Wow Finally I got back on. I am sorry I have not been timely I have just spent alot more time of the runners than on a keyboard and I managed to lock myself off the site last night. Let's see, my signature parka was my vision; Pat Owens and Jeanette Willis created it and Keith and Julie Curtis from Artic Midnight Furs in Anchorage did all the fur work. The outside is beautiful but the real secret is the fur liner. I had been so cold especially after chemotheorpy and nothing was really working. I asked how the guys on the coast stay warm. Putting the fur inside with the skin keeping the wind and cold out has been superior. It is not the answer for wet weather but oh my, how I love the skin I am in when it is cold and the wind blows. The outside shell is a gortex type fabric styled in pull-over kuspuk style. I can put whatever layer under it that is right for the weather. Enough parka story needless to say I am VERY happy with it. It is no secret why it is pink, the particular shade because that was all Jeanette could find, but I wanted to WEAR my survival of breast cancer proudly and hope to remind my adult fans to do regular check-ups. I could have had a much easier time of it if I had done that and seeked treatment earlier.
My sleds are mainly built by the Willis Family. Bernie, Jeanette's husband(this is a very tallented family), has built me lamenated runners that accept the rex plastic. The runners change plastic really well and fast and these runners are TOUGH. Yea! I am not breaking the alum. runners anymore. These things are a new tech. thing and I am sold. I really like a flexible sled and with these runners, and a fabric bed, I love the way this sled drives. My trailer sled was built by Art Church. It really drives easily and is light. Right now that sled is on the alum runners but I will be eventually moving everything over to the wooden lamenated runners. If you want to contact the Willis' their email address is
arcticarrow@gci.net. Let me know if you have a problem with that. Those of you on the coast know this talented family, Andy is Mark Nordman's trail assistant and overall race coordinator, and Tony is a pilot in Kotz. Janet their daughter is a flight control officer for the FAA at the Anchorage airport. Bernie was one of the skilled ALASKA Airline pilots that flew the state for years.
Sunny Attitude- Trying to keep all the questions in my head. I have been open that my faith in God is the energy that makes this imperfect instrument work. I know I cannot hold it together myself especially since I thrive living on the edge often over my head. I almost felt like I had traveled on the Iditarod for so many years that I did not fully appreciate what a treasure it is and then in 2007 I broke my hand and never even got to the Kuskokwim. I was so sad missing all the people and the beautiful nights traveling with my dogs under the northern lights. This year I had an adjustment in my perspective. I am so thankful for the health and opprotunity to be out there. In my opinion if someone as me to describe my vision of God, Himself, I would visualize the Bering Sea Coast. It is beautiful yet terrifing. The wind blows harder and is more powerful than any force I have ever experienced and He is still holding His breath. The people are the kindest, friendliest, most beautiful ever born and inside they are tougher than anybody can ever dream of being. There are more contrasts everytime I start thinking about it, and when I am on the trail I feel closer to God than anywhere in my life. With that reaction it is hard not to be content even when I am frustrated and very very tired. The challenges of the trail make me feel more alive than when I am in the cocoon of my sheltered life. I like my shelter, don't get me wrong, but I really love being out in creation without the filters of civilation. That is more real because I am traveling with dogs that give me love, something I just do not feel from machinery. I guess it is also true that I have had some very miserable situations and they have given me a thankful heart to be OUT of them at this time. I am again training 2 teams a day by myself regularily spending 6 to 8 hours a day on the runners, I have not been able to do that since 2000.
Actually everything I like to do in a days time is made better when I share it with my dogs : house dogs( we currently have 3 labs, 2 old lead dogs, and Mr.Migayi a pekingnese), out side dogs ( I have 63), young or old, life is just richer when they are around.
Got to go to Anchorage today so I will not be back on until tonight. Have a good day.