Spring time....

We're still wearing warm layers around here and the wind is cold when she visits but that hasn't stopped the Moose from enjoying an afternoon feed and the Swans from an evening visit. Wild life is abundant and each day on our many dog walks, we're on the look out with our binoc's. Lucas walks early mornings with Cindy & Nico on the Denali before we all get started on the day, wind or not, rain or shine. He's been learning the dogs while working with me on feeding and caring before heading out to build for the day with John.

Lucas is working on kennel management for this summer while we're away & Judy still remains the caretaker for the dogs, gift shop & cabins. We've got quite the (human) team this year here at Crazy Dog & the dogs have it made with total attention and a new summer training and socialization program. The Maclaren River is running, with ice. We're a few days away from getting the kayak out and going for a little run. Sounds nuts but we can hardly wait to get in the water, even if it's for a short while. This activity will call for more layers.


I've got a few mountain bikes just waiting to hit the road in the next few weeks when things warm some. The building is going fast from the ground up with the guys working around the clock and between me, Judy and Carrie, my jewelry collection is growing with color and style from various precious pieces and new and unique style.

We're slowly getting the gift shop together. I'm sorting through boxes now and hope to open up by the end of May. We're headed to town for my first ultrasound Friday and then Miss Judy & I will stay for an AKC dog show. Never been to a dog show before & don't know much about them. For fun, Judy will be showing her Samoyed Husky "Toad" the weekend of the 24th-26 in Fairbanks.

Toad has a previous championship in other shows, should be fun. He's got a grooming appointment coming up and thank goodness, he needs it with the winter coat shedding out. It will be fascinating & enjoyable to see all the different breeds in action. Speaking of grooming, most of the dogs in the yard could use a good brushing right now as they blow out.

I'll return soon with more Iditarod journaling.....

next up SKW-Finger-Rainy Pass...

zoya

The beauty in change

Hi everyone,

I haven't had much time these days for long blogs but I sure do try when I do get a free moment. I have literally a back pack full of fan mail from wonderful people and kids around the globe---I will write you all back and you will all receive a picture from my Iditarod race and a dog bootie from the trail! I've started setting a one letter a day goal for myself and so far, so good.

Between our decamp for Maclaren, setting up for a brand new season of cabin rentals, gift shop and sled dog kennel tours--we are very busy folks. There's five us right now working together and the change is beautiful. Sometimes a little frenzy like, overwhelming and thrilling all tied together..... but we're all excited and on the same page; thank goodness for that otherwise we'd be going nuts. The best part of change is the movement forward, the bonding of friends working together, enjoying dinner with good company after a long day of accomplished work and a long walk with a bunch of great dogs and your hubby in the company of mountains and the most amazing sunset ever. I love the moving forward each year and appreciate the change in scenery, seasons, goals and opportunity. We learn something new each day and you can always learn from those around you---and hopefully this makes you better at whatever it is you're doing. Teaching, creating, talking to birds, running a business or working for a dream.......learn from those around you.

The dogs are all very happy back at their summer home. Lucky dogs! Not a bad view in the Alaska Range with the Maclaren Glacier on a river......In about a week we'll begin 4 wheel running, short runs for fun and exercise. We're already busy booking custom tours this summer that include nature hikes, in house sled dog kennel work & training with your hosts and Iditarod and Yukon Quest mushers (that's us:) that include brand new cabins and bath house. The dogs enjoy the people and families very much but the puppies benefit the most from all the handling/socialization. Pups are due June 1st!

Time to load up & head back to Maclaren. Sebe is sleeping next to me as I write and our Planet Earth BBC video on Ice Worlds and Desserts has come to an end. The crew is calling.....

more lata!

SIGNING OFF.....
YOUR OWN

DENALI HIGHWAY ZOYA & The Paxson Bird Man

Seward

crisp cool morning, it's 7am in Seward, Good Morning Mountains!

my hand reaches over before I can open my eyes, looking for my husband. I am half awake. My fingers land on a book. I am then forced to wake up and smell the ..ocean. waking to the sound of water splashing the shoreline, Gulls squaking overhead and working boats departing the harbor remind me that I am camping on a beach in Seward, near a handful of others on this lovely Wednesday morning. Reminded I am of how muh I love our fishing life each summer that extends for one month in the Naknek river. The sea life; the ocean scent, fishing boats, gulls, sea otters and sea lions...hmmmm, it's all good stuff to breath in.

I stretch and open my eyes, sitting up slowly and unzipping my tent window. My view is ocean and mountains this morning. My tent is cozy with warm sleeping gear, 2 pillows, a book, bottled water, headlamp and cellphone. I look over at the car and Carrie is sound asleep. After we landed last night around 8pm, had a nice camp out dinner and took a walk, she was all about heading to bed. We had a long day driving slow, stopping lots to take pictures and looking for wild life along the way. I think she was in the tent for 2 minutes before deciding the "tent thing" wasn't for her. I laughed, not at her mind you but with her:) It's been 30 some years since she camped in a tent but was more than willing "to give it a shot". And since she's been here in AK, we've been all too comfortable in hotels:) Carrie says camping for her is a B&B..she slept in the car lastnight, phoned a B&B, made reservations for tonight in Homer & then circled all the fun things she would like to do on her trip here in the Kenai. I am up for anything as I am easy to please, I enjoy everything from total luxury to the most simple & basic experiences.. and can just about be happy anywhere, anytime. My favorite thing in the world is travel----travel for me is everything from from short day trips hiking in the mountains, canoe trips, sea kayaking, train rides, ferry trips, walking in the tundra, to European vacations to dog racing. We are so very lucky & real fortunate in this country to have the luxury of freedom. And I want to do it all! And soon, we'll have a baby to share ALL THIS wonderful LIFE WITH! I am so excited to have our family.

I took a nice walk lastnight on the beach after catching up with hubby back at home and realized after walking for a little while, I had a company. A sea Lion! He was swimming rather close to the shore, feeding and keeping one eye on me. I was thrilled, a little nervous but pleased to have a little wild company on this walk. His head was so big. Today we have plans in Seward and then this evening, the drive to Homer.

The one thing I don't have on this trip is a dog--I usually always have at least one dog along. I keep looking in the back seat, waking to find Maudy along, or Ethan needing out...etc. I sure do miss then when I'm away!

Off we go! Have a nice weekend.
ZD

May Slush Run

The tree swallows are passing thru; there were two of them, picking bugs off of the snow on Paxson Lake in an early morning snowstorm. They aren't stopping; too darn much snow here still, "we're not stopping---the white-crowned sparrows aren't even here yet!" Juncos are here; they've been around for a week--eating moss berries that are left over from last fall; exposed in the melted areas at the base of spruce trees. The first Ruby-crowned Kinglet was singing today; he quieted down when it started snowing, not really the thing a little song bird would want to sing about....
Restless; the dogs and I went for a run in the slush on the Lake. First we tried to go south, but the creek just down from the kennel was open into the lake. North would have taken us across, or at least into it, but fortunately --- Naknek had better sense. I called them around and we headed the other way; back thru the yard and off to the north. Water and slush poured into my kneeboots, but go we did. Sometimes we would hit hard sections and the dogs could really go, mostly it was a good fast slog. About 4 miles out and I called them around and turned for home. North, Cliff, Henry, and Jay J wanted to keep going and it took some convincing to have them reluctantly head back home. I let them run loose at the yard for a bit until they settled down before I put them back on their houses. The other dogs all thought they would get a turn to go and were disapointed that they had to sit.
Not many days of snow runs left in Paxson---maybe when we get out on the Denali?
John

Wha-hoo! We're going to see Sir Elton!

Who would have thought in a million years Sir Elton would visit Alaska?
I got 'em! 3 tickets for Elton John, main floor near the front of stage! I am a very happy girl!

z

Rubber Boots, Dogs, Road Trip & Elton John!

It's that time of year again. The famous Alaskan break up season. The snow is melting, melting, melting away under our feet and our dog yard is WET & soppy.

Last week it was tough to get around and we were all gratefully complaining as we worked in the mud and wet "we're ready for summer, summer bright lush colors, simple dry weather, long sun filled days--- is summer ever going to arrive?" One minute the sun was shining giving us a little tease and the next moment we would see 3 inches of snow & zero visibility on the lake. This week the dirt is showing, and I swear I can see little blades of grass peeking through at me.

Between all these trips to Anchorage & Fairbanks and back to Anchorage....I've been walking 2 miles a day with the dogs. Today was more of a walk rather than a quick ski or swim out and back. Time with the dogs is important for my well being as they keep us on our toes, laughing, teaching us something new. Today Nico ( our friend Luke's lab mix) joined me and the crew for a fun walk up the drive. Hunter, Peak, Sebe, Catania, Ethan and Patsy Ann all played and ran their hardest the first mile. Hunter is a very funny boy and we're so glad he's here with us. I'll go into the Hunter- Gay stories another time.

One needs a good quality pair of rubber boots around here to play successfully. You can play in the water holes, cross running creeks, stomp through the mud like you were 12 all over again and have all sorts of new fun without feeling bad about it ....with a good pair of rubber boots.

We're all enjoying the changes as the changes bring us birds, a brighter sky and summer fun, play, work and time with friends and loved ones.

Judy has been working with me in the jewelry room creating lovely pieces of her own for the gift shop and my jewelry road tour with friend Carrie coming up in the next few days. Where does the time go? We're heading to the Kenai/Denali Park for a spring trip, and sales. The Kenai trip will take us to Seward and Homer. It's been 5 years since I've been to Seward or Homer. I need to start thinking about packing it up soon for our trip. Too much other stuff to do first! We've all been steadily getting ready for the decamp to Maclaren next week.
Tomorrow will be our first trip out with two trucks, 4 people, lumber and more.
Mile post 42 or bust.

Today was all about painting our new business signs in the sun & loading the trucks with lumber for tomorrow's drive out on the Denali & organizing my jewelry for the trip. John put the sign together from lumber we bought in town. We've been creating big wooden letters, painting and comparing colors. It's been fun, we learn as we go. The dogs all sleep lazily on their houses watching us with one eye.

Judy has also been busy today being the BIRTHDAY GIRL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY. I'll post her b-day pic's later:) After the cake!

Planting season has arrived this year we're putting up a greenhouse! I've been enjoying watching my little guys sprout up tall. I can't keep up with the peas; they are looking more like a tall bean stock! Multiple stocks! I've got peas, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, spinach, beets, chives, radish, dill, lemon verbena, basil and rosemary all going and flowers in the mix too. Nursing seeds and watching life grow is thrilling and rewarding.

Sir Elton John is coming to ALASKA in May. Did I holler like a teenage when I read it in the paper? Yes! And again when I heard this announcement over the radio in town yesterday. I grew up listening to Elton and he's been a very important musical figure in our household. Our home thrived with music instead of the TV. Sir Elton is coming to Alaska! I feel giddy!
The tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am. My morning will revolve around the computer/phone and Ticketmaster for Sir Elton tix until I have 2 for me and my dear friend Carrie. (Mom, wish you were here, I know how much this show means to you(besides the fact you just told me on the phone:) You'll be with us in love and thoughts.

OH I am so excited! My dogs are so excited!

zsd

Restart-Skwenta

March 2nd 2008
4:30am

My body restless, eyes wide open and glued to the ceiling of our friends cozy pad in Birchwood. Have I slept? "I must have." I thought. Tossing and turning half the night waking up every other hour to check my watch. My inner clock was on and ticking strong. John was still fast asleep. I glanced over to the sofa, Judy was just waking up and now tip toeing from the sofa to the kitchen quietly. I stayed in bed closing my eyes, and wrapping myself around my husband. I started thinking about the next 24 hours. This would be the last night I would sleep in a comfy bed (with great pillows), last night with my hubby, last night having all home luxuries; hot showers, kitchen, great coffee and wonderful food, indoor heating, electricity, phone, etc. "What would the next 12 days bring?" My mind raced to all possible scenarios. Would the weather bring us challenging warm temperatures? Would we see -50? How would the younger dogs hold up mentally running day after day? Would they still like me after asking them to run 1,100 miles? How would I deal with sleep deprivation? Post River Glacier, is it really going to be a treacherous run up to the top? Would I crawl with the dogs on my knees? The 300 mile wall, were we going to run into it hard or move on through it with confidence? The Coast, would it be blowing so hard we may not be able to find our way? What if my sled broke? Could I handle all the unexpected challenges and still remain strong for my dog team?

The alarm rang 20 minutes later, time to get up. "Good thing." I thought. My mind was pacing and I was driving myself nuts. Time to stretch, then drop dogs, have some coffee, check my gear-- again and pack the truck for the restart. We packed up and got on the road around 7:30am. "DO I HAVE EVERYTHING?" I sure hope so!

The drive was slow or so it seemed. I was getting nervous now. The city was just waking up and cars were moving slow on the road to somewhere. The closer we got to Willow, we noticed other dog trucks and sleds heading in the same direction. A few buses loaded with mushing and Iditarod fans passed us on the road in a hurried kind of way. We pulled up to a red light and next to us was a van full of children. They were all waving and smiling at me. They wrote a note and stuck it in the window asking " R U going to be in Iditarod?" I nodded and they all appeared to be screaming and clapping. They were obviously on their way to the re-start.

John was holding my hand, smiling and telling me how great everything was going to be. We arrived Willow Elementary School for a wonderful breakfast around 9am. My mother and Aunt Jodi were there to meet us and together we headed inside for some food. "How am I going to eat?" I thought to myself. My stomach was turning and doing all kinds of weird new tricks. Between my mother and John reminding me that I must eat a good breakfast, I felt pressure to load the plate. I did and ate about half; half the pancake, half the egg and half the sausage. My heart was starting to race as we talked about the morning, my team and the next 15 hours. It's very hard to eat when you're so nervous, excited, anxious, etc.

10am
we headed over to the parking area for mushers. A wall of people surrounded the area and the crowd grew thicker by the hour. The next few hours were busy with dropping dogs, feeding dogs, loading dogs, unloading sled and gear, packing the sled, unpacking the sled, repacking the sled, talking to friends and family, meeting new mushing fans, signing more books, hats, t-shirts, meeting new people interested in me & my team, interviews, etc. I was feeling excited and scared to death all in the same. Confident I would finish, but nervous I may crash and burn along the way. You hear these stories, good and indifferent stories of 1st time Iditarod rookies; some with happy endings and others that head into a different direction. What would my first time story be?

I was feeling very ready to hit the trail by the time it was our turn to start. The morning turned into afternoon quickly & before too long it was our turn in line. John, Judy, Connie, Donna, Greg, My aunt Jodi and Mom, Gabby and her dad and many others we're all there to assist. Big smiles and lots of hugs for their musher as we got the team ready to roll. All 16 dogs wore their kipmik booties as we hooked them in one at a time. Robin was bouncing up and down 5 feet in the air, Peak and her father Trapper were arguing in wheel, Mambo was looking good, and Storey was barking his head off as the others were pawing at the ground and Sebe, was quiet, all eyes on me. Lunging forward and banging the line hard, a few dogs broke their tugs waiting in line. I gave John one last hug, a long look and kiss before hopping on my sled. "This is it!" I felt really happy now that we were actually getting ready to head out on the trail. My heart was racing but now with total excitement. My focus was the team & I felt proud of my dogs & all the dedicated work it took us to get to this point. We've come a long way & this place right here, right now, with this team is just awesome. Not everyone has this kind of opportunity. I felt pretty damn special. My mother last I saw was right there in the chute with me looking to hug her little girl. " I am so proud of you." She said. I hugged her and told her I would see her in Nome!

My team looked good and we were ready! Hunter and Bridle in lead standing superior and all the other wild and racy dogs behind them pawing at the ground for something to happen. We dashed up to the chute like a bullet, the announcer said a few things while I was up in my team kissing the top of dog-heads before hugging a few people & then it was ..."GO!"

We blasted off & the city, the crowds and all my loved ones were left behind. I felt so free at that very moment! Now, it's just me, my wonderful dogs and the Iditarod trail! YEAH BABY! I was rolling, laughing and having a very good time as we flew past the cheering crowds. My hand waved with happiness and gratitude as we passed children and their families cheering me on. We must have been in and out of crowds for 3-4 hours before things quieted down some. The river was busy with parties, bonfires, loads of snowmachine traffic and people yelling out as we came by.."what is you number?" I would shout back; "89" and they would look at the listing in the paper and then holler and cheer loudly. The dogs ran beautifully and the snow was good. Passing several teams on the river and heading out into our first night on the Iditarod felt amazing. Like something we've been dreaming about for a very long time.

We checked in and out of Yentna as quick as possible, there were other mushers doing the same and some camping already on straw. About 3 miles out of Yentna, there was a big party happening off the side of the trail. It was dark and the bonfire lit up the night. People were shouting and cheering as we rolled by. Hunter looked over as if he might want to join the party. This is a dog who loves people very much and enjoys quick visits. I told him to "hike" as we passed by and didn't think much more about it. About a mile up I stopped to snack the dogs from my cooler. Normally I start with the leaders and head back into team. By the time I had made it back to my wheel dogs, Hunter had brought the entire team around in hopes to have a closer look at the party goers. Quickly, I dropped the bucket and ladle, made a head dive into the team grabbing the line. Shouting "Whoa!" the dogs were dragging me along happily as Hunter lead us down the trail, in hopes of a fun social. The hook was down but had now been released in the soft snow. I was dragging behind my team for a very long 100 feet. Finally they stopped, all 16 of them. Grabbing the leaders and bringing them around, Hunter stood there with big pouty eyes. "Stand tight" I said as I walked back to the sled. He did it again, as he couldn't resist the party. Again, I jumped into the team dragging on the ground until they came to a stand still. Frustrated, I swapped him out for Bongo. Bongo and Bridle weren't interested in the party so we moved ahead quickly to retrieve my cooler and ladle before making our way to Skwentna. "That was close," I thought. A few hours later, we would start to pass other teams camping off the trail. They looked cozy in their sleds as their teams slept sound on straw. Once in awhile a dog or two from a sleeping team would lift his head and give a little bark as we passed. We finally arrived Skwentna sometime around 10-11 pm. "Short term or long term parking?" the checker asked. "Long term." I replied.

They parked me and pointed to the food drops, fuel, water and Roadhouse. After getting the team strawed, I headed over to the food drops and water hole. The 6 hrs went by pretty fast between chores and trying to catch a little nap on my sled. The dogs ate real well, were happy to make a bed on straw and interested in all that was happening around them. It was nearly impossible to get rest in Skwentna with all the traffic coming thru and departing. I didn't make my way into the roadhouse instead I ate and napped outside with my team. I decided I would not make this a regular stop in future Iditarod races. My dogs slept maybe an hour at the very most but I doubt that if they did it was quality rest. We had not run that far and here I was asking them to rest for 6-8 hours all the while the action never stopped. Looking through my food drops, I decided to have some bacon and tomato based pasta John had cooked up for me. I drank a few vita waters and washed up with Olay wipes. I kicked back on my sled and drifted off to sleep napping for 30 minutes or so on my sled. More mushers were coming in and heading out, teams that had been resting already for a few hours were up and barking, ready to leave, mushers were loud in giving direction to those who helped their leaders out, it was noisy and I couldn't sleep any longer so I packed up about an hour before departing. Mambo, Bongo and Djembe were all up moving around restless, Trapper, Naked, Dude and Bligh were all eyes on my every move. Bridle had her head up wondering what was next and you could see Hunter was looking around for another party.

Fabrizio Lovati was camping next to me but I didn't see much of him at this stop. I enjoy talking to him very much. We met in France at a dog race years ago and have got along very well ever since. Motta was having a little squabble with one of his dogs over something one of his dogs didn't eat. The sky was still dark as morning approached. I decided my dogs weren't tired and it was time to hit the trail for Finger Lake.

...next up is Skw -Finger Lake