As the race begins at 4th and “D” in downtown Anchorage, Handler is waiting for the bush plane bound for Skwentna. Communication people, veterinarians, checkers and race officials are transported out to their assigned checkpoints via the Iditarod Air Force. Before getting into the Cessna holding pattern, Handler went down to “the street” to get …
On the way to breakfast this morning, Handler got to share the sidewalk in downtown Anchorage with some four-legged critters. Considering it’s the day before Iditarod, it’d be logical that the critters were sled dogs. Logical isn’t always correct. The critters that crossed the road and headed to the McDonalds drive-thru were moose! It really …
The events of race week are quite predictable. Vet check on Wednesday, musher meeting on Thursday, dog handler training on Friday, etc. The greatest and most festive of the events is the musher banquet on Thursday evening. It’s attended by race fans, friends, family, sponsors, veterinarians and of course volunteers. Not counting closely but attendance …
After the snow was gone last winter, I’m thrilled to say that I received my diploma from Lead Dog School. Now that I’ve graduated from formal schooling, I’m now officially a member of the Life Long Learner Club. Part of being a life long learner is sharing what you know with others. This fall, I …
At vet check Wednesday, Handler was particularly glad to see a couple of neighbors. Given that we’re Wisconsinites, and vet check is in Alaska, one really wouldn’t expect to be rubbing elbows with folks from home. The first neighbor Handler ran into was musher, Jodi Bailey. She was a rookie in the Yukon Quest, run …
Hampsters have Hampster Wheels, Humans have Tread Mills and dogs have Phydeaux’s Pherris Wheels. As the wheels turn the users exercise. These Siberians at Jon & Jona Vanzyle’s kennel have put plenty of miles on the Phydeaux model featured in this Zoom Lens. There are advantages to being able to get a lot of aerobic …
After a gourmet meal and a good rest, we’re off down the trail again. If you recently read my story, Routine Rest, you have a pretty good idea about what the “rest” part of our run/rest schedule looks like. So, I’ll bet you’re curious about the “run” part of the run/rest schedule. Just like students, …
There’s one checkpoint that both the Junior and Iditarod share – Yentna Station Roadhouse. The name is a bit strange in that the nearest road is more that 40 miles away! The only way to travel to Yentna in the winter is by plane, snowmachine or dog team. In summer you can add boat because …
When looking into this dog’s eyes, the words from Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Coat come to mind – I am handsome, I am smart, I am a walking work of art… The team dog sporting these gorgeous blue eyes helped bring Jeremiah Klejka to his first Junior Iditarod Championship. Having blue eyes myself, I’m quite biased …
The mushers fed and bootied their dogs in the dark and departed Yentna long before there was light on the horizon. Not to warm, not to cold (-6 degrees) at Yentna Station Roadhouse on Sunday morning. The time is 03:31 and the first team leaves to cover the 75 miles course to the finish line …
