I am sending this update while awaiting my flight to Nome on Alaska Airlines.  I noted that Paul has surprised the pundits yet again, and is on the trail enroute to UNALAKLEET as I prepare to board my plane. Externally, this appears to be a bold strategic move, but I do know that Paul will stop on the run over to the coast.  No doubt, the dogs are on a good roll coming off of their 8 hour layover and enjoying the reportedly "better" trail conditions.  I am hesitant to go so far as to believe that the worst of the punchy trail conditions are over, but at least the team will be running through wooded areas for a while.

I understand the northern lights have been putting on a spectacular display overnight.  Paul said the thin slice of moon that is but an arc in the sky does little to illuminate the trail.  When they had snow, he described the trail as "very black" dark this year.  It is almost uncomprehensible to consider how absolute the darkness on the trail must truly be for the mushers.  For most of us, we have never seen pure dark.  The ambiant lights of metro areas, dashboard lights and illuminated displays on various electronic devises seem to ward of the midnight hours.  But consider being away from all of this with nothing but a battery powered headlamp to illuminate your way, and you can appreciate how "black" it must be.  Paul says that when he shuts his light off, he literally cannot see his hand in front of his face.  This makes the headlamps the mushers wear such a critical piece of equipment.  While not required by race rules, it is essential.  Paul is actually field testing a light made by Browning®  on the trail.  He wore a Browning headlamp last year, because he really liked the way it fit and performed.  This new prototype is extremely lightweight and from Paul's initial tests with it at home, will likely be the hottest thing on the market if it performs equally as well during the race.

One year on this actual section of trail that Paul is currently traveling along, his only headlamp quit working.  There was a short in the battery pack that caused his light bulb to blow.  He had a spare in his sled, and in the pitch black, had to feel his way through locating it and installing it.  This worked briefly, before the shorting issue blew his spare bulb as well.  Enter Mr. Rick Swenson, who came upon Paul trying to get his headlamp to work. He gave Paul an extra bulb and after Paul dried out the housing to alleviate the short, Paul was able to continue on.  I remember a comment that Swenson had made at the time, to the effect of his willingness to help Paul, as he felt Paul was a good guy who would return the favor. 

Paul and I have always lived with the philosophy of "what comes around goes around".  I can illusrate countless times that Paul has returned the favor.  Perhaps not to Mr. Swenson directly, but to many other mushers that he has shared the trail with. From pre-race advise, to actually coaching other mushers on the trail.  He provided Jesse Royer with a plan several years ago, (when we were just getting back into racing with a young team and not as competitive) that catapulted her to her best finish at the time.  Last year, for what it was worth, it was his plan to tag team with Lance Mackey from the halfway point to catch and pass Martin and Jeff. Paul has helped other mushers, including his competitors, with sled repairs and two years ago, actually helped out a village resident that was stranded along the Yukon River during a deathly winter storm.  When I saw a caption tied to some footage of Paul that said he "had the heart of a lion", I thought this was neat.

I know that Paul has a tender heart, despite his deep baritone voice and disciplined approach to racing, they guy is a teddy bear.  I know he has now spread the ashes of Governor on the trail and I know this particular journay was something he needed to do to help heal his heart. When our beloved leader passed away, our veterinary team at Kenai Veterinary Hospital gave us a precious gift.  Tucked with the package containing his ashes, was a plaster cast of Governor's paw. I would like to think now, as the team works together to make the best of their race - that perhaps in the midts of the line of tracks laid down along the trail - that there may just be one additional track making steps alongside the rest of the team.   

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be afforded the connectivity to facilitate the continuation of these updates.  I have been utterly overwhelmed by the volume of emails from followers.  If I have not responded to one you sent, please know how much I appreciate your kind words - and I am glad you are able to enjoy my ramblings here....

Until later, Life is a Journey, enjoy the ride! Evy