And the Ice Won

As I have mentioned, we have a very steep drive but with the warm weather the last couple of weeks, it is possible to drive down to the street with at least 2 tires on dry pavement the entire way.

Well...except for that last 8 or 10 feet.

That's where we slide right into oncoming traffic no matter how slow we are going.

Monday, as Robo (Aussie for Robert) was heading down on the tractor to pick up the trash can, I decided to ride along and toss out some gravel on the aforementioned area. 

I hopped off with the intention of throwing gravel and letting it slide downhill then catching a ride back up on the return trip.

The plan was working great until I fell.

Now, because it is so steep, I couldn't get solid enough footing to stand up regardless of how much gravel I had under me or how hard Robo pulled on my arm.  I ended up sliding the rest of the way down the drive and had to use the tractor as a brace to get back up.

Of course it didn't help that I was laughing so hard I was crying. 

Luckily, no broken bones.  Only an ouchie on my elbow!

And They're Off!

The Greatest Race Ever started this morning. 

The dogs are running!

The 43rd running of the Iditarod.

Fairbanks is awash with dogs and snow.  (Lucky them!!!)

As you watch the teams take off, everyone of them have dogs with dog booties on each foot.  That's typically 64 booties at a time.

Squirt had a bootie for each foot and getting him dressed was a challenge.  Sixty-four dogs at one time - WOOF!

And then, just imagine how many get lost on the trail.  If I remember right, each team goes through about 1600 booties during the Iditarod.  They do wear out but dogs also tend to throw them off.  (Not on purpose of course...just a hazard of running.)  I'm pretty sure the mushers don't stop for bootie pick up if they even see one fly off of a foot.  Too much time would be wasted.

After the end of the race, there must be a bright trail of pink, green, red, black, orange - mostly neon colors in the snow.  If it doesn't already exist, this calls for a bootie patrol to follow after the race to pick them up.

I'm sure there would be LOTS of volunteers the first year!

(PS - I know the correct spelling of "booty".  That tends to mean something else these days though so I specifically used "bootie".)

It is SO good to be back!

Fur Rondezvous is here!

Yesterday was the dog weight pull.  Once again, we saw Trapper compete.  He is an 8 time world champion and this was at least his ninth year for competing.  Sadly he lost this time around.  Had to pass on the torch...

Today was the horn and hide auction.  We registered but didn't buy anything.  Maybe next year.

Later this week we will check out the snow sculptures (assuming they don't melt).

All leading up to the ceremonial start of the Iditarod next Saturday!

I LOVE living here!  This is the best part of winter.