature where she's at. What it doesn't tell you is how many dogs she's got, or who is running lead, how well she's racing, or anything fun and exciting! Its kinda hard to get all involved in a cool race like the Iditarod when all you do is follow a little blip on a big map with a line on it showing the course.

That's where the SMT-2010 mapping software comes in. Using super high resolution satellite imagery, we are able to zoom down to even the smallest detail and show you snippets of the excitement going on in the Iditarod race.

As an example, I took a snapshot of the field, zoomed in on Karen's position, then using the high tech graphics on board the SMT-2010 mapping software, I was able to locate Karen's exact location as of 7:54 pm Eastern Time:

Odds and Ends (The Cartoonist)

While Karen and her team rest at the Finger Lake checkpoint I thought I'd post some odds and ends for everyone to enjoy.

Before she left Sunday, Karen sent me some pictures that Simone took at the open house. It truly demonstrates the gentle nature of the Pretty Sled Dogs.

Additionally, I found photographer Mike Criss via twitter, who posted a shot of Karen's team and called them "Best looking Iditarod team from today". So I reached out to Mike and he is graciously allowing me to post his photos from the ceremonial and restart on Karen's blog. Please note that all of Mike's photographs are ©AKPHOTOGRAPH.com and may not be reproduced or used anywhere else without his written permission. Additional photos can be found here. If you'd like to follow Mike on twitter as he follows the Iditarod, he's @akphotograph.

From the Ceremonial Start Saturday:
From the re-start on Sunday
Donna Quante (a wonderful friend of North Wapiti and all mushers in general) has also posted her pictures, and I had to post this wonderful picture of Mark and Karen, and here's the usual legal statement: Please note that all of Donna's photographs are © Husky Productions and may not be reproduced or used anywhere else without her written permission.

The Trip To Nome (The Cartoonist)

With the official start of the Iditarod a few short hours away, its time to reveal the Pretty Sled Dog Nome team!

(List is not in any particular order)

Wolvie
Barq
Crunchie
Dasher
Billie
Wifi
Bang
Hector
Jinx
Shooter
Rocket
Tess
Bingo
Charge
Q
Runner

We've also found a few photos of Karen and her ceremonial start team from various sources, so please enjoy some of the snaps we've located:

From Donna Quante
From ADN
From Flickr
From Alaska Photographer
Another From Alaska Photographer
Another nice Flickr person

Re-Start. (From N.Wapiti HQ)

I chatted with Karen this morning and she is happy to report that all the dogs are going crazy and eager to get out of the truck, get to the re-start and hit the trails.
The Musher was a little more 'reserved' but happy to be on her way home (via a few days in the Alaskan wilderness and a little town called Nome).

Everyone here at N.W. is thinking of Her and the Team, and can't wait to catch up with all the stories from the adventure.

X is pleased to be home from the vets just in time to keep an eye on things from the cloud which he has reserved for the next few days (thank you Kara !)
I've had to log onto Iditarod Insider for him so he can monitor progress and get me to pass on any advice to his team mates and the Musher.

We will try to keep you all informed of any information and news as we get it here.

Ceremonial Start Information

Here is the list of the Pretty Sled Dogs that ran the ceremonial start with Iditarider:

Bang and Dasher (per Karen: both were BRILLIANT (as my British handler would say)
- or 'PERFECT" (as my Swiss handler says!))
Bingo and Rocket
Wonder and Spider
Roscoe and Shooter
Runner and Wifi
Charge and Barq

The list of who will be mushing to Nome will be listed on the blog later. If you'd like to see if you can come up with who YOU think will be running under the burled arch, leave your team list in the comments section!

The official race starts at 1:45pm Alaska time (5:45 Eastern), so everyone give a big HOWL and set Karen and her team off right!

Who Will Be Racing? (The Cartoonist)

I know some of you have asked: "so which Pretty Sled Dogs will be making the trip this year"?

I don't have a list of dogs on the Iditarod team (yet) but here's the list of dogs that made the trip to Alaska. Feel free to speculate (in comments) who you think the team will be this year, or even if your favorite dog made it (or didn't make it) and why:

Crunchie,
Q,
Runner,
Wolvie,
Charge,
Roscoe,
Herman,
Barq,
Jr,
Shooter,
Irving,
Hector,
Wifi,
Dasher,
Billie,
Jinx,
Spider,
Bingo,
Bang,
Tess,
See
and Rocket

I also wanted to assure everyone that the "Musher Safety Device" was applied and should keep Karen safe from sticks and other dangerous wooden things on the race trail this year.
* Please note, she was wearing her old Anorak during this cartoon. She'll be wearing the new Anorak during the race, which has also been modified for her protection.

What's Up With The Nyquil (the cartoonist)

On the eve of the start of the Iditarod, I've made some mention of swigging NyQuil on the mail list, blog comments, and Facebook posts. The typical response has been "hope you feel better soon" or people commiserating with me about their colds, but to be honest... I'm perfectly healthy.

Back when I first started cartooning for Karen and the Pretty Sled Dogs, I did have a cold and was swigging NyQuil, quite heavily as a matter of fact. Needless to say there were some pretty wacky cartoons coming out of me (some that will NEVER be seen by anyone... no, I don't accept bribes), and generally my first Iditarod watch when I actually KNEW someone running the Iditarod was pretty nonplus and somewhat relaxing (thanks to NyQuil).

The next year I didn't have a cold and frankly it was nothing but fingernail biting, nerve wracking, freaking out every moment of the day. I can't say that I'm the biggest worrier, I think that belongs to Karen's relatives, but I'm a pretty close second when it comes to freaking out and worrying.

I realize that this is the big race for Karen and the Pretty Sled Dogs. Its what they train for all year, live and breathe for all year, this is their moment to shine and enjoy themselves on the trail... I should celebrate and dance with joy that they are doing what they love. Except I'm a loon.

Like all of you, I constantly check the Iditarod page's updates for any news. As an "insider" I get some scoops, and as Karen and her Pretty Sled Dogs are my cartoon muse, I get to share my version of her updates with all of you, in a humorous light. I know a lot of you get concerned when there aren't any updates (like a certain year where Karen seemed to drop off the face of the earth and there was much gnashing of teeth and worrying).

With the various rules on the trail that limit her contact with the outside world, we insiders try to keep all of you informed and entertained and appreciate everyone's concern and rooting for her and her team, so please leave your comments on the updates we provide to boost her spirits and let her know that you are watching over her as she does this most amazing, brave, and wonderful sport.

She is doing something that keeps me in utter awe and admiration, and yet... well... I'll be spending most of the race like this:
NyQuil in hand, waiting on the next update, hitting refresh on my browser, and wishing I had enough guts to do what she's doing, but happy to have even the smallest part in helping in any way I can.

Good Luck and Godspeed Karen and the Pretty Sled Dogs!