Getting ready for the start!

Getting ready for the start!

Whew! Was that just a dream, or did I really just run 408 miles in 61 hours? Good lord, what a rodeo we had in Nome for the All Alaska Sweepstakes. I don’t really know where to begin – or finish…it might be material for another book!

I’m in Denali, but just for the day as I fly back to Nome for the Sweepstakes awards banquet tomorrow. All flights in and out of Nome were cancelled today due to stormy weather, so I’m on the edge of my chair in anticipation of tomorrow’s departure. Donna encouraged me the other day to come spend a couple of days at home and head back for the banquet, and it has been wonderful to be in my own bed.

Jeff & Jason on the trail, pre-race.

Jeff & Jason on the trail, pre-race.

No doubt anyone who’s reading this knows Mitch Seavey passed me in the last miles of this $100,000 winner-take-all event, and as a result it was bittersweet – my team was so awesome! My team IS so awesome! Wish I could take a little fountain of youth juice because I have so many things that I want to do with my dogs in years to come. I feel like we learned so much about them ~ in this race in particular, and I look forward to using what we learned for future generations of dogs and mushers.

Jeff & team heading into the Council checkpoint on race Day 1.

Jeff & team heading into the Council checkpoint on race Day 1.

We had a little champagne toast with family and friends Sunday night. Jason and I gave a blow by blow account – I wish I’d have recorded it because I don’t have the energy to do it again now (there will be a $5 fee for whining!).

Jason & UConn outside the "Mobile Dog Unit"

Jason & UConn outside the “Mobile Dog Unit”

There’s been a lot of interest in dogs for sale – we did spend a little time on it today. Look for it soon – very soon!

I promise I’ll try to share more Sweepstakes stories in the days to come.

jk (alias POTUS)

...and what's inside the "Mobile Dog Unit"?? The team - ready for a snooze.

…and what’s inside the “Mobile Dog Unit”?? The team – ready for a snooze.