SPK Dog Log

Allen just passed under the bridge at Nordale Road on the Chena River in North Pole. That is approximately 15 miles from the finish line. Ray is racing to the next spot the river goes under a bridge to cheer him on. Aliy, Allen, Ryne, Bob and Bridgett are heading to town. They can’t wait anymore. Sammy and I will head in also in about an hour.

Allen could finish sometime between 6:30 PM to 9 PM this evening.

Allen left the Two Rivers Check Point right on time at 5:35 am AST. He left with all 10 dogs. We expect him to be at the Pleasant Valley Store about 10:30. The next hour will have the team mushing close to SP Kennel. Right now I am guessing he will finish around 5 to 6 pm at the Cushman Street bridge in Downtown Fairbanks.

Here are some pictures from the Two Rivers Check Point.

A Bit Cold
By Jennifer Moore-Smith

Allen Arriving at Two Rivers Check Point
By Jennifer Moore-Smith

Allen and his Girls
By Jennifer Moore-Smith

Fairbanks, Alaska was founded by Captain Barnett in 1901 when his steam boat, the Lavelle Young, was grounded in what is now Downtown. He had originally been trying to set up a trading post in Tanacross, where the Tanana River met the Eagle – Valdez Trail. When he ran aground, the miners in the area immediately bought supplies and convinced him to set up the trading post in Fairbanks. This proved to be a wise decision because Felix Pedro first struck gold in 1902. The Territorial Courthouse was moved from Eagle to Fairbanks in 1903 and insured its continued existence.

Fairbanks has always been a boom, bust town. First with gold, then with World War II and the Alaskan Canadian Highway and finally during the building of the Oil Pipeline. It has a varied history and population. The population of the City of Fairbanks is a little over 35,000 and close to 98,000 in the Fairbanks metropolitan area. It is the 2nd largest city in Alaska and is the hub of travel and commerce for the interior and northern villages and towns.

Gold is still a large part of the economy. The Fort Knox Gold Mine produced 333,000 troy ounces of gold in 2007. Current price per once:1,372.75

Allen pulled into the Two Rivers Check Point at 9:35 pm AST with 10 dogs. I haven’t heard from the SP Crew out there yet, but there was quite a reception for Allen when he arrived. Bob and Bridgett made it around from 101 in time to see Dallas Seavey and Sebastian Schnuelle come past Pleasant Valley Store in Two Rivers between 5:30 and 6pm. By 7:30, Aliy, Ryne, Bridgett and Bob all headed towards the Check Point from the kennel. Jennifer (Allen’s oldest daughter), her husband Kevin and their 2 year old Jake headed out there from Fairbanks.

Although I don’t know for sure, it appeared that Allen’s run from 101 was smooth and he made good time. Although he had been prepared to camp on the trail, he did the run in one shot. I’m sure that once the dogs began to recognize where they were, they picked up speed and got excited.

There is a 8 hour mandatory rest at Two Rivers. Allen and the Black Team will be able to leave for the finish line at 5:35 am AST. It is a 75 mile run to the finish on the Chena River in Downtown Fairbanks. This is SP Kennel training ground. Allen ran this last run 3 times in the 2 weeks before the Quest. The only really “hard spot” will be when the trail comes less than a mile from the kennel.

Two Rivers, Alaska is the home of SP Kennel and is referred to as the “Mushing Capital of the Interior”. It is an unincorporated area between 13 mile and 25 mile Chena Hot Springs Road outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. Originally called Pleasant Valley, the area attracts people looking for adventure in the outdoors. The trail system in the area can take you all the way to Whitehorse, Canada (as in the Quest) or the other way, all the way to Nome or the western coast. Dog teams are the norm in Two Rivers, both professional and recreational, and dogs out number people 4 to 1.

Although the area was spotted with hunting cabins and homesteaders in the 50‘s and ‘60s, the Two Rivers area really saw growth during the ‘70. It’s current status with mushers stems from when Rick Swenson, 5 time Iditarod Champion, brought his home and kennel to the area. Today, there are about 700 people who make this their home. There is a wonderful store with a post office, school (k-8), Laundromat, fix-it shop, hair salon and two restaurants. It’s a great place to live.

Allen left the 101 Dog Drop at 1:55 pm AST with all 10 dogs. His sole purpose is to get to the finish line with a happy, healthy dog team. If he needs to camp between points to do that, he will. On this leg of the trail, he will be making the final summit of the race, Rosebud. Although it is not as high or as barren as the other 3 mountains, it is still a very challenging climb.

There will be a video of Allen at 101 up shortly on YouTube. I will put it up as soon as I can. We are heading up to the Two Rivers Store to see Dallas, Sebastian and Ken go by. Should be there with in the hour.