Idita-Rider Janet

Each year, the Iditarod Trail Committee holds an auction-style fundraiser, offering race fans an opportunity to get up-close and personal to all the excitement of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Ceremonial Start. The winning bidders, known as Idita-Riders, enjoy the first leg of the race, approximately 11 miles, through Anchorage, from one of the best vantage points in the race; right behind a team of Iditarod canine athletes!

This year will be my friend Janet's fifth Idita-Rider experience. Jan rode with Lance Mackey in 2007 and 2008, which, by the way, was the beginning of Lance's winning streak!

Lance Mackey

2009 Iditarod Restart



In 2009, Jan rode with Staff Sgt. Harry Alexie, who was representing the Alaska Army National Guard. 

Harry had spent several months training  with Lance at Mackey’s Comeback Kennel . Harry completed the race in 37th position, which is quite an accomplishment for a rookie!

Jan in Harry's sled,

2009 Iditarod Ceremonial Start

Walt (Jan's husband), Harry, and Jan

Campbell Airstrip

(end of the ride)

 Last year, Jan was Jamaican Newton Marshall's Idita-Rider. Marshall, whose sponsors include Jimmy Buffet, had also trained extensively with Lance Mackey.  Newton finished in 47th place.

Jan (waving the Jamaican flag) in Newton's sled

2010 Iditarod Ceremonial Start

Mush Mon!

Newton Marshall

2010 Iditarod Restart

Willow Lake

The 2011 Iditarod begins Saturday, March 5th, and Jan will be ready to ride! She continues her loyalty to Mackey's Comeback Kennels again this year, as she will be riding with Lance's step-son, Cain Carter.

Cain, who won the 2009 Jr. Iditarod, will be riding as a rookie in this year's Iditarod. 

Me, Jan, Cain, and Walt

2009 Musher's Banquet

 To all the musher's, riders, and especially the wonderful dogs:

Happy Trails!

Return to homepage:
http://kit-dogdaze.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday

GBBC

We're participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend.

Sas and I are helping Rama identify and count the birdies.

There's a Black-capped Chickadee.

So cute and perky.

Oh, Look! I see 3 Goldfinches.

They love the thistle!

Wake me when you're finished, please.

Bedtime

Just in time for Valentine's Day,

 A Special Offer from DogDaze...

Get one kiss free!

~~~~~~~~~

Happy Anniversary to Madi's Mom and Dad!

Sending hearts your way on your special day!

Excuse me?

What did you say?



I have a piece of what, where?

I wish I knew what you were trying to tell me...

Calm down!

I certainly can't understand you when you're hollering like a maniac.

Oh, the straw in my mouth?

I was saving that for later!

All this rest is making me stir crazy,

which has nothing to do with stir fry! 

~~~~~~~~~~

My friend, Liz, and her husband are in visiting Fairbanks.

Here they are at the Fairbanks Daily News Miner office,

waving to all their friends via Arctic Cam.

Have fun!!!!

I Have A Secret...

Psssst...

Hey Sas, Don't tell Rama, but I'm feeling much better since I've been getting the prolotherapy treatments.

 That's great news, Bud, but why don't you want Rama to know you're feeling better?

Because I won't get all the extra TLC I've been enjoying...

Teeheehee!

~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm happy to report that Buddy does seem to be feeling better, which means it is more difficult to keep him quiet and resting.

He will receive his fifth and final prolotherapy treatment today, and then 6 more weeks of rest.

Hopefully, he'll be ready to go by pontoon weather.

I want to apologize for being MIA in Blogland. One of my New Year's resolutions was to spend less time on the computer. I had a little blogging addiction I needed to get under control.

Hubby was threatening a Blogger Intervention!