Ridgeline Kennel

Abel and I flew back to Fairbanks today after he was discharged from the hospital.  He's occasionally coughing up some schmutz, but he's eating well and acting like himself.  He and I had a long wait, so by 5pm neither of us had eaten a thing and both were starving.  So, some chips were on the agenda and he got the majority.

I talked to Clint again tonight.  He had to drop 3 dogs in Galena and 1 in Nulato.  All issues are pretty minor, it sounds like they'll all be fine.  He is pretty sick and hasn't been eating so he said he feels pretty weak and dumpy.  He said some wonderful folks in Nulato, including a nurse practitioner, are taking care of him and he's resting longer there.  We'll still see him in Nome!  Just a little later than he planned or wished.  As long as everyone gets there happy and healthy, we're all good.


Abel enjoying his chips

This photos is on the front page of today's local newspaper, the Fairbanks Daily News Miner.  The team is on the Kuskokwim River, leaving McGrath and heading to Takotna for their 24 hour layover.  The dogs look good in the photo, though some a little serious!

Clint should leave this evening from his 24.  I'm guessing he'll go through Ophir and head to Cripple, taking a break somewhere around the middle.  Many of the front runners have done this, even after their 24 hr break.  Things amongst the front runners will shake out after their 24 hour breaks and they reach the Yukon River.  Hopefully the trail will be more hard-pack on the river for everyone.

If you've been watching the teas with the GPS receivers from the Iditarod, Clint has been traveling a little bit with Bruce Linton.  So look for his little beacon on the website.  Jon Little wrote that Martin Buser had a pilot fly around with his GPS receiver for awhile for kicks.

I'm still waiting for word on Abel, the big guy dropped in Takotna.  He had a fever and feeling punky.  Will keep updated...

Go dogs go!

Mustang, Apollo
Lazulie, Nacho
Onion, Shole?
Lonely, Dori
Sapphire, BP
Guilly, Painter
That would leave Merlin & Cobalt in lead

Here are a few photos from the Cantwell race!

Clint and Abel getting some rest the day before	Cantwell 08 start line on the Denali hwy
Getting prepped at race start	Clint getting ready at the start line, chatting it up as usual
Junior racers at their 30 mile checkpoint	Denali peeking out