Thanks to a local Traverse City company, Ion Earth, Jerry Miller will make it possible to track not only Iditarod, but Jr. Iditarod this year.
Follow the fun ~ click here. This is in real time. Watch the action unfold.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry last September, when both he and his young daughter stopped by Russ-Stick Acres to pick up Lance and Tonya Mackey on their way to the airport, heading back to Alaska.
Small world indeed.
Until tomorrow ~ God willing,
Woodswoman
For those of you who haven’t stumbled upon it, check out Theresa Daily’s “Go Mush” website. (Click here.) Another great resource for “doggy” folks.
Being an Alaskan resident, Theresa is in the know with regard to the race scene, history, events and more.
Theresa also designs and maintains websites for many mushers, including Lance Mackey, Dee Dee Jonrowe, Bruce Linton, and others. Daily’s Web Designs. (Click here.)
Run, don’t walk, to the Classified Ad Section in “Go Mush”. Theresa offers FREE ads. You’ll find one of Lance Mackey’s dogs posted if you hurry.
Also, be sure and check out the Videos.
Scroll down to “What it takes to be a Musher…kid’s view”. This little guy will steal your heart, and bring a smile.
Until tomorrow ~ God willing,
Woodswoman
As I walked up to the Wee House tonight in the dark, I couldn’t believe the number of stars that were out.
Clear sky and crunchy cold precipitated this event.
The numbers ~ infinity.
This gal doesn’t care about numbers.
She is one of many selected and cared for by AC Ellen.
Chosen to go home with Ellen at the end of the day.
Nera’s number wasn’t up.
She has a new home, and a new life, with AC Ellen.
Numbers…forget about it.
5 freezers, 0 fridge at Russ-Stick Acres.
Plenty of opportunities for improv.
Numbers…forget about it.
3,000 miles to drive his very first dog sled.
Tony Smith traveled from England today to do just that.
He has been planning this trip for 2 years.
730 days.
Numbers…forget about it.
UP200 ~ 200 miles of trail.
27 mushers.
Some fast.
Some faster.
Some just running their dogs.
Some tired. Some sore. Some content.
Numbers…forget about it.
Until tomorrow ~
…God willing
(think about that folks…that number has already been set in place)
Woodswoman
Although the days of Rustic Russ and myself training and traveling are far over, it is fun to witness others in their quest for greatness.
The 2009 Midnight Run.
#2 ~ Dave Turner ~ He graciously delivered two “Shaw” dogs to Oregon for us during a previous Midnight Run.
#5 ~ Andrew “Drew” Cesario ~ No picture for Andrew.
Only words, referencing his Championship 2003 Midnight Run. (Click here for story.)
#6 ~ Joann Fortier, being interviewed by Gena Dewey at the Lance Mackey event this past September.
#11 ~ Angela Voldarski…followed down the trail…
…by her sister, Kat, in #19 position.
#26 ~ Shaynee Seipke, pictured with her father, Scott, this past fall listening to Lance Mackey and Tim Riley give presentations.
#29 ~ Whitney Warren, Northern Michigan University student…
…Daughter of Iditarod Veteran musher, Jim Warren. (Pictured with Rustic Russ.)
To all of you we know, and those we don’t…a sincere congratulations!
“I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
Woodwoman
(Scroll down for JP 30 post.)
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
First place ~ Caitlin Curtice (R) running her first Jack Pine 30 miler.
Second place ~ Laura Bontrager (L)
Laura has been training with Bob & Jan Shaw for many years. Her father, Stan, came in third, also running “Shaw” dogs.
Sixth place ~ Shannon Miller. (Running dogs owned by Larry & Joann Fortier.)
Seventh place ~ Justin Fink. A crowd favorite.
Tenth place ~ Stu Stirrett (in red Cabelas sweatshirt) with wife, Kathy, at the Lance Mackey event this past September.
#13 ~ Chad Grentz, pictured at Shaw’s Training Session this past October.
#15 ~ Brad Love.
#16 ~ Anne-Marie Coy.
Red Lantern winner ~ Blaine Danley (L) pictured with musher and presenter, Tim Riley, at the Lance Mackey event at Russ-Stick Acres.
Until tomorrow ~
Stay tuned for the Faces of Midnight Run,
Woodswoman
From this…
To this.
Stay tuned this weekend as we watch the race trifecta ~ UP200, Midnight Run and the Jack Pine 30 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. (Click here.)
Don’t just stand there…
Check it out. (Feet compliments of AC Ellen.)
Until then ~ TGIF ~ Today God is First,
Woodswoman
Seems our Aliy has more to howl about.
When I wrote last week about Aliy Zirkle’s checkpoint checklist, I totally overlooked the most exciting link on Aliy’s website. Click here.
I’m sending it your way, just in case you missed it too.
Check out Aliy’s many video clips.
Especially the multi-part series on Drop Bags.
Also, be sure and visit her Podcast. (Click here.)
Aliy and her husband, Allen Moore, will be running the Iditarod in 16 days.
Husband and wife duo, Jen and Dallas Seavey will also be running, along with Dallas’ father, Mitch.
The countdown is on.
Until tomorrow ~ God willing,
Woodswoman
Neither Rustic Russ or I get too excited about numbers.
For instance, I didn’t notice how old my mother was last July, because she simply doesn’t age.
Numbers…forget about it.
Rustic Russ will be going to get hay this week. We refuse to think about the amount of money we spend on hay each year.
Livestock = hay.
We love our livestock.
Case closed.
Numbers…forget about it.
Rustic Russ is several years younger than myself. But who’s counting?
Numbers…forget about it.
And the dogs.
We have this uncanny ability to keep a dog at the same age, year after year.
It isn’t because we don’t know their age…we write it down each spring as we renew our kennel license with AC Ellen.
We just simply choose to…
…forget about it.
Perhaps it is because it makes us sad. Or feel old.
Mostly it’s because we don’t think it matters.
Our dogs may age, but it doesn’t change anything.
They aren’t going anywhere because they turn a magic number.
Astro. We’ve been saying he is 8ish.
Asta. Even though she was born the same day as her brother Astro, we had her pegged at 9.
They will both be 10 this year. We’ll try to keep them in sync.
Then there is Hawk. Born on site. We’ve kept him at 4 for quite a while.
He turns 6 a week from this coming Friday.
Then the “Pups”.
Commonly referred to as “The Super Pups”.
Those pups have been 5 for a while now.
They turn 7 on May 1st.
Aliy, Butcher, Libby, Dee Dee, Charlie, Jeff (a.k.a. Rock Star) and Doug.
Solo, Daddy of the Super Pups.
He’s been 6 or 7ish.
He turns 9 on May 8th.
Ranger ~ stuck on 8 since we got him from Joann & Larry Fortier. (Thank you again for the most amazing dog ever…)
Will be 10 on June 3rd.
Zip. Timeless Zip.
We picked her up in July of 2005 at a local home/farm, barely a year old.
She had already bred with a large collie at 6 months of age and had a litter of pups.
One of her large male pups was by her side when we acquired her from her current owner (at no charge, by the way).
We got her home, and had her spayed the next day.
She officially began her life of royalty at Russ-Stick Acres.
She’s been 4.
Not too off the mark.
And…just seeing if you were paying attention.
Tim Riley’s dog ~ Cash ~ Johnny Cash.
Watch for Part 2 of Numbers tomorrow…
However, until then, here’s a number for you.
This is my 90th Blog since I started on 11/4/08.
Upon setting out to write a daily Picture Blog, I was determined.
I’m even more determined than ever. I have so much to say…to share.
I do write daily ~ however when it makes it to the Internet is anyone’s guess.
24 hours?
36 hours?
As you know…numbers
…forget about it.
Until tomorrow ~ God willing,
Woodswoman
I’ve been a tad “off” this week.
Blame it on the Full Moon.
Blame it on the warm weather.
Both produce the “Fight or Flight” response within me.
No matter what I tried to accomplish, I experienced obstacles.
Even my drive into work ~ obstacles.
My many treks to the Wee House during the week resulted in gritting teeth and grumbling words as I punched through snow on the previously hardened trail.
Not every step, which actually makes it worse.
You never know which step will stop your leg cold and hold it in it’s snowy grip at the knee, as the bulk of your body lunges forward.
I’d rather have snow and wind, than punchy soft snow.
I was really getting into the groove of complaining. Perfecting my art.
However, as the week went on I began to realize, I had nothing to complain about.
No gripes, only gratitude.
I took my cue from those around me. Rustic Russ, Trapper Tim, and Scott Rigsby.
Scott Rigsby.
Double-Amputee World-Record Holder, Marathon and Ironman Triathlon Athlete.
A man who doesn’t complain. Who accepts what comes his way.
Scott is on a mission. A mission to inspire. And inspire he does.
Click here for his amazing video, to see his story.
I met Scott by way of my son, Charlie, whose film company (The Veracity Project) assisted in the production of that video.
Scott had another video idea.
Him ~ cruising along on a dog sled.
I like that idea.
Let’s plan Scott.
Read more about Scott’s pursuits. Be prepared to be amazed. Click here.
Until tomorrow ~ God willing, and even more inspired because of Scott…
Woodswoman
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
As humans, we get used to tagging people, places and things. We attach a name, or nickname.
Rustic Russ
Trapper Tim
Mark the golfer.
Or Mark, my son. You get the idea.
And then there are special names.
Like Dan Dann. Who I like to refer to as Danny Dann.
A special name for a special guy.
Husband of Karla.
A master at woodworking. His passion, his hobby, his craft.
You may have seen Danny’s work at our Full Moon Fall Fling (with Lance Mackey and Tim Riley). He generously donated his hand-made frame, complete with artwork, to our raffle, along with many Mackinaw Mush items.
Much of Danny’s work adorns their beautiful home, located in Mackinaw City ~ home of Trails End Kennel.
Danny’s talent is everywhere.
Hand-crafted picture frames adorn the entire household.
One of their three house dogs, Little Foot, takes up residence next to the hand-crafted couch.
Little Foot watches my every move. So similar to our dog, Little Feet, back home.
Little Foot and Little Feet ~ two similar names for two similar dogs.
I’ve been coming to Karla and Danny’s for many years now, sometimes with Rustic Russ. The last few years, not so much. Rustic Russ stays home with the animals. However, he and Danny swap wood and wood stories.
It’s always nice to visit…and see what’s new.
Karla in her boarding kennel.
Their beautiful dogs.
I also like to step out into the shop and see what Danny is currently working on.
Being married to a man who loves to craft wood, I can relate. It’s in their blood.
Danny Dann.
Doting husband, caretaker of the home and trails, maker of chili, and crafter of wood.
But most of all he’s just Danny.
A fun, engaging individual who makes you laugh and smile.
Guaranteed.
(Presenter, Michelle Riley, and Picture Winner, John Fink ~ father of Justin)
Until tomorrow ~ God willing,
Woodswoman (Born Sherry Lee Butwell) Now there’s a name…
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