5 December

Trail Drager Sled

Today began at 7:30 with feeding. I then greeted all the dogs and started getting ready for my first run. I needed to get my head light, add another section of gang line and make sure I had extra gloves.  I needed the extra gloves incase I got my first pair wet. It was very warm this morning around 30-32. Vern left first with a twelve dog team and I followed not to far behind with a twelve dog team. We did a 25 mile run down the Lilly Creek Trail, then the Four Mile Trail around the swamp and back via the Railroad Trail and Frying Pan Lake. It was a nice run just really warm. I tried to stop often and keep the big dogs trotting only so they were not to stressed by the heat. When I returned I snacked the dogs their mixed meat bars and then their liver bars.

I ran inside briefly and then left with a eight dog team for a 13 mile run. When it is warm like this the tops of the lakes get really mushy. The dogs do not like it very much and neither do I. It can cause your brain to think funny when the ground is mushy and you are on a lake. I totally trust Vern and his knowledge so I am not really worried it just is icky to go through. 

I have been asked about my new sled and what it looks like, so today’s picture is of it. I will enjoy being able to sit for a portion of the time after McGrath. I will use my old sled to McGrath then switch for the rest of the race.

I had some sad news today. Bella is now done with our Iditarod adventure. She quit pulling during a run on Wednesday. When we got back Susan, Vern’s wife and a Veterinarian looked at her. We thought maybe she just had a shoulder sore. By yesterday when I rubbed her down again I felt something funny in her left scapula. It felt like she was missing a piece. Susan was able to reexamine her for me today and agreed that she had broken a piece. She probably pulled a piece of cartilage and snapped a piece of the scapula off. Knowing Bella as I do I believe she has probably had a defect for a long time as she always preferred to run on the right side of the gang line. That would make sense as it would be less stressful on her left shoulder running on the right. It is just now that she broke the scapula and could not pull. She is a nice dog and will life with us for the remainder of her life but she will probably not do any more work.

We feed the dogs their dinner at 4pm and then I cooked ribs with rice and corn. It was good and we all enjoyed the meal. I am now getting ready for tomorrows rookie meeting in Anchorage. I plan to go to bed early so I can leave by 5:30 due to the temperature and possibly icy roads.

I hope you all have a great evening and I will see you tomorrow.