Step inside the Yentna Station Roadhouse

Call it roadhouse, call it lodge, call it checkpoint or call it home like the Gabryszak family, Yentna Station Roadhouse is the epitome of Alaska’s backcountry friendliness.  Ask any Iditarod musher, Jr. Iditarod musher or volunteer who’s descended upon the wilderness oasis in late February and early March, they’ll all share different stories praising the hospitality offered up by Dan, Jean and their family.  

The Gabryszaks met in Reno, Nevada where Jean was working as a fire department dispatcher and Dan happened to be touring as a musician.  It was Jean who suggested they go to Alaska and it was Dan who saw the potential of a piece of land across the river from his moose hunting grounds.  Dan’s dream location became available in a public land distribution program. The stakes they placed on the land in 1981 eventually became their home and business as well as roadhouse and lodge for adventurers, sports enthusiasts and travelers.

The roadhouse welcomes travelers 24/7.  With all the signed posters stapled to the ceiling, it feels like an Iditarod hall of fame.  The view you have here is just inside the front door.  As usual, Dan is on the move.  He’s either cooking, serving up food or busing dishes.  It’s pretty near impossible to get a picture of him standing still.  The same is true for Jean.  Many thanks to the Gabryszaks for hosting checkpoints for both the Iditarod and Jr. Iditarod.

Watch for more Telephoto Stories.  Having worked as a volunteer for the race for twelve years and having my camera handy every hour of every day, my Iditarod photo library contains roughly 20,000 pictures.  Seems like sharing photos periodically all year long with a brief description to tell a photo story is a great way to share favorite photos and unique pieces of Iditarod history with Iditarod fans, family and friends.  Enjoy and comeback soon for another Telephoto Story.