Tales of the Trail 2012 - The Trail to Yentna and Skwentna

I've said many times that one of my favorite parts of Iditarod is that moment when all the volunteers and handlers let go of the team and the journey just becomes about 16 dogs and myself. For me that moment just never gets old. I suppose because for me, that is what Iditarod is all about - reducing my world to myself, the dogs and the trail. It is the ultimate escape!

The first 10 miles of the Race can be a real rush with fans lining the trail, cheering, waving, and generally having a great time. It can jazz the teams up to and make for a very fun hour or so.

Not so this year.....

First off was that overflow in the start chute. It was likely better for the first teams, but after 55 other teams had chewed the trail up, it was pretty slushy and wet for us. Jinx backed off a bit and I didn't notice fast enough, tangling the whole front end of my team. I wanted to throw a hook in and straighten them out, but the hook likely wouldn't have held, so I just rode the brake giving Jinx the chance to work it out herself, which she eventually did.

My problems weren't over though.Turns out little Boo was less than impressed with all the festivities. She was pulling hard to the side trying to get away from the crowds or backing off on her neckline trying to drag the team backwards.

When I had a good spot to plant a hook I went up front to offer her some reassurance, but that actually seemed to make it worse, so we went back to moving. We weren't moving well or fast though.

Jinx didn't seem happy with the situation, so I stopped to put Bang up front with her, making one fan's day when I asked him to stand on my brake as insurance the team wouldn't take off. His friends ribbed him and took pictures of him on the runners while I messed around with the girls.

The leader change improved things only marginally and I'll admit, I began to get very frustrated. I did my very best to remain upbeat for the dogs but it wasn't easy. I smiled and waved at folks all the while wanting to stop and bang my head on a tree for a bit.

Thankfully, as we had started near the back of the pack and fallen further back due to the troubles I was having, the crowds began to disperse quicker than normal.

Just past the infamous 'Corral Hill' (which we do in training most days, so I'm never really worried about) my friend Dan Rehak was taking pictures. It was nice to see a familiar and friendly face, so I stopped to chat (okay, maybe VENT) for a minute. Thanks for the ear Dan!

The last big party was at 'Scary Tree' at the joining of the Big Su and the Yentna Rivers (there used to be a big tree there that was straight out of a horror movie. The tree has since fallen down, but the name remains!). After that the team all settled into their groove. I breathed a big sigh of relief.

Just before dark I stopped to snack everyone and put some of my wonderful flashy lights from Adventure Lights on the dogs.

This stretch is known to have lots of snowmachiners on it - many moving VERY fast and some sometimes a little (or a lot) inebriated. I was making sure we were VISIBLE!!!

Sure enough, just after dark a pair of snowmachines went ROARING down the trail. A ways away from me the front machine stopped and the driver began stomping around and swearing. The woman driver jumped off the second machine and began to urge the irate man to tell her what was wrong. I could hear their very personal issues for close to a mile down the otherwise quiet river. I urged the younger dogs to cover their ears, but I don't think they did. Yikes!!!!

I was so grateful to finally hit the big 'S' in the Yentna River that means you are arriving at the checkpoint, but my long day wasn't over yet.

Just as I came in site of Yentna Station someone began shooting fireworks off on the riverbank. "YOU MUST BE FRICKIN' KIDDING", I thought (okay, I really didn't think 'FRICKIN' - but I'm sure you get the idea).

My dog team, still smarting from the sound of gunfire from our moose incident 10 days or so prior, didn't even hesitate - they executed a perfect 180 degree turn and headed back for Willow.

I got them stopped and began the tricky process of turning 16 reluctant and freaked out sled dogs around. More fireworks went off. From events earlier in the evening I knew sound carried well on the river so I loudly and strongly suggested that the people on the bank stop the fireworks - they didn't. I briefly debated firing my shotgun at them, but that would have made things even worse for the dogs. I was not a happy musher.

Eventually I got the dogs straightened out and convinced to go forward. We finally pulled into Yentna Station.

(Note - I heard from a checker later down the trail that the folks from Yentna Station went over and spoke to the folks shooting off the fireworks. Things were eventually worked out and apologies were exchanged.)

My stop in Yentna was brief - I signed posters for volunteers, turned over my bib, had the vet sign my vet book, bitched about the fireworks, thanked everyone and pulled the hook.

I had Jinx back up front, as she is good at negotiating checkpoints and going through them and the team rolled out well. A couple bangs of fireworks behind us just moved them down the trail faster.

I usually stop to snack after going through a checkpoint, but I didn't want to risk being off the sled if more fireworks went off.  Richard and I had camped 5 miles or so past Yentna a week or so prior to the race and I knew the dogs would remember that spot, so I drove them past there before stopping to snack. They snacked like wolves and rolled happily in the snow. I took the time to play with and mess around with them all. That firmly put the earlier events of the day behind us!

I put Tess up in lead with Jinx - she is a great leader but doesn't like crowds, so I didn't have her up front earlier in the day - bootied most of the dogs and we were off again.

My stomach was kind of growling by now, but every year there are folks at a big bonfire along this stretch handing hotdogs out to mushers. I was so disappointed to find that they had already packed up for the night.  Late bib draws suck.

The night was cold and the dogs were covering ground at a pace I was happy with.

We pulled into Skwentna just before 1am with 1 happy, but hungry, musher and 16 happy dogs!


Karen

Around The Yard...

The weather here has been dready, rainy, snowy, muddy and cold the past few days. Just plain YUCKY if you ask me. Be winter or be spring - this 'in between' stuff is pointless!!!!

Anyway, while I was shoveling the yard this afternoon the sun decided to make a brief appearance, so I pulled out my camera and snapped a few photos as I worked and thought I'd share them!

 When I shovel 'Geriatric Park' Olena never fails to remind me that SIX of her children were on my Iditarod team this year!!! And I will admit, that is a HUGE accomplishment. For the record, the six were Tess, Charge, Astro, Tramp, Turtle and Smartie. You have every right to be proud Ollie!

Olena

Just in case anyone thought I might be stretching the truth when I said Tramp was as big as a house - here she is. She still has 12 days to go till her due date. YIKES!!!!! 

Why Itty Bitty Betty is spending so much time in the bathtub lately.

Just in case they didn't look as dirty as they really are in the first picture...

Billie enjoying the brief bit of sun!

Pop telling me all sorts of stories about his winter.

Todd. This was seconds before he took off doing full speed laps around his circle to show me how incredibly fast he is!!! (and he is!)

And finally....NEO showing off a few of his 'spring projects'!!!

Hope you enjoyed your 'virtual visit' with them as much as I enjoyed my 'real' visit!!!

Karen

Tales of the Trail 2012 - The Restart

The morning of the Restart was also an early one. Thankfully, I had gotten an okay night's sleep!! Richard and I worked our way through the morning tasks until Helen showed up and cooked us a fantastic breakfast.

My awesome pre race breakfast, especially made by Helen!!!!

We did get a bit behind loading dogs, but our drive to Willow was short, so no harm done.

After getting all parked, the first task was getting the sled packed and ready to go. It always astounds me how much gear I figure has to make the trip with me. Further down the trail, much of the stuff seems to be sent back home unused, but at the start it all seems important!!!

This is what was in the sled (more or less) -

sleeping bag (mandatory)
snowshoes (mandatory)
cooker (mandatory)
16 dog dishes
3 bottles HEET
ladle
cooler for mixing dog food
axe (mandatory)
dog booties (mandatory)
shotgun
feeding for the dogs (8lbs kibble and 4lbs chicken)
4 snacks for dogs
snack bag for me
emergency meal for me
3 headlamps
batteries (enough for the whole race. We cannot ship these in our drop bags)
flashing lights for dogs harnesses and collars
supply of 5-hour energy shots
8 dog jackets
6 checkpoint blankets
3 spare harnesses
extra socks, neckwarmer, boots, and long underwear
change of underwear
windjacket
wind bibs
fur hat
fur mitts
thermos of coffee
water bottle
vet kit (meds for dogs, wrist wraps, shoulder jacket, harness rub shirt, massage oil, first aid items...)
Personal kit for Karen (Advil, my prescriptions, toothbrush, toothpaste, burn cream, Gold Bond powder, etc.)
Trail Mail (mandatory)
My notebook (trail notes, race plan, previous times, etc., etc.)
Beads of Courage
knife
2 leathermans
spork
matches
and 'Sticky Cinnamon buns' from my buddy Russ Bybee (no fear, they didn't make it to Yentna Station - YUM)

That done I phoned my Mom and Mark - having short but nice conversations with them both.

Keith Blaha, our housemate for the winter at Donna's, cooked up some reindeer sausage on the barbeque and I munched on a couple of those for lunch.
The dogs, of course, were fed and watered.

And Iditarod officials came by to check microchips on my final 16.

Actually, I had brought 17 dogs to the start line that morning. 'Hard Luck' Irving had been given the 'go' to run after our moose encounter, but he had had a small scrap with Charge right after the vet check that left him limping on his OTHER rear leg. I knew it was a minor 'owie' and it just needed a few days to heal to be better, but it was touch and go if there was enough time between the injury and the race.

Dr. Mike Davis looked at him for me the morning of the restart and it was his thought that Irving needed another day or so of rest. So he was out and little Boo got that nod.

"Did somebody call my name??"

That made the team consist of:
Jinx,
Tess,
Bang,
Smartie,
Tramp,
Boo,
See,
Crunchie,
Q,
Astro,
Rocky,
Wolvie,
Roscoe,
Charge,
Wifi
and Turtle.

Unfortunately, of the seven girls in the team ALL were in season. Many experienced mushers will tell you to NEVER take an in season girl on Iditarod, but with so many in that condition, my hands were simply tied. I was just going to have to manage the best I could. I knew it was going to be a challenge.

I fussed with gear but was pretty relaxed about everything. Everything felt pretty organized and under control.

Race officials came over and warned us about a batch of 'overflow' (water over ice) in the START CHUTE.  GREAT!! I opted to not boot the dogs as the overflow would get them wet and useless immediately anyway.

Word was given that our time was near, so dogs were harnessed and clipped into the team. Gear was given last minute checks and at 3:43, as per the instructions Richard wrote in the dirt on the back of the dog truck. (For the record, Richard was kind enough to wash the dog truck on Thursday so it was sparkling clean for the Ceremonial Start but the drive home from Anchorage on Saturday ruined his hard work!!!! I very much appreciated it though!) I pulled the hook and we headed for the start chute.

Time to go play!!!!!

 

Twenty Nine Days 'Clean'

I'm a pretty lucky musher in that, most likely thanks to my Dad, I don't need alot of sleep to get by! For many years I worried more about keeping myself occupied during breaks then staying awake. In fact, for a few Iditarods I took a book on the trail. No kidding. For the first part of the race I couldn't sleep and I'd be prone to cutting the dogs breaks short as I was bored. By taking a book along, or listening to a book on my iPod in later years, I was able to stop myself from doing this!

However, the older I get the more sleep I appear to require, so my last few Iditarods I have had more issues with staying awake. Mushers use a variety of products to help stay awake, but I had never given any of them a try.

On the way home from the Ceremonial Start we stopped to fill the dog truck up with fuel. When I went into pay they had 5 Hour Energy Drinks on sale. I picked up 4 thinking they might come in handy.

The first day of the race is easy to stay awake....all the 'hype' and such takes care of that and as a good part of my run to Finger Lake was in the daylight...no problems there either.
The trail to Rainy Pass is a physically and mentally demanding one so that you are usually pretty alert. Sheer terror and fear of death has that effect.

Then I left Rainy Pass in the wee hours of the morning. Although the second half of that trail is much like the Finger Lake to Rainy Pass leg in terms of  'sheer terror'/'ability to inspire alertness', the first 20 miles isn't as challenging and I found myself having a bit of trouble being perky. I pulled one of the Energy shots from my pocket and in no time was bright and enjoying a beautiful moonlit night. I was pretty impressed by the effects of the shot.

During the night on the way to Nikolai the straight, very boring trail around Buffalo Camp had me reaching into my pocket again. In fact, it took 2 shots (just over 5 hours apart) to get me into the checkpoint.

While on my 24 hour break in McGrath I walked done to the local store and bought a case (12) of extra strength 5 hour energy shots and thus the downward spiral began!!!!!

So much for 4 getting me through the race. 

In Unalakleet I gave young checkpoint volunteer Kermit money to run down to the store for me and buy me another case. Pat Moon also gave me some of his shots.

photo courtesy of www.iditarod.com

Gotta say, for me, those little things worked. That didn't totally make me awake, but they did take off that 'fall asleep on my feet' edge - and, as advertised, didn't give me a big 'crash' after either.

By the time I reached Safety I was counting hours till my next shot and pushing the '5 hour' thing pretty good. After all, this was an 'extreme' use of the product and required a bit of modification of 'suggested usage' - right?? RIGHT????

When I emptied my pockets in Nome I think I had 3 thawed and another 3 or 4 in my sled. Richard was thinking I might have a problem. I assured him I would have no problem doing without them - but in reality, don't all 'addicts' say that??? I was a touch concerned myself!!

Thankfully, I had no problem quitting my habit cold turkey, but maybe the fact that I was free to get good sleep in the weeks after the race had alot to do with that.

I am clean 29 days and counting............

=)
 

How To Spend a Rainy Day...

It's a tough life!

And Now You Know!!

Bet has shared with me a list of questions that were posted to the Blog and Facebook during Iditarod that she and the Minions were unable to answer.

I'll give them a shot, but no guarantees!!!!

Kristie Swartz:  "What r the names of the wheeled dogs and do u have any pictures? The ones closest to the sled. Was not sure if that's what they r called.

Kristie - Yes, indeed, the dogs closest to the sled are the wheel dogs. Being a wheel dog is one of the most physically demanding positions on the team, so I am also moving different dogs into that position, so there are no 'specific' wheel dogs in my team.

This year though, with so many of my girls being in season, it was mostly my male dogs - Crunchie, Q, Rocky, Wolvie, Turtle, Astro, Roscoe and Wifi that were in wheel through the race.

Ricki McLaughlin: "Question: How did the teams' paws fare over all the ice? I know you use booties, but was wondering over 1000 miles how the pads hold up. "

Hi Ricki!!! Actually, ice is pretty easy on the dogs feet and often they do better without booties on glare ice as they can get better traction. Really cold temperatures and wind-swept snow I find to be tough on my dogs' feet and I did definitely use more booties on this race than in any other Iditarod I have run. 

Lynn Tousignant-Goodwin: "So what happens now? How long do the teams stay in Nome, do the mushers go home right away...how long does it take until the musher feels like herself again? How do you rest the team,small runs, massage, total rest? "

So, obviously, some of this is 'moot' now but....it all depends on the airlines. This year I spent less than 48 hours in Nome, as we got out on Monday, but we have been stuck in town till Thursday waiting for flights.

It does take awhile to recover but I am doing chores with the dogs right away.

This year, mostly due to irate moose and the fact that my gun was still out on the trail, we mostly gave the dogs total rest. Richard did take 12 dogs - a mixture of Iditarod vets and dogs that had stayed home from the race - on a 40-mile race a week after Iditarod. 

A bazillion were concerned that because you took so long in Koyuk, that you had been penalized for losing the GPS.

Oh goodness - no! The trip across Norton Sound was pretty 'epic' and took a lot out of all of us. The long break in Koyuk was to allow the dogs and I to all 'recover'. 

General question: how were the steps this year?

The Steps were as good as I'd ever seen them!!! I was actually able to look around as I went down them. Normally I am far to busy trying to keep everything 'together' to be able to do that!!

Did you realize your GPS fell off and when did you hear how popular it had become?

Sure did. It was loose in Shaktoolik and I had let Race Officials know but there was no one around to do anything about it!

The ice outside of Koyuk had a lot of bit pressure ridges in it and the dogs cut a corner close and the sled crashed off a 2-foot or so ice chunk. As I reached ground I saw something fly off the sled - it took a minute for me to realize it was my GPS. My first thought was 'no way I'm going back for it' (we hardly ever go 'back' for anything. That is a very risky thing to do.) and I figured since it was a GPS it would be easy to find anyway.

My second thought was 'Oh, my Mom'. And sure enough, I had dinner with her the other night and she told me she was a wreck after I lost it!!!

I found out how popular it had become after I got to Nome and Richard told me. Gave me a good laugh that folks were having so much fun with it! =) =)

Cris D Celino: Who has the best appetite on the trail?  And who sleeps the most?

Hi Cris - most of the dogs are great eaters, but Turtle probably rates as the most enthusiastic. Jinx does enjoy her breaks and is a very sound sleeper!!!!

Karen Stott:  How many chances do the mushers have to take a shower?

Karen - a few of the checkpoints, like Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna, Unk and White Mt have showers. On my first Iditarod I think I had three showers, but this year (MOM - please stop reading now), I have to admit I didn't shower at all. The older I get, the more important sleep is and I'd rather put the time to resting than showering - even though I do LOVE showers!!!!! That shower in Nome felt so, so good!!!

Shirley Yarbrough Worried when you left Safety, then went back, and then snow machine left for Nome. What happened with Rocky? How was he carried by snow machine? That blog on him was so so cute.

Hmmm, not sure what was going on here Shirley. I didn't go back to Safety. Not sure how my GPS showed I did. And I don't recall any snowmachine around. 

Rocky was dropped, he had just had enough and as I was having some issues with the team in general, I didn't want to mess around with him. 

He was taken to Nome by snowmachine and arrived an hour or so after the team did. 

Inge Van Kasteren: Did you have any dreams like trains coming at you due to lack of sleep?

Yup. I have lots of small hallucinations on the trail. Nothing big and dramatic this year, but I always see trees, houses and sandy beaches along the Iditarod when there are none around!!!

Sandra A. Stealey: What do you think about most when you out on the trail? Are you always occupied with what's coming up or do you ever just "muse"...doesn't have to be personal, can be what you have heard from other long distance mushers too.

Lots of time to 'muse'. Trust me I solve all the the problems and issues in my life, make great plans for the future, and come up with all sorts of ways to create world peace while out on the trail. 

Unfortunately, once I've had a bit of sleep, nothing seems like as good an idea as it did in the middle of the trail. Go figure!!! =)

Are Bang and Irving similar?

Well, they are littermates, so they are similar in some ways but Bang is much more serious and agreeable than Irving!

Tales of the Trail 2012 - Ceremonial Start

Ceremonial Start morning for Iditarod always starts bright and early. In order to be in downtown Anchorage and on 4th Avenue at the required time we are up and getting ready by about 4am. Thankfully it is usually such a fun day that being bright and 'perky' is possible even if we are exhausted!

Richard and I loaded dogs alone and then picked my good friend Doug Grilliot up on the way to the city. Doug lives a few miles off the highway and had walked out to save us a bit of time. With the 'moose situation' in Alaska this winter, Doug had walked out armed. That fact came in handy later in the day.

When we parked on 4th Avenue Helen "who smells like cookies" was waiting. Helen had flown up from Maine on Wednesday, attended the banquet, helped at the Open House and was once again around to give us a hand! It is super handy to have good friends that know me, the dogs, and how we (yes, the dogs are just as particular as I am - maybe even more-so) like things done.

The four of us snuck over to our 'usual' restaurant (one of these years I will have to figure out the name of that place!!) for breakfast. I don't know that you could imagine 3 more different people than Doug, Helen and Richard but they are really some of my very favorite people on the planet and sitting down to a meal with all three of them was a very special treat for me.

Then it was back to the truck to get the dogs their breakfast. We only had to have the 20 dogs that were on my 'Iditarod list' (we must submit a list of 20 dogs on the Wednesday prior to Iditarod. Any of these 20 can run the start and restart, but no dog not on that list can run) on 4th Avenue, but I see no point in leaving the other 4 behind. If nothing else it is good experience for them!
All the rookies did a great job of eating with the crowds and commotion. I was very proud of them.

The time went by quickly as we prepared the team, sleds, visiting with old friends, did the odd interview, etc., etc.

Visiting with one of my heroes, Libby Riddles!

As we were getting ready word came around that moose could be a problem on the trails on the way to Campbell Airstrip. Quietly and carefully Doug's gun got tucked into Richard's sled. No way were we making it through all we did in training to get stomped on the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod! (As it turns out there was not a moose anywhere to be seen!! Maybe they got word that Richard was armed!).

Soon it was time to hook up and get moving.  Thanks to our terrific helpers, that was accomplished quickly and efficiently. My Iditarider, LaRita Skipper got tucked into the sled. Just as I was about to step on the sled my cell phone rang. Seriously??? Who could be calling??? Turns out it was hubby. "What are you up to???", he asked. I missed his presence in Alaska alot and it was wonderful to get a brief chance to talk to him.

Doug rode my sled with me up to the start. We chatted with friends, waved and goofed around for the few blocks up to the start line.

The trails on the downtown streets of Anchorage were warm and slow, but it was still a fun trip. Rita tossed booties to kids and encouraged the 'Sweet Angel Babies' (aka the Curly Tails) from her perch in the sled. She was a great Iditarider!

When we came to the muffin stand the always present trumpet player broke into 'O Canada!'. I stopped and asked if he took requests. When I explained that my second sled driver was British, he happily broke into 'God Save The Queen'! What a good sport! =)

We stopped to visit with my friends the Wilkens family. Logan and Calvin hopped on the runners for a quick ride too!

Too soon it seemed we pulled onto Campbell Airstrip.  Helen was there to hop on the runners with me and guide us to the dog truck.

The dogs were watered, unharnessed and tucked back in the truck and our fabulous helpers all headed their separate ways.

We drove Doug back home and he invited us over for dinner. We got the dogs put away and took the Grilliots up on their kind offer! A great meal, a bit of pomegranate tequila and then back home for a good night's sleep!!

A good day!