NOME

Up very early to get ready for the winner. Had to get a good spot at the finish line. Also had my Salt Point,NY sign to hold up!!
The word then came that John Baker was quite a bit ahead of Ramey Smyth so the town was exuberant!! Many wondered if Johns team was strong enough to win BUT he is proving them wrong.
He came in at about am with a very strong, healthy looking team and he was especially thrilled when the natives came and played the drums for him. He was so touched by that. Meant a great deal to him.
JUST LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT AS THE COMPUTER JUST CANCELLED THE REST OF MY STORY!!@@#John went and shook hands with all the bystanders. He looked tired. John and his lead dogs got laurals and lots of pictures taken. John also got $50,000.00 and a new truck. When he was going down the shute he shook my hand and spoke very softly to me when I asked if he was ever coming to Salt Point NY.
Ramey Smyth came next at 10:50am to just as big a hoopla! He spoke so highly of John and was happy about his place. He won $40,000.00 NO TRUCK! His 3 year old daughter started taking the harnesses off the dogs! So cute! He and his wife have the two small children. We met him in the dog lot and he talked to everyone. Said John's dog were so strong even at the end that John could ride on the sled going up a steep hill!
Next came Hans Gatt at 3:24pm. He and his girlfriend Suzie, treat the dogs SO WELL! He hugged the dogs when they finished, gave them treats before he spoke to anyone. He is very friendly and approachable. He seems extremely efficient and businesslike when he is in the race. He is using a shoe horn he puts in the booties (the dogs all have booties on) slips it on the dogs foot and pulls the shoe horn out quickly and so efficiently. He said a man in Fairbanks developed them. I asked why more mushers don't use them and he said it takes a while to get used to and many don't want to take the time.
He and Suzie are always at the dog lot, feeding, hugging and talking with the dogs. They took them out on the ice, 5 at a time, for a romp!! No one else does that. He has them trained so well, they can be running out there on the ice and come back when called. Not many other dogs do that.
We have spoken at lenth with Dan Seavey, Mitchs' Dad and Dallas' grandfather. I really like him. He has been in the Iditarod and now is a good promoter for the program. Is on their Board.
So we waited with him for Dallas to come in.
Dallas came in at 5:27pm The family was there to great him. He won the Yukon Quest so he certainly was a favorite here. I think he WILL win the Iditarod some day.
Then it was Hugh Neff, Sabastian Schnuelle (still has EXTREMELY wild hair) and Ray Reddington Jr.
At this point we can go up under the arch and no one cares. Can get "up close and personal"!
I'll be back, but as the computer suddently shuts off I am going to publish this. Will be right back.