Above is Monica Zappa, musher. She is working with Jen Reiter, The Teacher on the Trail. Monica is in contact with Jen and in turn in contact with the different classrooms around the country and world. She talks with the kids and shares her experience with them. I have a video, some days ago, on the educational program that she is part of.

 Above Is Michelle Philips coming down front street and the next picture is a continuation up the chute to the finish under the burl arch.

Another picture of the cyclist that actually made it to Nome. Some feat!!!

 I loved the dog pictures above. Looks like he is thrilled to get to Nome. His face all frosted up.

Another picture of the finish line in Nome.

Picture of Martin Buser, showing the Doctor his broken finger. He had it taped thru most of the race and just continued on.

At the finish line, again. Check the building in the far right corner, yellow, and the attached red building next to it where there are people on the balcony. That's where we stayed. They blow the siren 15 min. before a musher is coming in and no matter what time, day or night, you can go to the balcony and be right at the finish line. Have to book a year in advance as everyone wants to be that close.

Here is a "cute" story--from last year. Above is Lance Mackey---a many time Iditarod winner who had a cancer diagnosis. He still pushed on and ran the race, not this year. He sent his brother who is maybe in the middle of the pack. Lance is above with his 2 year old dog Stiffy (named because one of his ears is bent up at a funny angle). This was Stiffy's first time in the race and got frightened at all the noise, people, etc etc at the start line so.....he hid under (way under) the truck--top pic-- Lance got down in the snow and very quietly talked with him and after a time he came out. Lance is so sweet with his dogs and they must understand his love. Doesn't it look like a man with a child that is listening to some kind words with his arm around him.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 2014

Gets me a bit upset when I see that the camera crews, reporters etc. pair down when the first five racers come in. HEY, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS??? They also play an important part and are true "heroes" just finishing this grueling race.  Below: Abbie West coming down front street in Nome. I hoped she would be the rookie of the year BUT Nathan Schroeder came in 6 min. ahead of her SO HE was the rookie of the year. I applaud her as well. Good job (both of you)

The first photo is of Martin Buser after coming into Nome with 12 dogs. He said all his bodily functions were gone. He couldn't steer, was totally off balance and was very emotional. He came in 6th. He said HE wanted to do better by his dogs but said they certainly came through for him. He said there were 55 mph winds in the blow holes along the coast and that is brutal.

Second photo of the "dog lot" in Nome. A special place to me. That is where Hank and I volunteered for a few years. We watched over the dogs, called the vet if need be, fed them etc. They are the sweetest, friendliest and beautiful dogs you could imagine. The mushers come to care for them during the day and at night. After finishing the race this is where the dogs come and stay until the mushers get them ready to fly home. We loved being there.

Third Photo is of either Kristy or Anna Berington (they are identical twins) Great fun and they usually travel together or nearby each other. Right now they are in Shaktoolik.

As the initial part of the race is over ,I can now concentrate on the mushers to come.

Abbie West is plugging along. She is now at White Mountain. Oh, the bad part is in front of her!!
Good luck Abbie.

Newton Marshall, from Jamaica, and such a fun and happy guy is 43rd. He seems to be stopping to help anyone he meets that is in trouble. He is now in Unalakleet--probably stopping at Brad's for some pizza.

Deedee Lumb's namesake DeeDee Jonrowe was always a favorite but she scratched early. Her dogs were fine but she was having some physical problems and had to scratch. Sad for her.

Well, its been quite a day of surprises. Wishing good, safe travels to those still on their way.
Will check them out tomorrow.

Forgot to mention: Dallas did not know, for about 90 seconds, he had won when he came into Nome.
He thought he was vying for 3rd position with his Dad, Mitch.

TUESDAY MARCH 11, 2014

OMG What a night. Jeff King was a sure winner when I went to bed only to wake up to Jeff Scratching by Safety. He hit a strong wind that blew his sled into the driftwood.He tried for 1 1/2 hours to get out of it and untangle his dogs. We aren't sure, at this time, why he decided to scratch. More on that later.
Aliy did not know she had passed Jeff and went on to Safety where she was to drop several of her dogs. The wind at Safety then picked up and she decided not to chance it and stayed put. She knew the wind on the trail around Cape Nome to the finish was absolutely brutal.
The weather has been mild for the past 8 days and the last 6 hours developed into unimaginable weather. Wind into Nome is legendary and can be life threatening. Wind is the ultimate weapon of the Arctic winter.
Dallas was 2 hours 46 min. behind Jeff at White Mountain. I said before, Dallas is a force to be reckoned with. He did just that.  He came into Nome at 4:04 AM after leaving White Mountain in 3rd place. A record of 8days 14 hours  9 min. TO WIN!! Aliy was only 2 minutes behind Dallas. Both sleds were under the burl arch together. She said the last run was the most demanding of all the runs with the intense wind. WOW