Is it spring yet?

3.849 Thats the price of un-leaded gas at Down East yesterday. You can still buy a five gallon Jug of gas for lesas than 20 bucks, but not Diesal, $4.20.9 at the same station. SICK!! Took my Buddy from the Coho campground, and his sister, for a ride yesterday. His sister (who works on a cruise ship in the Bahamas) is on her first trip to Alaska and had not riden a snow-go since her youth 20+ years ago. Well, the weather was GREAT! and she got some good pics to take home and show her friends who have never seen snow. She was dressed like one of those weeble-wobbles for fear of getting cold, but most of that gear was in her backpack in the first five miles.

coming to an end

This guy looks a little shifty. I don't think he (or she) should be trusted. Jeff is still being driven by sixteen dogs, this seems good, but I wonder if Lance's 12 are lean and mean, and very fast! Plus I have a feeling that Lance actually has more than 12 dogs, because if he smells that "clean coat" behind him, he will run the last 150 miles himself!! He is most comfy out front and I see him having an advantage right now. However I think I may have jinxed Aaron and Mitch, so I will not take a guess at who will win. What a amazing race, with amazing athelets. I feel proud and happy to root for all 90? mushers.

ooops

Mama Bear showed me how to use the speller yesterday, also the year I was referring to in my last blog was 1989, Susan had won the past three years and was a heavy favorite to win four in a row, and tie Swenson for most victories. I found this cool photo of Rick at the Daily News website.

GOOO Aaron!

In 1990 I lived in Nome and saw Joe Runyun edge Susan Butcher in a drag race down Front street! It was very exciting and made me an Idirod fan for life. Another fan who watched the end of that race with me was Aaron Burmister and his brother. At the time, one was a fourth grader and the other may have been in fifth or sixth grade. I can't remember why, but their mother was out of town and I was house sitting for her and making sure the boys went to school, did homework, and took care of the dog lot. I can't remember who owned the dogs, but both boys spent any spare time working or running them. The older boy built a sled for a school project, I rember being very immpressed. Aaron was in the top three going over the pass. I hope he does well. Mitch Seavey from Seward is my prediction for a winner, I don't know why, call it a hunch.

After the Run

It seems about 180 riders joined in this years "raffle Run" First prize was about $950 and went to Phil Needham. (a local contractor, and our neighbor in the woods) Mama Bear and I had a good time and went home with a gallon of two stroke oil and a small two piece collapsable shovel. Mama Ravin stuffed her cousin the Turkey and baked him at her cabin while we were out riding. When we finnished the run we returned to a warm cabin and a warm meal. The baking bird could be smelt miles away. I wonder if any of my cousins sleeping near by smelt that? I still havent figured out that new machine, Its different than anything I've ever rode. I saw the bottom of the track several times and checked out the headlight and under the front bumper while moving a few times. Its got 112 miles on it now, I hope by 500 Dana or I learn howm to ride it.