Here’s the rest….
This year’s team was a fantastic mixture of youthful exuberance as well as mature wisdom. The oldest dogs in the team were Dickens and Bronte, both running in their fourth Iditarod. These sisters were counted on for their focus and speed that is the result of many years on the trail. As hoped, our young male, Deets, in his first Iditarod, did a fantastic job and lead well over half of the race. His quick thinking and steady pace made him a valuable dog in the front of the team. Berkeley and Kilarney, both wild with the desire for speed, needed to be pulled back into the team due to the risk of over-revving the rest. Near the end of the race, both Kilarney and Berkeley’s early enthusiasm caused their energy to fade. However valuable in the team, both these young girls were unable to set the pace needed to catch Lance. UConn held his weigh super, was very steady and did a fantastic job. Dublin was a work-a-hollic and steady to the very end. Call lived up to his goof-ball reputation and pulled hard when he deemed it necessary and not at all when he thought it was not. The five dogs owned by Jon and Bree Little (Adidas, Lobben, Braeburn, Solomon, and Guiness) were fabulous and were a great asset to the team. Solomon in particular seemed unfazed by the entire operation and sat overly alert and energetic at the dog lot in Nome. Many thanks goes out to Jon and Bree for allowing them to be a part of our team.
As I travelled over the Topkok hills, it dawned on my that this very same team was in an excellent position to be prepared for the All Alaska Sweepstakes race here in Nome at the end of this month. It is hard to believe that I could be excited about a 400 mile race while still recovering from the sleep deprivation that the recent Iditarod has caused, but we can rest in the grave. At this time next month the snow will be melted. Make hay while the sun shines. Race while the snow in on the ground.
Thank you all who have cheered us on in this most exciting 2008 Iditarod race. We look forward to bringing you more details in the following weeks.
Hi Jeff,
Jeff and I enjoyed so much following the fantastic Iditarod Race. We were so excited over following the posts on your blog, the Insider articles, and the GPS system that we found ourselves on the computer all the time. What a great race and what a fantastic job you and your team did! Good luck on the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race.
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Jeff, Donna, and Carrie and the rest of the Husky Homestead team – THANK YOU for a really exciting race and great commentary and insight. I sure hope the GPS is here to stay and that ALL of the mushers will carry them next year. It really added another dimension to following the race, especially because some checkpoints don’t update in a timely fashion. I very much enjoyed the insights of the blogs and appreciate the time it takes to prepare them.
Best of luck in the All Alaska!
Hi Jeff,
While you were on the trail this year I read your book, Cold Hands, Warm Heart, and thoroughly enjoyed the book and following you during the Iditarod. I look forward to hearing more about your adventures during the Iditarod and the upcoming All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. Best of luck to you and the dogs.
Thank you! Jeff and the team (human and doggie) for a fantastic race this year. I too was glued to the GPS tracker, it even showed the road names in each of the towns, and where you ‘parked’. Thanks also for taking the time to update your blog when you really should be sleeping. xx
We all loved the GPS as well.And the blogs! you guys ‘rock~!
go for the gold at the All Alaska!! @aol.com
Thanks for the commentary, Jeff. Coming from a far different part of the country, I’m absorbing every description and bit of information. And, yes, the GPS was wonderful! I’m so looking forward to the next race. We’ll be watching!
Jeff and Team,
Congratulations on a fabulous race and finish! Thank You! Thanks so much for all the great commentary on the your website. I too had a blast following every detail of this years race. The GPS was AWESOME! Donna is a fabulous writer with lots of insight into Jeff’s thoughts and speculating on strategy! I lost many hours of sleep following this race and also accomplished nothing during the hours when I was supposed to be at work. I got really involved in this race, fantasized about ditching my life in Wa and moving to Alaska to be a musher. Wish I could turn back the clock 20 years. I am hoping to get to the race in person next year. Once again congratulations and I look forward to following Jeff and the dogs in races coming up. Good Luck and keep us all posted as best you can. Lisa
Jeff and Team,
Congratulations on a fabulous race and finish! Thank You! Thanks so much for all the great commentary on the your website. I too had a blast following every detail of this years race. The GPS was AWESOME! Donna is a fabulous writer with lots of insight into Jeff’s thoughts and speculating on strategy! I lost many hours of sleep following this race and also accomplished nothing during the hours when I was supposed to be at work. I got really involved in this race, fantasized about ditching my life in Wa and moving to Alaska to be a musher. Wish I could turn back the clock 20 years. I am hoping to get to the race in person next year. Once again congratulations and I look forward to following Jeff and the dogs in races coming up. Good Luck and keep us all posted as best you can. Lisa
Jeff,
Okay, you get a thumbs up for humoring the guy and signing his book, “you snooze, you lose” People are interesting, to say the least.
I can’t wait for the All Alaska
Sweepstakes. Go Get Em!
Congrats on the Humanitarian Award!!!! Kudos to your entire crew!
Judi
Yes, Jeff, congratulations on being awarded the Humanitarian Award for your outstanding care of your dogs. What an honor! What an accomplishment to finish with all your dogs except two. I am in awe of the whole esperience after watching the first segment of the Iditarod on Verus. I am in awe of the sixty-two year old lady who was awarded the Red Lantern award. I am sixty-one. I don’t know how she did it! Bless her and her team. I think she beleives as you do, Jeff. She can rest in the grave!! Amen!
Looking forward to next weeks race. Please keep us up to date!!!
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