The team had traveled through the beginning frenzy of the 2011 Iditarod---a trail lined with race fans on snowmachines,---the climb of Rainy Pass, the drop and pool of the Steps, but it was an encounter between parka and tree in the Farewell Burn that would land AJ on the front page of the sports page.
The sewing kit had been packed by Rebecca. Needles of different sizes all strong enough for cordura and webbing, and bright blue thread---easy for tired eyes to see against the black material that makes up the bulk of AJ’s mushing gear---were used to repair a dollar bill sized gash in the arm of AJ’s parka.
***
Could he use the parka for another race season? Threadbare as it already was, our answer was no. Then came the question of whether or not to save up and purchase the same parka again---we knew how it performed and Rebecca knew what modifications to make---or try something different? After looking at specs the different options boasted, the decision was made. Different.
Thanks to a sponsorship from Snowhook’s 2011 Iditarider, Carol Comeau we were able to put a sizeable down payment on a new anorak---the only one in AJ’s size that the store received for the season---and pay the remaining balance over time.
Making the final payment, AJ’s new anorak now hangs amongst the sea of mushing gear. Spotted with only the occasional and haphazard strand of dog fur that is a result by mere presence in our home, the anorak does not smell of dog, yet. Yet.
0 comments:
Post a Comment