The density of text on this page now offends my sense of aesthetic design, so I’m posting a couple of photos to add some color. Plus, of course, it’s about time I gave you some “team photos”!
The human team with Allen and Aliy:
(Left to right: Dave, Leslie, Ray, Kaz, Bridgett and Doug)
Part of the dog team with their “game faces” on:
(Brothers Ranger and Beemer in front with Olivia and KitKat behind)
Love the pics! I swear the dogs are smiling!!!
Yahoo, Aliy is into Ruby!!
Great pictures. How did Aliy manage to steal Bridgett away from her dad and add her to the red team?
Also…sometime, maybe when the race is over and things have calmed down, could you do an introduction post with all of the folks who help out with races and around the kennel? We've 'met' the family, and I know Allen and Aliy don't have any full-time handlers the way some kennels do, but there are obviously a lot of folks who chip in to make all of this happen. It'd be great to hear more about Dave and Leslie, and other handlers, and the folks in Anchorage who have been helping with dogs, etc. Who they are, what they do, how they got involved with this crazy sport.
For that matter, if it's not too personal, I would love to know more about your background and how you ended up spending winters in Two Rivers. I know the focus of the site is on the dogs and mushers, but you're a pretty important part of the team too 😉
Has anyone heard from Mickey? Is she still flying into various checkpoints en route to Nome? It might be interesting to hear her impressions.
sarsmile — Okay… I'll add your "introduction" request to the "after action" list…
Traci — Mickey is not out on the trail after all… It's personal, so I don't want to go into details, but Doug's father — Aliy's grandfather — is in the hospital… Doug and Mickey have both flown out to be with him…
I'm so sorry to hear that news. Mickey had excitedly mentioned to me at the Ceremonial Start her opportunity to fly into the checkpoints when someone else canceled out. Please relay they're all in our thoughts and prayers. –Traci & Roger
Sorry to hear about Aliy's grandfather being ill… I was wondering where Mickey was, too.