tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793530329339382482024-03-14T10:36:58.834-08:00The HowlerThe Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-73983455451765484772012-04-06T16:47:00.001-08:002012-04-06T16:47:40.817-08:00Iditarod 2012<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/AVvXsEj2lJ4fxlFEV-ZQGGNQe0Umu8DZPmKA9a6ct1F_buW1xfEZxUGzEwODkwm_GgMDOhcx6vTJQEMah_yb7Y3KlGBrvXQHjjQRXisKcfXP6PICFgETlpi-6nmSSSCVPSKynbGfK0nZR2FthnQ/s1600/IMG_1132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lJ4fxlFEV-ZQGGNQe0Umu8DZPmKA9a6ct1F_buW1xfEZxUGzEwODkwm_GgMDOhcx6vTJQEMah_yb7Y3KlGBrvXQHjjQRXisKcfXP6PICFgETlpi-6nmSSSCVPSKynbGfK0nZR2FthnQ/s320/IMG_1132.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My favorite Iditarod fan, Jaydyn Mason</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For those of you who have not or might not ever get a chance to experience a good ground storm on Norton Sound, I'll do my best to describe what it's like. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Cantwell, where we live, is almost famous for wind, and wind is nothing that my dogs and I are unfamiliar with. However, the wind of the coast is an entirely different animal. Perhaps it's because of the lack of vegetation, or the lack of mountains, or maybe it's because in these special parts of the world where earth and ocean are in a constant battle for supremacy that each bring to "the front lines" their elements' "special forces." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A few things about the wind, are one how dramatically it lowers temperature, <i>(wind chill factor, I think is a familiar concept, believe it or not a rather small aspect of traveling in these conditions.) </i>Let's think for a second about the sound. Imagine the world's greatest rock n roll drummer having the night of his or her life. Now imagine that he or she is invisible and replace yourself with his or her drum kit. <i>Rat a tat tat thump whack thump rat rat a tat thump whack thump</i>, deafening. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiiscMRjlEpIZCOO6NpJ_XoVgQGmUpsTgBdc6zayfU6mMxEfMREYxKn0tReQ4gT-p8QNpk5AE1Ly8hGX85gB1glltuUGAUPtCciPsNjI1fZTGo0I5vxEc7dgjE_LrPlyRhS4U59VGeAE/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiiscMRjlEpIZCOO6NpJ_XoVgQGmUpsTgBdc6zayfU6mMxEfMREYxKn0tReQ4gT-p8QNpk5AE1Ly8hGX85gB1glltuUGAUPtCciPsNjI1fZTGo0I5vxEc7dgjE_LrPlyRhS4U59VGeAE/s200/IMG_0799.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Then there is the force, as undeniable as gravity, enough to stop you dead in your tracks, or pick you up and move you laterally, or, if so, desired simply upend you at will. This force is compounded by an uncanny dexterity able to perform the most intricate tasks. For a species such as ours which prides itself on our manual abilities, I want to assure you that what we can do the wind can undo quite quickly and efficiently. Mitten lanyards, or idiot strings as they are more commonly called, are worn by many mushers and have been worn by polar explorers and the native peoples of the arctic as a way to keep all too important over mitts from getting lost and to keep them handy when not in use. The ability to twist ones mitts behind ones back is as routine to the well seasoned traveler as breathing. However, the wind, with the finesse of a pianist,</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> can curl her fingers around your waist, unravel your mitts, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">take one and toss it testing the limit of it's lanyard. <i>"No, no don't,,,</i> <i>I know the ability to count to ten is important, but don't, don't reach out to,,, look out here it comes,,, duck and cover." </i>Yep, just when you begin to think the force of the wind against that mitt which is tethered around your neck is going to yank your head off, she will switch directions ever so slightly sending that mitt straight for your forehead. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3ezwTgmozXVOP7jtbvt8Adwxsq2Ff3EFz5SKlKhjXBtMnbFVkdlAoG-WSS2ecGWEnVc4MbIGWnrYFTjQESmmxS-IM-KZb8xq_btQqKTTC_SiorumfJ08E4jqdsr04_UjB-Gy-_L1soE/s1600/IMG_1398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3ezwTgmozXVOP7jtbvt8Adwxsq2Ff3EFz5SKlKhjXBtMnbFVkdlAoG-WSS2ecGWEnVc4MbIGWnrYFTjQESmmxS-IM-KZb8xq_btQqKTTC_SiorumfJ08E4jqdsr04_UjB-Gy-_L1soE/s320/IMG_1398.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rachel Cockman, watch for her in 2021.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The biggest challenge for us two legged critters in a good ground storm is our dependence on eyesight. A whiter shade of pale or a million shades of gray, I'm just not sure which, but flat light compounded by swirling snow equals visual insanity. No up. No down. No past, as in where I've been. No future, as in where I'm going. Nothing. Except, 2" x 6" x 1/4" orange topped trail markers, many of which have been blown clear down the coast back to Unalakleet, some I'm confident wind up in Bora Bora. Finding a trail marker is rather easy, it's a matter of finding the next one which will make you cross eyed. Now having made the Norton Sound crossing in a stiff breeze, I now know the secret to finding Koyuk. The directions, keep the wind breaking across the bridge of your nose freezing each nostril equally. If one nostril is freezing faster than the other, then you are off course, quite possibly heading out towards the open ocean.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Until the next time I hope you are all having as much fun with your dog or dogs as I am with mine, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Mike <i> </i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-10457979193850450432012-03-24T07:43:00.000-08:002012-03-24T07:43:26.223-08:00Iditarod 2012<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/AVvXsEgQaueiXDVlwFFq9M9ukfIN6bP60kNQJGM49c-pFSZU3IbtffSth-vuJzytJTB_2Z25MBDMUR1DFc0i-nG3W_YaqOQAbuwMecu_j7N1JbVSFAwptxq7BPh3Ag2NsJLDGIZqoCEwiUrYnOs/s1600/iditarodcrew2012_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaueiXDVlwFFq9M9ukfIN6bP60kNQJGM49c-pFSZU3IbtffSth-vuJzytJTB_2Z25MBDMUR1DFc0i-nG3W_YaqOQAbuwMecu_j7N1JbVSFAwptxq7BPh3Ag2NsJLDGIZqoCEwiUrYnOs/s400/iditarodcrew2012_2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My immediate Iditarod family</b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've mentioned that I had a lot of help with putting together a run / rest schedule which made sense, and for the most part I stuck to it. It wasn't always easy to adhere to the schedule, but with some good advice along the way I was able to sit on my hands when I needed to. Over the years I've compiled a list of memorable Iditarod quotes, and this one is going right to the top of that list simply because it had a direct impact on the outcome of my race. I had been sitting in Finger Lake for about four hours, I'd previously spent six hours outside of Yentna and now the yellow, <i>"write in the rain,"</i> pad which was sort of like my bible, told me that I needed to stay in Finger for a total of six hours. Ugh. It's painful to watch team after team leave, and I felt like my schedule had set me up to be in last place right out of the gate. Along came Iditarod Champ Joe Runyan. He asked how it was going and I told him that I was a little frustrated with hanging out for so long. He said, <i>"Mike, no one ever made a mistake while resting." </i>Simple enough. As we proceeded through the next few checkpoints, I started to realize that my run times were quite a bit faster than most, and due to the amount of rest I was giving the dogs, they were covering the distances with very little effort. I began to have a lot more faith in my little yellow bible.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTsZKKDHU1JfYY_HGY1nvS1slv-aKmvEVn98X0Ap7XkpCNe6HQ91FQGo-38JIuZS5hmb2wUed-irujB5z6ZzOmE9V1zA63CAPlEZoeO9BiVB04ZjxInVSV7aDaihNNrBtIfC5L-2L9lU/s1600/DSC_8531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTsZKKDHU1JfYY_HGY1nvS1slv-aKmvEVn98X0Ap7XkpCNe6HQ91FQGo-38JIuZS5hmb2wUed-irujB5z6ZzOmE9V1zA63CAPlEZoeO9BiVB04ZjxInVSV7aDaihNNrBtIfC5L-2L9lU/s320/DSC_8531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The one that got away was this big</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Much of my run to the coast was typical Iditarod dog mushing, run six hours rest six hours. So for interest's sake let's jump forward to the good part. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just outside of Unalakleet the trail climbs up and over a short series of hills known as the Blueberry Hills. This was my second time traveling this section of trail, I had done this stretch back in 2008 on a sno-go. Then as now, the weather was remarkable, pleasantly warm, with skies so clear I too thought I could see Russia. On the 08 trip, when I got out of the hills and back down to sea level, it was as if I had somehow went through some sort of time / space portal and had arrived on another planet. Winds gusting thirty plus mph, drifts alternating between rock hard and spindrift soft, visibility practically zero. It would be no different today. A dog sled in a cross wind is a rather pathetic piece of equipment, and steering a sled which is at the mercy of the wind is most frustrating. The dogs, at least mine, seem to think that anything that is remotely different than what we've just experienced, is fun. A new game. Something to get excited about. They love to negotiate obstacles, in this scenario, the obstacles being drifts crossing and/or blocking the trail. What really seems to turn them on is when I don't have any preference as to which way we go around an obstacle and I just let them collectively decide. <i>"Hey,</i> <i>what do you all say we go left around this one? Yeah, yeah, yeah, left</i>. <i>What do you think fellas, straight through this one? Straight through it is." </i>I swear they exude a self satisfied smugness simply because they guessed correctly not knowing that there was no wrong answer. The game of drift dodging / drift diving thankfully got us to Shaktoolik rather quickly. Too quickly perhaps.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> With the help of the local Shaktoolikians, <i>"the most remarkable people on the planet by the way," </i>I got my team parked behind the armory which serves as the checkpoint. I quickly went into checkpoint mode, which </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">this far into the race </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">is an unconscious ritual of bedding down the dogs, removing their boots, and firing up the cooker. Somewhere in the middle of this process a rather familiar, and to Iditarod fans a famous, Swiss accent cut through the sound of the wind, "<i>You're having the run of your life, huh."</i> What the h***. I look up and low and behold I'm parked next to Martin Buser. On the other side of him is Rick Swenson, and coming out of the armory is none other than Lance Mackey. Now, despite the fact that I could've sworn that days ago, somewhere back along the trail, I heard that Aily Zirkle had already won this darn thing, I was sort of expecting her to come strolling out of the armory at any moment. <i>"One aspect of the Iditarod that astounds me is how confusing it is to know where in the grand scheme of things you are. I swear I kept passing teams that were days behind me, and that I kept catching teams that were days ahead of me. The worst part of the whole thing is that everyone involved, checkers and race officials all seem to have a better grasp of how it's all playing out than you do. Soon you start to look at these folks like they've got some sort of revolutionary secret to share with you but they don't." </i> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZbswTv6KHuTOs5MGreHhZpdbWrUFs33tdDbmWOAQIxI7TyERYvGvMV4qPfVVcF31gvHzzziUJe-zoQxKCR7_hlITdTHX3oHRLNcj-PiIMY0DCeGlyFWaagp0lgPHGhCfF4vvs6TuAUM/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZbswTv6KHuTOs5MGreHhZpdbWrUFs33tdDbmWOAQIxI7TyERYvGvMV4qPfVVcF31gvHzzziUJe-zoQxKCR7_hlITdTHX3oHRLNcj-PiIMY0DCeGlyFWaagp0lgPHGhCfF4vvs6TuAUM/s320/IMG_0736.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Iditarod's biggest fan, Willie.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only because he gets the recliner all to himself </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for two weeks. </b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> As the sun began to set on Shaktoolik the temperature started to plummet, and the wind only intensified making for fairly dangerous conditions which forced a large portion of the race field to wait out the weather. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Great! There I was just having the time of my life playing with my puppies along the Iditarod trail, and all of a sudden I'm stuck smack dab in the middle of a race. Yikes! What to do?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Keep coming back and I'll keep writing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Until the next time, I hope you're having as much fun with your dog or dogs as I am with mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Mike</span></span>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-71494937399653397172012-03-22T08:07:00.000-08:002012-03-22T08:07:11.840-08:00Iditarod 2012 Iditarod to me is a rich tapestry woven with the tales of each and every person involved. Not only the mushers and dogs, their families, friends and handlers, but also all of the volunteers, the villagers, veterinarians, pilots, and even the fans. Imagine that story if it could only be told. The lure of the Northland, once dominated by mountain men and gold seekers, has been kept alive by this truly Alaskan event. It's spell is apparently all to easy to catch, and almost impossible to cure. In the land of the midnight sun there still lives the very basic American ideal that the toil itself is its own reward.<br />
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Since I've returned home I've received a ton of emails, instant messages, and phone calls congratulating me on completing the 2012 Iditarod. Much appreciated, but I can assure you that I had a really small role in the eventual outcome of our race. Yup, I was the lucky guy on the runners behind an incredible group of dogs, and yeah, I had to make decisions along the way that needed to be made, but I never could have done it with out a ton of help. Much thanks needs to go to my crew for the hard work they've done all season in preparing the dogs for the race, and to the folks who have worked for me over the last several years. Also I would like to thank my good friend Clint Warnke who was instrumental in setting me up with an awesome run / rest schedule which suited my team's strengths. My Knik mom, Maureen Reagan, who for the past two years has cooked and packaged all of my meals. And my neighbor Susan Carlson who washed and dried all of my socks so I could have a fresh pair at all of the checkpoints, talk about an unsung hero.<br />
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To all of those who have supported us financially over the years a big thank you for saying yes when it would've been easier to say no. Scott Lee at the <a href="http://www.inlettower.com/" target="_blank">Inlet Towers</a>, Rick McMahan of <a href="http://www.denaliflyfishing.com/" target="_blank">Denali Fly Fishing Guides</a>, Jim and Joy Wheeler of Wheeler EMS K9 Unit, Claude Bondy at <a href="http://www.alpinecreeklodge.com/" target="_blank">Alpine Creek Lodge</a>, Chuck Sterni, aka, Mr Bootie, Jeni Mason of <a href="http://dbsd.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=2669&linkid=nav-menu-container-4-4875" target="_blank">Denali PEAK program</a>, <a href="http://www.ahtna-inc.com/" target="_blank">Ahtna Inc</a>. and the Native Village of Cantwell, Jayne Heampstead at Cantwell Veterinary Clinic, and all of the wonderful ladies of Paw Partners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheITPirOb6jdbrVhRn43-eE57Pkq53C28sHiS1UkDq1fLZjSZlNH47PxziRygEdOTfIcx1sHdqqUMSfNBt70eisqxFVdz7VGSwngvr-3tnah74R6xNWovug9wt_WmAcATtjMWbhPP7mRs/s1600/FinishCloseUp.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheITPirOb6jdbrVhRn43-eE57Pkq53C28sHiS1UkDq1fLZjSZlNH47PxziRygEdOTfIcx1sHdqqUMSfNBt70eisqxFVdz7VGSwngvr-3tnah74R6xNWovug9wt_WmAcATtjMWbhPP7mRs/s400/FinishCloseUp.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Showing off my Shaktoolik suntan</span></b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table> I know you all want to know what it was like out there on the trail, but please be patient, I'm working on it I promise.<br />
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Until the next time I hope you are all having as much fun with you dog or dogs as I am with mine.<br />
Mike<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheITPirOb6jdbrVhRn43-eE57Pkq53C28sHiS1UkDq1fLZjSZlNH47PxziRygEdOTfIcx1sHdqqUMSfNBt70eisqxFVdz7VGSwngvr-3tnah74R6xNWovug9wt_WmAcATtjMWbhPP7mRs/s1600/FinishCloseUp.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheITPirOb6jdbrVhRn43-eE57Pkq53C28sHiS1UkDq1fLZjSZlNH47PxziRygEdOTfIcx1sHdqqUMSfNBt70eisqxFVdz7VGSwngvr-3tnah74R6xNWovug9wt_WmAcATtjMWbhPP7mRs/s1600/FinishCloseUp.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheITPirOb6jdbrVhRn43-eE57Pkq53C28sHiS1UkDq1fLZjSZlNH47PxziRygEdOTfIcx1sHdqqUMSfNBt70eisqxFVdz7VGSwngvr-3tnah74R6xNWovug9wt_WmAcATtjMWbhPP7mRs/s1600/FinishCloseUp.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-87949046770375751022012-03-21T09:35:00.000-08:002012-03-21T09:35:11.193-08:00Tales from the 2012 Iditarod<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8boNSY7fW_Fqs_-WbsmHs1erEmBrTA8T3FN3ZoTHIEg5JRaIHmfYIwQRBCj_WCvw6l-Bf7N8gyy1euL0BvuQBNptc7nTdPFIq0YSwTWB9BdTSF-q0oHYpLiFDFtUiaFEgly43m9n1nRU/s1600/Mike+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8boNSY7fW_Fqs_-WbsmHs1erEmBrTA8T3FN3ZoTHIEg5JRaIHmfYIwQRBCj_WCvw6l-Bf7N8gyy1euL0BvuQBNptc7nTdPFIq0YSwTWB9BdTSF-q0oHYpLiFDFtUiaFEgly43m9n1nRU/s640/Mike+Finish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The Arctic trails have their secret tales"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i>Robert Service</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i>In today's world there are very few secrets, Thanks Iditarod GPS Tracker. However there are certain things which have to be experienced in order to be fully appreciated. For example, I can now honestly say that I've<i>,</i> <i>felt,</i> a sunrise. It was bitterly cold on the kaltag portage, as we made our way over to Unalakleet from Old Woman Cabin in the dark. The sun crept up over the hills behind my left shoulder, and in my sleep deprived state, I hardly noticed. Soon though the warmth of the sun couldn't be denied. I swear that I could smell it before I actually felt it, or perhaps at least, the reflection of the sun off of the snow thawed the ice in my nostrils enough that I now could at least smell again. I turned standing backwards on the runners staring up into the sun. For almost two hours, we proceeded in this manner, occasionally righting myself on the sled to check on our progress. However I, much like a lizard perhaps, was unable to resist the urge to turn again and face the warmth of the sun.</div><br />
Until the next time I hope you are having as much fun with your dog or dogs as I am with mine.<br />
MikeThe Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-59542833795161970902012-03-18T11:32:00.000-08:002012-03-18T11:32:46.737-08:00Under the ArchWe have all made it to Nome. I flew up in Wednesday to await Mike's arrival. The internet connection here has been limited so I apologize for the lack of updates. Mike and the dogs arrived at 5:20 am on Friday. I had the opportunity to watch them run in for the last couple of miles. There is a road that parallels the trail along the beach. Mike and Melissa Owens took me out to spot the team. The dogs were moving like a well oiled machine. It was a really special experience to get to see Mike running the team. I could even hear him talking top the dogs. <br />
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I was really glad to see Mike and the dogs. They all looked great and had an amazing trip. Hook and Gibson were barking at the finish line. One of the first things Mike said was, "I have the best dogs." As we drove them to the Nome dog lot, Mike left an impressive brake mark in the snow. <br />
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Mike has received many compliments on his dogs and performance. Bringing 15 happy, healthy dogs to Nome is a great accomplishment. Mike said that as he was preparing to leave White Mountain, the second to last checkpoint, the race checker said to him, "There haven't been all that many people who have had the opportunity to leave here with 15 dogs." Throughout the race Mike posted impressive run times. However, he told me that the runs that did not go as smoothly were the more memorable parts of the race. I know that he has many stories from the trail, but I will leave that to him. The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-49664976954931053552012-03-13T23:59:00.000-08:002012-03-13T23:59:26.388-08:00Heading into the LightIt has been a long day for the GPS tracker. Mike got into Shaktoolik last night and I expected that when I got up this morning he would be on his way towards Koyuk. I was surprised to see that not only had he not left, nor had anyone else, some of whom had come in to Shaktoolik many hours before him. Mike had completed the run up the coast in great time, so I was not really worried that there was a problem with the team. The fact that so many teams were still there made me think of the weather. As I mentioned Shaktoolik is known to be quite windy. Joe Runyan stated that the teams were "Stacked in Shak." He said, "Blowing snow, stiff winds, temperatures temper musher exits. Our records show that no mushers in Shak have left since 4:00 p.m. yesterday. Our sources in Shak assert that visibility is ABOUT a quarter mile and no one is sure of the severity of the ground storm on the ice to Koyuk. " <br />
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I kept checking in on Mike over the morning with no change. Finally, at lunch time I saw some teams start to head out of Shaktoolik. However, Mike was staying put. I was concerned until I realized that as a long time Rick Swenson fan, perhaps he was just waiting to make the run with him. Mike and Rick left Shaktoolik together and made steady progress towards Koyuk. It was clear that the run was really hard. The teams would start and stop and travel at much slower speeds than usual. Don Bowers Jr. explained, "The trail can range from a groomed speedway to rough ice to drifted snow to glare ice. The wind is usually blowing, and almost always right in your face. Days with less than 20 or 30 mph breezes are uncommon. The wind can blow at hurricane velocity out here and ground blizzards can reduce visibility to zero in minutes." <br />
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Things seemed to be going well and I was looking forward to Mike making it into Koyuk when he started moving away from the other teams and the trail. Following on the GPS tracker I could see him realize something wasn't right and start to look for the trail. This is the point when my power went out and my internet connection went dead. The GPS trackers are a blessing and a curse. They give information, but sometimes too much information. And like an addict, I did not want to go cold turkey right during a crisis. The power eventually went back on, but showed that Mike was sitting still on the ice. He stayed there an agonizingly long time, until all of a sudden he began to make steady and straight progress right towards Koyuk. I believe that he waited until he could see the lights if Koyuk and is now driving his dogs right towards them. He is about 2 miles out, and let's be honest, I won't go to bed until I see him make it there.<br />
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Earlier today, when they were fighting their way through the wind, I was thinking about how this challenging run would actually seperate me from Mike. I will never be able to be part of that experience he and the dogs have had of working so hard together to make it through something truly challenging. They will have a bond that I will not share. I am sure that this is true of their experience during the entire race, but I felt it today. This extra challenge of being lost on the sea ice compounds this fact. <br />
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I hope that tomorrow brings a smooth run to Elim. <span class="bigcap">M</span>ay the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-78673117547195173782012-03-12T23:45:00.000-08:002012-03-12T23:45:35.350-08:00Storming up the CoastMike has made it too Shatoolik. It was a pleasure to watch him move up the coast tonight. He made the 40 mile run in 5 hours and 9 minutes. Pretty incredible for a team who has come 713 miles in the last 8 days. <br />
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The coast has been known to challenge teams. It can be brutally windy, cold, and barren. There are no trees to break up the landscape and the runs can seem monotonous. Distances are hard to judge and at times the mushers are running on the frozen sea ice. Luckily, I think the weather is pretty good and I am glad that so far the team seems unfazed by the landscape. <br />
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When Mike went through Shaktoolik on the way to the All Alaska Sweepstakes, he reported that the town, in addition to being one of the windiest places he had ever been, was home to a large number of very small, short coated dogs. I do not know why people in Shaktoolik would choose this type of dog as a pet, or even how the dogs were comfortable enough to be running around outside, but it made a striking impression. <br />
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As Mike continues up the coast, he may rely on some of our more bullheaded dogs as leaders. Of the 16 dogs he started with, almost all are leaders. However there are many different kinds of leaders. Some are really good at listening to commands, some are competitive and like to chase down other teams, some can find the trail in deep snow, and some are determined to go forward no matter how much wind, water or snow they face. Nestor is one of the most bullheaded dogs we own. As I try to picture the team running across the ice, I wonder if Mike will use Nestor's determination to speed the team along. <br />
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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/AVvXsEgGPeb814odcYwBVNPwyDpqKLyAuRpQCZWB0e5drt9MApt4cioDLj5trhgNhSlUQaWLwd7NGF6st5pGcXROX-_Uwj7_OHAkEOPuf80ha3l3dV-rIjUJ8iFJIQAbaAnfo8Xwfrr5nsD4FoE/s1600/IMG_1406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPeb814odcYwBVNPwyDpqKLyAuRpQCZWB0e5drt9MApt4cioDLj5trhgNhSlUQaWLwd7NGF6st5pGcXROX-_Uwj7_OHAkEOPuf80ha3l3dV-rIjUJ8iFJIQAbaAnfo8Xwfrr5nsD4FoE/s640/IMG_1406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caitlin and Nestor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-41633250156872963332012-03-11T22:51:00.000-08:002012-03-11T22:51:23.849-08:00The Portage to UnalakleetMike and the dogs are making the overland crossing from the Yukon River to the Bering Sea Coast. This is a historic portage trail, which connects these major waterways. The trail leaves Kaltag and climbs up through the trees. By about half way to Unalakleet, the geography changes and the trail enters the open tundra. I expect Mike to take a rest, before this change, at Old Woman cabin. He will use this to break up the 76 mile run. <br />
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I noticed that Mike arrived at Kaltag , mile 697, at 2:45 pm today. This is almost exactly 7 days after he left the starting line at 2:44 pm last Sunday. Knowing that he took a 24 hour break during this week, it means that he and the dogs have traveled 100 miles a day since leaving. I just cannot wrap my head around the athletic talents of these dogs. Their ability and desire to run continues to impress me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFRNba3GmbayO1vvB16oytU6lBx6-EmTbrUoqPMEbDR610Tscw3KhLlrwJvkSAXkvsWq35xvof_jriKCWYWiItrxe17bTGJQ3Ln0yeSFPhpgxf2Qho5bbrw-XUNIcysYHAW-uIz_J6Ps/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-09+at+9.42.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFRNba3GmbayO1vvB16oytU6lBx6-EmTbrUoqPMEbDR610Tscw3KhLlrwJvkSAXkvsWq35xvof_jriKCWYWiItrxe17bTGJQ3Ln0yeSFPhpgxf2Qho5bbrw-XUNIcysYHAW-uIz_J6Ps/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-09+at+9.42.54+PM.png" /></a></div><br />
One of the things that has been really fun for me, while watching the race, has been seeing how many teams are using gear designed by Mike. Mike and I have worked really hard to create things that are right for the dogs and the mushers. Mike designed harnesses and dog jackets and many of the teams in the race are wearing the jackets. I am really proud of all that Mike has done. It is pretty amazing to watch him run a team of dogs we raised from puppies, wearing gear we designed and created, using a gangline setup Mike developed, driving a sled he built. I hope he is feeling this same pride and satisfaction as he travels the trail with our dogs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFfOn1GBiO5XTORFmvJ3Rk7JcMWXQDMIZAPm6FWmyVyodZQU-UjvrScCyLFs0cWje6G3isEVUP5hON-yQWCofexNNj_FZQ3RfUKUJZzTVBEiqgLpfk8ppgONBzdzcTCXPn0XA9hXTL1E/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFfOn1GBiO5XTORFmvJ3Rk7JcMWXQDMIZAPm6FWmyVyodZQU-UjvrScCyLFs0cWje6G3isEVUP5hON-yQWCofexNNj_FZQ3RfUKUJZzTVBEiqgLpfk8ppgONBzdzcTCXPn0XA9hXTL1E/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-6873083063460390102012-03-10T22:56:00.001-09:002012-03-10T22:58:22.066-09:00River DanceMike and the team are trucking down the Yukon River. Wide, flat, and known for wind, the Yukon River can present challenges to mushers. However, our dogs are well prepared for these conditions through living and training in Cantwell. <br />
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There was an awesome video of the team arriving at Galena through the Iditarod Insider. " <a class="vidtitle" href="http://iditarod.com/video/mike-santos-into-galena/">Mike Santos Into Galena</a> " The dogs and Mike look good, happy, and moving well. Mike continues to post fast running times and is maintaining a big team.<br />
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Overnight, Mike will run to Nulato. Next will come Kaltag the last checkpoint on the Yukon. From here the trail will cross over to the Bering Sea Coast. More adventure to come!<br />
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Mushers are required to take an 8 hour layover at one of the checkpoints on the Yukon River. I expect that Mike will do this at Ruby. This will allow the dogs a good break after the long run up from Cripple. This 70 mile run has taken most mushers over 10 hours and some have elected to stop and rest to break up the run. It looks like Mike will go all the way without a break. <br />
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This year the Iditarod is following the Northern route. This means that when the racers got to Ophir they turned North to Cripple rather than South to the village of Iditarod. Therefore, since Ophir, the trail has been new to Mike. He has, however, been to Ruby before. In 2008, when Mike ran the All Alaska Sweepstakes race out of Nome, he drove our snowmobile from Nenana to Nome, an 800 mile journey. The route he took joined the Iditarod trail in Ruby. So once he gets to the river, it will be somewhat familiar for him. <br />
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I am really looking forward to seeing Mike and the dogs and hearing about their amazing adventures. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in the bubble, as Mike calls it. The special union of a musher and his dogs working together, nearly independent of the world around them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsl4xU2XeWI3_Jpd4Kflmda2nE1ffZJ146H-T3zRL2yJdD9pkNPwh_4Px35JTF7KrhqEToC9IxTf5Fc0KYpCs8w6FsDktnGyqXcxJ89IK922PfVw2pQmRWuBNEbmsdd5GIxxmh0oM8-U/s1600/Mike+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsl4xU2XeWI3_Jpd4Kflmda2nE1ffZJ146H-T3zRL2yJdD9pkNPwh_4Px35JTF7KrhqEToC9IxTf5Fc0KYpCs8w6FsDktnGyqXcxJ89IK922PfVw2pQmRWuBNEbmsdd5GIxxmh0oM8-U/s400/Mike+Start.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-28776465031652387952012-03-08T23:22:00.000-09:002012-03-08T23:22:26.327-09:00Moving Towards CrippleMike left Takotna this afternoon after his 24 hour break. I was really pleased to see that he kept all 16 dogs with him. I heard via Jeff King that Mike's team look great as they arrived at Takotna on Wednesday. This is a testament to Mike's ability to care for the dogs and his intuitive understanding of what they need. His decision to put the needs of the dogs first was noted in the <a href="http://community.adn.com/?q=adn/node/160158" target="_blank">Anchorage Daily News</a>. <br />
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Mike made the 21 mile run from Takotna to Ophir and passed right through. He is now resting about 30 miles further down the trail on the way to Cripple. This is a long stretch of trail. I expect him to camp for several hours and then continue on to the checkpoint. Mike most likely picked up straw for the dogs in addition to some extra food to feed them during this break. <br />
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Here in the kennel this evening, I saw some of the most spectacular Northern Lights I have ever seen. There were beams of green stretching all the way to the peak of the sky, not just low on the horizon. They lights moved rapidly and showed reds, purples, and whites along the edge of the green. I hope that Mike is sitting with the dogs watching the same amazing show. <br />
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Tomorrow will bring more long miles. I cannot imagine having the athletic ability of these dogs. Their ability and desire to run for hours on end, day after day is unmatched. The chance to witness their accomplishments is part of the addiction of sled dogs. The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-21179620717650821602012-03-07T21:52:00.000-09:002012-03-07T21:52:29.890-09:00Taking a RestMike and the dogs have made it to Takotna where they will take their 24 hour break. I am so impressed with their performance. If you look at Mike's run times they are nearly as fast as the fastest teams in the race. I can tell that Mike is running carefully and making sure the dogs get what they need. This has allowed him to bring all 16 dogs to this point in the race. <br />
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Mike got to Takotna t 1:22 PM on Wednesday, which means he will not leave until nearly 3 PM Thursday. This will give all of us Iditarod junkies a chance to rest. For Mike and the dogs, this will also be a chance to rest. Mike will be feeding the dogs lots of kibble, meats, and fats and stretching and massaging them. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Sebastian Schnuelle<br />
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Mike was asked at our meet and greet whether he gets a chance to bathe during the race. Sorry Maria, there will be no shower on the agenda in Takotna. Mike says that 3 days worth of dog stink adds 10 degrees of warmth. <br />
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I look forward to a good night's sleep without temptation to hit refresh on the computer or guilt over thinking about Mike's sleep deprivation. It begins again tomorrow when Mike will cross to Ophir and turn North towards Cripple. These will be long runs as he moves towards the Yukon River. The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-45610458020251796322012-03-06T22:30:00.000-09:002012-03-06T22:30:26.025-09:00Over the Alaska Range, into the InteriorThey're off! Mike and the dogs have hit the Iditarod trail.<br />
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As I write, Mike and the dogs are resting in Nikolai. Mike is running a very smart race. His travel times are very competitive, yet he is giving the dogs enough time to rest so that the youngsters, including Gunnel and Gibson who are only one year old, can succeed. I look forward to watching him make steady progress.<br />
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I expect Mike to leave Nikolai after giving the dogs a good long rest. From here he will push through McGrath and on to Takotna where he will take his 24 hour break. Actually it will be 25 hours and 30 minutes to accommodate for the start time differential. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuPp7jnsBnsOXxFfeE0C8aQyYrABlaBbymRBch3hvuIlFenHFPYz5MrhXhYCjY7oh6IC4C4Ii0am90U29_xoEaNOhAIr5FwpBH0c3R6x8BfUR6CnV7J6fsC1iH8hpPbZB0KB2vLXt5IA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-06+at+10.04.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuPp7jnsBnsOXxFfeE0C8aQyYrABlaBbymRBch3hvuIlFenHFPYz5MrhXhYCjY7oh6IC4C4Ii0am90U29_xoEaNOhAIr5FwpBH0c3R6x8BfUR6CnV7J6fsC1iH8hpPbZB0KB2vLXt5IA/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-06+at+10.04.52+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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At this point Mike has made it across several of the difficult parts of the trail: down the Happy River Steps, through the Dalzel Gorge, and across the Farewell Burn. I was glad to see that the burn had some snow on it. The Iron Dog snowmobile race crossed this same area a few weeks ago and showed very little snow on the burn. <br />
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There have been a couple of videos on the Iditarod Insider that have great footage of our team. Look in "<a class="vidtitle" href="http://iditarod.com/video/alan-taylor-profile/">Alan Taylor, Iditarod Volunteer</a>" "<span style="font-size: small;"><a class="vidtitle" href="http://iditarod.com/video/dr-george-stroberg-explains-what-the-vets-see/" style="font-weight: normal;">Dr. George Stroberg Explains What the Vets See</a>"</span> and "<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a class="vidtitle" href="http://iditarod.com/video/mike-santos-young-team-headed-to-nome/">Mike Santos’ Young Team Headed to Nome</a>"</span> You need to be an Insider, but again, I highly recommend it. The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-42922813729654309992012-03-06T21:16:00.000-09:002012-03-06T21:16:37.695-09:00Iditarod 2012Let the games begin! Iditarod 2012 is underway. Mike and the team had a wonderful time at the ceremonial start in Anchorage. From our homebase at the Inlet Tower hotel, we were able to attend several fun events. The festivities included time to meet with friends and fans at the musher's banquet. Mike drew bib number 22 from the mukluk. On Friday, Mike, Mitch Seavey, and Jeff King, put on a jam packed musher meet and greet. On Saturday, Mike gave a great presentation for the Denali PEAK homeschool families. <br />
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The ceremonial start was a party. Mike played it up for the cameras and there is a great video of him and our team on the Iditarod Insider. If you are not an Insider yet, I highly recommend the account. I especially like the GPS feature which gives you updates of Mike's precise location and speed every 10 minutes. (Which leaves about 5 minutes for working or sleeping in between updates. :) ) <br />
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In the ceremonial start, the mushers take two extra people with them. Their Iditarider bids to ride in the sled and someone else rides a tag sled for extra control. Our Iditarider this year was Fran Lockwood from Indiana. She had a lot of fun and made us feel like family. Mike took me along on his tag sled this year. I was nervous that I would mess up in some way and either hurt Mike's race sled or be photographed upside down, which could get Mike in the paper, but maybe not in the fashion he would choose. However, it turned out that I was worrying unnecesarily. (Not me!) The ride was really fun and easy. I had never driven Mike's race sled before and it steers really well. I guess he knew what he was doing when he built it. (Thanks Jim Wheeler for helping make it happen!)<br />
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On the ride through the city we went through crowds of fans. They clapped, rang bells, reached for high fives, and yelled out words of encouragement. I was impressed by how they would yell, "Go Mike!" It gave the impression that they knew us. I realize that Mike's name was in the paper, but personal greeting feel very Alaskan to me. We are a huge state geographically, but very small in population. People really do know each other and take pride in the accomplishments of fellow Alaskans. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe0lhUXGl8IaOFbUxNXiUXsFWMaF4y1jx3B7MwxE_X0-l_ELzb-eRyWc7Dt6xvWTw8BU8YfibhLALDSwiymlwS4aVASJ1M7_IDHU_owoSyEQ3OlIFokXo_oLEWj2ykHZEFZ8Bpu6SADk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-03+at+9.46.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe0lhUXGl8IaOFbUxNXiUXsFWMaF4y1jx3B7MwxE_X0-l_ELzb-eRyWc7Dt6xvWTw8BU8YfibhLALDSwiymlwS4aVASJ1M7_IDHU_owoSyEQ3OlIFokXo_oLEWj2ykHZEFZ8Bpu6SADk/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-03+at+9.46.19+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The ride took us through the city streets and trails, through two tunnels and over two bridge overpasses. The dogs had no problem with seeing all of these strange things. Snow was falling and the trail was soft. About half way through the run, Mike asked me to pick up my drag mat. On the sled there are two breaks, a drag pad for slowing down and a metal break with teeth to stop. Mike often makes fun of me for standing on the mat too much. This time he asked me to pick it up right before we went over an overpass that led into a sharp turn. Even without my mat, we made the corner, and the paper.<br />
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Sunday was the restart in Willow. Mike left the starting line with Rachel, our neighbor, riding the sled with him. I wondered if she would go all the way to Nome with him, but she was in school the next day. <br />
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This whole weekend could not have been possible without the help of many people. I really feel like we had the dream team this year. Christian and Ian, our handlers, Ellen, Chris, Rick, Shane, and Jen for doing everything needed, Tom Farbo for caring for all the dogs at home (especially Willie), Justin Mason for taking amazing pictures, and most importantly Clint Warnke for making sure everything was done right and taking the load off my shoulders. Thank you all for your help. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaudx_84OG2T2UQjvmuhPXxAPQ-FwaRDQuvCWumF18_V6L9sQKasUs6n2VveMZcaw0nSNyCW6GC46dMPCclMpRZBDholVCvxPcVoPAUSD28O56qdTsFi-TD7JL0X6DfRx95lm2LlAz_U/s1600/IMG_1173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaudx_84OG2T2UQjvmuhPXxAPQ-FwaRDQuvCWumF18_V6L9sQKasUs6n2VveMZcaw0nSNyCW6GC46dMPCclMpRZBDholVCvxPcVoPAUSD28O56qdTsFi-TD7JL0X6DfRx95lm2LlAz_U/s640/IMG_1173.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-90591567485325677452012-03-02T22:24:00.000-09:002012-03-02T22:24:56.765-09:00Sweet 16<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/AVvXsEjudZZ00KPG43zMaLBgbALuwlEm4pxc8EThrFK5tfMQPvydHHyxpfNRtnapylSh_3eJZfC-lPUDyMZ_LHe6uts0PHd_wsSWUWAgeluu8LjUAlKF4hdmHxShp2d7NWAyq45xtnhqCtY8qoc/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudZZ00KPG43zMaLBgbALuwlEm4pxc8EThrFK5tfMQPvydHHyxpfNRtnapylSh_3eJZfC-lPUDyMZ_LHe6uts0PHd_wsSWUWAgeluu8LjUAlKF4hdmHxShp2d7NWAyq45xtnhqCtY8qoc/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa</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/AVvXsEhk0rKL0G6rGL5Zahru3q7s41qiur7ZXj9e1RCmPgTXkGo9E2y5vYxzZmLDjCs0cMLpKWTDkmnf7xmM5YFCQUpRxmzJ40_4QrZmfpUtVoTIbA6qlR6GYn4IfBOwBtwwvS1pGxOGgzHc1DI/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0rKL0G6rGL5Zahru3q7s41qiur7ZXj9e1RCmPgTXkGo9E2y5vYxzZmLDjCs0cMLpKWTDkmnf7xmM5YFCQUpRxmzJ40_4QrZmfpUtVoTIbA6qlR6GYn4IfBOwBtwwvS1pGxOGgzHc1DI/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nestor</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjy77S7UzFLDS8JskXXqZioW5jh5tS8w02XcMaec9KX6LwhskN5Mru-drAsOZZn3YCQeT0pOUUIZME_pdQcPD0OrWbdJIicV6EX_1S2080Q32IXSA-OcJ0GjIimXGOxNWAeWLRocBftMUc/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy77S7UzFLDS8JskXXqZioW5jh5tS8w02XcMaec9KX6LwhskN5Mru-drAsOZZn3YCQeT0pOUUIZME_pdQcPD0OrWbdJIicV6EX_1S2080Q32IXSA-OcJ0GjIimXGOxNWAeWLRocBftMUc/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEgOw8E7Ur3LsvSls_LSofPBJEYgKf7PXiNnyX1kFjB-TansLfSyhWjidc3zGciErX5eBLjZYwkrDMtxTTTQUPx0ke3E64o3C-958Lhi-OieoxYhg1xONJYUAqDxeDJe9VJeiA725i45sNw/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw8E7Ur3LsvSls_LSofPBJEYgKf7PXiNnyX1kFjB-TansLfSyhWjidc3zGciErX5eBLjZYwkrDMtxTTTQUPx0ke3E64o3C-958Lhi-OieoxYhg1xONJYUAqDxeDJe9VJeiA725i45sNw/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fang</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEgp3vZFM64hj4jZ4ejCyZeU47D6v5Vf60aZittu3pqiXOYlDm3Ls2HQ4jub128YA-mggsVWVyDTF7NOYGhrYsHlvv4sLrZVvV3IbRq73LvmcjQgGM1ePQa4w_47tjdoIWVwUd3Ew8ug_aQ/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3vZFM64hj4jZ4ejCyZeU47D6v5Vf60aZittu3pqiXOYlDm3Ls2HQ4jub128YA-mggsVWVyDTF7NOYGhrYsHlvv4sLrZVvV3IbRq73LvmcjQgGM1ePQa4w_47tjdoIWVwUd3Ew8ug_aQ/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEi3oWay6MRTqWl5fl6ARrRjiBYUYqLcCu6gmi2mY2y2c9678ljK3Tj_pkzAyKuF_EQxRlxdj398TYnx0n_tuMlItcsOhKAryAeVUn0IVKlf_JPlPN6ov4AA__KupW4fUaDQwxa0g2UkWWc/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oWay6MRTqWl5fl6ARrRjiBYUYqLcCu6gmi2mY2y2c9678ljK3Tj_pkzAyKuF_EQxRlxdj398TYnx0n_tuMlItcsOhKAryAeVUn0IVKlf_JPlPN6ov4AA__KupW4fUaDQwxa0g2UkWWc/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lugnut</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjpyIZyyMz-ZoMlVgFW_sNdDL_uHY-W3gjRxJAdc6zNCogrA83k9GsujIAIHQo8259Uwgbxaz83s_ChyT30aNLWkFZ4_Fo-voWd8R_OtJpTmKmDJi2E6s0zK_Mq1sa7pKAeCPWMKLjGDRI/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyIZyyMz-ZoMlVgFW_sNdDL_uHY-W3gjRxJAdc6zNCogrA83k9GsujIAIHQo8259Uwgbxaz83s_ChyT30aNLWkFZ4_Fo-voWd8R_OtJpTmKmDJi2E6s0zK_Mq1sa7pKAeCPWMKLjGDRI/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Urchin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEi7enPrU-bxQOr1zd31gR4yR6yCyCUf3txBOpZfrmPjla73Oz78b8J9_wGgWeDmKnXNGT-k-TDwQx-f8-NXAwyAB54axOqm6ZGXIKfW6jFZN8EaUwkPnpBSGeWVu2Ap6BMvcyH7S538GLk/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7enPrU-bxQOr1zd31gR4yR6yCyCUf3txBOpZfrmPjla73Oz78b8J9_wGgWeDmKnXNGT-k-TDwQx-f8-NXAwyAB54axOqm6ZGXIKfW6jFZN8EaUwkPnpBSGeWVu2Ap6BMvcyH7S538GLk/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawkeye</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjUxXK-vpIyQ1fBLyvD9E0mBxVetEh6oMfPzqin9HhaPhi2Q37khrLRnVhH-OpEpw5AzO5ZG96GEr1RV3S7MFwLgD0Cu4_-7KZNSkeyo7uEQX2n6l6elzrPW2xUw_lk8f3a85mCexPtUYk/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxXK-vpIyQ1fBLyvD9E0mBxVetEh6oMfPzqin9HhaPhi2Q37khrLRnVhH-OpEpw5AzO5ZG96GEr1RV3S7MFwLgD0Cu4_-7KZNSkeyo7uEQX2n6l6elzrPW2xUw_lk8f3a85mCexPtUYk/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hook</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEj-CcCLciwrhzeZksRdsq5IL66lXcWa3o2oA1sPIuvshngWB0FY42Q8gcyyR12gQLPj5R1wgZoVCGJnKWvBvXE2OvPI6dUETka2Yvh01DZjkyK9IBhX7BCFNezU7WvLaMxSASp4UTw3tKQ/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CcCLciwrhzeZksRdsq5IL66lXcWa3o2oA1sPIuvshngWB0FY42Q8gcyyR12gQLPj5R1wgZoVCGJnKWvBvXE2OvPI6dUETka2Yvh01DZjkyK9IBhX7BCFNezU7WvLaMxSASp4UTw3tKQ/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhsCp3QsYA7GWr85k4LY3G-P9r9eSpPXTLEzRBKNG4IRLCRFpXAuAd6Oa7SjoYCCkTVqJx9eNCZmVhYuoRqf87sn_Gmdc7VrJDvxpKUHV3icRlChG2nnCimWUcL27FWdCH6hAQGXhgXC4Y/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCp3QsYA7GWr85k4LY3G-P9r9eSpPXTLEzRBKNG4IRLCRFpXAuAd6Oa7SjoYCCkTVqJx9eNCZmVhYuoRqf87sn_Gmdc7VrJDvxpKUHV3icRlChG2nnCimWUcL27FWdCH6hAQGXhgXC4Y/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruiser</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEi0S3_saKSUD4VWCTAiSUBARbx8_J600QsVNVCKrc3WNJcZufzxn3xyqaGjpneOPvDl-wltoJoeHg5A1KJiNCi7Ten5xdrlHGqnJAXKKw1tOPOAHXGb1laUcKKXXUJWZGvnb0pqFDapFJQ/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S3_saKSUD4VWCTAiSUBARbx8_J600QsVNVCKrc3WNJcZufzxn3xyqaGjpneOPvDl-wltoJoeHg5A1KJiNCi7Ten5xdrlHGqnJAXKKw1tOPOAHXGb1laUcKKXXUJWZGvnb0pqFDapFJQ/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zazu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEi7Pq6pWsAGyIQMOgDkBlqLgMhgqBVuiesZEz4TOFVyiKFuzImRIWOGj2ZjsdFOtmBegMnCU2-2XxCnuIaxyJILYkn5Z7U-m0hYw0YSz_g4B3mLc2qRtpBLdKUkW81PYMzHKy9q1iYjfkU/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Pq6pWsAGyIQMOgDkBlqLgMhgqBVuiesZEz4TOFVyiKFuzImRIWOGj2ZjsdFOtmBegMnCU2-2XxCnuIaxyJILYkn5Z7U-m0hYw0YSz_g4B3mLc2qRtpBLdKUkW81PYMzHKy9q1iYjfkU/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patton</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEj1nfX75qeIQZqvak6DpGI_YgNLb518bO1L-dRLGZ9JHdYELlIQQa1is7o_2vSWF3pN9KSbhb-b93p6g-grsg3wAIJPisVRFyr1P2E7keVxPL31u5wpsRAszANL8cTegtKVtxAaQzbRpWo/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nfX75qeIQZqvak6DpGI_YgNLb518bO1L-dRLGZ9JHdYELlIQQa1is7o_2vSWF3pN9KSbhb-b93p6g-grsg3wAIJPisVRFyr1P2E7keVxPL31u5wpsRAszANL8cTegtKVtxAaQzbRpWo/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fossil</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhV3lpIwtrOLEuPxVB_aIoJcsKJfUs-5RxHpatzEq6I-BLeAMkPRM8ui0sLRZZefTQTWwYLYpG19EYMXsEDxIVCutz6nOdqDyK2fT5BbRhw-YkooP7muxr4rnZiU5z_CqKBCxNtqTXeySI/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3lpIwtrOLEuPxVB_aIoJcsKJfUs-5RxHpatzEq6I-BLeAMkPRM8ui0sLRZZefTQTWwYLYpG19EYMXsEDxIVCutz6nOdqDyK2fT5BbRhw-YkooP7muxr4rnZiU5z_CqKBCxNtqTXeySI/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ozzy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEgo9iifGfUsLYQGy3E19MdiusI9wovOyhCDY8W-LxsGoUflhLnhperMvgm1IhD6Y0vUfDae1psWryC7XO5ep6FJ1KAGAQH66DhYANcgM5c8vnRYQaATNKE5VqXUDNQS5mD4HXyHvaNr2GQ/s1600/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9iifGfUsLYQGy3E19MdiusI9wovOyhCDY8W-LxsGoUflhLnhperMvgm1IhD6Y0vUfDae1psWryC7XO5ep6FJ1KAGAQH66DhYANcgM5c8vnRYQaATNKE5VqXUDNQS5mD4HXyHvaNr2GQ/s400/Sweet+16+suggestions+-+17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clifford</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-7407835589978633972012-01-02T09:09:00.000-09:002012-01-02T09:09:58.016-09:00Look Mom, No Hands!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxcte98wHO8kjWTeoTGDQb20pNwEUmyHE0ja3x0ECA4iVTF_apYVzuaHYprGChKFrYhvCKLZtnAGhOZ8hzUiA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-76398298834377436532011-12-31T18:33:00.000-09:002011-12-31T18:33:24.085-09:002012 Race Schedule <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As 2011 comes to a close, and the 2012 racing season begins I've finally put together a race schedule which I'm really excited about.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Putting together a race schedule is one of my biggest challenges each year, and there are many factors which I look at before I decide to commit to a race. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Mother Nature is usually to blame for making racing decisions difficult. <a href="http://pafg.arh.noaa.gov/wmofcst.php?wmo=FPAK53PAFG&type=public" target="_blank">NOAA </a> has a hard time predicting what the weather will do an hour from now, so trying to guess if some of the early races will actually go off, or if there will be enough snow to have a safe race is almost impossible for me to predetermine. This year Mother Nature has made almost all of us Alaskan mushers very happy by blessing the entire state with plenty of the white stuff. This is the first year that I've been racing in Alaska where weather wasn't a factor in determining where I would be going. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The next thing I look at is the quality of the event. What makes a quality event? One thing a race needs to have is a </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">good trail, which is well marked. A good trail is one that is safe, and makes sense to negotiate with a dog team. I gave up adventure a long time ago and no longer feel that in order to prove myself worthy, I must do all the foolish things I used to do. As for a well marked trail, I live in one of the more remote locations on our road system so I'm very fortunate in that I can get lost at my own leisure without leaving home. Cool huh!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Next, I look at the rules. M</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ost of our races have similar rules, but each race usually has at least one or two rules which may vary from the norm. What I'm looking for in the rules are things which I feel do not make sense to a dog team.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The most important consideration is are the distances, and mandatory rests appropriate for my team at each specific time of the year. As the winter progresses, the dogs' condition improves, and so each race should be challenging, but well within the abilities of the dogs on my team. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Enough of my yapping, let's go to the races. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knik 200</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">January 7th + 8th</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.knik200sleddograce.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.knik200sleddograce.com</span></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Northern Lights 300 </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">January 27th</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://northernlights300.org/"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://northernlights300.org</span></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Paul Johnson Memorial Norton Sound 450</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">February 8th*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Iditarod</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">March 3rd</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iditarod.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="">http://www.Iditarod.com</a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> *dependent on whether or not I can convince 3,500</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> of my dearest friends to give me a buck.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Well that's all for now. Looking forward to seeing all my friends, and hoping to make a few new ones. Until the next time, I hope you're having as much fun with your dog or dogs as I am with mine.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noSBbNCsdDY/Tv_S8oS_byI/AAAAAAAAAS0/k-tQikn6xnQ/s1600/Mike+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noSBbNCsdDY/Tv_S8oS_byI/AAAAAAAAAS0/k-tQikn6xnQ/s640/Mike+Back.jpg" width="465" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I'm outta here, Mike </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-43632774993846054622011-12-28T07:09:00.000-09:002011-12-28T07:09:42.163-09:00Load Up and Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIzrFc-yM2YgjkK8mvFC0axA50GRK51KedjmCHM0WIym7O9QkYDyT73S5G-OZHwZl2aundllGiJmDlgUqzMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-51242895011630592672011-12-27T10:20:00.000-09:002011-12-27T10:20:17.896-09:00Team Work <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had the privilege of listening to John Baker speak a little bit ago, and loved his description of what he calls Team Baker. In the most humble manner imaginable, from a man who is not only the reigning Iditarod champ, but who has the distinction of having the fastest Iditarod finish ever, he referred to himself as simply the driver of Team Baker. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I think that all too often, at least in the eyes of the general public, dog mushing is viewed as a solitary endeavor, because unlike in NASCAR, rarely does anyone ever see our pit crews. As the 2012 sled dog racing season approaches, I thought it appropriate to introduce you to our crew. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Introducing our handlers this year. These are the guys who are in the trenches day after day, night after night, doing the million little things right that allow us to succeed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QnbqxvUFDcRI_uSaQcZBFDhA1laAHrJHD1pEpOhUfp-YCY9ZFHeO7ODX91kcVEDpGvFZTQ6XXPeBRvASZfjpCDdYf2bYMz1iJhn7xQJqLJUT2u3bczeAV1bMNKLfJB-xFp7mC7hYBKI/s1600/Nick+%252B+Nestor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QnbqxvUFDcRI_uSaQcZBFDhA1laAHrJHD1pEpOhUfp-YCY9ZFHeO7ODX91kcVEDpGvFZTQ6XXPeBRvASZfjpCDdYf2bYMz1iJhn7xQJqLJUT2u3bczeAV1bMNKLfJB-xFp7mC7hYBKI/s320/Nick+%252B+Nestor.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From Topeka Kansas, Nicholas Guy, with his favorite dog Nestor. </span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_gQ7ckPautO2FTCNsDLhJAbxpCr-8_kvPc2EgKwWydy6eA-r1dB7n65Ff9lnHL8LGqrH4Glw5Zkl-AHy0oxhtagDe0OmOJMlvJ23Am5ORkT2ObExV9wo-fZ6bLuGt8UzZPpJPGi-0LE/s1600/Christen+Edison.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_gQ7ckPautO2FTCNsDLhJAbxpCr-8_kvPc2EgKwWydy6eA-r1dB7n65Ff9lnHL8LGqrH4Glw5Zkl-AHy0oxhtagDe0OmOJMlvJ23Am5ORkT2ObExV9wo-fZ6bLuGt8UzZPpJPGi-0LE/s320/Christen+Edison.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From Jericho Vermont, Christian Taylor, with his favorite dog Edison.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Handlers are the unsung heroes of the dog mushing world, without whose help it would be impossible for us to do what we do. Maintaining a large kennel is in many ways very similar to other forms of farming in that it's a 365 day a year job, which requires a lot of man power. I rely on these guys, even if you don't see them often, just like a NASCAR driver depends on his pit crew. The world's fastest driver can only get out of the pit as quickly as his crew can change his tires and fuel his car. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As I begin to look at putting together a race schedule that makes sense for our team and our team's goals, there is another group of folks who are vital members of this team that I would like to thank. They are our sponsors. They are the folks who make it possible for us to purchase the mountain of stuff a dog team requires on a yearly basis. Their financial support of our team cannot be overstated, but I'm also proud to be associated with them all on a personal level. They are our extended family.</span></span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rick McMahan, and the boys that make fishing fun at <a href="http://www.denaliflyfishing.com/" target="_blank">Denali Fly Fishing Guides</a>.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">James and Joy Wheeler, EMS K-9 Unit. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jayne Hempstead, Cantwell Veterinary Service for taking great care of our dogs. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Frances Gray, dear friend and supporter.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kenny Dolenak, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Josh Baltimore, and the gals in the office at <a href="http://www.ringersgloves.com/" target="_blank">Ringers Gloves</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Claude and Jennifer Bondy and the crew at <a href="http://www.alpinecreeklodge.com%20/" target="_blank">Alpine Creek Lodge</a>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Land officer James Smith and <a href="http://www.ahtna-inc.com/" target="_blank">AHTNA Inc</a>., our neighbors.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Michelle Henderson <a href="http://www.grainger.com/" target="_blank">Grainger Industrial Supply</a>. Can't wait to take you mushing Michelle </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mark Roberts, and the fellows from New Zealand for making the greatest dog food on the planet at <a href="http://www.k9natural.com/" target="_blank">K9 Natural</a>.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scott Lee for making me feel at home at the Inlet Towers.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tom and EZ Farbo, long time friends and supporters. Love you. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maureen Regan, my Iditarod chef from Mighty Fine Kitchens.<br />
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</ul>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-14594194257667330232011-11-13T09:45:00.000-09:002011-11-13T09:45:33.723-09:00The crew, Christian Taylor and Nicholas Guy, making the magic happen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLuSruE1ey4jwcUaoZopI-JP5wpHG9O7WAwZvo63YSjtEmQTig_uplY_b8HdBxHFfCcgG18q4344XruS4t6dfLGde2XF0slNuGsYHZCD3mt_EuYAQlQHm4DIxzsZpHMmS4fQ7EsizVqI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-13+at+9.38.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLuSruE1ey4jwcUaoZopI-JP5wpHG9O7WAwZvo63YSjtEmQTig_uplY_b8HdBxHFfCcgG18q4344XruS4t6dfLGde2XF0slNuGsYHZCD3mt_EuYAQlQHm4DIxzsZpHMmS4fQ7EsizVqI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-13+at+9.38.48+AM.png" /></a></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-17225055034611488972011-11-09T17:45:00.002-09:002011-11-09T17:51:39.653-09:00The Luckiest Day of my Life<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The luckiest day of my life started out as what I'd call a fairly typical day. The crew and I had mushed our thirty-nine dogs out to our remote camp in front of the truck. There was a little more fresh snow than I expected, but we had a great run, and I was excited that even some of my young dogs, "<i>teenagers</i>," had figured out what this whole camping thing was all about. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We got all the dogs cared for and bedded down. We ate supper and turned in for a little shuteye. Since we were still in the truck I was using the cab as my portable office as well as my sleeping quarters, leaving the crew a little extra room in our shelter. At camp is usually where I do my best thinking so I like to stay up a bit after our arrival jotting down observations of our days activities, and working and reworking what we call the playbook which is a list basically of which dog is going to run where in the team. Before I turned in, I had noticed that it had started to snow again, and decided that our layover needed to be shortened in order to ensure we would be able to actually make it home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I slept for an hour, and when I got up it had stopped snowing and there wasn't really any additional accumulation. I was a little relieved and felt confident that we would have another great run. We fed the dogs breakfast, packed up our stuff and prepared to leave.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Now in order for us to leave camp with the truck, I need to do a little three point turn to get us heading in the right direction. it's really no big deal, there is a small clearing which I use to back into, and I've done this same </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">three point turn in this exact spot a hundred times. But today, on the luckiest day of my life, I missed the clearing slightly and slid just a bit sideways. Apparently the snow cover allowed me to float up and over a stump as I backed up. Unfortunately while backing up, the truck compressed the snow which no longer would float me back off of the stump. So there we were, 60 miles from home with a rope come-a-long an axe and one rather large truck whose transmission and drive shaft where now perched atop a two foot diameter stump. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Chop, chop, chop, crank, chop, chop crank, crank, crank, chop... For six hours. I'm hoping you get the picture. Now for those of you who do not believe that Mother Nature has an interesting sense of humor, after the first hour of chopping and cranking it started to snow lightly. After our second hour of chopping and cranking it started to snow heavily. Three hours of chopping and cranking and the snow was really starting to come down. Yup, I was starting to get a little worried, but as long as the wind didn't kick up I was sure we would still be able to get home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The Alaska Range is notorious for strong winds, and there are many stretches of the Denali highway where the wind can magically take six inches of snow and pile it all up in one spot creating an impassible drift. Four hours into chopping and cranking, and a slight breeze started to bend the spruce tops, five hours into chopping and cranking and the wind was whistling. Finally, we got the truck freed after six hours of chopping and cranking, but now the wind was down right howling.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We hurried to get the dogs hooked up and off we went. The dogs apparently enjoyed their extra sleep and were easily plowing through drift after drift, the truck on the other hand was bogging down a little deeper with each. But, we were making good progress and the wind had died down and there was even a hint of blue in the sky which told me the snow would soon be letting up as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We made it a total of ten miles from camp when we hit an enormous drift which sent the rear end of the truck sideways off of the shoulder of the road. We started digging out the wheels, all the while trying to calm the dogs down who were really confused as to why we were stopped so long. Once I was confident that with the dogs help we should be able to get the truck back up onto the road, I walked up the line asking the dogs if they were ready. They responded with a resounding, <i>"yup, we're ready," </i>I hopped into the truck yelled out the window you boys ready, and they responded again enthusiastically. Alright then, they lurched, the truck began to creep forward, I let up the clutch, and just when I thought we were out of the ditch, "SNAP."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The nano second it took for the gangline to break seemed to happen in ultra slow motion, I swear I could see each individual fiber let go and I sharply remember having the urge to reach out and grab it as it was happening, but I couldn't. Not that it would have helped any. Once that last strand of rope let go there was an audible pop, the truck slipped back, and everything went from ultra slow speed to the speed of light instantly, as thirty nine dogs tore down the highway as if they had just been shot out of cannon. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> My heart stopped beating. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>But wait. "THUMP" Did they? "THUMP" They couldn't have. "THUMP... THUMP," But it really looks like they did. "THUMP... THUMP" If they did, I don't believe it. "THUMP... THUMP" They stopped. "THUMP" They stopped. "Thump" THEY STOPPED! THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMPITY THUMP. THEY STOPPED!!!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because they just stopped.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> That is why this day was the luckiest day of my life.</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> P.S. All thirty nine dogs are one hundred percent safe and sound. Albeit they were awfully confused as to why we wanted to load them in the truck after only a ten mile run. As for the three of us, other then being really tired that evening, we're already back at it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Until the next time I hope you're enjoying your dog or dogs as much as I am mine, Mike </span></span><br />
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</span></span>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-66664853709333032372011-11-06T20:35:00.000-09:002011-11-06T20:35:12.465-09:00Snowy Day<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/AVvXsEg57d7XPr916SkbOB7dez13MCs6s8uKE_LI7PJHG7a2FMARblZqQp5IgqzcJBJhguXBGnhTr-n_mH9KRiAlA_4jsTemaonZXFJcuitztV0B40TCmGzOJvlCqjTL7vmd095wBZgrAxWBFGs/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-05+at+11.23.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57d7XPr916SkbOB7dez13MCs6s8uKE_LI7PJHG7a2FMARblZqQp5IgqzcJBJhguXBGnhTr-n_mH9KRiAlA_4jsTemaonZXFJcuitztV0B40TCmGzOJvlCqjTL7vmd095wBZgrAxWBFGs/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-05+at+11.23.43+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's been a beautiful snowy day in Cantwell. We have over a foot of snow already, which has been really nice for the dogs. It makes the trails softer on their feet and a little less bumpy for us. Mike, Christian, and Nicholas have gone out to our training camp on the Denali Highway with 39 dogs. They are still training in the truck. The dogs will run 52 miles to camp, sleep for 6-8 hours and then run home. I know that Mike is really impressed with all the dogs this year, but sometimes he mentions one or two who really stand out. Last trip he reported that Bandit and Boone, both 2 year olds gave him the impression they could run forever effortlessly. Their brother Bruiser tried to keep running down the highway when they let him loose after running 100 miles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SoBl4FSn24wLxVH1xZXRlDXQpOmN9uS7-foKf6V-YaFIX1H6jf5ddT2gPK7eIg0TF8-_S1AXSKECZNlNdecQs8lQdjLg0xvKqJj1G0QqYohLdg5Wv4ktX6mg7jtthJvw80nqfT2GMaA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-01+at+7.09.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SoBl4FSn24wLxVH1xZXRlDXQpOmN9uS7-foKf6V-YaFIX1H6jf5ddT2gPK7eIg0TF8-_S1AXSKECZNlNdecQs8lQdjLg0xvKqJj1G0QqYohLdg5Wv4ktX6mg7jtthJvw80nqfT2GMaA/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-01+at+7.09.38+AM.png" width="444" /></a></div><br />
Here at the Den I got to walk puppies in the snow. We are having a bunch of fun, except they are getting faster than me. Last week one of them ran all the way home from the top of the hill without stopping. That was when I decided I was better off taking them in two groups rather than all at once. Angus has moved inside for the winter. I really think he would have preferred to retire to Florida.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCiJ_EEPa0knGDTJ0jWj2xERyocaE2Sp5lXqTQ1q5xrxtiwm29QE6gPqNpW5X3C_IclrM7HSI4s-Jw7EezESamXWkF08tshfSfxyvt9tOEwjq0RRA_EM582KHy5oge3ZfBMyhWIuxj_s/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-06+at+8.27.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCiJ_EEPa0knGDTJ0jWj2xERyocaE2Sp5lXqTQ1q5xrxtiwm29QE6gPqNpW5X3C_IclrM7HSI4s-Jw7EezESamXWkF08tshfSfxyvt9tOEwjq0RRA_EM582KHy5oge3ZfBMyhWIuxj_s/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-06+at+8.27.12+PM.png" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angus the champ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-87127968794210917132011-10-25T21:24:00.000-08:002011-10-25T21:24:11.289-08:00This is How We Roll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGfXZMqAdA8HePYpem8I4GyhrJ1DcnCwkj-8OxkXYsrLrmmTw2_wGXEdFoEiFPS-K5H51UInSCuO3E-mAJ2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-36142849292769487472011-06-07T09:50:00.000-08:002011-06-07T09:50:10.700-08:00Summer in Denali<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Now that the snow has finally melted I've decide to spend my free time this summer helping those who have helped me, and to do what I can to get you all to visit Denali this summer. </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Rick McMahan of Denali Fly Fishing <a href="http://www.denaliflyfishing.com/">http://www.denaliflyfishing.com</a> was the first person to come on board when I signed up for last year's Iditarod. Rick was not only instrumental in helping us with the substantial cost, he also was a big part in helping us acquire other sponsors, and he has gone out of his way to introduce us to the business community of the Denali Borough. The moral support he provided cannot be understated. </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> On a totally different note, for the past several years Rick has been involved with a program called Dine Out for Life.</span></span><span class="f"><cite> <a href="http://www.diningoutforlfe.com/">http://www.diningoutforlfe.com</a></cite></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It's a program in which all of the proceeds from the meals sold at a participating restaurant on a specific evening are donated to the Alaska Interior Aids Association </span></span><a href="http://www.interioraids.org/">http://www.interioraids.or<span style="font-size: small;">g</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This past spring Rick brought the first ever Dine Out for Life event to the Denali Borough, which was held at the 49th State Brewing CO. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.49statebrewing.com/">http://www.49statebrewing.com</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It was well attended and I'm sure it will be bigger and better next year. I'll post dates for next year's event as it approaches. </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> What I really enjoyed the most about my time with DFFG, w</span></span><span class="f"><cite></cite></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>hich may not come across in the video, is how passionate this crew is about fishing. Fishing is what these guys do, regardless of whether or not they are guiding. Jared, who was my guide and instructor for the day and also one of my neighbors, is hardly ever seen without his waders on. If you are in the Denali area this summer and you are looking for an authentic Alaskan experience give these guys a call. I promise you won't regret it. </b> </span> </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6EAuePLR-fE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A great day of fishing might have been exactly what I needed to concentrate on finishing my recount of this past year's Iditarod.</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Guest appearance by Wilson, Rick's dog</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Another great reason to visit Denali this summer, is the Cantwell Bluegrass festival, July 8th, 9th, + 10th, <a href="http://www.cantwellodgeak.com/">http://www.cantwellodgeak.com</a></span></span></span> <b><span style="font-size: small;">Mike and the crew at the Lodge have worked really hard this summer, to make this year's Bluegrass festival a big success. They've built a brand new stage, and removed the old hotel off of the property opening up the viewing area a ton. Hope to see you there!</span></b></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Got to go play with my puppies, until the next time I hope you are having as much fun with your dog as I am with mine. </span></b></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> Mike</span></b></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79353032933938248.post-74786572024271750122011-04-17T08:25:00.000-08:002011-04-17T08:25:50.997-08:00Down the Avenue and On Our Way to Yentna Station Over night, 4th Avenue relinquishes its familiar habits, and awakes as center stage for what many consider the greatest drama of the modern world, Iditarod. Adventure, history, sport, challenge, spectacle, excitement, fear, thrill, accomplishment, sacrifice, attainment, controversy, relevance, love and hate. Iditarod leaves no element of humanity untouched. It is impossible for me driving to the staging area downtown, not to think of the personal journeys of everyone we encounter on our way, not only the mushers, but their spouses as well, their families and supporters, their handlers, the volunteers, the fans, the media, everyone who participates, imagine the story that could be told if only it were possible to chronicle how we all ended up here.<br />
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Unfortunately, the only story I know is my own. So, how did I end up here? Well, I don’t have a very interesting answer to that question, but my mother does. She has said all along that when I was young I fell off a horse, hit my head and haven’t been right since. Don’t remember the event, but that might explain my dislike of horses, just can’t trust a prey species. <br />
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For those of you who don’t know me well I’ll confess, I absolutely love the whole downtown thing. I even love saying downtown, (sounds so Rat Packish. Question to self, why do I love Dean Martin so much?) Maybe it’s because I live in a village of only a hundred people, (need to get out more.) Or just maybe, it’s because my little brother is taller then me, was also a better athlete and a better student, or perhaps I’m just a big ham, but I love, love, love the attention, I love meeting new people, I love talking to people, and perhaps most importantly I love seeing people excited about something I’m passionate about, (even if they don’t get it.) I’m also addicted to the way Caitlin looks at me when I’m about to step on the runners at the beginning of a race, (my baby really, really likes cowboys, but she LOVES me.)<br />
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I’ve been on the Avenue every year since 2006, as a part of Jeff King’s entourage. And although he never gave me the opportunity to drive the tag sled, (can you believe he actually made me run.) I cannot say that I didn’t get a first class education in regards to how this whole downtown thing works. I felt right at home now that it was finally my turn, and enjoyed the experience all the more because of my past involvement. Shades? Check! Sharpie? Check! SHOW TIME!<br />
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I’m a very visual individual, and stuff like dreams, visions, and memories usually come to me in high-definition 3D surround sound clarity, but as we worked our way up to the start line all I was receiving on the old brain wave station were still images. Nothing but snap shots, glimpses of people I’d known or met over the years, places I had visited, dogs I’d driven, and a plethora of the more ridiculous situations I’d been in with dogs. (book on that one coming, need another lifetime.) <br />
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What would it take to get to Nome? I didn’t know and as it turns out I guess I still don’t, but I do know what it has taken me to get here. I can remember with crystal clarity the many, many sacrifices I’ve made over the years. But, right here, right now, I wouldn’t change a thing. Even all the dark cold morning trips to the outhouse seem worth it. <br />
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3, 2, 1, lift off. I quickly glanced over my shoulder to verify if Lindsay was up right. She was, relief. Her million-dollar smile however wasn’t as fluid as it usually is. It seemed to have a nervous rigidity to it with a slight twist of excitement. Problem, she was driving my very new hardly tested Iditarod sled, which she had never driven, and I really wanted her to make it around with my sled remaining very new and untested. Solution, what she needs is a distraction. A hot dog? Perfect! I grabbed the wiener out of the spectator’s hand as we sped by. I asked Lindsay if she was ready, she nodded.<br />
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Now passing something, anything, from one sled to a second sled both moving forward at eleven miles an hour attached with an eight foot rope requires a rudimentary understanding of physics, (before you start assuming that I might be more learned then you would’ve thought, I’ll confess that I’ve never taken physics, but I have passed many objects, successfully and otherwise, from one sled to the other.) All you really gotta do is have a little faith in a well respected phenomena known as gravity. It’s all really simple, and much like a good golf shot, one must calculate wind speed, mass, force, and trajectory. Having made my calculations, I lobbed the magic wiener, (bun ketchup and all,) straight up into the air with enough force to propel it’s mass, launching it on a trajectory, which would hopefully give it just enough hang time to allow her to basically, “catch up to it.” She made a spectacular grab. <br />
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Whether or not she actually ate the hotdog I do not know, maybe, simply making the catch was all that was required, but her smile was now flowing as easily as the Jack River in July, and more importantly, her knees and elbows suddenly re-realized that they could bend and we were now a seriously cohesive unit. <br />
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My Iditarider Mike Smith was a lot more knowledgeable about sled dogs and the Iditarod then I would have guessed, I thoroughly enjoyed his company. We talked dogs, while tossing out gloves, ball caps, and ear bands supplied to me for the occasion from my sponsors, Ringer Gloves, http://ringersgloves.com and Grainger Industrial supply http://www.grainger.com to the fans lining the trail. <br />
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To say that I was having a blast would be an understatement, but I’m confident that if anyone in Anchorage was having more fun then I was it was the twelve dogs I was driving. The dogs I’m privileged to own all possess a certain, “joie de vie,” which is expressed whenever they encounter something new. Anything, a loose dog, a dog team in front of us, a car, a pink elephant with it’s tail on fire, everything that is new is exciting. The number of fans was enough to get them fired up. When the crowd cheered, the dogs barked, the crowd cheered louder, they barked louder, the barking, (I call it trash talking,) can usually be attributed to a couple of individuals within the team, but it is contagious, and when one dog barks, the others feel like they have no choice but to join in. The barking itself is now the new thing which needs to be celebrated. How do a pack of half crazed sled dogs in peak physical condition celebrate? They go like the devil’s horse hell bent on home. That’s how. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZhuySeDgzopq7q5Ild_b6CTMAgrfqLD8Iwlde_1-NsV0O55niQNJmu3FFnDQ9TVhrXanpYi5ULCCfrNeEW0yS621O4_l3VDRtSJCaiNdCmvgiAtd09YrSVcdZoOfnC_yO4xH4xSnelM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-07+at+9.26.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZhuySeDgzopq7q5Ild_b6CTMAgrfqLD8Iwlde_1-NsV0O55niQNJmu3FFnDQ9TVhrXanpYi5ULCCfrNeEW0yS621O4_l3VDRtSJCaiNdCmvgiAtd09YrSVcdZoOfnC_yO4xH4xSnelM/s400/Screen+shot+2011-03-07+at+9.26.08+PM.png" width="327" /></a></div><br />
The eleven mile trip from 4th Avenue over to the Campbell Airstrip provided my crew plenty of reasons to get excited. A culvert, boom, fourth gear. A pedestrian overpass, boom boom, fifth gear. A Martin Buser banner, kablam, wait a second, where did that gear come from? I didn’t bother to time our trip, but we must have been really hauling a**, we passed three teams and beat my rig to the staging area by ten minutes. <br />
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In Willow on Sunday morning, I was feeling confident (some who were there might even say I was overly confident) however there are two reasons why I felt the way I did. One, well I never met a dog musher who ins’t confident, and two, the dogs were in great shape. I’m positive that we had prepared (or conditioned) this team for the upcoming event remarkably well. We had worked tirelessly over the past couple of weeks tending to their feet, and we also managed to get an extra pound on them while maintaining their appetites. <br />
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One of the absolute highlights of my Iditarod was the short trip from my truck up to the starting chute. Caitlin had informed me that Brandon Lee, one of my neighbor’s boys, who we rely on throughout the season to cover dog chores and odd jobs around the kennel when we are away, was going to be at the restart. Brandon is a great kid and an excellent worker, and I was really excited to be able to provide him with an armband that would grant him access to the staging area. I initially thought that he’d get a kick out of helping us get the team to the start line. <br />
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As our time to go nearer I became a little worried about Brandon running up with our team. He had never done this and he had never even been to a sled dog race. Also, I had plenty of handlers and friends there who knew how this all worked. What to do? I told Brandon that I thought that we had plenty of folks to help with the team, but what I really needed was someone to ride the sled with me to help keep it under control. His eyes lit up like a Vegas slot machine. I had him stand on one runner, I on the other. The wows started the second I pulled the hook and we began moving. I’d bet that he managed to get in at least a hundred wows during our short trip, perforated with other expressions of excitement like “They’re crazy” “This is sick” (I think sick is good) and he even let a holy crap slip (don’t tell his parents please). We got to the line and I thanked him for his help and off we went. <br />
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If there was one thing I was worried about it was getting lost on this first stretch. There is a spiderweb of trails stemming from the surrounding communities of Big Lake, Wasilla, and Knik that access the river and I have gotten myself turned around on this particular trail system a couple of times over the years. As it turns out I had nothing to worry about, because the party that started down in Anchorage was apparently just the warm up for today’s festivities. Practically the entire trail from the start all the way up to Yentna and beyond was lined with people. The trail was wide and, due to all the traffic, it was well put in which made for really easy going. A great way to start the race. <br />
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We checked into Yentna station, where I turned in my bib, grabbed a bail of straw and off we went. There were a few teams parked there. There was anther team who had come in just in front of me also preparing to leave and another team approaching the checkpoint from behind. I thought I had recognized a couple of teams around me, but it was too early to be concerned about the grand scheme of things. However, I cannot say that I didn’t secretly wish to have access to my Iditarod Insider account. Now that would’ve been cool, wouldn’t it?<br />
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The sun started to set soon after leaving Yentna, and the glow of the numerous bonfires could be seen for miles making it impossible to get lost. I passed one bonfire, and a spectator yelled out, “Ten miles to Skwentna.” I found a quiet spot off the trail a ways and camped. I had planned all along to stop shy of the Skwentna checkpoint and then blow through it and head straight over to Finger Lake. <br />
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I felt that it was imperative not to put a long run on them straight out of the gate. The dogs devoured their first meal of the race, which reaffirmed my race plan thus far. The dogs, knowing the drill well, settled down for a nap. I cooked a second meal that I would feed them just before we were ready to continue. I prepared snacks for the next leg, then sprawled out on top of my sled for a little rest. I had a hard time sleeping though, watching the headlamps of the many teams silently slipping up the trail. Were they the teams I had seen parked earlier, now rested enough to skip Skwentna and camp somewhere shy of Finger? Or were they the teams that started behind me making their initial run longer, planning to spend some time in Skwentna? Impossible to know really, and practically impossible not to think about. Just enough ways to slice this pie to make it interesting. <br />
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Until next time, WOOF.The Wolf's Den Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785068741651690996noreply@blogger.com0