Iditarod Musher Profile

Ed Stielstra, 39, and his wife, Tasha, own and operate a dog sled touring business and racing kennel in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was born and raised in Ludington, and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and then from Lynam Briggs University in biology. He moved to the Upper Peninsula about five years ago in search of "space and snow." He had started mushing in 1991 and became interested in running Iditarod after listening to Al Hardman talk about his experiences. He has owned and operated Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Adventures for the last five years. He says, "I am running Iditarod again because I love camping with my dogs. No computers. No cell phones. Just beautiful Alaska and my dogs!" When asked about hobbies and interests, he says he enjoys spending time "with my wonderful wife."