First note from Gwen:

  Bryan said that it was real soup and slop out on the trail.  Heaven only knows where they got the snow, but the warm temperatures made lots of lakes.

I am here at Karin's house making sure the fire stays lit and the dogs get fed.  She had to drive to ANC to catch the plane to Fairbanks.  She was tired and really wanted to stay home, but she had agreed to do this announcing on Monday.  She was given the ok last Monday to take her turtle shell off to sleep.  Actually, she leaves it off around the house,too.  She gets a massage on Tues.  That should feel good.  In two weeks she'll start physical therapy.  She wishes she could make it all go faster.  Like many have said, this is the hardest part.  More after the start.

g