Musher's Banquet

Tonight was the start banquet for the 2010 Yukon Quest in Fairbanks, AK.  We got to meet with mushers, officials, volunteers, fans, and sponsors and got a good dinner.  I was a good sled dog and ate everything that was available to me.  We did the bib draw and I will be starting #6.  I am glad to be leaving relatively early though I am glad I did not continue with my streak lasting 3 seasons now of leaving number one.  It will be nice to have someone who knows the trail in front of me.  Hopefully they go the right way. 

Anita, Brooke, and my mom (Beverly) got here just before midnight last night and it has been nice having the company and extra help.  The dogs are ready to hit the trail as am I.

On a sadder note, Detour is not going to be allowed to run.  She has a heart murmur of a high enough grade to warrent further testing before releasing her to race.  She has never had any issues before and could potentially be tested again next year and have a lesser or no heart murmur.  She will stay on the truck with Brooke and Anita and get lots of love and probably be chubby when the rest of us get to Whitehorse to join them at the finish.  This leaves a big hole in the team and a hole in my heart, but we will be OK and maybe I will find the next superstar leader on this trip.

Tomorrow is meetings most of the day and then Friday is the last day of packing and planning to head out Saturday just before noon.  The weather will be cold, though the latest forecast is for a warming trend.  Only time will tell.