Yesterday we went to Martin's kennel and I got to talk to the musher I wrote to, Magnus (who is Norwegian). It was really fun to talk to him about Norway and talk Norwegian.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Dallas to My Girl
In case you didn't know, this is Dallas Seavey :D. His starting position today was 21st. I couldn't get his autograph today because, #1 we couldn't find him, and #2 we didn't have time to :(.
I'm desperately hoping that I'll be able to get lots more of autographs in McGrath.
The Start of The Race
My Buddy Otter
This is Otter. Although I didn't have the time to spend a little while with each and every dog at Martin Buser's kennel, he was one of my favorites. His brother, Weasel, was right beside him, but a little more rambunctious. Even a man who worked at Martin's kennel commented on what a good dog Otter was. Overall, a pretty darn good day!
GOAL!
I got Dee Dee and Aliy to sign my hat! Awesome! Sad that we're going to leave Anchorage on Monday. Love the hotel here. I haven't checked out the pool yet.
Cold but cool!
We went to the ceremonial start of the race today! I couldn't feel my hands but I had fun. It was really cool to meet DeeDee Jonrowe and see Zoya Denure!
The ice sculptures!
The ice sculptures were really cool. It was amazing because all of them were very, very smooth. They also looked very cool because of what they made them into for people to look at.
Iditarod View!!!
Today we watched part of the Iditarod from the top of a parking garage. This picture of mountains was taken from the top of the garage.
Ice Sculptures
After the race on the walk back to the h otel we took a walk through a "Park". There was an ice rink and many ice sculptures. One of my favorite sculptures was the "Snow Flake". I think its pretty amazing how you can use ice to make art!
Today was one of the most amazing days of my life. I got to meet my favorite musher that I have been following since I was in third grade. This is Dee Dee Jonrow. One of the biggest reasons why I like her so much is because a few years ago she was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer and she was a survivor. Now she is still up and running in the Iditarod and I admire her for that. Go Dee Dee!!!!
Iditarod Head Quarters
These are some of the stuffed animals that were mounted on the wall at the Iditarod Head Quarters.
A moose that we saw
We saw this moose when we were driving to Martin Buser's Kennel. It was really big! We ended up seeing 14 of these!!!
Moutains
Today I got to see many Beautiful Mountains. I took many pictures of them. I think its the most Amazing thing in Alaska! I just love seeing all the mountains. Its a very pretty site to see!
Second Day in Alaska
Today was a reall amazing day. We went to Martin Buser's kennel, visited the Iditarod Head Quarters, and saw 14 moose on the way! One of my favorite moments of the day was when I met Vohn, one of Martin's dogs. He was a really sweet dog and he jumped up and licked my face. At the Iditarod Head Quarters, there were stuffed animals all over the wall. There were 3 kinds of bears, a mountain goat, a huge cat, and a dall sheep. When we left the Iditarod head Quarters to go to Martin Buser's kennel, we passed marshes on either side of the road. As we looked out, we began to see many moose. In the end we saw 14 moose!!! It was really cool to see that because in Maine oyu don't see them that often but these ones were like big dogs. The just milled about on the side of the road. And they were BIG. In this picture, Shooting Star is receiving an enthusiastic welcome from Vohn, one of Martin Buser's dogs.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Bonus Sights for today
We saw at least 10 moose in Moose Alley!
These two were watching over Martin Buser's kennel.
Denali - Wow! Some people wait a long time to see it this clearly.
We're actually here!
I can't believe we made it! Today when we went to Happy Trails kennel I was so excited to see all the dogs and meet Martin Buser! I was so happy when he signed my hat because it made the trip seem more real. One of the things that surprised me about Alaska was that it is really similar to Maine. The only thing that reminds me that I'm across the country is the mountains you can see from Anchorage. They are incredible! I can't wait to see more mushers tomorrow!
Happy Trails
Today, we visited Happy Trails Kennel and got to meet Martin Buser and Magnus along with the sled dogs there. Its cool to meet people in the Iditarod.
all-i-saW is Wasilla backwards
We traveled to the Millenium Hotel which is also Iditarod HQ. It was really fun because there was a bunch of cool looking stuffed heads of various animals that live in Alaska. We also visited Happy Trails Kennel, whos owner is the one and only Martin Buser! I got his signature in a booklet and on my coat! That part was really cool because all the dogs were friendly and provided great entertainment. :D
Millenium Hotel
We visited the Iditarod head quarters in the Millennium Hotel today. There were many stuffed animals there. Dogs that are dropped are sent there first to be checked then sent to where they need to be, either back to there kennel or a vet. There are also a couple of gift shops there.
My fancy hat.
I got my hat signed by Martin Buser and Magnus! By the end of this trip my hat will be coated with signatures. My fingers are crossed that Aliy Zirkle and Dee Dee Jonrowe will sign it! I didn't have the time to steal a puppy from Martin Busers' Kennel.
Martin Buser's Kennel
The best part of Martin Buser's Kennel was being able to pet the puppies. The puppies were really soft and very friendly. They would run up to you and jump on you to get your attention so you would pet them. They absolutely loved all of the attention. That was the best part of Martin Buser's Kennel.
Magical Moments - Part 1
Bering Waring - Getting my coat signed was even more magical than getting my book signed.
THE Red Lantern - I loved the part when the dogs were so excited to see me that they knocked me down.
Shooting Star - I met Vohn at Happy Trails Kennel.
Mush-Mush - I got my jacket signed by Martin Buser. I was really nervous, but I went up to him and asked for the autograph.
Snow Hopper - I talked with Magnus. He's my musher and he's the first Norwegian person I talked to in a long time besides my Mom.
THE Red Lantern - I loved the part when the dogs were so excited to see me that they knocked me down.
Shooting Star - I met Vohn at Happy Trails Kennel.
Mush-Mush - I got my jacket signed by Martin Buser. I was really nervous, but I went up to him and asked for the autograph.
Snow Hopper - I talked with Magnus. He's my musher and he's the first Norwegian person I talked to in a long time besides my Mom.
Happy Trails Kennel
Today was a very exciting day. We went to Martin Buser's Kennel and visited the Iditarod Head Quarters. My most exciting part of the day was when we went to Martin Buser's Kennel and met his dogs. They are so sweet! A lot of them tended to jump though! In this picture, Shooting Star is meeting the dogs at Happy Trails Kennel!
breakfast - Thursday, March 4
Clarion is a great place to stay! In addition to Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore's dog trucks (with dogs) right outside the hotel, the breakfast is super. And we know our breakfasts!
On the way to Alaska!
Getting tired of being on the plane. The plane rides were at least two hours long.
Different time zones!
Right now in Alaska time it is 5:01 am. In Maine time it is 9:00!!! Our whole room is up because we are all not used to the time change!
5 Hour Flight
This was the airplane that we took from Minneapolis to Anchorage. It was a LONG flight! It was 5-6 hours long and we were all about to go crazy when it finally landed!
Day 1 On The Airplane!
This is Knorthern Lights on the airplane on the way to Minneapolis. It was really exciting.
Alaska!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Stuffed polar bear was on display in a case at the Anchorage International Airport.
Flying over the Statue of Liberty
Flying over the Statue of Liberty while heading into New York City. We are all so super excited to be here in Alaska and all of us are also very tired. The mountains and sites were amazing on the way here and I hope to see some more beautiful sites. Talk to you soon!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Day 1 comments
comments overhead during our day:
I wouldn’t want to live there. We’re not in Brooksville. (while flying over New York City)
If you see something white following you check for toilet paper.
It’s hard to stand up with a seat belt on.
Whoa! It’s so beautiful (when seeing Statue of Liberty)
I’ll have 2 of everything please.
Are we there yet? (two hours into the five-hour flight)
What time IS it in Brooksville?
Now we’re living what we already lived because we’re going back in time. (time zones have become very real)
Nice hat!
So where did you say you guys are from?
responses when learning about us: That’s so cool! That’s so awesome! What an adventure!
How often does you mother let you have coffee?
I need a couple more sugars for my coffee.
Superhero Mrs. Andrews is going to do what?
What time is it REALLY?
This one’s huge! (beginning of seeing mountains)
What is parental guidance anyway?
Team Superhero
It's great to know we have this person with us. Stay tuned - she's going to have a super adventure!
On Our Way - Day 1
We're in the air on our way to Anchorage at 34,000 feet. Everything is going well - that's actually an understatement. Some highlights so far:
One of our team members was searched and detained at the Bangor security checkpoint and patted down. After that he was asked to sit in a chair with his hands in front of him with palms up. A substance was then rubbed on his palms to check for explosives. Luckily there were none. Once he was released and seated on the plane we took off. One of our team coaches was by his side the whole time. In case you're wondering, it was the quarters in the pocket that caused the commotion.
The view coming into New York City was unbelievable, for those who had seen it many times and those who were experiencing it for the first time.
Not all of our adventures are totally new. Have any of you ever departed a plane with toilet paper attached to the bottom of your shoe? Yes, that's on our list of experiences for today, right from one of our own team coaches.
We also met a gentleman in the Minneapolis terminal headed in the same direction as us. He's one of the Iditarod volunteers and will be helping set up the checkpoint at Iditarod, as well as volunteering in McGrath. He, along with many others, are very amazed and impressed when they hear our story. We've also talked with some who already have heard about us.
We're on our tenth hour of a fifteen hour trek. It's going just as we expected - great teamwork from everyone with high spirits all around.
One of our team members was searched and detained at the Bangor security checkpoint and patted down. After that he was asked to sit in a chair with his hands in front of him with palms up. A substance was then rubbed on his palms to check for explosives. Luckily there were none. Once he was released and seated on the plane we took off. One of our team coaches was by his side the whole time. In case you're wondering, it was the quarters in the pocket that caused the commotion.
The view coming into New York City was unbelievable, for those who had seen it many times and those who were experiencing it for the first time.
Not all of our adventures are totally new. Have any of you ever departed a plane with toilet paper attached to the bottom of your shoe? Yes, that's on our list of experiences for today, right from one of our own team coaches.
We also met a gentleman in the Minneapolis terminal headed in the same direction as us. He's one of the Iditarod volunteers and will be helping set up the checkpoint at Iditarod, as well as volunteering in McGrath. He, along with many others, are very amazed and impressed when they hear our story. We've also talked with some who already have heard about us.
We're on our tenth hour of a fifteen hour trek. It's going just as we expected - great teamwork from everyone with high spirits all around.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Another Thank You!
Thank you Jordan Michel and Paxart Publishing for the copy of Tedric The House Mouse for our friends in McGrath.
1 Day until takeoff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are now 1 day until we fly out of Bangor International Airport!!!!!!!!! I am really excited to go! I hope everyone is as excited as I am! (Whether you are actually going or just following and supporting us!) I just want to say a final GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped us and supported us in reaching our goal! So all of our supporters and followers, give yourself a BIG pat on the back.....We are going to Alaska! I also want to send out a special thank you to my relatives down south!
Monday, February 28, 2011
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