Dog Sledding

After watching other people mush dogs during the Iditarod, we decided to try it ourselves (#85 on the list). So, we drove out to Knik and met with GB of The Iditarod Trail Kennel. GB participated (and finished) the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. He has many dogs, all of whom ran in one or both of the races as well.

First we learned about the sled and the basic controls. We then hooked up all 8 dogs and traveled out to the oval course off the historic Iditarod Trail. With GB riding along we both drove around the loop getting a feel for the course and the dogs.

After that I drove around with Rebekah in the basket, and then we switched. It was a blast and the dogs has a ton of fun as well!


When we were done with driving, we rode in the basket as GB took us for a trip up the Iditarod Trail. It was narrow and there were a lot more hills, so I am glad we weren't still driving.


GB was a great host and loves showing off his dogs. He only charged us $20 per person, when we have seen similar packages for much more at other more "touristy" locations. We recommend anyone who is interested visit the website and send an email to GB.


On the way home we stopped to take some pictures of Knik Arm.

Steven

Willow Re-Start

Hope everyone enjoyed the pictures from the ceremonial start in Anchorage. Here are some pictures from the official re-start in Willow, AK, which is about 50 miles north of Anchorage. There is a need for a restart due to the lack of snow leading from Anchorage north. The re-start takes place on the frozen Willow Lake. It is sort of like a big tailgate party. People start fires, bring grills, enjoy various beverages, ride snow machines and also cross-country ski. It was windy on the lake, but luckily we were all bundled up!




This year, the winner of the Iditarod was Lance Mackey, who has won both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest in the same year, four times now. His time was 8 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 9 seconds. This was the second fastest time ever recorded. The fastest time was set in 2002 by Martin Buser, with a time of 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds. This year second place went to Hans Gatt and third place went to Jeff King, a veteran musher who has said that this was is last Iditarod.


Rebekah

The Last Great Race- Saturday Ceremonial Start

A few weekends ago was the start of the Iditarod (#23 on the list). It was a big event 'round these parts. Lots of tourists. You can always tell the tourists because they are either 1. lacking appropriate cold weather clothing or 2. wearing brand new winter apparel, like they just had an REI shopping spree.

It is also so interesting that they call the Iditarod the "Last Great Race". It is 1,049 miles long. Another race, the Yukon Quest, is approximately 1,000 miles long. So, about the same distance. It is also important to know that the exact mileage changes each year because the route may change slightly. The Iditarod also has a Northern and a Southern route. During even numbered years, the mushers follow the Northern route and during odd-numbered years, they follow the Southern route.

On Saturday, there is a ceremonial start in Anchorage where the mushers ride only about 20 miles. The dogs that they use during this ceremonial start are not the same dogs that they will be using on the actual Iditarod trail. They just cannot risk their dogs getting hurt while they are basically just showing off for everyone who comes downtown to see them. All of the mushers have what is called an "Idita-rider" in their sled with them. Basically, this is a person who pays a lot of money to get to ride with the musher during the ceremonial start.

Lance Mackey and his Idita-Rider.

We actually showed up 2 hours before the start, so we could secure a spot of our choice right next to the starting line. We were actually standing right in front of where the news cameras were. The reporter interviewed the woman standing on the other side of Steven and some friends said they saw him on TV!! Steven was excited that we has finally reached celebrity status in Anchorage!!

There were many different people from many different places that were participating in this years race. There was someone from Jamaica, someone from Scotland (who wore a kilt while on his sled and had his dogs dressed out in plaid tartans), and a veteran named DeeDee Jonrowe who is a breast cancer survivor and almost 60 years old!! She had all of her dogs wearing pink little booties to keep the snow off of their feet. We were also cheering for Aliy Zirkle's team. On Friday night, we were coming out of the restaurant and at the hotel that is next door, people were getting their pictures made with the dogs. Although it is a little blurry, here is a picture of Steven and I with some real sled dogs!!!

Her team's Kennel has a website with lots of videos and information regarding dog mushing!! Check it out! It is a great educational resource for anyone wanting to learn about sled dogs!!

I want to leave you with a few more pictures from the ceremonial Iditarod start in Anchorage, Alaska!! Stay tuned for pictures from the official re-start in Willow, Alaska.

Scottish pups and Scottish musher.



Rebekah