A Banquet, a goodbye, and a bottle of wine!!

Well, it's my last day in Nome for another year. I watched Angie resplendent in her mushing kusum and her rookie belt buckle get her packet with musher goodies and her applause. All the mushers had gotten off the trail in time to sit down and be feted by their kin and colleagues. Lots of chocolate covered strawberries. Lots of food, more than enough for everyone. My favorite moments: Aily Zirkle telling the story of her Grayling village welcome; Seavey the elder singing a great poem; Seavey the younger telling stories about being a mushing dad of a two year old and having Dora the explorer songs playing in his head while poling to Nome! It was a long and fun night and then full of goodbyes. Then Angie bottle of wine appeared at the table in front of me- I had bid, but kept getting bid up. Mark bought me the bottle of wine!! Thanks, Mark. We all took him to the late evening flight. I got a ride home from the Taggarts and I had to pack. They were off top feed the dogs and then Angie flies out tomorrow. Dana had dried my laundry again. Wow, I don't know how to thank my family here in Nome. The Handelands are awesome! Love and hugs to all!