March 23rd A Dream Ends and Begins

Right: Happy Dog handlers in the snow!


It is now Wednesday morning, and we've been preparing to leavesince the doggies are now on their way and back with Angie. Packing after the Iditarod is like finding ten books after you sat on the suitcase to close it. I mailed one box home,and I was not alone. Deb, Hunter and I zip tied kennels so they would make it back to Anchorage. I washed two loads of laundry. I tried to keep the stinky stuff segregated until I could do dry cleaning. The rental car in Anchorage was so full we could not fit another suitcase in. It looked like the Clampetts were arriving! You know, the three baggage rule for AK residents....hah! Jolene met us at the airport to transport Angie's flowers, her return drop bag of clothes, and the broken (New, but junk) kennel back to Angie. She's planning a kennel return to Walmart in the near future. We could make a large sum of money figuring out how to make great kennels for shipping that went together in cold weather-if we were engineers....

We have reports that the whole team is now AT HOME IN WILLOW-my bet is the dog yard is full of canine gossip-and those left behind are now being regaled with doggy stories about what happened at which checkpoint and how the others missed out. I envision a very happy Angie to be back in her cabin. Anchorage is delighfully balmy. Tomorrow we'll be home in Ketchikan.I have to get back to the epic poem tonight! Angie has fulfilled her dream-whatever the future holds, it will always be influenced by her remarkable journey! Congratulations and mush on!!

March 21st: Snowy Monday

There's no place like home: once the other team had left Team Taggart took over the Connex for a warm dry place to sleep through the storm.

Out at ten am to work with the doggies, it had really squalled during the night. Now 12 dog houses with animals were facing opposite the wind. It was time for snacks, discovered in a drio bag, and some high protein kibble. I lugged hot water from the utility house, and Angie soaked the kibble. Some dogs eat so fast they want second before you get to the end of the line. Some typically tip over their dish and eat it from the ground. Riot tugged at her chain, her back end wiggling beyond compare"feed me, feed me, FEED ME!" Sigh, feeding, walking and getting them to poop was a morning's work.

By the evening we had them carefully placed in the Connex across from another team-they were out of the wind and ready to go before Tuesday's pick up by Alaska Airlines.

Angie hugged her leaders as we stowed them out of the wind for the night. She would be back in the morning to feed them, and then we'd make sure they were on the flight following her to Anchorage.

March the 20th: Celebrating the Teams and Their stories from the trail

Awards for the Musher's Banquet-before they were awarded. Cups get given to the first 30 finishers; outstanding care of teams; sportmanship; best vet care;the yellow harnesseswere won by Velvet and Snickers of Baker's team; rookies that finish receive a belt buckle-somehow this was omitted from Angies Packet (see above)

This is our celebratory breakfast, complete with reindeer sausage and lots of calories!
Right March 22nd pick up of the team

It was so nice to know that Team Taggart was resting, eating and enjoying finishing the Iditarod- we all got together for breakfast at the Polar Cafe and enjoyed each other's company after feeding and walking and massaging the doggies. I looked into their eyes and thanked them each for a job well done. Now Pepe and Riot had joined the group from the Dodge Lodge. The dropped doggies west of Unalakleet were back with their team! There were some quiet shy ones, like Allison-there were some opera singers...and some regal ones like Carmack. Many wore their coats against the cold. Others curled tightly in their hay. We switched the dog houses against the prevailing wind so that snow would not build up in the entrances, they seemed to appreciate that.

It was a cold and rough night-the winds whipped the ground level and the arctic songs whirled in the air. Early this morning the last two teams arrived safely under the arch-before you knew it, the 39th running of the last Great Race was done. The widow's lantern would be extinguished at the banquest set for later that might at the recreation center (center court for the basketball hoops) and the last finisher received the red lantern award. Ellen Halverson, who had received the red lantern last year, was still humble.

Angie admitted to hardly sleeping- hardto readjust from the trail I would bet-but we were all jubilant to be with her and continued the congratulatory praises with a short toast " TO THE SPIRITS OF ANIMALS AND PEOPLE, MAY THEY CONTINUE FOREVER". At which point I told Angie I would be working on an epic poem for her and the team. She liked that.

It was that evening we attended the Musher's Banquet-wow, what an event-dog leds filled with strawberries-king crab legs, baked halibut,and prime rib. I nearly became comatose after eating. The sweets groaned on the tables behind us. Angie received an envelope with her official time and she talked at the podium about her experiences. It was a time to thank family, friends, colleagues, and sponsors. It was a blast!

March the 19th: Angie TAGGART finishes!!

13 Days 1 hour, a very few minutes and second later Angie and her Team Taggart finished the Iditarod. Phew What an accomplisghment. Deb and I worked the dog lot and prepared her hay and doggie traveling kennels. When the siren sounded we all streamed out from our warmth to the finish line-the winds were there, but we seemed very warm amongs all the family and friends that has traveled from all over to be there-it was an awesome homecoming for our special team! Here's (from left to right) her mom, Joann Flora broadcazsting live for KRBD, and her Dad at the finish line under the arch. There were people festooned with balloons, gifts of fresh flowers, hyacinths for the smell of spring, smoked salmon, and yummy/pampering gifts.

As she made the turn off the ice a enormous yell and hoot went up in the chute. I was crying and Deb was crying, and we hugged each other and screamed and yelled her name. Before you couls realize it, she had made it to Nome, and incredible feat!!

Deb and I caught the leaders of the team at the end of the chute, removed booties and let the crowd descend on Angie-we'd have enought time in the dog yard visiting after she came down out of her arrival. DeeDee Jonroe was there for her and offered to mush the dogs to the yard so we could get them set up and bedded down-they looked terrific. Stovepipe, the dog that I had sponsored, looked so sweet in the chute-I gave him a big hug and kiss on the nose-he managed to wag his tail!!

The doggies were getting greeted by the kids and petted a lot. It took a few hours to get them bedded and set. And, after that we retired to the mini, Angie munched on a cheeseburger while she set up her flights home for her and the dogs, and began taking calls from everyone. The mini was essentially closed down except for the front desk-all in preparation for the mushers banquet Sunday night, Friends brought in a latter, and Angie decided the next order of business was-A HOT SHOWER! Yahoo, team Taggart-what a wonderful accomplishment for Angie and her team!

Friday the 18th The Winds are In!!

Today (now being written tomorrow) was another awesome, but windier day. The day began with me meeting Deb for our stint in the dog lot-what a morning-a full moon shining over the horizon, wind blowing out of the west. I looked up and thought of Angie. She had left a dog in Elim, now was traveling with 11. She had gotten a message out via Facebook-she was doing great, and we should expect her Sunday morning....Yahoo!

The dog lot was really quiet at the begining-after about an hour, dogs began to stretch,and awaken. The dogs that were in the dropped dog area of the dog lot are needed extra TLC-they were getting hugs, and adoration of the ears, and little massages, then breakfast and snacks that looked like frozen steaks ringed with fat and a blob of salmon eggs in the middle-yum O- and most ate heartily. I helped some mushers assemble dog crates, picked up straw, and acted as a directional beacon on the street for incoming mushers-it was a hoot, but exhausting-it really made me appreciate the vets and dog lot crews-and everyone that works with dogs.

After fours hours and thawing out over a pancake stack, I went to the library to see Martin Buser for an hour long Q and A. It was awesome-DeeDee Jonroe came with him. He signed my t shirt afterwards, and I got these photos. What a fun day. Deb Davis and Joann Flora were off to race at the 3 mile 3 dog races and I crashed early, doing laundry at the Bering Sea.

Newsflash, Saturday March 19th: Angie is out of White Mountain checkpoint at 5:05 am with ten dogs! She will be in today-we are rolling out the red carpet for her! GO ANGIE GO!!

March 17: Happy St. Paddies in Nome

The day began early at the mini front desk, then trips to the post office for mailing postcards, watching a speaker at the museum,watching mushers come in, then getting together to watch Robert Service program before eating homemade pot roast and finishing puzzles.

Of course,the Ketchikan contingent is beginning to amass-we run into and ask each other if there is any news. We scrutinize the tracker. Angie is on the ice, one person says. Another person points out when she is moving or not moving. We move our Angie Taggart booster buttons to the frontof our jackets. She is overnighting in Koyuk. Her next run from Koyuk through Elimis onerun,then the required 8 hours in White Mountain. It won't be long now. MUSH ON TEAM TAGGART!! Go Angie Go!

The winds are picking up-noticeable in that they are cutting through three layers of clothes. Mushers that came in today were well swathed and bundled. (See above-two teams arrifve under the arch at the same time). Their teams looked great-and the kids begged for booties in padded kuspuks, snow suits, and mukluk boots. There was quivit making today-did not get to that-but tomorrow is my first stint at the dog lot, 6 am to 10 am. Minus -20 C expectedtonight with possible snow.

Wednesday the 16th: A Day Off

Martin's dogs milling inside the chute taking in the accolades they deserve.

It was lovely to sleep in today-and then get a later ride into Iditarod Headquarters. This morning Lance Mackey came in to much fanfare. The night had held two close finishes-one only three seconds apart, with a team running down the sidewalk! Whew! Sorry to miss that, but even volunteers have to sleep.

I visited the museum, then got a chance to stop in at Wells Fargo (a major race sponsor) and look at the gold weighing equipment and get my race t shirt (See it on dog at right). Then to watch my absolute favorite musher (outside Angie Taggart) MARTIN BUSER come in-so exciting. He is a four time champion, and the way he interacts with the public and his dog team is very obvious. He immdiately allowed his team off harness, and they cruised the chute freely, being snacked by handlers. I was able to get a package of homemade gravlox to him. He did not remember me, but smiled, hugged me and said "this will make a great lunch" with a twinkle in his eye. He is a primary spokesperson for an international anti-polio campaign with Rotary International.

We went to visit a Russian import store-wow-very tiny but full of items-and from there could see into the dog lot-which is beginning to fill up, even the dropped dog section looks busy. My first day in the dog lot is Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Angie Taggart is making great progress, and is in Shaktoolik. There's clouds on the horizon. Lots of people are taking helicopter tours of White Mountain now, and missing their mushers.Oh well, I will wait for them in the chute. Rick Swenson looked great for having broken his collarbone. As we went to dinner, more mushers were finishing in the waning light. What a fabulous day.

Tuesday the 15th: The Teams are Coming! The Teams are Coming!

These young ladies had waited for Hugh Neff to arrive-there were many cat in the hats in the crowd because Hugh supports a big reading program in the schools. Many of the beautiful sled dogs got snacked after crossing the finish line-frozen trout and thick strips of fat seemed to be the favorites, but I saw fish and meat both. Some mushers paused before getting off the ice in Norton Sound to rest their teams. After crossing and having their sleds checked for mail and required gear-their official times were announced. John Baker and Ramey Smyth had broken new records. Lance Mackey, who came in this morning, had the fastest Safety to Nome run ever recorded with 7 dogs. Hans Gatt ran a great race, came in third, and after being gifted with Swiss chocolates, announced it was his last Iditarod race. Everyone's family was there for them, there was lots of hugs and plenty of applause hooting, and hollering. I called it good at 8 pm last night with Ray Reddington, Jr. crossing the finish line. I saw one musher coming in after I returned home to my B&B. There were lights of trucks along the road following them in-and I could see the outline of the musher in the lights......wow, what a close to the day!

Today was like no other. I found myself at the front desk and got a 10 minute relief to run out the door (Thanks to my friend Deb) and see John Baker cross the finish line with his team. His extended family and King Island Singers were there to greet him. I magine the sound of arctic drums being held high in the air to welcome you to Nome! It was an auditory delight! There was a big crowd of course-at one point I looked up into City Hall top floor where all the workers were crowded in to watch the pagentry!!

Later, back at the mini, Baker's dog handlers brought in the two lead dogs-carrying them with their bundles of yellow roses around their necks. The dogs were very tired. "Velvet" and "Snickers" loved being carried, and sat patiently on the stage so people could ask their handlers questions. Then John came in and told a few stories, and then he was off to the dog yard attending to his team. Mushers and their handlers are the only ones allowed in the yard-along with vets, dog yard officials-and guess what? Volunteers!! I get t0 work the dog yard-beginning Thursday.

My friend Deb is an official handler-went to school to get her card-and, she handles for Zirkels team-which got in after 1 am this morning. Allthe teams and dropped dogs from Unalakleet west stay in the dog yard until they are shipped home.

I however, crashed at 9pm, exhausted. I had watched the first seven teams come in. There were home crowd favorites. The handlers remove the booties and throw them to the children in the crowd (See my long caption, above).

Where,amongst all this is Angie Taggart?? Making great progress, she was is still progressing along the trail, and is on her way to Unalakleet today, until the sun comes up and it gets to hot for her dogs. She still has 12 dogs. She is making good time, following her plan, and everything seems to be going fine. After three scratches yesterday, we are thankful that she is well and progressing. The Ketchikan contingent is amassing in Nome-it will be quite a homecoming, and she is expected in three days or so. Meanwhile, we are working as volunteers-enjoying the people of Nome, going to events when we can, and staying warm (yesterday morning I used the handwarmers for the first time).

Monday before the Mushers Arrive March the 14th

What an amazing day again! It was a day of work at the front desk of the mini answering phones and talking to arriving handlers and vets from all the different teams, taking a security class, preparing to work at the dog lot and learning about the dropped dogs and taking care of them there. We also made the craft show, it was awesome-and Deb and I with a set of parkas from a wonderful sewer! Phew! It was a super experience enjoying local artists.

Here is Deb,me, and Lillian at the front desk after about 5 hours. We look pretty professional huh? We expect to be busy tomorrow. And we'll be probably at the dog lot in future days.

The mushers John Baker and Raymey Smyth are neck in neck at White Mountain taking their mandatory 8 hour rest-and we expect them in the chute tomorrow morning in Nome. Angie Taggart is making great progress and is at Eagle Island. We can't wait to see all those athletes...canine and human!

Duncan at the Iditarod 2011: Sunset over Nome on the 13th

My Choice for first place in the snowsculpting competition.

Above: a very young driver

Wow! What a first day working the Iditarod in Nome! It is now 8:45 pm and the sun is just beginning to turn pink-from a crystal clear beautiful day. I have met folks from South Africa and Australia who are here to work and to play, respectively.I have met mushers injured in the race and past champions. People that look at paper, others that look at the internet, and others that use smartphones to track the race. I came in and registered for the two weeks I am here, revolving around three tasks: working the phones at the mini; working in the dog yard as a rookie assistant; working security where ever they put me. Basically doing whatever people need.

The day started early with a feline wakeup call-the white puffball was upchucking hairballs in my room-good thing I awoke-I had to spring forward. The next delightful task was to avoid the hairballs-how the cat had gotten into my room was a mystery.

I caught a ride into town with my hostess, arrived at the mini where my friends Hunter and Deb Davis were having breakfast-pancakes, bacon sausage-yummy. Then to work building the big leader board-I forsee in a few years Alaska Airlines supplies boards that refresh with each musher checking in for the mini-let us hope-it takes concerted work to fill out a field of 64 mushers and teams.

Tomorrow the mini will be chaos-the dog yard stands empty-the snow got into the shute today and I was able to stand under the arch.

I donned my sunglasses and snowpants over my long underwear and took a saunter under the burled arch that's me, the Michelin woman! Then I got to see the snow sculpture competition in front of the church which will house the craft show tomorrow. There's banquets and quivit making workshops, how to prepare muskox stew, and meeting the mushers to see-Deb helped me with the schedule so I am all ready to go. I even got to their big market which reminded me of Barrow-the shelves were starting to empty out though due to the increase in mouths to feed.

Town is full of newbies like me. Everyone has been super friendly. Including the youngest snow sledder I met in front of the Church, who was four. And the checker at the market who commented on the nice weekend. It was a great weekend. Phew I am exhausted and have hardly contributed anything. PS Dennis, they love your smoked salmon up here; tomorrow I will bring lox.

The race has tightened up a bit today: two mushers are chasing John Baker, a Kotzebue native out of Shagtoolik and on to the next checkpoint. There are four women mushers in the top twenty-and Angie Taggart, is doing excellent job mushing strongly at night and is in Grayling. There is mandatory 8 hour rest in White Mountain for everyone, and there is a requirement that each musher finish under the arch with a minimum of six dogs. The expectation is that we'll start to get busy in the dog lot Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Duncan at the Iditarod 2011: My First Full Nome Day Sunday March 13, 2011

The sun is just rising over the horizon as I write this and the arctic light is truely extraordinary. Last night my host gave me the night tour of town-it's alive with lights strung over Front Street, the Bering Sea yawning out in the distance on its edge. She told me that Sunday is the day the "trucks" bring the snow into town to form the chute. My friends Deb and Hunter Davis called from the Mini, the headquarters, to make sure I had made it...

The airport was filled with mushers; including a man in bunnie boots that was on my plane whose son is racing his dogs this year. Another man in a polar bear hat festooned with claws on the front. Hat regalia is definitely where it is at around here. I heard another local saying that they expect to see the front teams in the chutes by early Tuesday. The town is hopping with banquets and craft fairs-Nome at its best.

I was brought out of a sound dream this am with the resident cat, a large heavy puffball upchucking hairballs in my room. I have no idea how it got in there. Got in late last night and decided to attempt the internet this morning-I am staying in a nice home occupying a teenage daughter's bedroom. The King Salmon and red huckleberries I brought were welcomed warmly by my hosts. The rest of her guests arrive today and occupy the lower floor of the house.

The great race has hit Unalakleet-there are at least four, maybe six in the front pack-based on the Iditarod tracker, they are nose to nose-John Baker and Sebastian Schneulle have reached the town with the gold cup-but the tracker shows that Baker has dropped to third. Now rest stops and the dogs determine the race. If you are as addicted as I am see the formal site http://www.iditarod.com/ or if you are really addicted join the tracker that allows instant video downloads and wonderful GPS tracking.

GPS tracking is how I keep up to date on my friend Angie. She is a rookie this year (Angie Taggart) and is still doing great-she is in Iditarod now with w/ "pack" of other mushers. About halfway through the great race. Check in tomorrow for an update on my first working day in Nome, and hopefully some awesome photos! Mush on Team Taggart!

On the Way to Nome Saturday the 12th, 2011

Getting to Nome the easy Way

Well, this is the first blogspot I have ever created-and I am sitting in the ANCHORAGE airport awaiting the flight to Nome. Right now my friend Angie Taggart is resting her team in Iditarod and John Baker is in first place pulling out into Norton Sound from Eagle Island. I have been avidly following the Iditarod Insider Tracker and I am writing this so that I can just keep up with my thoughts. Hopefully family, friends and relations will be able to follow along-I promise to get some pictures posted in the coming days as this exciting adventure in the great north unfurls. Here you see my single view of Kotzebue, Alaska. Flew in, then flew out!
Mush on Team Taggart, and thanks for following, everyone! Cheers, Faith