Pizza Me!

Ryan has passed 700 miles in his journey to Nome!  After a great stop in Kaltag, the ITI Throuple decided to spend a little time apart (absence makes the heart grow fonder and stuff...).  Sounded like Ryan used the opportunity to take in the scenery and change up his pace a bit.  

The 76 mile trek from Kaltag to Unalakleet had two shelter cabins to allow for a bit of respite, 35 miles and 15 miles apart.  Ryan enjoyed some hot chocolate in solitude at Tripod Flats and then caught up with Daniel at the second.  

The two pushed on to Unalakleet, with a slice of pizza dangling in front of them for motivation.  We did a bit of interneting and discovered while Peace on Earth Pizza was wonderful enough to host racers 24 hrs./day, the kitchen would only be open until 8pm. Luckily, they took orders over the phone and I was able to secure a large pepperoni and large meat lovers pizza (for $78!!)...and because they were so busy and the guys so fast, they ended up beating the pizza to the table by 7 minutes.  From the homemade dough, to the views and fantastic owners, I believe it was worth every penny!  

This morning I got a text that Ryan was invited to the Peace on Earth Pizza owners' house for breakfast and it looked equally as delicious.  

John Haak and I called Ryan while on a run in Sturgis (in shorts no less!) and got to chat very briefly while he packed up his sled.  The plan was to put in 25 miles to the Foothills shelter cabin, rest for a bit before finishing up the leg at Checkpoint #17, Shaktoolik (mile 745.5).  The weather isn't great (picture -10s with 30-40mph headwinds) and this begins a very exposed part of the journey.  Last night, fellow racer and only remaining skier, Asbjorn, had to resign from the race due to frostbite.  Three rookie dog sled mushers and their teams had to be rescued north of the guys near White Mountain.  Ground storm got the best of them.  Fingers crossed the weather continues to improve as they make their way north to the Norton Bay crossing (like, they cross by crossing over the actual bay!)...temps are allegedly going to rise and the winds die down.  Fingers crossed!

I know his tracker is showing he's still at Unalakleet, and I guess that is a possibility (maybe waiting until the winds get a bit better tonight?)...but the fact that he's not texting/posting on social media and that the ITI Throuple is showing as all still there, makes me think this is a tracker issue and not a lack of motivation issue ;-)  I've sent a message to his inReach and I'll update as soon as I catch word as to what they're up to.  In the meantime, Happy Saturday everyone!