Time to unwind!

Last Friday I returned to Unalakleet after a week in Anchorage with 3 other teachers and 14 seniors. We took our seniors to Anchorage where they participated in the College and Career Fair. We took them many other places in the five days we were in "town". That is what we call it when we are in Anchorage or planning a trip to Anchorage, we say we are going to "town". I will write more about our trip when I post some of the pics. But.... this is after my return home. I got up early Saturday morning and packed my camera, a couple of books, some beef sticks and cheese, granola bars and hot tea...... oh yeah... and my 44. Then I rode the 4 wheeler out to the North River Ridge and soaked up the silence, took in the scenery and recharged my batteries. It was a wonderful day.

This was taken from the North River bridge. It is starting to freeze over. There were fox tracks actually under the bridge..... crossing from one bank to the other.

a view of the North River Valley... where I chose to rejuvinate

a view from the spot we will be camping this weekend

When I was returning from the valley a storm began to blow in. You can see it in the right side of the picture.

I think it is safe to say winter is here.

Another view of the North River.

You can see the trail leading into the North River Valley.

Our playground!!!!! We love it here.

The beach is just littered with starfish. I have collected some and am drying them. We will bring some home at Christmas time for our nieces and nephews to check out.

This is a typical sunset in Alaska. Typical being.... typically beautiful and never a disappointment.

About time...huh?

OK, I will attempt to update our blog..... using pictures. Shelley and I went for a ride after school today to scout for a camp site as she, Ryan and I plan on doing some winter camping this weekend. Mark is going to Anchorage again this weekend for more meetings. It was a beautiful day today. We do have snow and it appears that it may just stay. Seems a bit early but since it actually snowed October 1st.... guess I can't complain. I am looking forward to snowmobiling this winter as we got out a bit last year and I rode all the way to Koyuk by myself to meet Damon as he had ridden up the night before. From Koyuk we rode to Granite Mountain where we hunted for caribou, slept in a tent and got caught in a blizzard. But more on that trip later. As I said.... I will attempt to update our blog with pictures and some text..... in reverse order.

Sooooo..... here are some pics from my ride today.

These mountains are called the Whale Backs. They are located directly east of Unalakleet. I hope to ride to them this winter.

This is my backyard and I get to play in it whenever I want!

Iditarod 2008

Mark went for a ride toward Vance's cabin on Sunday. This is Jeff King on the Iditarod Trail. He was the first musher to come into Unalakleet.

Here are Jeff King's dogs being checked by the vet at the Unalakleet checkpoint. Jeff and one other musher out of a field of 96 are the only mushers still running all 16 dogs.

Here is Jeff King holding Carter Woodhead. Carter is the son of our AD.

Jeff checking his dogs.

Mel and Summer watching the action from the pits. The mushers use HEET to start their fires on the trail.

Here is Lance Mackey coming into the Unalakleet checkpoint. He came in about an hour after Jeff King.

Lance arriving at Unalakleet.

The vet is checking Lance's dogs. Lance had to drop one dog here in Unalakleet. He left with 11 dogs.

All kinds of media broadcasting the Iditarod.

Lance is putting booties on his dogs before he takes off.

Lance Mackey leaving Unalakleet. Sunday, 6:17 pm, 2/9/08.

Lance stops for a quick inspection.

Shortly after Lance left Jeff appeared and began readying his dogs for departure. Mark is standing to the left of Jeff's sled.

Jeff departs Unalakleet at 7:09pm, Sunday, February 9, 2008. This was day 9 of the Iditarod.

On the trail, one of Jeff's dogs needs to relieve itself.

Jeff applies the break and stops right next to me.

He does a quick inspection of the line.

He talks to his lead dog and others on his way back to his sled.

Bye to Unalakleet and onto Shaktoolik.