Saturday, March 15, 2008

Iditarod 36- 2008



We are still calling in mushers, but here are some pictures of some of the dog teams.



The Finish line before Lance Mackey arrived.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Sled Dogs, Dehydration & Purple Toes

Iditarod is underway! The dogs are headed to the Gold rush city. You can see the progression of the race on www.iditarod.com.
From there you can learn all about the race, mushers, dogs and how everything is done. It really is truly remarkable how the Last Frontier comes together to complete the Last Great Race.
I have been learning about the check points, villages, sled terminology and how everything comes together on the radio side of things. You never really know what all is involved until you are trying to figure out what you are about to broadcast.

I recently made a great purchase... SNOWSHOES! Yes, this Texas/North Carolinian has a new favorite activity involving venturing out into the cold.

I have been trying to go out at least once a week. Each time hiking farther and farther outside of town. When you have been here for months you realize your world is a 4 block radius- if you are lucky. So, hiking 3 miles outside of town is a real retreat and exhilarating.

I take my backpack with extra weight, my portable FM headset to check the weather on KNOM, snacks, water and get dressed- which takes about 20 minutes.

One Friday afternoon, with blessing of more light, I took a trip to the tundra after work. All day it had been above zero so I was excited to get out.

As soon as I got to the point outside of town where I could put on my snowshoes I took off my gloves and felt that it had dropped below zero. So, I kept on my heavy duty gloves and broke out the hand warmers just in case, and I began my 4 mile round trip adventure out of town.

Over the course of my mini trip I fell into drifts that were 4 feet deep, and being 5'2'' that complicated things, ran into hares, snowmachiners and lost all feeling in my toes. The overall trip took about 2 1/2 hours from when I left to house til I returned.

Upon my return I took off boot and wool socks and saw nothing but red and white toes- obviously a bad sign. I did what I had learned about frostbite and immersed them in warm water. Funny thing, when the toes turn white and blood begins to circulate again everything turns purple and blue! Needless to say I was a little nervous when my pinky toes turned blue. I still have all ten toes!

However...
Now, my toes are extremely sensitive to the cold and even when I am in the house if I am just in socks they will turn white. Ahh, frostnip! I will forever be reminded of my time in Alaska...

The next day I felt sick. I realized that I had about 8 oz. of water over the course of the 2 1/2 hour trek and that meant that my body was dehydrated. It felt like I was hit by a train. So, needless to say I learned from my mistakes and since then I have gone on 2 trips and not made those mistakes!

Thank you for all the prayers that you are all sending my way! They are greatly appreciated! It truly helps to know that people in the lower 48 care.

Have a great day and follow the Iditarod!