What a difference a year makes! This morning we woke up to 5 beautiful inches of white powder and more is coming. Kasilof and the Central Peninsula is having a glorious winter - the best of the six years Bruce and I have lived here. Training conditions could not be better as both our trails out of our yard are amazing, as well as the trails in the Caribou hills, which are only a short drive away. My only regret is not getting out on a sled more. Bruce and I just can't make the sacrifice of not spending time with the kids on the weekends, and Bruce's weekends are his only opportunity for training - he is the one that needs to get out on the trail. With that said, I have been able to cross-country ski quite a bit, and LOVE IT! We are hopeful the trails will be in good condition for a while so we can enjoy them as a family when he gets home from Iditarod.
We are looking forward to the start more than ever. It is always a journey to get there, but we are so thankful for all the support we have. It started last June with Stanley Ford sponsoring our entrance fee. The connections we have made with incredible people are beyond my belief. What once was a quest to for Bruce to start and finish the Iditarod one time, has now become something so much bigger and more meaningful. The friends we have met along the way have touched and influenced our lives to a degree that words cannot explain. We are forever thankful and blessed.
Melissa
Feb. 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Monday, March 15, 2010
Almost there...
March 15
Leaving for Nome
I agonized all night why it took Bruce so long to get to Unalakleet? Well, he was four miles from the checkpoint and from the GPS blip – it looked he was stuck on the river. Either there is story behind it, or the GPS was not functioning correctly (I am hoping for the later). Needless to say, it was a late night on my end and I should have been sleeping while the kids were, but I choose to watch the blip – stuck for an hour.
The good news, he made it to Unalakleet, which is the last long run on the Yukon. Once a musher gets here, they pretty much either scratch or get to Nome. I am hoping for Nome of course. The kids and I are packed and leaving for Anchorage today as our flight is tomorrow. I have my own work cut out for me as it is the first time I will be traveling with two little kids. Thankfully, I have Brenda, our guardian angel coming to fly with me to Nome and then lost of happy missionaries who will help with Brody and Shea.
My female intuition tells me Bruce is going to push himself and the dogs to the end. He has the goal of beating his personal best of course, but I know his competitive nature will come out as well. He will want to finish as best he can with this incredible team of dogs. Maya, our beloved lead dog, has run EVERY step of the way in all four Iditarod races. She is an amazing dog – I gave her a special pep talk before Bruce left this year and she is keeping her promise to me without a doubt.
I forgot to mention his insulin froze on the trail… the night of the -55 degree temps. Wondering if that is why he felt so miserable that night – I am sure it did not help the situation. Which reminds me, I need to pick up another vile to bring to Nome!
I might be hearing from him before he leaves Unalakleet – this is a larger town with communication. More to come later if I do.
Happy trails,
Melissa
Leaving for Nome
I agonized all night why it took Bruce so long to get to Unalakleet? Well, he was four miles from the checkpoint and from the GPS blip – it looked he was stuck on the river. Either there is story behind it, or the GPS was not functioning correctly (I am hoping for the later). Needless to say, it was a late night on my end and I should have been sleeping while the kids were, but I choose to watch the blip – stuck for an hour.
The good news, he made it to Unalakleet, which is the last long run on the Yukon. Once a musher gets here, they pretty much either scratch or get to Nome. I am hoping for Nome of course. The kids and I are packed and leaving for Anchorage today as our flight is tomorrow. I have my own work cut out for me as it is the first time I will be traveling with two little kids. Thankfully, I have Brenda, our guardian angel coming to fly with me to Nome and then lost of happy missionaries who will help with Brody and Shea.
My female intuition tells me Bruce is going to push himself and the dogs to the end. He has the goal of beating his personal best of course, but I know his competitive nature will come out as well. He will want to finish as best he can with this incredible team of dogs. Maya, our beloved lead dog, has run EVERY step of the way in all four Iditarod races. She is an amazing dog – I gave her a special pep talk before Bruce left this year and she is keeping her promise to me without a doubt.
I forgot to mention his insulin froze on the trail… the night of the -55 degree temps. Wondering if that is why he felt so miserable that night – I am sure it did not help the situation. Which reminds me, I need to pick up another vile to bring to Nome!
I might be hearing from him before he leaves Unalakleet – this is a larger town with communication. More to come later if I do.
Happy trails,
Melissa
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