there is no place like nome.

With all the snow here in Pennsylvania I forgot to tell you Dear Readers, that I made it to Nome about a week ago.

Again, it was a gentle reminder from my brother Dave "We are two weeks into the IditaWalk and I don't see you on the finisher's list yet. Have you been slacking off? Are you letting a little bit of snow get in the way?"

At first I was thinking, yes, I am. But clearly even me in slow mo, will get me to the finish line in time. I replied: "Yes, I'm slacking off. I've been subbing for another teacher, so I have 5 classes, plus Lafayette. Leaves little time for long walks. The snow is not helping. I might walk to the store this afternoon. I'm at about 600. After I hit send, I went and looked. I was way past 600. Then, when I added in my missing days I was there. 

It's lovely in Nome today. It's only -7. A heat wave.

In eight days the race will start in Anchorage. The buzz is in the air. It will continue to build until the first of the mushers to cross the finish line. How long will it take? Who knows. It depends on the weather and lots of other things. Maybe a week. Maybe 9 days. Maybe two weeks.

I'll stay warm here at the Nome Nugget Inn. I have a standing reservation. I figure the others — Bonnie, Adonis, Barb and Dave will start to arrive early-mid  March. With Dave's bum ankle he's planning to take his time and arrive at the end of March.

I've got hot chocolate and bourbon. What else do I need?