Sanka W. Dog

Zoom Lens from McGrath

Skies in McGrath were beautiful today – pristine white clouds and brilliant blue sky.  There are a few dropped dogs from Rohn but no mushers.  The first will arrive in less that a half hour.  Guessing it’ll be Dallas Seavey and he’ll continue on to Takotna.  This shot really has nothing to do with the …

Zoom Lens – Dropped Dogs

Dropped dogs have been coming into Anchorage.  Be assured they are getting lots of love and attention while they await a ride back to their kennel.    

Zoom Lens: Race Stars

It’s race day in Willow.  the skies were blue and the Mountain was out.  It’s the dogs that are the real characters.  They can hardly contain their excitement.  Dogs that took to the trail today numbered 1,346.  Most every team started the race with 16 dogs today but a few teams went out with a …

Zoom Lens – Ceremonial Start

Trent Herbst teaches 4th grade in Ketchum, Idaho at the community school.  If you were in his class, you’d have real life math and science applications in preparing Trent for the trail.  Over the years, they’ve built his sled, snowshoes, packed his drop bags, planned his menu, measured dog food, counted booties and much more. …

Zoom Lens – Twins

It’s always a question as to who is who when it comes to the identical Berington twins, Anna and Kristi.  After the vets were finished with both of their teams, they took a couple of minutes to help me out on that.  Anna has a red and black sled bag and has promised to wear …

Zoom Lens – Vet Check

Even though Charley Bejna was ready to depart he took time to pose with his lead dog Brown.  Wondering  how Charlie’s lead dog came by the name of Brown?   Those dogs were named after bears.  So there’s Brown, Black and Grizzly in that litter.  This would be a perfect license plate for Charley.

Zoom Lens – Jr. Iditarod Start

Clear and cool, no wind, twenty-three degrees – it was absolutely perfect for the start of the Jr. Iditarod.  The race start was moved from the traditional location on Knik Lake out to the Willow Community Center in search of snow.  While not an abundance, there was adequate snow.  When it came time to move …

Zoom Lens – Jr. Iditarod Vet Check

Vet check at Iditarod Headquarters provided some pretty nice shots of the vets, mushers and dogs this morning.  My favorite is of Dr. Jayne Hempstead who has volunteered for the Junior race for twenty some years.  Here’s her reward, a big smooch from Marianne Malory’s Rebel.

Zoom Lens – Willow

The community of Willow is located thirty-seven miles north of Wasilla on the Parks Highway.  Right now it’s very quiet at the Community Center but it will be bustling on the next two Sundays.  On the last Sunday of February the Junior mushers will find the finish banner located on the lake access in front …

Zoom Lens: Iditarod Headquarters, Wasilla, Alaska

It’s was pretty quiet at Iditarod Headquarters today (Feb. 24, 2016) but next Wednesday will be the complete opposite.  Mushers will be rolling in with their teams for vet check.  Plenty of volunteer Veterinarians, all certified by the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association (ISDVMA), will be on hand for the mandatory physicals.  As you …