Ever feel like you’ve crammed a week into just a couple days? That’s exactly how I feel right now! It’s been a whirlwind, but a good one so far.
After a long day of travel on Thursday, I finally arrived in Alaska. The twins had already wrapped up the banquet by then, but they were kind enough to hang around Anchorage for a bit so we could all caravan out to the kennel together. We saw a moose on the way, just strolling alongside the road on a bike path, not a care in the world for us. That’s when I knew - I really was back in Alaska!
Back to the banquet. It went really well, with Anna and Kristy getting to interact with several sponsors, friends, and fans. They also drew this year’s bib numbers… Kristy will be #6 and Anna #8. Two interesting tidbits there… first, neither twin has ever had either of these numbers before. Second, they’ve only been this close before once - Anna’s first year on the trail in 2012. Kristy was in bib 31, Anna 33. Anna actually joked that they weren’t even this close at birth. Five minutes separated them then.
Friday had us all up early and busy with projects before my coffee had even finished brewing. And I say “my coffee” because the twins have been abstaining from caffeine for the last couple weeks in the hopes it’s more potent when they reintroduce it out on the trail.
As for projects, I was given a few things to do that were helpful but nothing I could screw up. Assembling some gangline. Wrapping foam insulation squares in heavy duty duct tape for seats (really embraced my inner MacGyver on that one). Working on dog tags. I also helped scoop poop. Cuz that’s the sort of sister I am!
The twins were moving nonstop. The usual dog care plus some tweaks to the braking system on their new race sleds (speaking of which - thanks Chuck Z for sponsoring the sleds and Mike from Mike’s Welding for helping with the adjustments!!). Organizing gear and getting ready for the Ceremonial Start.
There was a large mature bald eagle just hanging out in the trees, watching the action. And several huge ravens swooped in and around the yard, one chasing another when it made off with a little dog meat. Temps were in the mid-teens and the sun was out quite a bit.
When I wasn’t being helpful, I was lovin’ on all the sled dogs. Many of which I was meeting for the first time. They’re all so sweet, giving kisses or just leaning into my side. And they’re all so unique in appearance. I look forward to finalizing my notes and pictures on each twins’ dog team and sharing them all with you!
In the afternoon, Kristy and Anna each took a 14-dog team out for a short run in front of the snow machines. I road with Anna, very much enjoying the simple act of the dogs trotting along happily for a bit over an hour and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Anna pointed out the Sleeping Lady, or Mount Susitna. At 4,396 feet, it was a prevalent part of the landscape.
We took a break for dinner… salad and ground moose burgers! It was my first time having moose and I have to say - it was a darn tasty burger.
I was just starting this blog post after dinner while the twins went out to feed the dogs. They came back in before long to tell me the aurora were out! Blogus Interuptus as I dropped this, grabbed my camera, and raced out to take a look. I have seen the aurora before, but it’s been a while, and it was exciting to see them again. I’ll be sure to post the pics after I rescue them off my “big” camera.
On that note, I’ll close this post with a few pics. From my flight to Alaska; the dog yard with an eagle high in a tree observing; one of the kitties supervising Anna’s work on her veterinary dog book; the twins working on their sleds; the Sleeping Lady; and Anna’s dog team during our afternoon run.
Up next ~ Ceremonial Start!! 10am Alaska time, downtown Anchorage.
After a long day of travel on Thursday, I finally arrived in Alaska. The twins had already wrapped up the banquet by then, but they were kind enough to hang around Anchorage for a bit so we could all caravan out to the kennel together. We saw a moose on the way, just strolling alongside the road on a bike path, not a care in the world for us. That’s when I knew - I really was back in Alaska!
Back to the banquet. It went really well, with Anna and Kristy getting to interact with several sponsors, friends, and fans. They also drew this year’s bib numbers… Kristy will be #6 and Anna #8. Two interesting tidbits there… first, neither twin has ever had either of these numbers before. Second, they’ve only been this close before once - Anna’s first year on the trail in 2012. Kristy was in bib 31, Anna 33. Anna actually joked that they weren’t even this close at birth. Five minutes separated them then.
Friday had us all up early and busy with projects before my coffee had even finished brewing. And I say “my coffee” because the twins have been abstaining from caffeine for the last couple weeks in the hopes it’s more potent when they reintroduce it out on the trail.
As for projects, I was given a few things to do that were helpful but nothing I could screw up. Assembling some gangline. Wrapping foam insulation squares in heavy duty duct tape for seats (really embraced my inner MacGyver on that one). Working on dog tags. I also helped scoop poop. Cuz that’s the sort of sister I am!
The twins were moving nonstop. The usual dog care plus some tweaks to the braking system on their new race sleds (speaking of which - thanks Chuck Z for sponsoring the sleds and Mike from Mike’s Welding for helping with the adjustments!!). Organizing gear and getting ready for the Ceremonial Start.
There was a large mature bald eagle just hanging out in the trees, watching the action. And several huge ravens swooped in and around the yard, one chasing another when it made off with a little dog meat. Temps were in the mid-teens and the sun was out quite a bit.
When I wasn’t being helpful, I was lovin’ on all the sled dogs. Many of which I was meeting for the first time. They’re all so sweet, giving kisses or just leaning into my side. And they’re all so unique in appearance. I look forward to finalizing my notes and pictures on each twins’ dog team and sharing them all with you!
In the afternoon, Kristy and Anna each took a 14-dog team out for a short run in front of the snow machines. I road with Anna, very much enjoying the simple act of the dogs trotting along happily for a bit over an hour and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Anna pointed out the Sleeping Lady, or Mount Susitna. At 4,396 feet, it was a prevalent part of the landscape.
We took a break for dinner… salad and ground moose burgers! It was my first time having moose and I have to say - it was a darn tasty burger.
I was just starting this blog post after dinner while the twins went out to feed the dogs. They came back in before long to tell me the aurora were out! Blogus Interuptus as I dropped this, grabbed my camera, and raced out to take a look. I have seen the aurora before, but it’s been a while, and it was exciting to see them again. I’ll be sure to post the pics after I rescue them off my “big” camera.
On that note, I’ll close this post with a few pics. From my flight to Alaska; the dog yard with an eagle high in a tree observing; one of the kitties supervising Anna’s work on her veterinary dog book; the twins working on their sleds; the Sleeping Lady; and Anna’s dog team during our afternoon run.
Up next ~ Ceremonial Start!! 10am Alaska time, downtown Anchorage.
