This Mad Blogger only takes so many sighs of relief when it comes to the Iditarod... once when the twins successfully leave the Ceremonial Start and Restart lines; once when they get through the first third, and highly technical portion, of the trail; again - sigh of relief amidst cheers - when they both reach Nome; and a final sigh of relief when the last musher crosses under the burled arch in Nome and the Red Lantern is claimed and extinguished.
As of this post, I'm at three of the four, with the last one coming soon!
As you've seen by now, either through Instagram posts or updates on Iditarod.com, both Kristy and Anna finished Iditarod 2023 just before 3pm AKST Thursday afternoon, March 16th. Kristy led the way with 8 dogs, finishing in 21st place and clocking a final time on the 998 race miles of 10 days, 23 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds. Anna was 16 seconds behind her with 9 dogs, claiming 22nd place after 10 days, 23 hours, 51 minutes and 6 seconds on the trail. They looked amazingly good, first setting their snow hooks before going straight to their dog teams to hand out snacks and immense praise.
They both did their mandatory gear checks, chatted with news crews, friends, fans, and fellow mushers. There's a video of them on Iditarod.com if you're an Insider (or considering becoming one) that is worth watching. I love how during that interview Anna kept glancing over her shoulder to check on her dog team. As soon as they were cleared, they mushed a couple blocks from the burled arch to the secure dog lot after the finish, where Kristy's husband Andy Pohl and close kennel friend Aaron Anderson had the dogs' sky kennels set up, with the top off, lined with fresh straw and bowls at the ready.
The dogs would have been examined, massaged, a little ointment on the paws as needed, loved on, and fed before the twins really considered themselves done. With the keen eyes of vets and volunteers watching the dog lot, Anna and Kristy could finally slip away for some food and some welcome sleep off the trail.
I've gotten a couple texts from the twins since they arrived in Nome, and one selfie. Each year, I try to put together "Nome Bags" for them... goodie bags that they send on with other personal effects for when they reach Nome. They opened them pretty promptly and just as quickly sent thank you texts to our Mom and I (as Mom helped out with them this year). These goodie bags are nothing extravagant... some Working Hands lotion, face wipes and lotion, Burt's Bees chapstick, a new pair of Darn Tough winter socks, and an assortment of candy! Plus a card for each from our Mom and this Mad Blogger. A little hug from very far away to let them know we are SO PROUD of them both.
It sounds like they had a good dinner their first night off the trail, with crab legs, mashed potatoes, beans, meatballs, and apple pie on offer. And while I know they got some good rest in the Church near the finish that graciously hosts mushers that are without other host families, I also know they would have gotten up after 4 or 5 hours, put on all their winter gear, and walked down to the dog lot to check on their pups. These ladies love their dogs and give them exceptional care, and nothing short of a coma would prevent the instinct to check on them regularly.
This Mad Blogger doesn't want to bug the twins too much as they rest, but I am hoping to get a more thorough debrief from them over the next day or two. Meanwhile, the twins will be resting and making arrangements to fly all their finishing dogs from Nome back to Anchorage. Andy and Aaron will be making arrangements to fly their snow machines. Then they will attend the finishers banquet and catch their own flights back to Anchorage and then driving home to Knik. The very end of this journey isn't too far.
That said, can you fathom that there are still teams out on the trail?! After the twins arrived, they were joined about 5 hours later by Michael Williams, Jr. Then we had a break overnight before rookie Bailey Vitello and then veteran Joanna Jagow arrived Friday morning. Friday afternoon brought the arrival of rookies Gerhardt Thiart and Bridgett Watkins, claiming a successful finish with 26th and 27th places, respectively. It was really great to see Gerhardt in particular successfully reach Nome after a very harrowing experience in 2022 that led to him scratching early. Congrats to you all!!
And as I post this, wearing St. Pattys green and craft beer in my hand, we have our final two mushers reported out of Safety and charging to Nome. Rookie Jed Stephensen will hopefully arrive at the finish around 4pm AKST this afternoon with veteran Jason Mackey an hour or two behind. We're cheering for you, guys!!
Below are a few shots from the finish and a "thank you" collage highlighting some of the twins' sponsors. I really cannot say enough, and the twins can't either!, about the individuals and businesses that think enough about what Kristy and Anna do each year to open both their hearts and their wallets to make it all happen. Don't take my word for it, though ... check out this article from Alaska Public Media. It discusses Iditarod costs and features a picture and quotes from the twins. Net net, the financial struggle is real and dog mushing is expensive, with purses barely making a dent in the costs. Sponsors and generous private individuals - including all of you that have purchased some Seeing Double merch! - make their journey possible. On behalf of Anna and Kristy - thank you so very much!
As of this post, I'm at three of the four, with the last one coming soon!
As you've seen by now, either through Instagram posts or updates on Iditarod.com, both Kristy and Anna finished Iditarod 2023 just before 3pm AKST Thursday afternoon, March 16th. Kristy led the way with 8 dogs, finishing in 21st place and clocking a final time on the 998 race miles of 10 days, 23 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds. Anna was 16 seconds behind her with 9 dogs, claiming 22nd place after 10 days, 23 hours, 51 minutes and 6 seconds on the trail. They looked amazingly good, first setting their snow hooks before going straight to their dog teams to hand out snacks and immense praise.
They both did their mandatory gear checks, chatted with news crews, friends, fans, and fellow mushers. There's a video of them on Iditarod.com if you're an Insider (or considering becoming one) that is worth watching. I love how during that interview Anna kept glancing over her shoulder to check on her dog team. As soon as they were cleared, they mushed a couple blocks from the burled arch to the secure dog lot after the finish, where Kristy's husband Andy Pohl and close kennel friend Aaron Anderson had the dogs' sky kennels set up, with the top off, lined with fresh straw and bowls at the ready.
The dogs would have been examined, massaged, a little ointment on the paws as needed, loved on, and fed before the twins really considered themselves done. With the keen eyes of vets and volunteers watching the dog lot, Anna and Kristy could finally slip away for some food and some welcome sleep off the trail.
I've gotten a couple texts from the twins since they arrived in Nome, and one selfie. Each year, I try to put together "Nome Bags" for them... goodie bags that they send on with other personal effects for when they reach Nome. They opened them pretty promptly and just as quickly sent thank you texts to our Mom and I (as Mom helped out with them this year). These goodie bags are nothing extravagant... some Working Hands lotion, face wipes and lotion, Burt's Bees chapstick, a new pair of Darn Tough winter socks, and an assortment of candy! Plus a card for each from our Mom and this Mad Blogger. A little hug from very far away to let them know we are SO PROUD of them both.
It sounds like they had a good dinner their first night off the trail, with crab legs, mashed potatoes, beans, meatballs, and apple pie on offer. And while I know they got some good rest in the Church near the finish that graciously hosts mushers that are without other host families, I also know they would have gotten up after 4 or 5 hours, put on all their winter gear, and walked down to the dog lot to check on their pups. These ladies love their dogs and give them exceptional care, and nothing short of a coma would prevent the instinct to check on them regularly.
This Mad Blogger doesn't want to bug the twins too much as they rest, but I am hoping to get a more thorough debrief from them over the next day or two. Meanwhile, the twins will be resting and making arrangements to fly all their finishing dogs from Nome back to Anchorage. Andy and Aaron will be making arrangements to fly their snow machines. Then they will attend the finishers banquet and catch their own flights back to Anchorage and then driving home to Knik. The very end of this journey isn't too far.
That said, can you fathom that there are still teams out on the trail?! After the twins arrived, they were joined about 5 hours later by Michael Williams, Jr. Then we had a break overnight before rookie Bailey Vitello and then veteran Joanna Jagow arrived Friday morning. Friday afternoon brought the arrival of rookies Gerhardt Thiart and Bridgett Watkins, claiming a successful finish with 26th and 27th places, respectively. It was really great to see Gerhardt in particular successfully reach Nome after a very harrowing experience in 2022 that led to him scratching early. Congrats to you all!!
And as I post this, wearing St. Pattys green and craft beer in my hand, we have our final two mushers reported out of Safety and charging to Nome. Rookie Jed Stephensen will hopefully arrive at the finish around 4pm AKST this afternoon with veteran Jason Mackey an hour or two behind. We're cheering for you, guys!!
Below are a few shots from the finish and a "thank you" collage highlighting some of the twins' sponsors. I really cannot say enough, and the twins can't either!, about the individuals and businesses that think enough about what Kristy and Anna do each year to open both their hearts and their wallets to make it all happen. Don't take my word for it, though ... check out this article from Alaska Public Media. It discusses Iditarod costs and features a picture and quotes from the twins. Net net, the financial struggle is real and dog mushing is expensive, with purses barely making a dent in the costs. Sponsors and generous private individuals - including all of you that have purchased some Seeing Double merch! - make their journey possible. On behalf of Anna and Kristy - thank you so very much!
 Seeing Double cannot thank their supporters and sponsors enough!!! |  |
