Iditarod Update 2

Okay, here goes...

It looks like the conditions are getting a little tougher in Alaska. But not only for the racers. It seems a checkpoint operator was been out trying to clear the trail for the participants and was passed by at least 9 racers. Now this might not sound like too much of a problem, until you realize the racers depend on these people for food. They whip up a meal for them before they sleep, if they do.

Anyway, like I said yesterday, details are spotty at this point on who is where. I'll let you know when I head it.

There is a bit of bad news, however. It appears that Geoff Roes has removed himself from the race. Read below...

"I talked to Geoff Roes and he was forced to turn back to Finger lake with a bad ankle and is scratching. He spent a long night at Finger lake last night and had hopes that it would be all right and it was good enough to try however he soon had to turn back. He will spend the night at Finger Lake and may be able to fly to Anchorage with Mike Ver Hoef."

Tough luck... we'll see you next year Geoff.

No word on Jill Homer, but I'm guessing she was one of those 9 racers to reach Rohn before the operator. Hopefully she's been able to ration her food enough to not be dependant on these hot meals.

I'll let you know... Keep pushing Jill!

Checkpoint Times:

CP 1 Yentna Station (mile 57)
Jill Homer 2-24 9:10pm 2-24 9:25pm
Geoff Roes 2-25 1:15am 2-25 6:55am

CP 2 Skwentna (mile 90)
Jill Homer 2-25 2:30am 2-25 6:18am
Geoff Roes 2-25 1:58pm 2-25 3:24pm

CP 3 Fingerlake (mile 130)
Jill Homer 2-25 3:00pm 2-25 4:00pm
Geoff Roes 2-25 11:56pm 2-26 scratched

CP 4 Puntilla (mile 165)
Jill Homer 2-26 3:45am 2-26 8:55am

Iditarod Update

Okay, here goes...

We'll, right now my life is comparatively boring when looking at the lives of Jill Homer and her boyfriend (?) Geoff Roes. So, we'll just talk about them for now.

They are both kicking ass in their portions of the Iditarod. Again, you can follow along here. But here's the trimmed down version of what it says.

From 25 Feb:

"Jill Homer is setting a great pace and may be able to beat the womans record to Mcgrath. The current record is held by Kathi Hirzinger-Merchant at 5 days 7 hours and 48 minutes. The overall record is held by Chloe Lanthier-Brandner set in 1998 is 4 days 23 hours and 50 minutes."

From 26 Feb:

"Sharon reported that the first bikers, Carl Hutchings and James Leavesley, left Rainy Pass lodge at 12:35am. They were followed closely by the rest of the pack. A total of thirteen bikers went through the lodge in the early morning hours including the first woman.Jill Homer left the lodge this morning at 8:55am after arriving at 3:45am. She is still setting a great pace."

"Geoff Roes, The first foot racer arrived in Finger lake last night at 11:56pm."

None of this makes any sense without this map (remember they are stopping at McGrath):



Here are the checkpoint times for our heros:

CP 1 Yentna Station (mile 57)
Jill Homer 2-24 9:10pm 2-24 9:25pm
Geoff Roes 2-25 1:15am 2-25 6:55am

CP 2 Skwentna (mile 90)
Jill Homer 2-25 2:30am 2-25 6:18am
Geoff Roes 2-25 1:58pm 2-25 3:24pm

CP 3 Fingerlake (mile 130)
Jill Homer 2-25 3:00pm 2-25 4:00pm
Geoff Roes 2-25 11:56pm

CP 4 Puntilla (mile 165)
Jill Homer 2-26 3:45am 2-26 8:55am

Apparently, updates will be spotty at best at least through this next checkpoint (CP 5). I'm sure Geoff has left Fingerlake, but they don't post a time. He was running 20 miles a day in preperation for this, so I'm sure the tank isn't empty yet.

Reports are saying the snow is getting thicker and more powdery so the going should get slower. And apparently, many people are having trouble with moose not wanting to share the trail.

Good luck Jill and Geoff!!!

The Shining and Snow Bikes

Okay, here goes...

Aubry and I watched The Shining last night. I have seen it several times in the past but Aubry had never viewed this cinematic masterpiece. She and her mother are not big fans of 'scary' movies and so there are many in this genre that have eluded her
to this point. But we're working on chipping away at this. We watched The Ring a few weeks ago. Although, I don't really care for horror movies, there's something about watching them on the wall with a projector, while you're curled up on the couch that makes them seem more appealing.

Aubry chose to watch most of it with her fingers crisscrossed in elaborate patterns before her eyes. I, however, love how Jack Nicholson has mastered the portrayal of people that are a little off kilter. His facial expressions, his body language and probably most convincingly, his hair all come together to make it impossible to not believe everything he's handing the viewer. Beautiful.

Switching gears (you'll get the pun later)... For those of you who aren't following the adventures of Jill Homer, you should be. For the back story, check out her blog. Jill is a jounalist in Juneau, Alaska who is obsessed with riding her bike in terrible conditions. Presently, she is slogging her way 350 miles across Alaska in the bike portion of the Iditarod. You read me right... And it seems that she's doing pretty darn well.

"Jill Homer is the first Woman into Yentna at 9:10 if she has a good race it is possible to beat the womans record to Mcgrath." This is a snippet from the website Alaska Ultrasport where updates may be found about the racers. I encourage you to seek this out, follow along and be there, at least through cyber-space, to cheer her as she crosses the finish line. Or if you like my blog more, and who doesn't, I'll relay anything I find.

Good Luck Jill!!!

Hummer vs Rusty Bumper

Okay, here goes...

So, the other day I was at work when one of my co-workers bumped into my truck with his Hummer. I've read, and do believe, that vehicles like the Hummer are causing a great deal of havoc around the world, but this is much more acute and much closer to home than I ever imagined. The damage was minimal and my rear bumper got the worst end of the deal. The side of the bumper was dented in and the tail light on that side was cracked as well.

After contacting his insurance company, I was asked if I needed my rental to be another truck or would a car suffice. I said that a car would be fine, thinking I haven't driven a car in years and I could use a break on gas. When I arrived to switch out my truck for the rental, I was suprised to be handed the keys to a Dodge Ram 4-door full sized truck. Now, this didn't really fit into my gas saving idea (although it is FlexFuel compatible), but who am I to complain.

I received the call yesterday updating me on the situation with my truck... remember it? They are replacing my rusty bumper with a brand new one, replacing the tail light and I think they may even be repainting one of the rear panels. This one has started to show the signs of rust creeping along under the paint. Woo Hoo!!!

Anyway... we're still watching Sopranos episodes. Season 5, Carmela just filed for divorce. I know it's the push to the end, but the plot is thickening even more!

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals

I'm going to see these kids tonight...

This video is from YouTube and I don't know how to post it here. So, here's the link. You won't be sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DZ5jOwdUBA

3 Beauts: Hockey, Neat Photo Settings, Hot Tea

I thought I'd take a stab at the 3 Beautiful Things blog, but with a cell phone, photo twist.

Getting into hockey games for free.

The negative effect of cell phone cameras.

Black and white pictures of black tea.

Back From The Hole

Okay, here goes...

Well, we returned from our vacation last Saturday evening with heavy hearts. As with most vacations, we walked back into an immense amout of work. Being a week behind is always great to come back to. Which is my excuse for not posting anything since being back. So, as a bit of a peace offering to appease both of you readers out there, I offer up this photo montage in hopes that is will make up for and take the place of my usual long-winded 'Ramblings'. Enjoy.

A look up the mountain...

A look down the mountain...

We did accomodate the paparazzi...

We went to Yellowstone with snowmobiles to see Old Faithful...



We smiled... then crashed...

We ate some...

But we drank more.