After loading up and leaving Anchorage early this morning, I drove to the home of Ken and Amy Wheaton — who pick up our dropped dogs whenever they are flown back to Anchorage — in Wasilla, and got a couple of dog crates out of “Big Red” which is parked in their driveway. From there I drove to the home of Margie Bauman — who very kindly allows our dropped dogs to stay at her kennel until they can be retrieved — in Knik, where I picked up Olivia and Snickers. As you can see, there is even more to “Iditarod logistics” than we’ve already told you about!
It was 11 o’clock by the time that mission was complete, and the three of us headed north. The drive wasn’t too bad until we approached Cantwell and encountered a ground blizzard — white-out conditions with really high winds — that lasted for almost 100 miles. After that it was smooth sailing all the way to the Kennel where Olivia and Snickers are now happily home and telling all their pack mates about their Iditarod adventures.
It was actually a good day for me to be off-line, because we have no new information from the Trail. Aliy left Takotna on time after her “24” and has already cleared Cripple. She is clearly moving well, despite dropping a second (unknown) dog in Ophir. Allen also left Takotna in good order with his 13 dogs and is well on his way to Cripple. We do not expect to hear from them until tomorrow at the earliest, so we will all have to be patient!
Stay tuned!
Thanks for the update!
In your spare time (yes, we realize) could you talk about how the dogs do being driven around? Does an otherwise promising team dog ever wash out because it gets motion sick or just doesn't do well (or like) riding in a vehicle?
I was just going through the comments, so I'll answer your question right now…
Most of the dogs are really good travelers. They are comfy in their boxes and probably enjoy driving as much as most other dogs do… "Dogs love trucks" and all that…
A few are a little nervous when young… occasional motion sickness… but they seem to grow out of it…
For example, I was worried about Olivia when I picked her up today because she has some history of not traveling too well… But, she was absolutely fine — perfect in fact — even better than Snickers the veteran… go figure!
I don't know of any dog "washing out" because of travel problems…
Thanks for the speedy response!
It's incredible the number of behind the scenes people are needed in this endeavor! Aliy and Allen are so fortunate to have you do the filming, blogging, running around, etc.! What would they do without you?
At the moment the GPS shows Aliy resting in 10th, at minus 36, and Iditarod stats show her in 5th based on time out of Cripple.
Hard to tell with the rests intermingled, but however you dice it, she is having a grand race with her great dogs.
4am report..Aliy rested yesterday at mile 358 and blew thru Cripple. King just now to Ruby with Red Team 52 miles from checkpoint and going strong.
Hello from Holland!
Wow, Allen is on the front page of adn.com!
Thanks so much for the update! I'm so glad you were able to get the pups! Looks like Aliy and Allen are doing really well and it's been fun tracking them! Look forward to your next update…be safe!
I've been watching the GPS tracking and noticed that yesterday Aliy was stopped for a very long time between Ophir and Cripple (closer to Ophir). I was surprised, since this followed the 24-hour at Takotna. I started getting worried, but I noticed others were coming along and passing her, so I figured she and the dogs must be okay. Eventually, she got going again and made it in and out of Cripple.
Do you know anything about that? Were the GPS readings off, or was there a long stop for some reason?
Mac, wat is happening with Aliy, between Cripple and Ruby? She was in fifth place, and now dropping to ……
Do you now more?
I also notice she's listed as down to 12 dogs now?
So where did Happy sleep last night?? Thanks for all your updates ~ really enjoying….Go Aliy!!