When Mark said goodbye to the Spencer and team in Mendeltna he said that Spencer was wired and the team looked great. They were well rested and raring to get back on the trail.
We eagerly watched the tracker throughout the morning, each time altering our finish time estimation earlier and earlier. It was so exciting to see them loping down the finish chute.
(Above) The team comes down the finish chute with the Alaska Range behind; (Below) Spencer checks in while Chena gives her critique on her team mates
You’ll see in the pic he was carrying Chena but it is nothing to be concerned about, she was a little tired and as they were going at such a pace on that last leg he popped her in the sled and she watched proceedings from there.
As a matter of course, the veterinarians always thoroughly check out a dog that comes in that way and they were happy she was well.
The vets are also always eyeballing and physically checking out dogs as they come into each checkpoint so you know they are on hand should there be any issues.
We gave the team a kibble and meaty water mix at the finish line (except Spencer, he didn’t fancy that) and congratulated each one. As I bent over to give Nomex a kiss he licked me on the nose and gave me a look to say “did you see what I just did?”. Commando started barking, telling everyone he is the bomb! Torch and Tinder decided they wanted their food off the ground rather than out of the dish as it tastes so much better that way. Chena wolfed down some moose snacks. Driver was still alert and eager for a hug whereas Sandy is the “no drama queen” and just took it all in her stride. Remember she is a Copper Basin veteran, having finished the race last year with Meghan. Lester, Beemer and Viper are as they always are: calm and satisfied at a job well done. Puppet seemed to enjoy being around the youngsters.
They’re all having a sleep now while we sort out the bags and bags of “stuff”. Of course everything that was brought down in the drop bags has to go back (except for the food consumed), but when it came down it was very nicely packed. When a team leaves its parking spot at a checkpoint, the handler crew rakes up the straw and throws all the gear back in the truck, but we don’t have time to nicely pack it all back up so consequently everything is everywhere. We are going to sort that out now. Booties here, clothing there, dog jackets somewhere else…
The banquet and prize giving is later this evening back at Mendeltna then we hit the trail for home.
There is still a lot of reporting to come. I will have wrap-ups from each team as well as all the video to edit so keep watching for the next week or two as I get that up.
Way to go Chena, learning the musher's job, hike, gee, haw, woof woof!
What was I thinking? Of course Beemer's there!
Commando, what a super young leader. Can't wait to see what's next for you.
Enjoy the well deserved Lime Light at the Banquet tonight SPK 🙂
Love watching the fire litter learn & become part of the team.
What a lot of fun!
Those youngsters! good work keeping them happy, Spencer.
Many congratulations, Spencer!!! You have shown the patience and dedication and the joy of being on a difficult trail with young dogs!!!
And, congratulations to all the young pups at SPK!!!
Looking forward to following your achievement, yes, all of you, musher and pups!!!❤️💙🐾🐾🐾
Top Dog Commando!!! Woof, woof, woof!!! Go R&B!!!
And so cute about Nomex and his nose-lick (Moira should be honoured with being the recipient of his first finish line "kiss")!
Too cool for school 4-legged veterans deserve our appreciation for teaching the youngsters the correct way to act whilst on the road in a race!!! Woof!!!
Congrats Spencer!
GREAT job Spencer and the R&B Team!!! You all do SPK Fans Proud!! Enjoy the banquet!!! Cant wait to read the wrap ups and see more video!!
Have a wonderful time at the banquet and congrats to our awesome mushers all three!!!
As A-town noted, Chena should have a report on her musher's great performance to share in the dog yard upon arrival home!
Can't wait…going to the SPK website and seeing a post makes my day. I thank you for what all of you do.
What a great learning time for the youngsters with a nice mix of veteran leadership. Thanks all for such a great CB 300. Go SPK in rest of races. Thanks for all great reporting and updates and handler's.
Fabulous update and picture. Thank you so much.
Congrats again Allen and the Black Team – watched the awards banquet at 2am in CT (without sound)- so happy for your 3-pete!!!
Congrats too to Chica ("pretty one" I think) and her magnificent sister Quito ("Poquita" – little girl)!!!
Best,
Margaret
Well done to SPKENNELS FOR THE GREAT RESULT IN THE CB300 , ONCE AGAIN THANKYOU FOR THE UPDATES . ALL THE BEST FOR THE REST OF THE RACING SEASONS AND BIG PATS FOR ALL THE DOGGIES . CHEERS FROM JOANNE AND DENALI 🐾🐾
Way to go Spencer!!! Great job. Kudos to you and the pus!!!