And They’re Off!

It’s 0800 Sunday morning.

The faraway sound of the “Star Spangled Banner” filters through the air. Somewhere (the base across the river?) someone plays the recording every morning at 0800. 

It’s cool, about 60 degrees, and overcast, with drizzle. Earlier in the morning Vlad walked me through the garden, showing me which plants need to get fed, staked, or benignly ignored. I picked my first harvest of strawberries and pineberries (which taste like the Platonic ideal of strawberries, despite being white). The running of Pomestye is now in my hands, ready or not. 

Jeff and Vlad woke up early this morning, around five. They ran a few last loads out to the van, did a few last minute checks (who has what in the first aid kit?) followed by a hearty breakfast out on the deck: potatoes, scrambled eggs, and sausage, with not quite enough coffee (but is there ever enough coffee?). 

Then it was time to leave. 

We locked Callie inside to keep her from chasing after the van and trailer. They did the requisite checking of the hitch and confirmed the lights worked, taking about 20 minutes. 

I told Vlad to keep the windows open but wouldn’t say why. 

As Vlad stepped on the gas, I hit “play” on my phone and blasted the USSR National Anthem. The Race to Alaska traditionally starts with that, for unknown reasons (This year, they’ll be playing the Ukrainian national anthem, which seems fitting.) 

They both grinned and laughed. Then with a wave and a smile, they disappeared. 

Their race has begun, at 0818 AM Sunday May 27. 

Stay tuned….!