Well, hello everyone, I think I have this figured out & will try to start answering questions.
Brian: Thanks for the invite to do this! Yes, that first day of the 85 race a lot of things went wrong, but I think we all go out there knowing a lot of things will go wrong, you just have to keep going as best you can & keep your eye on the goal.
As far as did I cut the alders, alas, no.
Helen: Nice to see you, wondering what you've been up to!
There have been a number of people who inspired me, from my parents to mushers like Patty Friend, Shelley Gill, Varona Thompson, Lolly Medly, Mary Shields...... authors have inspired me, survival stories of the arctic, some good dogs have inspired me as well!
Race changes: most beneficial: breeding more atomic dogs all the time, learning better care, better trail
least beneficial: no longer able to stay with locals at checkpoints. I understand the necessity of it, but you lost the cultural exchange.
I love stage racing, sprint & distnace mushers meet on equal ground, lots of opportunities for sponsors & spectators, dogs get a nice cushy sleep in the truck after a stage.
Yes, I need to write another book, but hmmm, run dogs or sit at the computer, which do you think wins? HI to the boys!
TX: Hello, I should be doing an evening show that monday on your ship, I'm on every Princess ships that docks in Juneau. Those Seaveys don't have to read my book, they were mostly born on sleds!
sc fan: favorite trail snack: Croissants with nutella! Iditarod shrinks and grows sometimes with the economy. I like the tracking devices, I followed last year!
Em: I have 37 dogs, I don't race anymore, did 22 yrs, now just go for fun, like to go everyday in the winter whenever possible. I've enjoyed going especially to new races the first year they start, I loved the crazy Alpirod. The Beargrease was quite an adventure getting to, flying to Chicago with FLying Tigers, 3 days at D Bertkes parnets cattle ranch running dogs around the pasture with a truck, then another flight to Duluth. Pretty trail nice people, Robin Jacobson beat all of us high rolling Alaskans that year! You need a good pit crew & a good truck. Won the Humanitarian Award there (thanks, pit crew!)
Jeanien B: of course try the muktuk, but it tastes the best after you've been playing out at below zero for several hours!
As far as potential greats in the sport, Merissa Osmar seems to be a very level headed, competent racer, grew up with it of course.....that Micah Degerlund has been doing great too.
Hmmm what not to miss in Nome? Nothing! Do it all if you can! Take Bering Air to WHite Mt for the day?
JP Keeping a lower profile these days, working in the summer, running dogs all winter, life is good!
Fladogfan: The Serum Run with Norman & Caroline was an amazing trip, I enjoyed how relaxed it was compared to racing, & it was great training for my 14 young dogs I brought. It was incredible to see Norman in action, what an amazing man. It was also pretty profound to meet a gal who had been saved by the serum, we had our pic taken with her at the finish line. We carried ceremonial serum from Providence Hospital & presented it in Nome. Norman did talks at the schools as well. Mary Lou Whitney helped sponsor the first one, & I flew to Galena with her to join the group, as I had had a committment to do the radio coverage of the Rondy that year.
Thanks everyone, will check back again tomorrow, happy mushing!