Last night as I was wondering around the Nenana dog lot I saw the cutest interaction between a couple of Dee Dee Jonrowe’s dogs. I sat on the ground and watched the two interact like brother and sister. One sibling was just trying to relax and enjoy the rest while the other just wanted some …
At 10:00 a.m., Rob Cooke pulled his hook at the starting the line and the 2015 Iditarod was officially underway. Every 2-minutes mushers and their dogs began their long journey to Nome. The last team to leave Fairbanks was an unofficial team. Dean Osmar, 1984 Iditarod champion, is escorting a Google Earth representative along part …
On February 25, I posted a contest titled Idita-Picks. Idita-Picks is a contest for participants to make predictions on which mushers will make it to certain checkpoints first. We will review the checkpoints. 1. First team to the halfway point – Huslia 2. First team to the coast – Unalakleet 3. First team to the finish …
11 thrilling miles of slush covered roads and trails. 11 miles of the sound of dog paws striking the ground. 11 miles of trails lined with excited Iditarod fans cheering on their favorite mushers. 11 miles listening to sled runners gliding across slush, snow, mud, and concrete. 11 miles I will never forget. This morning …
It is here! The Ceremonial Start begins tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. on 4th Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska. Walking home from dinner tonight the streets are being prepped for the 78 dog teams. The streets are being lined with temporary fences. Tents are being erected for vendors and race officials. The Iditarod start banner has …
“A wish experience can be a game-changer for a child with a life-threatening medical condition.” This quote is part of the mission statement of the Make A Wish Foundation. Just one wish, one dream, can turn into one miracle for a young life. Today while at the IditaRider lunch I met a young child that …
As 2015 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™ I have the privilege of being an IditaRider. The IditaRider program is an online auction in which bidders have the opportunity to bid to ride in a Iditarod musher’s sled during the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage. The IditaRider is a major fundraiser for the Iditarod. My musher is …
The Iditarod Winter Educator’s Conference is underway. After a day filled with breakfast, presentations, lunch, and Skype visits, the teachers enjoyed an excursion to Jon and Jona Van Zyle’s Dog Kennel and Art Gallery. The first time I visited their kennel I fell in love with the dogs and the Van Zyles. They are so …
Kevin Harper got a little sleep last night after doing his chores and feeding his dogs. He woke up at approximately 1:00 a.m. to begin his preparations to depart Alpine Creek Lodge at 4:18 a.m. Jimmy Lanier was doing the same preparations for his departure at 4:10 a.m. Eight minutes will separate the two Junior …
This weekend reminds me of being home. A small community coming together in time of need. The Junior Iditarod needed a place to move the trail due to extremely icy conditions. Cantwell did not bat an eye when the start and finish was moved to their community. They offered up their homes, their church, and …
