VERY early morning start. It is the restart out in Willow and somebody has to be the first one there and I rode with one of the first and that means leaving Anchorage at 3:30 AM. A short nap on the floor near the library, then up and stashed all my gear behind the stage and now I am ready to hit the trail. I am all packed, but I think it will be awhile waiting for that MOMENT.
Meanwhile I ran down to the lake to take some pictures. I’m sorry, I really didn’t run, I can’t, in these arctic boots. Diane keeps telling me that by the time I get to Nome they will seem completely natural. We’ll see.
Since I was here early I did get a chance to meet up with Wade again and he had THE hat on. What hat? The one that Wade had on the other day when I first met him. It is a blue ball cap that says “Mush with a Smile.” He is a friend of the Redingtons and one day while helping them clean out a shed he found the hat and liked it. He was told that it was one of Joe’s and he could have it. I guess Joe is famous for being a collector of all sorts of things. Wade is wearing hat this morning so I have a feeling it may have special place for him.
Mush with a Smile Wade!
Almost on the trail and very ready,
Blynne
