There they go.

Here they come.

What a great parade/ceremonial start Saturday.  Gwen and I had a great view out on the airstrip very near the end of the race.  The dogs were too warm and some of the mushers stopped near us to let their dogs roll in the snow and eat some snow.  All seemed to be having a good time.  Karin came by with her handler, Miriam, on the second sled.  They were waving sticks with ribbons/streamers and Karin had on a hat with black and blue 'dred locks'.

Afterward Gwen and I met a few friends in town at The White Spot, a local cafe known for its halibut sandwiches.  YUMMY!  And then it was time for a brief horizontal stretch and then off to Karin's nearly to Talkeetna.  Lasagna, salad and carrot cake for dinner.  Karin packed her sled.

Start line.



View of the mushers' parking area.



Team line-up

Sunday morning started fairly late with most sleeping in until nearly 8 o'clock.  The dogs sang to us a couple of times during the night; it actually sounds neat.  One will bark a bit and then another joins in and soon all are howling/singing and then it suddenly stops.  Anyway, coffee, sweet rolls, warmed up sausage links and left over carrot cake for breakfast and even time to visit the dogs before heading out to Willow and the start.  We mere volunteers needed to be there by 10:30 and Karin etal. didn't need to be there until noonish.  My post was super: post 7 which was a VIP entrance to the mushers' parking area; it also happened to be right where #29 was to park and so I got to watch the whole set up.

Harnesses are on.

Booties next.

Walk out to the line position.

Ready and just waiting.

 

 Note team/sled are tied to trailer.
 

The race started exactly at 2:00 p.m. with bib #2 leaving.  As bib number 29 Karin's start time was, and here is my disclaimer - 'if my calculation is right', 2:56 p.m.  I'll be following here on the computer not only by her check-in to the various check-points but also by the GPS that is attached to her sled.  I'll see her in Unalakleet next week.

 

Lots more to write, but it is nearly midnight and I have to be in the phone room at the Millenium by 7 in the morning.  Night.