We Made It!

Friday, March 14, 5 p.m.

Three guys who had a great trip. Dan Morris is on the left, his brother Jeff is in the middle, and I am onthe right. Jeff traveled the first half of the trail with me and Dan the second half.

Sonny Lindner battles through the wind just before he passes through Safety on his way to Nome.

Mitch traveling through the Topkok hills on his way to Nome.

ARRIVAL IN NOME
THE RACE IS NOT OVER


ARRIVAL IN NOME

WE MADE IT! We arrived in Nome after over a thousand miles of riding. Dan Morris and I pulled into Nome on The snowmobiles at about 8 pm. A feeling of accomplishment poured over me when we pulled into Nome. Of course it didn't have the same impact as last year when I arrived in Nome by dog team but that is to be expected. Finishing the race with a team of dogs is a much larger endeavor and is something that is often dreamed about for years before it is ever accomplished.

Traveling the trail this year by snowmachine was a very differen experience then running the race. It posed a different set of challenges and problems but also brought about its own enjoyment. Also I learned a great deal about Iditarod, the dogs, and myself just by following the race on snowmobile. I would definitely say that our trip to Nome was great.


THE RACE IS NOT OVER

As I sit in Nome there is still half of the field out on the trail. Thirty-two mushers still have to make their way to Nome so there is still a great deal of the race left. There are still some mushers just getting off the Yukon River back at Kaltag so it will be several days before they make it to Nome.

As you probably know by now, Mitch finished last night in 12th position. He was expectedly tired but happy to be in Nome. Cindy has left Koyuk and is on her way to Elim. If all goes well for her, she should be able to make it to Nome by Saturday morning or afternoon. Tyrell is currently at Koyuk and Jim is on his way there from Shaktoolik so they should be able to finish some time on Sunday. I believe that the two of them are trying to make it to Nome by the time
of the awards banquet, which is on Sunday evening. Unless a storm hits that slows them down or they have unforeseen problems, which happens regularly in Iditarod, then they should be able to make it by the banquet.

If people don't make it to Nome by the first awards banquet that is not a problem because the race holds as many banquets as necessary as the teams come in. It seems that this year there will definitely be two banquets and possibly even three because the teams have stretched out down the trail so far.