Checkpoint is shut down!

It is always a strange feeling when the Unalakleet checkpoint shuts down for the year.  There is so much hustle and bustle, excitement, people out and about, skiing, sunshine, snow, weather, life---the place is hopping! Then just like that, the last mushers leave from the checkpoint.  The place is packed up and tucked away until next years running of the Iditarod.  Spring Break happens so fast for us with the Iditarod, the Skiku coaches, practices, races, bonfire, laser rifles, and at a snap of a finger everything on the "To Do List" is completed and "DONE!"

I was invited to join this stellar group of longtime mushers as we waited for Ketil's son Martin to arrive in the checkpoint.  The previous post shows Martin arriving.  I sat on caribou hides in the sunshine listening to tales from the Iditarod trail from these legends.

These two photos are from the dropped dog lot out by the airport.  They are waiting for dog boxes so they can be flown back to Anchorage and picked up by their handlers.  Note there is no sea ice!

In the middle of the previous day, these two teams arrived.  If you look at the sleds you will notice they are not racing sleds but expedition type sleds.  They were headed to the post office to pick up a food drop.  These two Norwegians were running these teams of big malamutes up to Nome for a person.  This person will then mush the teams up to Barrow.  The dogs were big strong animals.  The sleds are huge and the guys said they are running about 30 miles a day.

A rather empty checkpoint in the background and skiers play Drawfs, Giants, & Wizards.

One of the Norwegian sleds passing through the checkpoint.  They are not running the Iditarod.

Ski practice . . .

Indoor laser biathlon practice.

Miss Tally at the bonfire hoping for some of those graham crackers!  One of the things everyone does a great job out here with is the instant fire with s'mores.  Skiers and families together to say thanks to our Skiku coaches.

Enjoying our long days of light as we skied up from the fire to the top of Picnic Hill.

The end of the fun-filled evening! 

SKIING

I started to write this post in early March.  The only issue is that nothing happened, or should I say a lot happened which is why I am writing this post a few weeks later.

Skiing!  

Tally and I cruising home from a wonderful tundra ski today. I love to classic ski and ski tour.

I wish I could write like a well-polished writer and could express myself clearly with great details . . . hmmm . . .  I will just muddle through with this challenge!  As you know, if you stop here even randomly, you will picked up that I love to ski!  There is no greater joy to be able to glide effortlessly on skis through the snow.  Whether it is skiing in the mountains, across the tundra, hills, through a forest, the pure peacefulness of being on nordic ski gear is just part of me!  After injuring my knee last July I was terrified I may never get to enjoy this love of mine again: Nordic skiing.   Every time I put on my skis I am grateful beyond words!  

Ski practice running the hoops!

Ski practice playing polar bears and seals.

Our Community Ski Race that we hold during spring break and the Iditarod.

The fans during our Comunity Ski Race.

Skiku coaches and our skiers.

One very special gal who is from White Mountain was here playing basketball and is a skier at heart.  She joined us for a ski practice!

Died bugs after skiing up Picnic Hill.  

Our evening S'more picnic this week.  We had families, skiers, Skiku coaches, and a ton of fun on skis!

Today's ski . . . sunshine, fresh snow, and groomed trails thanks to this great guy!

The snow that fell straight down that was not blown away at 40+mph winds!

Snack time for us all!

A nice tropical tea a friend sent me that came from Hawaii----yummy!

Heading home after our tea break.  Look at that northern latitude blue sky!

It was 0ºF so the dogs have on their Ruffwear jackets and their traditional dog mushing booties.  

Life is wonderful on skis!

Iditarod From Unalakleet 2018

The Iditarod rolled or should I say mushed into the village yesterday with all its traditional fan fair: extra sleds, food bags, vets, Insider crew, journalist, photographers, drones, Iditarod Air Force, small planes, fun, and then THE DOGS and Mushers.  This time of the year is just fun!  Longer hours of daylight, improved weather usually, more people out and about and then the Iditarod!  Below are photos from March 11th enjoy!

Three of our skiers on the "Welcoming Committee"

Nic heading downthe slough to the check point.  A friend posted a clip of him and he sings to his dogs as he is heading down the trail!

Nic giving directions to his team

Under all that clothing is a rather slender athlete

Vet check and I meet this vet latter as I walked my dogs.  She said these dogs are doing great!

Vet Check

One of Nic's team watching his every move.

Two of the 4 Skiku coaches here this week.  They work with our skiers, plus get to enjoy the village, and the Iditarod.

Nic wasted no time tending to his team.

Nic

Dinner!

Skiku in action 

Fun ski drills

Stellar ski weather: sunshine and NO wind!

Nic and team leaving Unalakleet

Nic heading north early evening 3/11

Joar's team

As we call this the last Viking or lost Viking . . . a long time community member who's family has roots from Norway.

Great friend Peggy who helps us with skiing as we check the sleds waiting for their team.

Nic's team and bedding them down for a nice rest.

Several people commented about Nic's dogs having long legs!

Mixing up feed for the team.

Dee Dee bing honored by the community last night.  There was a great turn out!  She was very moved and so humbe----a stellar lady!

Wood carved Ulu with a plaque stating Unalakleet loves Dee Dee.