Backstage Iditarod

Mushing HIstory Conference, Sunday

2009-11-08T21:27:00.020-09:00

Pre-conference, just hanging out, shooting the breeze: Pat Schue, Joe May, Rod Perry, Eric Rogers, and Bonnie Foster's back

Jane Haigh, author of Gold Rush Dogs, shows off a copy of Baldy of Nome not only signed by Esther Birdsall Darling but Baldy himself. No, don't think it was really Baldy's paw print, but Darling did provide the paw-tograph. Very, very cool.

Alas, the interior bookplate was faded, as were the autographs, but at least a closer look at what I got to hold!

Joe May talking to Talkeetna teacher-musher Rich Hum.

I couldn't resist stalking the presentation computer when I saw it cycling some photos, including this one.

Getting set up.

Back row attendees, who eventually moved forward when some folks re-configured the room a bit.

Jeez, guys, smile! Joe May was modest and thought he shouldn't be in the photo since he wasn't a presenter, but I put on my "boss the mushers around hat" and made him pose with Joee Redington and Jeff Dinsdale.

Post his presentation, Jeff posed with the movie about "Nikki," a Disney sled dog. He gave us lots of history about the dogs involved, including the fact that tho' there were many dogs used as Nikki, the chief Nikki was from the kennel of Joe Redington Sr, with Joee tossing in some added info about the dog, which had been Timmy's, he says.

I'm not sure if we'd worked our way up to lunch yet or not, but given that bodies are missing, we must have. As one who doesn't do mornings well, not to mention is outta practice doing them, I wandered away from home this morning without a sandwich, so my thanks to Pat for sharing part of her lunch with me. I really do need a keeper sometimes. Ha

Rod Perry, who ran the very first Iditarod ever. I managed to snag an autographed copy of his first book while he was there, but today's presentation was a bit of a dramatic reading focused on his second book, which will be the one to focus on the race itself. Think Robert Service, very dramatic and well done.

Chas dropped in to give us a sneak peek at the upcoming video by the Iditarod on the history of the race and, let's face it, mushing itself, too. He had a slide loop going behind him but right here he's reading a letter they've found that was written by Joe Sr. in the midst of trying to make that first race happen. A great conversation between many followed.

I don't think Chas will mind me sharing a photo of the actual letter to Howard Farley of Nome that he was reading from above.

Joee Redington, in the blue jacket, showed a powerpoint presentation he'd made with his dad for a symposium in Fairbanks. Joe Sr's voice was the narration and it was a look at "50 Years of Dog Mushing," including photos of the climbing of Denali with dog teams that Joe Sr. made with Susan Butcher.

I don't have everyone's name, so will wait for Helen to fill in blanks for me, but this was the bunch left at the tail end before I headed out.

Friday Night at HQ

2009-11-06T20:36:00.013-09:00

The organizers of the Mushing History Conference had a sort of meet and greet at Iditarod Headquarters this evening. Even Balto showed up!

Jim and Bonnie Foster

I have no clue what Chas is doing but looks like he's counting Joee Redington's fingers? I'll have to evesdrop better next time, huh? Sorry, I was initially in hang out mode and not "work mode". Ha (Update: Mystery solved. Chas says they were looking at a bootie, which if you look carefully you can see in Joee's hand.)

Back row, Greg Sellentin, Jim and Bonnie
Front, Helen talking to, well, I have no clue who. I was obviously still in hang out mode. Can you give me a hint, Helen? Ha
(Upate: That's Jeff Dinsdale, according to Helen, from British Columbia)

Joee Redington, who'll be doing a presentation, and Greg Sellentin, of Mushing Magazine. This was my first time meeting both of these guys in person. I've even written for the magazine for Greg but only met him face to face tonight.

Helen watching Tim White work.

Rod Perry, musher-author, in front of the Wall of Champions. Rod will be presenting about being in the very first Iditarod.

Pancake Fundraiser for Mike Suprenant

2009-10-17T17:49:00.015-08:00

Eagle River VFW
The Eagle River VFW still boasts its sign about being an Iditarod Checkpoint even if the race hasn't gone through there in ages. The cache, btw, is the one that holds the webcam for the stretch of the Glenn Hwy. that runs alongside this section of town.

What a cutie! No, no, not Mike, the puppy!!! (Just kidding, Mike)

Mike S's dog truck, complete with dogs and four-wheeler.

Inside the VFW, Bonnie was setting up a table with raffle items. Mike in far left corner, then Pat Schue behind Bonnie. I'd ridden down with Pat and it was still dark when we left. We may not have snow yet, but we do have dark.

Leslie, Jim Foster, Gail S., and Pat

From Left: Theresa, Pat, June (taken with my camera, hence the look as I wondered if it'd worked), Leslie, Gail and Bonnie. It was great to be able to touch base with everyone in person for a change. Even tho' we email and chat on Facebook regularly, I hadn't seen most of these folks since race time!

Theresa kneeling, then from left, Pat, Gail, Chris, Bonnie, Mike, Jim, ?, Leslie, ?

You never wanna let these mushers get too egotistical, you know, so we put Mike to it mopping up a spill at one point. Ha

Did you have to wonder if any of Mike's dogs were there? Why else do you think I'd get up in the middle of the night (Okay, 6:45, but it WAS dark) to go to Eagle River, even for pancakes.

Even more importantly, he'd brought out a couple pups. It's amazing to see the athlete in these incredible dogs begin to emerge at such a young age, not to mention that this was about the only time either one of 'em stood still long enough for me to even get a half-way decent shot. Mike told me the whole lineage but since I don't do mornings, it seems to have gone in one ear and out another, tho' recall they're mostly outta some of Sab's dogs.

Winding down and loading the dogs back up. The main reason for this photo i to point out that something big is missing. What? The mountains that would normally be directly behind them were totally fogged in and it was closing in on noon by this point! Still and all, a good time was had by all and I got my pancake fix for awhile!!!

Aurora Cemetary -- Page and Redington Gravesites

2009-10-02T12:35:00.003-08:00

1st Annual Midwest Sled Dog Symposium in Curtis, MI

2009-09-29T23:37:00.005-08:00

Photo courtesy of Pat Brighton

Dr. Tim Hunt, Lloyd Gilbertson, Eric Morris, Matt Rossi

Nature's Kennel (Stielstra) puppies!!!

Karen Ramstead and fan Pat Brighton. Karen was one of the keynote speakers and Wonder, who seems fascinated by something off-camera, accompanied her.

Karen and Ann Marinoni.

Okay, Karen, who or what was Wonder finding so darn fascinating to your right?

Since Tasha has announced it in public, I can now let everyone in a secret, Ed Stielstra, left, won't be running the Iditarod this year because he needs to be home with Tasha for a run to the maternity ward! If all goes well, Baby Stielstra should be entering this world about the time the Iditarod is finishing up in Nome. Congratulations, Tasha and Ed!!!

Willow Dog Mushers Symposium--A few photos

2009-09-21T12:02:00.006-08:00

Photos courtesy of Bonnie Foster

Checking out an interesting looking rig.
Yes, the sled comes off for use on the snow in the winter.

George Attla, seated, is presented with a certificate of appreciation.

George Attla, center.

George Attla, JP Norris, Sue Firmin, Joe May

"An Iditarod Sampler: Photos From Alaska's Iditarod"

2009-08-31T13:05:00.001-08:00

"Alaska's Iditarod fascinates people around the world. June Price, author of "Backstage Iditarod" and "Becoming Alaskan", has taken her camera behind the scenes to capture not just the race itself, but events leading up to and after the race. You'll see informal shots of not just Anchorage's Ceremonial Start and scenes from Nome, where the race ends, but shots taken at qualifiers, the vet check, musher sign-up and more. It's a fascinating look behind an event that, despite its popularity, takes place in a faraway place most fans will never visit. This is your chance to get as close to the Iditarod as possible without actually having to travel to Alaska."

60 pages, 60 color photos printed via digital printing

ISBN: 978-0-9795828-1-3

$14.95, available at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0979582814/ref=s9_ri_wizard

For those who asked: 2010 Iditarod shirt logo

2009-08-27T21:19:00.003-08:00

I'm assuming this one must be new, too, cos otherwise they wouldn't have Lance as a 3-time champion.

This version is small and situated where your shirt pocket would be.

Mancelona, Michigan, Musher Weekend at Russ-Stick Acres (Photos courtesy of Joyce Joyce)

2009-08-23T14:10:00.012-08:00

All photos courtesy of Joyce Joyce. Taken at the Musher Gathering at Russ-Stick Acres in Mancelona, Michigan. Click for a slightly larger version.

Tom and Carolyn Drake

Pat Brighton

John and Joyce Joyce with DeeDee

Ryan Redington, looking like he's on the way somewhere.

Jason Barron, plate in hand.

Like she needs an introduction, DeeDee Jonrowe.

Sherry Sutherby, who put this weekend together at her family's Russ-Stick Acres (Home of Last Chance Kennel) with her husband Russ.

Joyce getting Ryan's autograph on a shirt while Jason speaks.

Ann Marioni

Dick and Jean Renfro, who drove up from Tennessee!

1978 Iditarod Champ Dick Mackey at HQ Today

2009-07-16T16:08:00.006-08:00

1978 Iditarod Champion Dick Mackey, father of champions Rick and Lance Mackey, was at Iditarod Headquarters today signing books and sharing stories.
Idita-support fans may recognize the face on the right, Kelly Mulford, who has been visiting Alaska, who poses with Dick for my camera.

I'm not sure if Donna was still filming at this point or not, but Dick was talking about his, oh, so close win, and sled problems.

Iditarod Race Director Joann Potts shares an ol' photo with Dick. My photo of the photo didn't turn out well, but it shows Dick among the group that visited Washington DC in 1981.

Dick waiting to be interviewed.

Dick being interviewed.

I don't know why, but I just love looking over the shoulders of others who are taking photos, too, this time video.

ITC Picnic photos from Maureen Morgan

2009-06-27T18:28:00.008-08:00

Maureen with the Balto statue visiting HQ.
Maureen said this one was just for fun, but including it anyway. ITC's Ed. Director Diane Johnson is seen before the Wall of Champions inside the meeting room.

Balto statue. As Maureen notes, I wished it was in the meeting room beside Togo, too, for photos. Unlike Maureen, however, for some reason I didn't take Balto's photo, so glad she did.

Bob Morgan and Eric Rogers discussing, no, not dogs, but the Ice Trucking series.

You know, the scary thing about going into the gift shop for me is realizing just how much of this stuff I already own.

Donna posing with Balto.

Pat Schue and Donna Quante waiting on the membership meeting to begin.

Maureen in her snazzy new short-do, too. I think we all decided to go "short" with our hair at the same time.

See, Bonnie, Maureen was looking out for you. She helped me out by taking aa photo of me in my duct tape tag. I was laughing cos guess who forgot to wear a tag? Maureen!!!!

Lance

Lance and Maureen looking quite serious minded. Actually, they were both probably getting tired cos it was warm, warm, warm.

Iditarod Musher Sign-Up/Volunteer Picnic, Part 1

2009-06-27T15:56:00.008-08:00

Lance (with his duct tape/blue tarp) name tag and Pebbles.
Theresa with Lance's mom, Kathy. I was actually going for John Baker passing in the background, but you don't have to know that and pretend I was going for the gals laughing.

Melissa Owens and Karin Hendrickson

Robert Nelson with Theresa

Lance seems to have gotten in the way of Theresa and I taking photos of each other, huh?

Tonya holds Pebbles, who claims to be Lance's next lead dog extraordinaire.

Lance was one of the first "big name" mushers to arrive, hence I'm heavy on Mackey photos initially.

Candy checks with Lance about....oh, I don't have a clue.

Lance and Pebbles with Melissa Owens

Before signing in/up himself, Lance turned in Newton Marshall's paperwork.

Back on the lawn, Dick Mackey, right, was meeting with ol' friends.

Both Lance and Cain have new musher cards. Lance was busy here signing a bunch for some kids at my former school. Mary H., don't let me forget about 'em!!!

New haircut AND a name badge, was I with it today or what?

Sign-up has certainly gone high-tech, with info entered directly into computers nowadays instead of onto paper and then having to be moved to the computer.

Theresa and I had lots of fun bossing the Mackey Clan around. Cain, Lance, and Dick Mackey.

Love the smiles, tho' looks like this one could stand some lightening up from PhotoShop.

Jack drops by to chat with Dick.

The looks on the fans faces as they mingle with the mushers is what makes this day worthwhile. Lance has just signed the back of a jacket.

Iditarod Musher Sign-Up/Volunteer Picnic, Part 2

2009-06-27T15:41:00.013-08:00

I don't normally do the pose with the mushers thing, but this one is for you, Bonnie Lundberg, to prove that I not only remembered to wear my duct tape/blue tarp name tag, but that Lance was wearing one, too. He loved it.

Mike S. and a furry friend

Donna, center, taking a photo of...I have no clue.

Jack N.

John Baker

Karin, left, and....????? Not quite sure.

Ray Jr. talking with Melissa Owens

Smile, Chas, you're on candid camera.

Please note, that even when he took off his jacket, Lance hung onto his duct tape name tag.

Pat Schue has found a new friend, a Redington puppy. Mary Dillingham and Judy Shellnut, rear.

Eric, who was actually posing for Theresa, but the pose was too good to ignore. Besides, I had my eye on snagging the puppy. Ha

Lunch was served!

Marti and Eric Rogers, left-center, talk to Leslie, right.

Grandpa!!!

Martin (and I think that's Clint Warnke behind him in the cap).

New souvenir, wine with different mushers featured on the bottles. Shhh, don't tell anyone, I came home with a bottle.

Bonnie Foster, center.

People found a comfy spot on the ground or a chair and ate.

Tony Waffen, left, Doloris, seated, the smart one in mosquito netting.

While picnic'ing, Lance received a load of bottled water and helped move it from the delivery truck to the back of his truck.

Rae and Kay, or is it Kay and Rae. Check the duct tape name tag to be sure!

Mike

What a pretty face.

I'm not sure what they were talking about. You'll have to ask Bonnie, right.

Jeff Schultz was there, camera in hand.

Without looking, can't recall the last name, but this is Herb, the new TOTT, who plans to take his guitar up the trail with him. How cool is that? He did a couple songs for the crowd.

I hope Theresa got a better photo of this than I did, but it was awarded to Cain Carter for winning last year's Jr. Iditarod. The dogs pictured with him on the gold miner's plate are Rev and Dred. Don't be too impressed with my doggie ID skills, tho', cos I had to ask him to be sure.

Barb Redington, right, did the honors of awarding the plate to Cain.

DeeDee

Iditarod Musher Sign-Up/Volunteer Picnic, Part 3

2009-06-27T15:27:00.009-08:00

Dallas Seavey Just a random crowd shot.

Oh, dang, is Lance practicing to take over my photographer spot?

DeeDee waiting for her credit card to go through the machine.

Paperwork, paperwork....DeeDee.

Ryan Redington having a laugh.

Jeff King

Jeff attends to the ever popular paperwork.

DeeDee talks to fans and volunteers.

Herb entertains us.

Sonny and Chad Lindner

Two for the price of one photo, Chas interviewing Ryan for the Insider to the rear, Jeff still working on that dang paperwork, as is Jim Lanier, right.

Dan Seavey. Never saw Mitch, so not sure if he was there.

Chas interviewing Ryan Redington

Ah, ha, after trying all day to get the Redington Clan together, Barb Redington and I finally managed to get them all in one spot for some photos. Ryan and Ray, front, Raymie, rear, on the cart Raymie uses to give rides.

Chas has moved on to interviewing Martin.

Ryan, Raymie and Ray....while we had 'em, Barb and I ran 'em all over the place to pose. Thanks, guys!

If you count Joe's statue, we've got three generations of Redington mushers here, too, just as with the Mackey Family.

Poor Ryan, I told him he had the youngest bones, so he had to kneel down. They're in front of the little cabin at HQ that's a replica of Rohn Cabin, standing in front of a sign with a tribute to Joe Redingto Sr.

Crowd shot, looking toward where the food was. Karin's sorta left center, looking right at me.

More crowd shot. When you start seeing crowd shots, it's a sign I'm wearing down, which I was, so standing near he end of the sidewalk just sorta swinging around in a circle and taking pix of whoever popped up.

DeeDee with Martin's wife, Kathy.

And, I'm outta here as Chas, in orange shirt, walks across the yard. That's GG Goss front right, who I cut in half and missed her face. She was taking photos, too, and Gail S. had just arrived, so should be more photos soon from not just them, but others, I'm sure.

A Quick Look at Iditarod Headquarters

2009-05-13T13:06:00.009-08:00

Amy and Roger at Iditarod Headquarters.
I arrived at HQ a few minutes early, so I wandered over to the cabin area for some pix. Raymie Redington does cart rides in this area but doesn't start till Saturday, so no dogs, alas.

Hmm, my dog team seems to be short a few dogs.

It was a sunshine kinda day

I've obviously got to get back over there when the sun isn't quite in the same spot and get better photos of this sign.

Ol' fashioned snow-shoes. About all you see now-adays are the sleek, smaller versions.

Togo stands guard in the museum

Gary Paulsen Speaks at Mat-Su Reads

2009-05-03T16:17:00.002-08:00

Probably should have put these shots here, but they wound up at http://sunhusky.blogspot.com/ so click over there to check out a few photos Gary Paulsen doing a presentation.

Direct link: http://sunhusky.blogspot.com/2009/05/gary-paulsen-speaks-at-mat-su-reads.html

Random Iditarod Fun (more photos to come)

2009-03-08T13:03:00.001-08:00

Here are 3 delighted recreational mushers meeting their inspiration:
l-r Carolyn McEnrick, Libby Riddles, Linda Powers, Sue Thompson.

Iditarod Start, Mushers 25, 26, 28, 27, 30

2009-03-07T17:01:00.018-09:00

Uploaded in the order they passed me, not bib order. Missed Hans' dogs, so the dogs in white that follow were behind him and belonged to Aliy.

Iditarod Start, Mushers 29, 31, 33

2009-03-07T16:54:00.015-09:00

Iditarod Start, Mushers 32, 35, 37, 34

2009-03-07T16:44:00.018-09:00

Iditarod Start, Mushers 36-39, 41

2009-03-07T16:35:00.017-09:00

Iditarod Start, Mushers 40, 42-46

2009-03-07T16:22:00.026-09:00

Note: Uploaded in the order they passed me, not necessarily by bib number.

Iditarod Start, Lance's Tag Sled Rider's Adventure

2009-03-07T16:12:00.013-09:00

This series is of Lance crossing the bridge, then his tag sled rider getting dumped on a sharp "haw" just past where they come off the bridge.

Iditarod Book Fair

2009-03-06T17:49:00.015-09:00

Musher Open House (Sebastian and more) at Bonnie Foster's

2009-03-06T17:37:00.019-09:00

Skunk was officially in charge of greeting guests at Bonnie's and did a great job at it.

Impressively decorated cake for Sebastian.