Tuesday, March 8, 2016
March 8, 2016
Everyone still moving at a rather slow pace. That is due to the weather conditions mostly. Its very warm so the snow conditions are slow. Ex. In ROHN where many mushers are right now it's 28 degrees. The next checkpoints, MCGRATH< TOKOTNA etc are -2. That will be better for the teams.
Right now NICOLAS PETIT is in first and out of ROHN. Followed by DALLAS SEAVEY, MITCH SEAVEY and WADE MAAS.
Thought I could send you the Iditarod trail may but.....
This might help--the checkpoints listed:
WILLOW
SKWENTNA
FINGER LAKE
RAINY PASS
ROHN ---surrounded by the mountains---Martin Buser's sons name
NIKOLAI--VERY remote and isolated. About 125 population--Martin Buser's other sons name
MCGRATH--Hank and I flew into and stayed a few days then on to TAKOTNA
TAKOTNA---one of my favorites. Misty and Barney introduced me to what real cooking is
we cooked for the mushers and most of them stayed for their 24 hour layover--cuz of
position in the race and the GOOD FOOD--started by JAN NEWTON who has passed
but Misty does her justice. Misty and Barney just built a house (yes, THEY built it)
by the Iditarod trail. They invited me to stay with them so I could see all the mushers
go by from the comfort of their home. How sweet and certainly something I REALLY
want to do. Barney has his own private plane service. Hank and I flew with him. He
let us see the mushers running and gave us quite a wonderful in- air tour.
OPHIR
CRIPPLE
RUBY
GALENA
NULATO
KALTAG
UNALAKLEET--My next favorite place. Bret and Davida own Piece on Earth--pizza and the only
restaurant in town and rooms. We stayed with them. GREAT PLACE and so good
to experience the mushers coming into this checkpoint.
SKAKTOOLIK--We stopped here to deliver mail.
KOYUK
ELIM
WHITE MOUNTAIN
SAFETY
NOME---Great town--really bustling during the Iditarod as this is the finish. I LOVED IT. My parka
is also in the museum there!! Wild and lots of fun. You can schmooze with the mushers
after their long, difficult journey, see the dogs up close and personal and go to the banquet.
Here is where acolytes are given out with a wonderful dinner catered by the Millennium
Hotel in Anchorage.
If any are teachers out there, check out Laura Wright's posts or page. Go to www.Iditarod.com then
on the left side of the home page you will see Teacher on the Trail. Click on that and there you have it. Some interesting projects the classrooms are doing, info given etc etc. Check it out.
Everyone still moving at a rather slow pace. That is due to the weather conditions mostly. Its very warm so the snow conditions are slow. Ex. In ROHN where many mushers are right now it's 28 degrees. The next checkpoints, MCGRATH< TOKOTNA etc are -2. That will be better for the teams.
Right now NICOLAS PETIT is in first and out of ROHN. Followed by DALLAS SEAVEY, MITCH SEAVEY and WADE MAAS.
Thought I could send you the Iditarod trail may but.....
This might help--the checkpoints listed:
WILLOW
SKWENTNA
FINGER LAKE
RAINY PASS
ROHN ---surrounded by the mountains---Martin Buser's sons name
NIKOLAI--VERY remote and isolated. About 125 population--Martin Buser's other sons name
MCGRATH--Hank and I flew into and stayed a few days then on to TAKOTNA
TAKOTNA---one of my favorites. Misty and Barney introduced me to what real cooking is
we cooked for the mushers and most of them stayed for their 24 hour layover--cuz of
position in the race and the GOOD FOOD--started by JAN NEWTON who has passed
but Misty does her justice. Misty and Barney just built a house (yes, THEY built it)
by the Iditarod trail. They invited me to stay with them so I could see all the mushers
go by from the comfort of their home. How sweet and certainly something I REALLY
want to do. Barney has his own private plane service. Hank and I flew with him. He
let us see the mushers running and gave us quite a wonderful in- air tour.
OPHIR
CRIPPLE
RUBY
GALENA
NULATO
KALTAG
UNALAKLEET--My next favorite place. Bret and Davida own Piece on Earth--pizza and the only
restaurant in town and rooms. We stayed with them. GREAT PLACE and so good
to experience the mushers coming into this checkpoint.
SKAKTOOLIK--We stopped here to deliver mail.
KOYUK
ELIM
WHITE MOUNTAIN
SAFETY
NOME---Great town--really bustling during the Iditarod as this is the finish. I LOVED IT. My parka
is also in the museum there!! Wild and lots of fun. You can schmooze with the mushers
after their long, difficult journey, see the dogs up close and personal and go to the banquet.
Here is where acolytes are given out with a wonderful dinner catered by the Millennium
Hotel in Anchorage.
If any are teachers out there, check out Laura Wright's posts or page. Go to www.Iditarod.com then
on the left side of the home page you will see Teacher on the Trail. Click on that and there you have it. Some interesting projects the classrooms are doing, info given etc etc. Check it out.
Monday, March 7, 2016
March 7, 2016
Rough night for some mushers. JAN STEVES scratched due to a crash. I believe she did get hurt but no report yet. MARTIN KOENIG scratched but no reason given.
DALLAS SEAVEY not feeling so good with the flu but pumping on.
HUGH NEFF in 1st at the moment with NICHOLAS PETIT and then DALLAS SEAVEY following.
If you have 86 teams, all leaving at a different time, the way they make up the time to even it out is at the 24 hour layover ( Mandatory). If the time from #1 to #85 is 2 hours then the #1 will stay on the 24 hour layover for an extra 2 hours. After that time, it all evens out and then its a more balanced race.
So far all the teams seem to be taking it rather easy for the start. Conserving energy I suppose.
I want to picture a map of the route but for a 72 year old its difficult to remember how I did that last year. Now I don't have all the "helpers" here to remedy that. I'm on my own!!! Have to work that out.
There was one point where two of the mushers went way off the trail--LARRY DAUGHERTY-an Oncologist and on his "vacation" and PAT BEAL. Think one followed the other, although CINDY GALEY followed them as well and quickly decided she was off trail. These two went way out of the way for miles and not until they got to the Yetna River did they realize their mistake. This really shouldn't be. There are 12,000 Iditarod 2016 markers on the trail, so distinctly marked. The rule SHOULD be go 10 minutes, about 1/4 of a mile, and if it seems to be wrong reevaluate. This seemed to be an OLD Iditarod trail but certainly not marked with the 2016 markers. Bad mushers!!!Losing lots of time and energy.
The mushers are reporting good conditions on the trails. That's good news.
LAURA WRIGHT is the 2016 Teacher On The Trail. Its a long arduous process to be chosen--takes about a year. She begins the race as an Iditarider at the ceremonial start. Then she flies on the Iditarod Air Force plane to the different checkpoints and reports to her classrooms who have been studying the Iditarod this past year. She has class followers from all over the world, over 100,000 viewers. During the year she has lesson plans related to the Iditarod and refers to those during the race. The teachers have global skype and can also check out her posts. She skypes at every checkpoint.
LAURA is An Ambassador for the race. She is from Austin, Tx (hey Henry,Andrew, Natalie and Noelle)
and has been a teacher for 20 years. Hearing a few of her interviews, she has wonderful presence and is well spoken.
Rough night for some mushers. JAN STEVES scratched due to a crash. I believe she did get hurt but no report yet. MARTIN KOENIG scratched but no reason given.
DALLAS SEAVEY not feeling so good with the flu but pumping on.
HUGH NEFF in 1st at the moment with NICHOLAS PETIT and then DALLAS SEAVEY following.
If you have 86 teams, all leaving at a different time, the way they make up the time to even it out is at the 24 hour layover ( Mandatory). If the time from #1 to #85 is 2 hours then the #1 will stay on the 24 hour layover for an extra 2 hours. After that time, it all evens out and then its a more balanced race.
So far all the teams seem to be taking it rather easy for the start. Conserving energy I suppose.
I want to picture a map of the route but for a 72 year old its difficult to remember how I did that last year. Now I don't have all the "helpers" here to remedy that. I'm on my own!!! Have to work that out.
There was one point where two of the mushers went way off the trail--LARRY DAUGHERTY-an Oncologist and on his "vacation" and PAT BEAL. Think one followed the other, although CINDY GALEY followed them as well and quickly decided she was off trail. These two went way out of the way for miles and not until they got to the Yetna River did they realize their mistake. This really shouldn't be. There are 12,000 Iditarod 2016 markers on the trail, so distinctly marked. The rule SHOULD be go 10 minutes, about 1/4 of a mile, and if it seems to be wrong reevaluate. This seemed to be an OLD Iditarod trail but certainly not marked with the 2016 markers. Bad mushers!!!Losing lots of time and energy.
The mushers are reporting good conditions on the trails. That's good news.
LAURA WRIGHT is the 2016 Teacher On The Trail. Its a long arduous process to be chosen--takes about a year. She begins the race as an Iditarider at the ceremonial start. Then she flies on the Iditarod Air Force plane to the different checkpoints and reports to her classrooms who have been studying the Iditarod this past year. She has class followers from all over the world, over 100,000 viewers. During the year she has lesson plans related to the Iditarod and refers to those during the race. The teachers have global skype and can also check out her posts. She skypes at every checkpoint.
LAURA is An Ambassador for the race. She is from Austin, Tx (hey Henry,Andrew, Natalie and Noelle)
and has been a teacher for 20 years. Hearing a few of her interviews, she has wonderful presence and is well spoken.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Still March 6, 2016
All the mushers have now left WILLOW and are on the trail. One of the SEAVEY boys, DANNY is at Headquarters and is manning the computer teaching us all how to maneuver race info.
I understand the flu bug is going around and has hit DALLAS SEAVEY and WADE MARRS.
Even with that, they race along.
Now, early in the race, there is a lot of dog power. The mushers have to learn to conserve that for later on when its needed so many of the dogs ride in their baskets for awhile, or to the next checkpoint, then rested they run on. Most of the teams leave the start with 16 dogs.
When MITCH SEAVEY arrived in WILLOW his lead dog had a problem--think it was his leg---so he had to start the race one dog short and his lead dog--one of the most important roles on the line.
I'll let all this info rest tonight and be back with the race tomorrow. At that time we can also talk about The Teacher On The Trail, LAURA WRIGHT.
Think about it--you're in your nice warm bed and the teams are resting on sleds and/or hay a bit cooler than you are right now. Martin Buser said this time he brought a tent. Its his vacation so he's going in"style".
Good luck teams on your first night on the trail. Till tomorrow.
All the mushers have now left WILLOW and are on the trail. One of the SEAVEY boys, DANNY is at Headquarters and is manning the computer teaching us all how to maneuver race info.
I understand the flu bug is going around and has hit DALLAS SEAVEY and WADE MARRS.
Even with that, they race along.
Now, early in the race, there is a lot of dog power. The mushers have to learn to conserve that for later on when its needed so many of the dogs ride in their baskets for awhile, or to the next checkpoint, then rested they run on. Most of the teams leave the start with 16 dogs.
When MITCH SEAVEY arrived in WILLOW his lead dog had a problem--think it was his leg---so he had to start the race one dog short and his lead dog--one of the most important roles on the line.
I'll let all this info rest tonight and be back with the race tomorrow. At that time we can also talk about The Teacher On The Trail, LAURA WRIGHT.
Think about it--you're in your nice warm bed and the teams are resting on sleds and/or hay a bit cooler than you are right now. Martin Buser said this time he brought a tent. Its his vacation so he's going in"style".
Good luck teams on your first night on the trail. Till tomorrow.
March 6, 2016
The REAL start day of the Iditarod. Still have time as its 4 hours behind NY.
In the meantime, I'll give you some more details:
Poor MARTIN BUSER he has pneumonia but will still run. He may take it slow in the beginning, quite the opposite of last year when he was in 1st for many days and then others started catching up with him.
Its warm in Willow which is not good for the dogs. It doesn't give them a chance to cool down and difficult to keep them hydrated.
MONICA ZAPPA is a musher and an environmentalist. She finds this a good venue for spreading the word about an important issue.
When the dogs are pups they are named. Usually there is a theme like KARIN HENDRICKSEN'S
dogs are named after her beloved Denver Broncos---Elway, Shanahan and McCaffrey. There was a newspaper article about Elway so Karin sent it to John Elway and he sent an autographed shirt signed
"to Elway from Elway"!!!
HUGH NEFF, the Mr Dr. Seuss, is running with the team he just won the Quest with. His lead dog is named after the Seinfeld character George Costanza.
Willow is set up with many food vendors and local art. I bought many Christmas presents there. Everyone is excited and spirits are high waiting for the start of the race. (me too)
The REAL start day of the Iditarod. Still have time as its 4 hours behind NY.
In the meantime, I'll give you some more details:
Poor MARTIN BUSER he has pneumonia but will still run. He may take it slow in the beginning, quite the opposite of last year when he was in 1st for many days and then others started catching up with him.
Its warm in Willow which is not good for the dogs. It doesn't give them a chance to cool down and difficult to keep them hydrated.
MONICA ZAPPA is a musher and an environmentalist. She finds this a good venue for spreading the word about an important issue.
When the dogs are pups they are named. Usually there is a theme like KARIN HENDRICKSEN'S
dogs are named after her beloved Denver Broncos---Elway, Shanahan and McCaffrey. There was a newspaper article about Elway so Karin sent it to John Elway and he sent an autographed shirt signed
"to Elway from Elway"!!!
HUGH NEFF, the Mr Dr. Seuss, is running with the team he just won the Quest with. His lead dog is named after the Seinfeld character George Costanza.
Willow is set up with many food vendors and local art. I bought many Christmas presents there. Everyone is excited and spirits are high waiting for the start of the race. (me too)
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Sat. March 5, 2016
Today is a reflective yet sad day as three years ago Hank passed. A few days before, he was watching the Iditarod on an IPad Henry had set up for him. He was enjoying it.
As the ceremonial start in Anchorage was today, I did reflect on how much we both enjoyed going to Alaska for so many years being part of the volunteer force with the Iditarod. Now I can sit at my computer and write about this years.
A step back----no snow in Anchorage---warm winter there as well. They sent seven train car loads of snow from Fairbanks to Anchorage for the start. They only had enough for the mushers to go 3-4 miles, usually they travel 11 miles and stop. After the ceremonial start, they pack up the sleds, dogs and people and head to Willow, 70 miles away, for the official start tomorrow.
I believe the numbers on their bibs reflect when they signed up for the race. I'll have to check that info out for sure. This is a "fun" time where they carry an Iditarider with them. The rider goes to auction to bid for the ride. Didn't look very cold today. Only showing snow on the 3-4 mile dog sled path thru town.
I will mention a few of the mushers and some history to get you into the next 12 or so days if you follow either my blog or the race.
JAN STEVES was one of the mushers who lost EVERYTHING in a fire in the fall. DeeDee Jandrow and MARY HELWIG experienced the same disaster. Jan said one of the things she lost were her mitts. These were very special to her. Kept her very warm and used them each year. All her equipment this year is new or borrowed. Lets wish her luck.
DEEDEE JONDROW not only had the fire loss but also the loss of her Mother. She has had a difficult winter season, not spending as much time preparing for the race. She is certainly one of the favorites each year with her pink parka and her dogs with their pink booties. Good luck DeeDee.
TRENT HERBST #58 is a fourth grade teacher and a very cheerful lad. You can recognize him with his FULL beard.
HUGH NEFF #70 is one of my favorites. He is Mr Dr. Seuss, hat and all. He brings books to the children in the villages and is just a positive, happy person. He came here to Stanfordville to a school to talk about his dogs etc. I was going to see him but it didn't work out.
My buddy from when I first started going to the Iditarod, JOANNE POTTS is one of the Iditarod Directors and quite a character. She had heart surgery in Jan and within two weeks she was back at work!!!
HANS GATT #84 was a fellow I so respect with the fans and with his dogs. He took a break for a few years but is back this year. I had contact with him when Hank and I volunteered in the dog lot in Nome. He was so sweet and extra kind with his dogs. He would be at the top of the hill coming down to the lot and the dogs would jump up and bark before any of us would see him. Even this time I noticed when he was leaving today he spoke with each dog and seemed to have some special bond I didn't notice with anyone else.
SCOTT JANSSEN #2 is a musher and in real life a Mortician. Hope we don't need his services!!
MARTIN BUSER my buddy. He has had a tragedy this year as well. He son, both named after one of the checkpoints, was living in the state of Washington and had a very serious car accident. Martin and his wife spent many weeks at his bedside. Martin didn't know if he would run in the Iditarod, depending on how his son progressed. His other son Rohn was registered to run but scratched as he was the one staying home taking care of the dogs and house etc. He just didn't have any time to prepare for the race. His son is now in rehap and doing better so Martin decided to race. Wishing the family and Martin the best.
ELLEN HALVERSEN, a Psychiatrist holds the red lantern position---last place-- for two years now. She said she isn't proud of that she wants to do better so she is back again. All the best Ellen.
Now maybe some of the names will be familiar. Rest up. The official race will start tomorrow and we'll be there!! Till then.
Today is a reflective yet sad day as three years ago Hank passed. A few days before, he was watching the Iditarod on an IPad Henry had set up for him. He was enjoying it.
As the ceremonial start in Anchorage was today, I did reflect on how much we both enjoyed going to Alaska for so many years being part of the volunteer force with the Iditarod. Now I can sit at my computer and write about this years.
A step back----no snow in Anchorage---warm winter there as well. They sent seven train car loads of snow from Fairbanks to Anchorage for the start. They only had enough for the mushers to go 3-4 miles, usually they travel 11 miles and stop. After the ceremonial start, they pack up the sleds, dogs and people and head to Willow, 70 miles away, for the official start tomorrow.
I believe the numbers on their bibs reflect when they signed up for the race. I'll have to check that info out for sure. This is a "fun" time where they carry an Iditarider with them. The rider goes to auction to bid for the ride. Didn't look very cold today. Only showing snow on the 3-4 mile dog sled path thru town.
I will mention a few of the mushers and some history to get you into the next 12 or so days if you follow either my blog or the race.
JAN STEVES was one of the mushers who lost EVERYTHING in a fire in the fall. DeeDee Jandrow and MARY HELWIG experienced the same disaster. Jan said one of the things she lost were her mitts. These were very special to her. Kept her very warm and used them each year. All her equipment this year is new or borrowed. Lets wish her luck.
DEEDEE JONDROW not only had the fire loss but also the loss of her Mother. She has had a difficult winter season, not spending as much time preparing for the race. She is certainly one of the favorites each year with her pink parka and her dogs with their pink booties. Good luck DeeDee.
TRENT HERBST #58 is a fourth grade teacher and a very cheerful lad. You can recognize him with his FULL beard.
HUGH NEFF #70 is one of my favorites. He is Mr Dr. Seuss, hat and all. He brings books to the children in the villages and is just a positive, happy person. He came here to Stanfordville to a school to talk about his dogs etc. I was going to see him but it didn't work out.
My buddy from when I first started going to the Iditarod, JOANNE POTTS is one of the Iditarod Directors and quite a character. She had heart surgery in Jan and within two weeks she was back at work!!!
HANS GATT #84 was a fellow I so respect with the fans and with his dogs. He took a break for a few years but is back this year. I had contact with him when Hank and I volunteered in the dog lot in Nome. He was so sweet and extra kind with his dogs. He would be at the top of the hill coming down to the lot and the dogs would jump up and bark before any of us would see him. Even this time I noticed when he was leaving today he spoke with each dog and seemed to have some special bond I didn't notice with anyone else.
SCOTT JANSSEN #2 is a musher and in real life a Mortician. Hope we don't need his services!!
MARTIN BUSER my buddy. He has had a tragedy this year as well. He son, both named after one of the checkpoints, was living in the state of Washington and had a very serious car accident. Martin and his wife spent many weeks at his bedside. Martin didn't know if he would run in the Iditarod, depending on how his son progressed. His other son Rohn was registered to run but scratched as he was the one staying home taking care of the dogs and house etc. He just didn't have any time to prepare for the race. His son is now in rehap and doing better so Martin decided to race. Wishing the family and Martin the best.
ELLEN HALVERSEN, a Psychiatrist holds the red lantern position---last place-- for two years now. She said she isn't proud of that she wants to do better so she is back again. All the best Ellen.
Now maybe some of the names will be familiar. Rest up. The official race will start tomorrow and we'll be there!! Till then.
Before I start the Iditarod let me go back to a momentous time in my life. Tara and Jason's wedding in the Dominican Republic Feb. 5, 2016.
22 people came to help celebrate and most of us stayed for a week. We had beautiful sunny warm weather and the hotel was great. We did have a little trouble finding out where to stay as they had many "levels" but we could never understand what that quite meant.
Tara and Jason had spent many hours with different projects that they displayed on the beach before the wedding and at the reception. For ex. a beautiful tribute to those who had passed and included wedding pictures of their parents. Sutton and Sophie Lamb, ring bearer and flower girl lead the procession. Mom and Henry walked Tara down the "beach" to a beautiful arch where Jason waited. Henry spoke, eloquently, before the ceremony and Tara looked like a princess in her long fitted off white gown with a bejeweled belt and (bride beach shoes Tara had made herself). Bubbles were afloat after the ceremony with a champagne toast. A beach train took all of us to the reception--a Dominican flavor restaurant. When Tara and Jason arrived a band led them in. They were very upbeat andjoyous.
Mom gave a thank you to all and her gratitude for such a loving, warm, ambitious and fun daughter and to the joy of having Jason, a new family member ,who shows such great character, loving, kind, loyal, hard working and supportive. We had a delicious meal with goat on the menu as well.
An interesting wedding cake that Henry said was the best he ever had (and he doesn't even eat cake!!)
After the reception with a few interludes from the "band" getting Jason up to dance with Tara and bringing such a Dominican party flavor to the celebration. A white horse drawn carriage was waiting to take them back to the hotel. Magical.
During the week we all were able to enjoy the beach and beautiful Caribbean water, take some excursions and experience many tasty and different restaurants. Each evening there was entertainment that was different each nite and enjoyable. Tara and Henry arranged a private boat excursion for the wedding group. Lots of dancing, snorkeling and boat fun!! Another trip was to Monkeyland---Anne, Hanks sister and fun loving aunt, enjoyed when the monkeys jumped on her head and sat there (she had food in her hand!!) We were in the mountains. The different landscape was interesting and quite beautiful. Then we went to learn more about the production of Dominican coffee and chocolate (a tasting as well--such flavor!) Riding through the towns was colorful and unique with the tour guides interpretation of the areas.
Four of Jason's friends from North Dakota, wives and partners, were so very fun loving and participated in all that was offered. Tara and Jason went with them on an ATV trip ending in a cave where they jumped from great heights into the water--yikes-- after the ATV dusty ride they said it was so refreshing!! Tara and Jason also swam with the dolphins.
Tara had three of her best friends from college and one from growing up in Poughkeepsie there, Jodi, Annabelle, Charlotte and Molly with husbands and partners who were such fun and so helpful to Tara from taking pictures to helping her get ready, to the joy of all being together.
Sophie and Sutton Lamb, Jodi and Chad's children, were wonderful (as expressed by EVERYONE). They had fun, helped Tara so much and showed her so much love. Such a joy to have them there.
Elaine, Kevin and Shawn from Poughkeepsie, friends from White Plains from way back came to enjoy the sun (YES ELAINE!!) and all the festivities and help Anne have a wonderful time.
We all had a difficult time leaving but left with many wonderful memories that Tara and Jason shared with us.
22 people came to help celebrate and most of us stayed for a week. We had beautiful sunny warm weather and the hotel was great. We did have a little trouble finding out where to stay as they had many "levels" but we could never understand what that quite meant.
Tara and Jason had spent many hours with different projects that they displayed on the beach before the wedding and at the reception. For ex. a beautiful tribute to those who had passed and included wedding pictures of their parents. Sutton and Sophie Lamb, ring bearer and flower girl lead the procession. Mom and Henry walked Tara down the "beach" to a beautiful arch where Jason waited. Henry spoke, eloquently, before the ceremony and Tara looked like a princess in her long fitted off white gown with a bejeweled belt and (bride beach shoes Tara had made herself). Bubbles were afloat after the ceremony with a champagne toast. A beach train took all of us to the reception--a Dominican flavor restaurant. When Tara and Jason arrived a band led them in. They were very upbeat andjoyous.
Mom gave a thank you to all and her gratitude for such a loving, warm, ambitious and fun daughter and to the joy of having Jason, a new family member ,who shows such great character, loving, kind, loyal, hard working and supportive. We had a delicious meal with goat on the menu as well.
An interesting wedding cake that Henry said was the best he ever had (and he doesn't even eat cake!!)
After the reception with a few interludes from the "band" getting Jason up to dance with Tara and bringing such a Dominican party flavor to the celebration. A white horse drawn carriage was waiting to take them back to the hotel. Magical.
During the week we all were able to enjoy the beach and beautiful Caribbean water, take some excursions and experience many tasty and different restaurants. Each evening there was entertainment that was different each nite and enjoyable. Tara and Henry arranged a private boat excursion for the wedding group. Lots of dancing, snorkeling and boat fun!! Another trip was to Monkeyland---Anne, Hanks sister and fun loving aunt, enjoyed when the monkeys jumped on her head and sat there (she had food in her hand!!) We were in the mountains. The different landscape was interesting and quite beautiful. Then we went to learn more about the production of Dominican coffee and chocolate (a tasting as well--such flavor!) Riding through the towns was colorful and unique with the tour guides interpretation of the areas.
Four of Jason's friends from North Dakota, wives and partners, were so very fun loving and participated in all that was offered. Tara and Jason went with them on an ATV trip ending in a cave where they jumped from great heights into the water--yikes-- after the ATV dusty ride they said it was so refreshing!! Tara and Jason also swam with the dolphins.
Tara had three of her best friends from college and one from growing up in Poughkeepsie there, Jodi, Annabelle, Charlotte and Molly with husbands and partners who were such fun and so helpful to Tara from taking pictures to helping her get ready, to the joy of all being together.
Sophie and Sutton Lamb, Jodi and Chad's children, were wonderful (as expressed by EVERYONE). They had fun, helped Tara so much and showed her so much love. Such a joy to have them there.
Elaine, Kevin and Shawn from Poughkeepsie, friends from White Plains from way back came to enjoy the sun (YES ELAINE!!) and all the festivities and help Anne have a wonderful time.
We all had a difficult time leaving but left with many wonderful memories that Tara and Jason shared with us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)