Abby Sunshine

photo taken in Nome, Alaska, 3-18-09 Lance Macky has now won three consecutive Iditarod races! That’s big stuff. I was reading his profile and my “luck o’ the Irish” entry wasn’t so far off. . .there seems to be a pattern in the Mackey family. Here is what it said: “Lance Mackey, 38, was born [...]

Here’s a bit o’ luck for the mushers on this St. Patrick’s Day. I’m sure as in any sport, there is a fair amount of luck and superstition that goes on with the mushers. I remember my sister-in-law, Susan, having her hair braided by the same person each year just before the Iditarod. That in [...]

It is hard to write about anything else during this exciting Iditarod season! I’ve noticed that race coverage has improved significantly even as recently as this year. It is easy to find stats on mushers and teams, to see pictures and read profiles on the mushers and their dogs! Last night I even watched some [...]

Granite by Susan Butcher and David Monson illustrated by Sarah Douglas Today I am recommending the book, Granite, as a wonderful story about a dog, the “runt” of the litter, who becomes a hero! Stories like this are always exciting. Not only does this make for an interesting read, it is actually based on a [...]

My dad never got to meet Abby Sunshine, but I think he would have liked her. Today he would have turned 89. In an attempt to tie Abby Sunshine, the Iditarod Race, and my dad into this entry, I’ve come up with the following.  In 1980, my dad and Uncle Ole traveled to Alaska to [...]

  Iditarod 2009

The Iditarod race course is unique in that it changes slightly from year to year, as well as planned changes for even and odd years. This deviation makes the actual mileage change, too. This year, the route is 1131 miles. The race is considered “1049″ miles because it’s over 1000 miles, and Alaska is the [...]

I was impressed to read some profiles of Alaskan mushing dogs during this Iditarod racing season. Let’s meet our next athlete. Sled dog profile: Crackle Crackle runs for Ryan Redington of Knik, Alaska Age: 4 years Sex: Female Weight: 50 pounds Breed: Alaskan husky General bloodlines: Redington Where does the dog run?: Leader Race experience: Sheep mtn., Knik 200 champion, [...]

The Iditarod, the most famous sled dog race in Alaska, has begun! Many of Abby’s hard-working “cousins” are hitting the trail hard. Mushers and dog teams will be racing for the next two weeks.  In attending some sled dog races, what I’ve found to be intense is watching the dogs leave a check-point, heading out [...]