Banquets, Tourists, Sarah Palin...Oh my!

They say all good things must come to an end…

After an amazing sunset sled ride, the team and I headed to Anchorage for the last part of our Iditarod adventure. Pictures of the ride below...videos to come later!

 We arrived in Anchorage pretty late on Wednesday night and decided that we would just go to the hotel sleep, and explore the city on Thursday. Thursday was so fun, for the first time in Alaska I felt like an actual tourist! We headed down to 4^th Ave in downtown Anchorage where the ceremonial start is for the race. There are many cool shops, museums, and plenty of tourists! We ventured downtown with the Iditarod volunteers along with a few mushers before the musher banquet later that evening. Pictures below! My favorite little shop was one where a man sold sculptures and carvings out of walrus ivory and whale baleen.

Another cool event happening in Anchorage before the Iditarod is the “Fur Rendevous” AKA the “Fur Rondy”. The Fur Rondy is a 10 day, 79 year old tradition celebrating way of life in Alaska! They have many events going on like ice sculpting contests, fur bikini contests, a carnival, a reindeer run (where reindeer run down the streets of Anchorage while you run with them…its like the Cheddar Chase, except you’re running with actual reindeer) and a sprint dog sled race. Upon MANY more.  Check out the website for more details if interested… furrondy.net.

Musher Wade Marrs can't escape the school teachers flocking for autographs for the classroom!

This was a tourist who came to the Iditarod from Poland. He was so hilarious and taking pictures of everything and everyone! People go crazy here around Iditarod time!

Crazy Poland tourist posing with Newton Marshall, musher from Jamaica with other Iditarod volunteers!

Musher Newton Marshall posing as Balto.

Just being goofy!

Later that night we headed to the musher banquet. Dinner is served, the mushers get recognized, people talk, they show videos, talk about prizes and the mushers pick their starting #s for the race out of a hat. The banquet was a lot of socializing, looking around, and spotting people we recognized from our time here! Oh and celebrating!

The banquet stage

Myself and two other technicians I worked with...one from Alaska and the other from Massachusetts

So many people!

Took this picture for all you Seavey fans back home! Dallas going up to pick his bib # for race start.

 

Earlier out in the lobby I noticed a big swarm of people and some security guards coming through the door, at the time I just ignored it…not sure why? Later that night I swore I saw Sarah Palin, I asked a musher I recognized if Sarah Palin was here. He said yes, and I said something like “Oh cool, I’ll have to sneak a picture of her.” He replied with, “ How about we don’t sneak a picture and all go talk to her!” So we did, and that is how I met and talked with Sarah Palin. Who was a very sweet lady and who wanted to talk to me more than I thought she would! 

Chatting with Sarah about Wisconsin, Alaska, and her daughter Bristol.

I loved her outfit. Nothing fancy just a USA shirt, green cargo pants, and boots :)

LESSON: If you never open the door, you can’t walk through it! I have had so many unforgettable experiences here in Alaska and it drives me crazy thinking I even pondered the idea of not going. Everyone is capable of doing great things; don’t wait around for your opportunity…find it! 

Tomorrow is the day! Ceremonial race start! Have to be up early! I leave for back home on Sunday morning. Hopefully I'll get another blog post in about the day before I head out!

Mush on,

Sophie 

Is it almost that time?!?!

I'm going to start this blog with a little dog racing lesson...don't worry cute pictures are coming! Before I came to Alaska I just thought dog mushing was dog mushing. I had no idea there were any other pulling sports! It makes sense, but along with long distance sled races, they also have sprint races!

Its very interesting to see the different build between a long distance dog and a sprint racing dog.

The picture above is a good representation of sprint dogs vs long distance dogs. ROW B are examples of sprint racing dogs. ROW C are examples of long distance endurance dogs.

Another popular winter dog hobby here in AK is skijoring. Skijoring is where a small team of dogs, even one or two, pulls a person on skis! In Alaska this is a hobby as well as a competitive sport.  I've heard of people skijoring in Wisconsin but I have yet to see it. Maybe something to try in the future?

Ok now for an update on me. It seems crazy that today was the last day doing ECGs and bloodwork. Myself and the other technicians have completed over 70 teams, totaling over 1,500 dogs! Whew! Now the fun of race start work begins!
Tomorrow we do Vet Checks at Iditarod Headquarters. This is where each dog undergoes a physical examination before he or she can be given the green light to race! The bloodwork and ECGs will also be evaluated at this time as well.  During vet check day the technicians assist the veterinarians however possible, check microchip #s, rechip any dogs, redraw any blood, redo any ECGs, and of course...paperwork. (Unfortunately you can never escape it!) 
 
After vet check day we have two days off before race start on Saturday. Wednesday night we are invited to a musher banquet in Anchorage so we will most likely be staying in Anchorage until the end of our stay. After Wednesday there are plenty of things that need to be done before race start as well as banquets to attend. Time to celebrate a job well done, and begin a great send off for these amazing dogs and their mushers!


It's getting crazy around here, but it's because excitement is in the air! 3 days until Iditarod 2014!

Below are the pictures of the last 2 days....

Every so often you find that one dog you connect with. This was mine, his name is Block and he was a big goof. He loved to smile for the camera!

 

We never say no to husky cuddles

The usual greeting: "Let me jump on you and lick your face!"

This dogs name was Bolt, I thought he looked very much like a Bolt! So strong!

Getting extra cuddles from Block before he goes!

I thought this dog had a cool look to him. Others in his team also had that silver look.

A mushers son keeping a close eye on what we are doing with his pals! Musher in training!

Always time left for play :)

My view at dusk for the last 2 weeks in Wasilla

After this blog, I will be posting from Anchorage when I get the chance. Wasilla has been a great place to stay, but I can't wait to see more of Anchorage. It's a little sad because heading back to Anchorage means that my time here in Alaska is coming to a close, but I'm starting to my 3 F's very much...Family,Friends, and Fur-babies :)

-Sophie 

The BeringtonTwins

The Iditarod start is fast approaching! 5 days! That means the volunteers at Iditarod headquarters are working like busy bees. Lots to do before the big day! Its so fun to hear the mushers come in and talk about their "week of" training and how they can tell their dogs know what is about to come! One of the mushers said him and his 2 year old daughter went for a 2 hour long training run with the dogs yesterday. No 2 year old I know would ever sit that long in a sled. He said its one of the only ways she will fall asleep, how cute is that?

Anyways, today was an interesting day because I learned that 2 mushers call Wisconsin home! Anna and Kristy Berington are from Port Wing, Wisconsin...way up by Lake Superior. Long story short, they are both up in Alaska mushing dogs in the Iditarod! They have a really cool website seeingdoublesleddogracing.com, there you can read their whole bio and learn more about this mushing duo from Wisconsin! I've heard mushers talk about the Berington sisters before, saying that it looks like a dream seeing a pretty blonde with frosted hair mushing her team through the Alaskan frontier! Ha! 

Anna and Kristy Berington

Anna giving Kristy a high five as she heads out on the trail!

Below are pictures of when I worked with Anna and her team today!

Anna calming her dog during the ECG process

Puppy lovin'

 

This big guy fell asleep on the ECG table.

The dogs love their handlers!

 ---Other cute pictures of the day :) 

Oh my goodness! This dog had was born with a shorter mandible and he looked so cute! (And funny!) He reminded me of the dog below so I had to take pictures!

So interesting I had to take pictures! 

Can't believe only 6 days until I'm home...time really does fly when you're having fun!


-Sophie

Busy Week!

Hello Everyone!

Just posting a quick update! Tomorrow I will be starting my busiest week! We will be doing a lot of teams since the Idiatord is coming up soon! On Wednesday we have Vet Check day, and that is where each dog needs to go through a physical examination before hitting the trail. I will be helping assist the veterinarians with process! I really wish I could post more often, but after a 12 hour day I come home exhausted, dirty, and all I want to do is shower and sleep! Hopefully I can make a longer posting tomorrow as I have much to share!

Sophie

Jeff King Kennels & the beautiful Denali Mountains!!!!!

Today we had the opportunity to visit 4 time Iditarod Champion Jeff King at his beautiful home in Denali! He owns land in Denali called the "Husky Homestead" where we has his kennels. His property totals up to be around 135 acres and was definitely my favorite stop in Alaska so far... I didn't want to leave! Check out the pictures of today along with some pretty amazing mountain shots!

-Sophie

The entrance to the Husky Homestead, Jeff Kings property in Denali!

Jeff King working on his sleds in his man cave...

How they keep track of the teams in the garage, magnets and a cookie tray! Easy enough!

One of Jeffs dogs in front of his cabin

My lunch was Moose Stew...so good!

And Alaskan Salmon!

 

One of Jeffs handlers sewing the canopy on the sled. Mushing is a team effort!

The favorites get to hang in Dads shop!

Play time!

This dog was one of my favorites today! This picture doesn't show it well but he is very long and tall and weighs about 80lbs...big for a husky team!

No caption needed!

Another cutie watching the house!

The next pictures are the mountains that surround the property of Jeff King and the Denali area...my favorite part of Alaska. Enjoy!

Leaving the Husky Homestead

Exiting the Husky Homestead...and yes I stuck my camera outside the truck for these pictures. SO worth it.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

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So awesome.

We were driving through Denali just as the sun was setting. Perfect timing for pictures!

Where else can you get that backdrop at a gas station?

And last but not least, Mt. Denali...AKA Mt. McKinley :)