Today’s question is – Where on the highway is John Stewart? John has been in Montana since fall training and racing the team of Doug Swingley dogs that he’ll be running to Nome. The dog truck filled with supplies along with a couple dozen dogs, Colin – their handler and John have departed from Montana and are on their way via the AL-CAN Highway to Alaska and the start of Iditarod XXXVIII. It’s a very long distance and it’s anything but “direct.” John’s father, Alan, will be flying over from Scotland to meet them in Calgary, joining the team as a handler.

You could have some fun with John’s journey by being a Map Quest Agent. Create a route; calculate distance and estimate time from Montana to Wasilla, Alaska. Keep in mind that most of the travelers are canine so their trip won’t be at a human pace. They’ll have to stop at least every 4 hours to “drop” the dogs and they’ll have to feed the dogs and the dogs will need to be exercised. Get a map and go to work. Handler is going to ask John, Colin and Alan about the trip, shipping supplies, preparing food and drop bags and all that important stuff. As soon as she gets that information, I’ll pass it on. Stay tuned.

Back at home in Scotland, John’s family maintains their kennel and “sleddog centre” at the foot of the remote Cairngorm Mountains which is considered to be the last wilderness of the United Kingdom. The centre includes Europe’s only Sleddog museum. The museum covers modern events; Iditarod’s Last Great Race and has a section that’s dedicated to the “King of Dog Team Drivers,” Scotty Allan. The centre is located a short distance from Scotty’s birthplace and childhood stomping grounds.

We’ve been in contact with the Stewart family via Internet and asked what role the legendary Scotty has played in John’s mushing career. John has known about Scotty from a very early age. He has often visited the blacksmith forge, now a ruin, where Scotty was brought up. Alan says that Scotty’s whole way of life has influenced John. He’s been brought up with Scotty’s history all around him – he knows all about his life and what type of dog person he must have been and now John’s goal is to reach Scotty’s Alaskan residence, Nome. Heroes plant the seed from which dreams grow and play an important role, inspiring people to achieve their dreams. Now this is really cool – Scotty’s oldest living relative, Lewis Allan has written to John, personally wishing him well and Godspeed on his journey to Nome. Mushers often bring items of inspiration or personal significance along on the trail. Perhaps John will carry this very special letter to Nome.

Check these websites to learn more about John Stewart – www.iditarod.com, www.sled-dogs.co.uk, and www.johnfortheiditarod.com. Stay tuned for more stories about John and his journey to Nome.

Born to Run,
Sanka