BULLIES come in all ages

BULLIES come in all ages
(click to see movie trailer)

Surround yourself with positive people,
energy, and situations;
always avoid negativity.

~~~~~~~~~~

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So, love the people who treat you right.

Forgive, and then forget about the ones who don't.


Thursday, March 12, 2009

Home from the Iditarod


I HAD THE MOST INCREDIBLE TIME!!!!
I arrived in Atlanta 6:30am yesterday (Wed.) and I'm still not thinking clearly, but I wanted to post a couple of pictures....believe me, there will be many more to follow.




I was having dinner with Lance and Tonya Mackey within 3 hours of arriving in Anchorage!

Lance is 2 time Yukon Quest and Iditarod champ.




My friend Janet has been an Idita-Rider for the past three years (twice w/ Lance and this year w/ Harry Alexie). Janet had VIP passes to every event, including the Mushers' meeting, which reminded me of the first Pre-planning meeting of each school year. You could easily identify the rookies and the veterans.

I was as close as possible (back of my head in above photo) for the official Mushers' group photo taken by Iditarod photographer Jeff Schultz. Jeff was standing on a ladder to get this shot.

My view from the floor.

We were all given a glass of champagne for the toast.

This was a great opportunity to mingle and talk with mushers, who are friendly, gracious, and sincerely appreciative to everyone. Mushers are like no other professional athlete, as they have no false sense of self-importance.

Many more great musher photos to follow...


Statue on 4th Ave. honoring all sled dogs.



One of the many dogs I fell in love with this past week.

This guy belongs to Warren Palphrey from Yellowknife, NWT.

I spent a good bit of time hanging out with Warren's incredibly dedicated, hard-working, dog-loving wife Kate and their great team of dogs.


Kate and Gumbie

Gumbie is a special dog and will be featured on a later post.



We met fellow Arctic Camsters, Christine Burton at the Mushers' Banquet.


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I must say, the best sight for me was Hubby standing at the top of the escalator at the ATL airport yesterday morning. I missed him so much and wished that he had been there to experience it all with me.


Happy Trails,

13 comments:

Shelley said...

Loved looking at your photos! I'm so envious and can't wait to hear more about it as well as see more pics of those precious pups!!

Anonymous said...

We missed you, Kit and are so glad you're back home. With all your escapades, I look forward to many blog posts with stories and pictures. Welcome home!
Liz

Mason Dixie said...

Oh what a great trip, can not wait to see more pictures. =)

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy that you had a great trip and a wonderful time, but I'm even happier (more happy) that you are back in Cleveland where you belong!!!! Can't wait to see more pics.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy you are back in north Georgia! But I am also thrilled that you looked so happy in the pics! I tried everyday to see something from up there, but no real luck after the start. I have missed your blog and can't wait to "read all about it"! Rest and get ready to keep us posted! SH

Anonymous said...

I loved your pics and info. I look forward to more, but what I loved the most.........was the last paragraph! ahhh......

Vicki

Anonymous said...

LabLady- checked your pictures out, your actually glowing in some, (or maybe it's frostbite) so glad you had such a terrfic time, YOU ROCK!!
kababe41

Anonymous said...

welcome home lablady, can't wait to see your pics.

ARCTICCAT

Kathy said...

Welcome Home, Kit! We missed you, but we're so glad you got to go on such a great adventure!! Can't wait to see your pics in the coming days!
Kath
PS I bet your gang of labs missed you a whole bunch too!
Vroohoo Rama's Home!! :-)

Unknown said...

Hey Kit what wonderful pictures and commentary!!! I will look forward to visiting and reading each day. Your blog is top priority every day. I am absolutely THRILLED that you had this experience. I know exactly how you felt. Going to Alaska in 2005 for me was like your dream trip.
Cecilia

Chester said...

Welcome home! We've been thinking about you and the pawsome time you must be having. They sound like a warm, wonderful group to hang out with. Glad you got home safe and sound. I bet the fur-kids were all butt wiggles to see you again. (Hubby too!) Looking forward to all the great pictures.
Chester and Mom

Anonymous said...

I looked for you at the Ceremonial start but couldn't find you! What a great start and such pleasant weather. Glad you had a good time....maybe we'll see you next year?
Jim

Finnskimo said...

I was at the restart!!! We could have met!!! Ah well. Whenever you're up for a trip to Kotz, come on by...I have a B&B apartment you can stay in... Lance Mackey usually stays there for the Kobuk 440, and Rick Swenson doesn't miss my daughter's birthday party! My parents have been involved in the Iditarod and Kobuk 440 forever...so these guys are like uncles we see 3 or 4 times a year! Glad you got to experience it. It was such a nice day for a race start too!

Maija