Checkpoint Before . . .

Unalakleet checkpoint beginning its transformation into a soon to be hopping location!

You might be thinking well that looks like a pile of snow and you are spot on correct with that great observation!  That was part of a big drift that was moved this morning to make room for the Iditarod sled parking lot!  That berm of snow may be moved on to the slough to make berms to divide the teams and to work as a wind block for the resting teams
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I will do another post of "The After" when this little space is packed full of sleds!

Nothing much here but this becomes the dropped dog holding spot.  Dogs will be in a lot of straw out of the wind and nestled down as they wait for their ride to the airport.  The dogs are well protected from people and left alone as they rest for just a bit.  They will go see the vet if needed and then they will be in the drop area at the airport.  Once at the airport the dogs are watched over by loving handlers.  I have seen these people in action and they are all about lavishing pets to the dogs, loving kind works, and just spoiling these dogs as they wait for their flight back to Anchorage. Many people don't realize this interesting aspect of the Iditarod.  If dogs are returned to Anchorage with no handler to pick them up the dogs go to the Women's Prison and are taken care of there until the musher or handler can pick them up.

This area will be filled with the mushers' bags of feed and whatever they sent out to the Unalakleet checkpoint.  New sled runners, dog food, their food . . . again I will post an "After" photo and you can compare.