Thank you to all sponsors and fans for your support and encouragement. Without you, not only would Evening Star Kennel been absent from the 2010 Yukon Quest, but this incredible sport and these wonderful dogs would become a thing of distant memory. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you have enjoyed following this amazing event.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

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.

4 comments:

  1. Just wanted to drop a line and wish the Best of Luck on your journey!
    I'm a friend of Anita's from NC and she has told me all about you and your journey to this point.

    God Speed and Good Luck on your race! Looking forward to hearing more of you and your dogs in the future!

    Chris Wessling

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  2. Katie, I wish you the best of luck!-Sara from Minnesota

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  3. Good luck Katie!
    Sorry to hear about Detour, hope she's okay overall.
    Have a great time!
    Diana

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  4. P.S.
    Keep Diablo away from your sleeping bag!

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