Cindy Abbott parked her dog team yesterday at a quarter to eight in the morning. She intended to stay for a short rest then head to Takotna for her long layover. As her planned departure grew closer Cindy re-evaluated and decided to stay in McGrath. There could have been many factors that played into changing her plan – a quiet place for her to rest, a quiet place for her dogs to rest, great food, weary body, early injury or I’m too comfortable to leave so soon.
Cindy’s dog were parked in the most premier spot in the checkpoint. They were on the main drag across from the front door, but they were way across from the front door, next to a high snow bank with protection from the steadily increasing wind. Lying on their beds of straw, they were warmed by the afternoon sun but could choose shade if they wanted. Add to that a musher provided massage, a couple bowls of their favorite stew and all you can eat kibble. It was a pretty swanky spa experience for a bunch of hard working athletes.
Abbott has always been drawn to extreme sports and now she’s adding Iditarod to her list of accomplishments. Once she’d had her first ride behind dogs nine years ago, she knew where her life was headed. Prior to letting her life go to the dogs, she climbed Mount Everest. Did she have another extreme adventure she might be thinking about while mushing across Alaska? Cindy replied that making it to Nome was enough adventure for now.”
With all the time that mushers spend interacting with their dogs, they really get to know and appreciate their individual characteristics. Even for the short time a team spends in a checkpoint, volunteers also get to know some of the colorful canines. The three dogs sleeping closest to the sled were Drool, Tim and Rapper. Scratching your head and wondering where you’ve heard the name Rapper before? Rapper has been on all of Lance Mackey’s Iditarod championship teams. Cindy, under the tutelage of Cain Carter, Lance’s step-son, is taking some of Mackey’s experienced dogs to Nome. Many of them will retire upon reaching the burled arch.
Speaking of Drool, what an observant, gotta know it all kind of dog. Drool seemed to always have one eye openk looking like he could sleep sitting like a statue. He was into having his photo taken and liked to make eye contact with anyone who looked his way.
Preparing to leave, Cindy booted her athletes chatting with every dog, offering praise and a little preview of the next part of the trail. Her reward was often a cool wet canine nose nudge and just as often, a big canine, too quick to dodge, lick across the face. These dogs are affectionate and don’t mind showing it.
About an hour past her release time Abbott and athletes hit the trail. I planted myself about a mile from the checkpoint on the Kuskokwim River. As Cindy approached me, she directed her team “on by” yet another person seeking the perfect photo. I wished her, “good trail.” She replied, “This is an unbelievably beautiful day. Clearly, she’s loving the trail and the time with the dogs that’ll provide her the power to reach Nome.
