Holiday Weekend

I wanted to share some pictures of the Bethel JV Christmas weekend. My whole community stayed in Bethel for the holidays and we had a really special Christmas together. I think we were all a little nervous about being away from home for the holidays, but we had a lovely Christmas in our new home.

Then, on 12/27 my roommate Mike mushed in the Holiday Classic, a 50 mile dog race on the Kuskokwim River. It was really great to go see him off and then be back to jump and cheer as his sled came back in. He's only been mushing since Oct. and already raced his first race. As we were yelling, give it up for Mike Parker and the puppy team!


All of us and our secret santa gifts. Aren't we cute? And kind of tired looking?

Sneak attack! One of my roommates caught me napping in front of the fire after breakfast.

Mike, on his dogsled, getting ready to take off.

Fran, (illegally) practicing her backstroke in the Kuskokwim.

This is what happens when you try to jam the cross-country skis (that you don't really know how to use) into a full car.

Some of the sled dogs, after the race. It was just a little cold that day.

Waiting for Mike to come in. (L-R, Jon, Meg, Me, Fran, Erin, Elyse)

This upcoming weekend is the Kuskokwim 300, the third biggest race in dogsled racing. It starts in Bethel, goes upriver to Aniak, and back to Bethel again. The JVs will be going to villages to act as race checkers. There is a looong tradition of JVs acting as checkers and we're pumped about it. I'll be sure to blog about it afterward because it should be a really fun and unique experience. Woo!