Sam mushes because he loves the entire concept and the dogs, Juanita. He really isn’t all that interested in winning because you miss so much when you go without sleep and push your team for speed.

Newton finished the Quest last year, and should finish the Iditarod this year, and will then be able to go home and use those accomplishments to work with troubled kids, and thrown-away dogs.

He got frostbitten running the Quest and the nerves don’t forget. I am much less tolerate of the cold than I once was because of some very mild damage in New York while working traffic in the winter.

Frankly, even if Penny gets out of sorts, I think Colleen will just put her in the basket and take her along for the ride. Twenty-nine pounds isn’t much of a weight to sled dogs. She can still cheerlead, even if she isn’t in the lead.

Glad to see that Newton is hanging in there, too. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say about it all when he finishes. Adapting to Alaska weather after growing up in Jamaica has to be a shock to the system! Seems like I read somewhere that he may not continue with the dog sledding. I hope he continues – he would be missed. People have really enjoyed following him, but I guess he has to do what’s best for him.

Noticed that Colleen was in 36th place which is still a respectable showing for the 3R’s if you ask me. I really hope she gets to finish, too. I want to see 29 lb Penny go under the arches!

He said he wanted one last splurge of mushing before Med School gets serious, and I think this will hold him for a while. He should be the leading contender for the “nice person” award, after helping three different people, including Pat Moon, with problems along the trail.