DAY #7 IDITAROD FRIDAY 13(oooh), 2026 CRIPPLE - NULATO. (fm Cripple - NULATO total of 157 miles)

 DAY #7 IDITAROD FRIDAY 13 (oooh), 2026 CRIPPLE -NULATO (total miles 157)

JESSIE HOLMES still leading the pack. He is almost to NULATO at 10 pm EST. Now to go back and recount the day. Below: good picture of TAKOTNA checkpoint. Little history of the check point.Two of the legendary icons ,who never ran the race ,were JAN and DICK NEWTON. When they moved to the area the Iditarod decided to stop here. They had very simple beginnings--moose stew and chili. As years passed JAN began making more meals and PIES!! The checkpoint became known for good hospitality and PIES. During the "fat" years of the IDITAROD 75-80 pies would be consumed. As the volume of mushers decreased about 30-40 pies are devoured. They also account for the pilots and volunteers that are lucky to have great meals and DESSERT!!! JAN died in 2012 (I met her in 2011) yet the legend       continues. 

      

JOEY SABIN was staying only 8 minutes so they prepared a to go sack lunch AND PIE for him--in TAKOTNA.

Dogs "waiting to run"in TAKOTNA.

 

 

From TAKOTNA to OPHIR its 23 miles. Below a picture of a team  passing by mining relics in OPHIR-a ghost town. OPHIR is mentioned in the Bible. Supposedly the rich King Solomon received shipments of gold and silver from the wealthy land of Biblical OPHIR. Ghost town or not ..there is ONE  cabin owned by the FORSGREN family. WHAT??? This is in the middle of no where. How do they get supplies, health care etc. etc. ? I would love to interview them. They must be loners!!! The checkpoint is by their cabin. 

                                                                                From OPHIR to CRIPPLE is 73 miles from CRIPPLE to RUBY is 70 miles, the long runs.                        JESSIE HOLMES was first into  RUBY with 16 dogs. He wins the DOROTHY PAGE (Mother of the IDITAROD), award. This is the halfway point in the race. He has the choice of either $3,000 in gold nuggets or a smartphone of his choosing with a year of mobile service. He also received a trophy made of Alaska birch and marble which will be on display at the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS all year.     JESSIE said the trail from OPHIR to CRIPPLE was slow on the surface but wasn't punchy (whatever that means). There was a good firm base.                                                                                                         JESSIE also was the 1st to the YUKON (he is collecting trophies) where he enjoyed a gourmet dinner prepared by chefs from locally grown restaurants in ANCHORAGE. JESSIE was not going to stay here but after having the Salomon dip he couldn't pass this up---HE STAYED and enjoyed his meal.

The weather in most of the checkpoints today have been 0 degrees to 14 degrees and the night time temps are around -20's. It is cloudy with some sun early in the day.                                                                    

FYI: Groceries in Alaska are among the most expensive in the US. For ex. in Juneau it is $5 for a gallon of milk but in more remote areas it is up to $10 a gallon. 

As of midnight EST the standings are: OUT OF RUBY to GALENA (50 miles) JESSIE HOLMES, PAIGE DROBNY, RILEY DYCHE, TRAVIS BEALS.                                                                               IN RUBY RESTING: MILLE PORSILD, RYAN REDINGTON, MICHELLE PHILLIPS and 17 others.  IN CRIPPLE: 9 mushers. JODY POTTS JOSEPH is pulling up the rear but still in good spirits and doing her very best--dogs too.                                                                                                                       Two mushers in the Expedition team are in NULATO one still in MCRATH. STEVE CURTIS in MCGRATH has been there for some time. No sure if there is a problem. Nothing has been said.                There is now more action and strategies are being planned. Exciting!!

                                                     TILL TOMORROW