Time 10:30pm Race Mile 876
Aliy and her 11 team mates Amber, Cloud, Decaf, Dutch, Five, Jefe, Junior, QT, Rodney, Spark and Violet, are 22 miles from White Mountain and 99 miles from Nome! They are running in 18th position, having made up a couple of spots over the last couple of checkpoints. Once in White Mountain they will have an eight hour mandatory rest before embarking on their final push to Nome.
Since I last wrote, the team left Koyuk and made their way to Elim in 7 hours, 11 minutes. They spent a hair under four hours resting in Elim before setting off for White Mountain at 6.05pm. Right now they are moving at a good clip (for being nearly 900 miles into the race) and have the village of Golovin in front of them. The community in Golovin come out in numbers to support mushers and teams through their main street and Aliy always stops to say “Hi” so don’t be alarmed if her tracker turns orange for a few minutes. Click this link to read Aliy’s story from her visit in summer 2017. (Edit: it seems the trail is bypassing the village this year rather than going down the main street)
The crew is still socially distancing in Nome. The weather there is warm, snowy and blowing with a “Brisk Wind Advisory” for the Norton Sound.
Returned Dog Update
Kodiak and Chevie are back in Anchorage with Linda! They arrived this afternoon and have been hanging out at their temporary houses for the afternoon. They’re both doing well and thank everyone for their concern. Thanks Linda for taking such good care of them! Kodiak would like your recommendations for movies to watch please. Let us know in the comments. He’s totally up for Netflix and chill.
THANK YOU LINDA for the loving care you offer Aliy’s pups. It’s easy to see that they love you! I’m relieved to learn that their “boo-boos” are temporary and that after a little of Linda’s special R&R they’ll be good as new! Stay Safe, Sound, Smart and Swift Sweet Aliy You’re almost home! Even though you can’t hear us, we ALL are cheering you on Loud & Proud! <3
I got a little nervous seeing Aliy, Amber, Cloud, Decaf, Dutch, Five, Jefe, Junior, QT, Rodney, Spark and Violet stopped at mile 832, then I realized she was just past Golovin. I hope villagers went out to see her at about midnight!!! I would have. It must have been very different not having the teams pass right through the village this year.
I’m happy to hear Kodiak and Chevie are safe with Linda. They look beautiful!
Cloud, spunky Cloud is still running to NOME!
Woohoo, Aliy is in White Mountain!
Time for a nap, for all of us hopefully.
Rest well SPK pups.
Relieved to know Chevie and Kodiak are with Linda now. They look good! Ha! Good movies you ask, Kodiak? Need to think on that one.
Aliy pulled into WM just as I got up this morning. Very nice of her to plan on arriving in Nome at a reasonable hour later tonight😂 This is definitely a race for the history books, but then Iditarod seems to be that way almost every year.
Hopefully Aliy can get a little rest in WM and then make that final stretch with ease. Praying Mother Nature behaves herself!
Glad to hear my boy Kodiak is doing alright! He could always watch the new movie Togo for a little encouragement to heal up and get back out there! Always love to see how Aliy takes care of her dogs.
Kodiak, how about “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”!
Yeah team! Linda’s retreat is such a blessing for SPK and the poochies are spoiled I’m sure. As for movies Kodiak, before all the nonsense has us in self-isolation, we watched all the Marvel movies, in order. Weren’t fans before we started, but they pull you in. And the connections from one to the next was unexpected. Google Marvel movies in order and look for Stan Lee (comic books writer) in each one!
Rest up Aliy. The homestretch is coming.
VIEWING SUGGESTIONS FOR KODIAK:
Let’s see…”Lassie Come Home” always gets me virtually swimming the breast stroke during that passage in the movie when Lassie is beginning her travels…
And then, of course, there are old Aliy cams…for scenic views and drama.
GO RED TEAM!!! REST WELL AND PROSPER (raise your right front paw!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
Glad to hear Kodiak & Chevie are in the loving arms of Linda! Thanks Linda! Will be happy to
see the Team and Aliy as they arrive in Nome!!!!! Safe Journey the last 77 miles!
On the Nomestretch now Red Team! Way to go Aliy and mates! I’m not so sure Kodiak didn’t fake a sore wrist just to be able to go to Linda’s and watch Netflix movies. Looking good Kodiak & Chevie!
Kodiak looks so noble – so very aware and Chevie is just plain beautiful. How lucky for them and for Linda to enjoy one another.
Getting to WM is always a big sigh of relief – although I admit then I am waiting for the team to Safety (another sigh of relief) and then finally Nome – a REALLY big sigh of relief.