Iditarod Fever!
- ~~~~~DeeDee Jonrowe crosses Long Lake in Willow. Photo by Dennis Zaki~~~~
When I first moved to Alaska in February of 1991, I had no idea what to expect. I knew nobody here, had no job, and found myself at the top of the world in the middle of winter with no idea what to do with myself. The first couple weeks in Alaska, in addition to job hunting, I had fun exploring my new surroundings and trying to figure out what this strange new place was all about.
And so it was that I threw myself into the local culture on the first weekend in March. My first Alaskan activity was attending the Iditarod. I learned, much to my confusion, that although everyone crowded into downtown Anchorage to line the sides of the road and cheer on the teams, that this was not the actual beginning of the famous trip to Nome. After the cameras and Anchorage crowds had gone, the mushers packed up their teams, and drove to Wasilla for the Iditarod “restart”. That was the real beginning of the 1,150-mile trek through the silence and loneliness and rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, that ended with a pile of cash, a brand new pickup truck, and a bunch of happy dogs and happy people in Nome. That’s what I wanted to see.
So off I went to Wasilla, where the restart took place, to soak up the “local color” before the race. I felt a libation was in order, and so I popped in to the closest watering hole, the Mug-Shot Saloon, for a beer…
(Time passes…)
Feeling no pain, I leave through the back door and find my way to the edge of the trail and get a nice spot with a good view. I have missed several mushers already, but there are plenty more coming. I note with amusement that the racers are all wearing little colored boots (the canine racers that is). I learned later that this was not a doggie fashion statement, but a practical solution for protecting delicate padded feet from the brutal effects of ice and snow. I noted with much greater amuseument that there was a dog team made up entirely of poodles. At first I wondered if it wasn’t the effect of my time at the Mug-Shot, but I captured it on film just to be sure, and verified the breed the next day. Big, giant poodles.
Part of the reason I decided to venture out to the Iditarod restart was that my curiosity had been piqued by a t-shirt I’d seen for sale around town that said, “Alaska – Where Men are Men, and Women Win the Iditarod”. “What does this mean?” thought I. It turns out that famed four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher had won the race the year before. I liked the idea of a co-ed sport that had no gender advantage. I cheered as Butcher and her team passed, waving to the roaring crowd. Susan Butcher came in third place that year after Rick Swenson and Martin Buser. Another amazing woman, DeeDee Jonrowe came in 7th place.
The 2009 Iditarod has 67 teams on the way to Nome by way of far-off places with fantastic names like Shaktoolik, White Mountain, Rainy Pass, Takotna and Skwentna (not necessarily in that order). I should warn you before clicking on the links that follow, you do so at your peril. Iditarod fever is easily catching.
For photos and info on the mushers click HERE.
For current race standings, click HERE.
Fr the official Iditarod website, click HERE.
And even Brian got into the act HERE!
But as much as everyone follows the mushers, and has their favorites, people know that the true champions of the Iditarod are the dogs. Dennis Zaki interviewed Lance Mackey, last year’s winner of both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, and asked him about what makes a good sled dog. Notice that when Mackey talkes about “athletes,” he’s referring to the four-legged ones! (Hey, wait a minute…Mackey & Zaki? Is that like Heckle & Jeckle?)
Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey talks dogs from Dennis Zaki on Vimeo.
For a great still shot of Mackey on the trail, check out The Alaska Report.
A final note. You may have noticed (I admit that I never would have noticed, but you might) that the usually lime green highlights in the masthead are now red. In Anchorage, residents are encouraged to keep their little white holiday lights lit until the last Iditarod musher reaches Nome. I secretly wonder if this isn’t the Alaska electric utilities’ answer to the greeting card companies’ invention of the Mother’s Day card. Let’s create a reason for people to spend a lot of money on our product! Nevertheless, this is the “tradition”. So in that spirit, and without any increase in my electric bill, I shall leave the masthead red until the last musher reaches Nome and claims the famed “Red Lantern Award” for finishing dead last, because finishing at ALL is an amazing achievement.
I love this race…
One of the vets who volunteers to check those amazing dogs is from Prescott Valley, Az. Won’t mention his name but he looks after our Aussie.
I love those doggies! A few years ago I was in Anchorage for a weeklong conference and managed to arrive the day the Fur Rondy World Sprint Championship race (or whatever it’s actually called) ended and stayed through the next weekend so I could see the Iditarod start. What a blast!
“I shall leave the masthead red until the last musher reaches Nome and claims the famed “Red Lantern Award” for finishing dead last, because finishing at ALL is an amazing achievement.”
I wholeheartedly approve. Australia has always loved the Iditarod ….
and no one here besides me has ever heard of the Ironing Dog.
Hm, Ironing Dog…I think you’re on to something for a new winter sport!
AKM – Of course you know now – the Mug Shot is the biggest pro-palin spot in the valley. People wondered why she (when she was mayor) agreed that valley bars could be open until 5:00 am. Because the owner contributed big time to her campaign. It’s weird – back in the 80′s the Mug Shot was the place to score coke. Everyone knew. But hey – campaign contributions trump everything! It’s just funny how things turn out. And Alaska is a small town (not to mention Wasilla). That will be her downfall in the end.
Also the good ol’ days when the Iditarod came down Knik-Goose Bay Road – fire up the motor home or build a fire – cook some sausages – cheer everyone on – hope the dogs won’t get off course because they smell the sausages. Now it starts in Willow – I miss those days. It will never be the same. I understand though – there’s too many subdivision roads – and it takes too much work to make it OK for the dogs.
I love this site. Now it starts in Willow – I miss those days. It will never be the same. I understand though – there’s too many subdivision roads – and it takes too much work to make it OK for the dogs.
I got the fever….love the dogs.
Ironing Dog would definitely be an “endurance” sport in my home, also.
*woof*!!!
True athletes, those dogs. And they are much loved and treasured by their drivers. Awesome, authentic racing. And green, too! Not like the waste of fuel in that stupid “ironing dog” challenge. LOL
Does Jeff King still race?
This is so strange! I checked up on my favorite musher before going to bed last night: The Iditerod site said she was running 4th, while the Fairbanks News-Miner (her home-town paper) placed her 13th, and this morning the Iditerod site has her at 20th. Hard to figger. (It’s Aliy Zirkle I’m referring to.) Maybe it has someting to do with how they are seeded to start.
@apphouse 50: Yes, Jeff King is racing again this year and is currently running 16th, according to the Iditerod site. Good Luck!
Susan Butcher. From Cambridge, MA. Rest in Peace.
What amazes me is how many of the team sponsors are not from Alaska. Many are from many other parts of the country.
I can’t find the picture of Brian. Does anyone know how to get to it?
WOW & I would like to know more about the giant poodles!That really tickles my fancy(an old saying that sounds a bit off color now -?) I compete at dressage where the women and men compete together; and that is because it is about the animals- the horses and the dogs.
woohoo!!!!!! Go go go!!!
I’m a Brit who’s never been to Alaska, never will now at my age, and doesn’t like dogs – usually. 1100 miles across raw, freezing Alaska, with a dog sled? You must be nuts! What a fabulous, amazing thing to do. My neighbour sometimes asks why I’m up until dawn on a cold March night – I’m keeping an eye on the current standings at iditarod.com. I’m an ‘Iditarod Insider’
who me?No Gravatar (04:27:13) :
I can’t find the picture of Brian. Does anyone know how to get to it?
——-
There’s one at picture no. 21 here:
http://www.adn.com/photos/readersubmitted/v-gallery/story/713603.html
My daughter’s class followed the Iditarod last year as a combination math/geography/computer science project. Each child in the class was assigned a team to follow, and they had to log on to iditarod.com every day to check on their team. They had to capture their team’s data, make charts and graphs, map the route, do statistical analysis, and so on. They had a blast and got very caught up in the race, and had a party at the end. I’ll have to confess that I caught the bug then.
@Secret Talker – I think John Sutter was the name of the poodle musher. The dogs were awesome but they were eventually banned – something about their coats freezing to the snow, I think. We lived in Eagle River for 18 years and went down to the VFW lot which was the first ‘official’ stop of the race from downtown Anchorage every year. My son grew up sliding down snow berms whle waiting for the racers and his school collected home baked cookies for the mushers – he’s on the other side of the world now in OZ. BTW – we have a 4th level DWB..
I’ve always wanted to see this. I grew up watching some great movies that my dad took of the race back in the 40′s.
Ironically, I think many people confuse Todd Palin’s “Iron Dog” race wins with this. No comparison, in my mind.
what a moose, is our brian. there is no telling what he will do nor where he may turn up next. now there he is,bless him,telling those descendants of wolves[shudders and quakes] ‘not today! you mangy mutts! i’m going to run those socks off you.’ i just love that moose…b
Great book about the race (classified as a juvenile non-fiction book) but can be enjoyed by all ages is Woodsong, by Gary Paulson.
we want to see pics of those Iron Poodles!
tigerwineNo Gravatar (03:53:15) :
This is so strange! I checked up on my favorite musher before going to bed last night: The Iditerod site said she was running 4th, while the Fairbanks News-Miner (her home-town paper) placed her 13th, and this morning the Iditerod site has her at 20th. Hard to figger. (It’s Aliy Zirkle I’m referring to.) Maybe it has someting to do with how they are seeded to start.
———
I was trying to make sense of the standings yesterday and came to the same conclusion that their starting position is part of the formula for who is in the lead. Am I mistaken in thinking that the longer they are on the trail, the less the starting position part of the formula will count, because the cumulative times will overwhelm it? Just guessing.
Also, too…Did I hear correctly that GINO was nowhere to be seen at either start of the race? I’m not surprised at this, nor disappointed. Just wondering how the GINO can ignore one of the most Alaskan of all events. My guess is that she can’t stand dogs. Too much like wolves. Makes her trigger finger itch.
The GINO was there, alright. Pic’s in the adn reader-submitted photos, although I will not go back to check if it was the official start or the real start. Cutting a ribbon with someone’s kid.
http://www.adn.com/photos/readersubmitted/v-gallery/story/713603.html
Fascinating–particularly to a city girl!
I do have one question: what exactly does Iditarod mean? Anyone? Bueller?
One year, I was one of the dog handlers at the ceremonial start in Anchorage. I helped Joe Runyan. He was 1st place winner of an Iditarod and Yukon Quest race. It was during those years that Mary Lou Vanderbilt Whitney was in love with everything Alaskan. It was when Libby Riddles and Susan Butcher were reigning the Iditarod, and beloved founder Joe Redington was still with us. When I first moved to AK in 1975, the race was bigtime. It’s great to see how it has continued to excite people.
OT: Are you wondering where a person’s political ties are? Type in the person’s name and do a search on this website. EX: Mayoral candidate Dan Sullivan donated to Stevens campaign. I typed in my name, and I donated to Obama’s campaign. Also typed in friends names. You can also categorize by zipcode and check out your neighbors.
http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/
@Janet in DC (07:37:27) :
Here you go, straight from the Race’s website;
What does Iditarod Mean?
We have come across three different definitions — take your pick!
The following is from an article in the Anchorage Times following the 1973 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, written by Gordon Fowler, Times Sports writer:
Iditarod means clear water and was named by the Shageluk Indians for the Iditarod River.
The following came from one of the Anchorage papers during the 1983 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:
The word comes from the Ingalik Indian word HaIditarod which was the name for the river on which the town was built. It means distant place.
And this one comes from James Kari, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Native Language Center in 1979:
The name Iditarod came from an Ingalik and Holikachuk word hidedhod for the Iditarod River. This name means distant or distant place. This word is still known by elders in the villages of Shageluk, Anvik, Grayling and Holy Cross.
@Janet in DC (07:37:27) :
Here you go, straight from the Race’s website;
What does Iditarod Mean?
We have come across three different definitions — take your pick!
The following is from an article in the Anchorage Times following the 1973 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, written by Gordon Fowler, Times Sports writer:
Iditarod means clear water and was named by the Shageluk Indians for the Iditarod River.
The following came from one of the Anchorage papers during the 1983 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:
The word comes from the Ingalik Indian word HaIditarod which was the name for the river on which the town was built. It means distant place.
And this one comes from James Kari, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Native Language Center in 1979:
The name Iditarod came from an Ingalik and Holikachuk word hidedhod for the Iditarod River. This name means distant or distant place. This word is still known by elders in the villages of Shageluk, Anvik, Grayling and Holy Cross.
I got to see the Willow start of the Iditarod one year, a long time ago (early 80′s) when mom and I were overheaded to Anchorage on a flight from Kodiak to Juneau. It was way cool.
The Iron Dog is for those who are not good enough for the big race, eh?
Oops, it posted before I fixed the spacing. Hopefully you can figure it out. Basically either “clear water” or “distant place”, depending on which definition you want to accept. Here’s the Race Website, so you can poke around for yourself: http://www.iditarod.com/ That info came from somewhere in the “Learn About” tab.
I think the Iron Dog takes more brawn (testerone) , and the Iditarod takes more brains, courage, and heart.
The Iditarod is based on delivering serum to save people’s lives.
Oops, sorry about that double post. Not sure what happened, as I was trying to fix the spacing and must have hit some key combination that was the equiv. of “submit comment”… Having one of those days. It’s a good thing i’m not trying to run that race today, or my dogs would have dumped me off the sled and headed to Nome on their own by now!
AKM thanks for such a wonder post on the Iditarod! It is probably one of the few sports I find totally fasinating. Working with shelter dogs as I do each Saturday, I have learned over the past four years how much dogs give us as human beings, and ask for so little in return. Awesome!! Will have to check the site later today at home.
Thank you AKM! This is the bright spot of winter that I always look forward to – and it signals the coming of spring for me (also, too). I was a dog handler for a mid distance race quite a few years back when I lived up north, and attended as many race starts as I could fit in. There is NOTHING in the world like this – to be there in person, esp. behind the scenes with the dogs, tops almost every experience of my lifetime. I met Jeff King, Martin Buser, Libby Riddles, Rick Swenson, Susan Butcher, Rick Mackey and many more. I was star struck literally! And there are big names in race groupies hanging out, too – John Van Zyle and tons more. This is when Alaska brings out the best in all of us. It’s just too amazing for words.
Thank you – I’m crying just thinking of the memories. This is the first time I’ve been proud and excited to be an Alaskan again since September – you made my day!
This is totally OT, but I saw this on Huffington Post this morning – “By any sane account, Rush Limbaugh is dead weight when it comes to finding a solution to anything. Like Sarah Palin, his spiritual bride, he lurks in the shadow of the human psyche, expressing the dark anger, resentment, jealousy, and vindictiveness that society can never escape.” It’s from a blog by Deepak Chopra http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/rush-limbaugh-icon-of-ant_b_172900.html
There is a beautiful children’s book dedicated to the Iditarod … I chose the book as a staff pick at my library. The illustrations are exquisitely painted (“museum-quality” as one reviewer points out) and — it seems to me as an Outsider — convey the depth of excitement and dedication generated by this amazing race full of heart. The book itself is entitled “Akiak” by author/illustrator Robert J. Blake.
Hopefully this link will go through: http://tinyurl.com/iditarodbook
@InJuneau
@Polly
Thank you so much. That’s exactly the information I wanted!
Hi Formereaglerivergal-thanks for the info on the poodles-kisses and carrots to yourDWB from my DWB S.Somebody!
You saw the poodle team?
People think I’m joking when I say a team of standard poodles ran the Iditarod. They didn’t win, but they finished.
I believe the guy that ran them did it to prove that standard poodles are not sissy dogs. And they’re not. They’re working dogs. That is how they are classed in dog shows. They are water dogs. Let their hair grow and put those little booties on their feet and they are good to go.
I really wish I could see some pictures of that poodle team.
And thanks for all of the links. I’ll share them with my Mother who has become interested in following the Iditarod from here in So. Cal.
Poodle link: John Suter
http://home.gci.net/~poodlesleddog/
The mushers that were around at this time shook their heads at John – the poodle coats couldn’t handle the cold – they have no undercoat. He was not well supported in mushing circles (mushing circles?).
I HIGHLY recommend reading Libby Riddles’ “Race Across Alaska” if you haven’t read it. It is absolutely fascinating and informative – and written to entertain as well. Those race days are gone, when a “nobody” could enter the race and stand a chance without a ton of sponsors and a huge kennel, but it will give you a real feel for the race. Libby sort of got pushed into the race when her well known mushing boyfriend couldn’t go and set off a chain of events, in addition to her courage, that made for an amazing race finish which rocked the world.
On the final leg – the advice given to her by Gabe Takak as she left Shaktoolik sealed her place in history as the first woman to win the Iditarod. I had the wonderful experience of meeting Gabe’s grandson when I ran the Teen Center in Seward. Soft spoken and filled w/ humor – this grandson “adopted” me as one of the family and showed his appreciation by bringing me STINK EGGS. Now these are completely horrible if you haven’t grown up with them – but I felt so blessed (with a clothespin on my nose) that I froze the stink eggs as a souvenir.
In my mind, I’m related to this incredible native family in Shaktoolik, even though they probably have long forgotten me by now!
I usually volunteer at the start and restart of the Iditarod each year, but sadly had to stay home this year as I am 6 months pregnant. I have the fever. And am on the Iditarod.com website tracking all my favorites every hour.
Go Lance! Go Ailey, Go Linwood!, Go Dee Dee! Go Martin, and Aaron! You mushers rock!
I remember seeing those poodles race. Poodles don’t have fur, they have HAIR. And they were completely wrong for the race. They can freeze!
Also Alaskan sled dogs are the only “breed” bred for performance, not physical characteristics. They are made up of many different breeds and will never be officially recognized as a breed. There are a few racers who race with purebred SIberian Huskies, but they are never as fast or tough as the Alaskan sled dogs.
My favorite book is “My lead dog is a Lesbian”. Very funny and wonderful story about trying to become both an Alaskan and a musher.
I find it offensive that the word “dog” is even used in the Ironing Dog race. They should change the name to “Waste Gas Across Alaska”. Wannabes.
No way, no how am I even going to give a thought to the moron in office while this race is going on. There, I’m done.
OUTTA RESPECT FOR YOU – Martha Unalaska Yard Sign, I’ll keep my GINO rant till next time….can I just mention the Religious Right, right quick…LOL
@ Kmart Palin Blue Lite Special
GINO what? Never heard of it. Thanks for not mentioning IT!
I LOVE the Iditarod! Sled dogs are amazing! I remember our first winter in Alaska – going down to Anchorage for the ceremonial start. It was a chilly (ha ha!!) day in March, but the sky was as clear as cold (um, could) be, and the snow-covered mountains were breath-taking (or was that the cold wind that was breath-taking?). It was the first day that my then 4 1/2 yr. old son said he was cold! We had much colder days earlier in the winter, but of course, he wasn’t just standing around on those days. We also enjoyed watching some sprint races earlier in the winter in downtown Anchorage. Those dogs can really go fast!
There’s a great children’s book on the Iditarod called “Kiana’s Iditarod”. Can’t recall the author – oh, I’ll google it – Shelley Gill is the author. She writes some great kids books about Alaska. I heartily recommend them! Many of them are beautifully illustrated by Shannon Cartwright.
As a Floridian, I am just wondering – that ironing dog race – is that the frozen equivalent to Nascar?
Anyone ever see the RRover rallies in Europe?
But back to the dogs. Keeping my fingers crossed for the pups as they head towards Nome. . . .at least with the Iditarod, the humans are out there racing with the dogs. . . as opposed to the greyhound racing industry. . . .sigh
The ever-changing standings are due in part to the leapfrogging that occurs as teams take their rests. Some teams take rest time at checkpoints, while other mushers may camp on the trail. The official standing is based on the order they arrive and depart the checkpoints.
Since they left the start line at 2-minute intervals, some have a slight advantage for the moment, but that will be adjusted wherever each takes the mandatory 24-hr layover (those that started earliest will be held extra time to achieve the balance of everyone being on the trail an equal amount of time).
Standing will become even more confusing as some begin to declare their mandatory layovers, while others have not. 24-hr is musher’s choice of any checkpoint, 8-hr is choice of any checkpoint on the Yukon, I think. Choosing the best run/sleep cycles for one’s team is a major part of the strategy of this race.
Scientists have gained a wealth of knowledge by studying these great athletes over the years. Best wishes to all on the trail! You are all winners.
Thanks for all of the information from you knowledgeable mudpups- I have been following the race, and it is fascinating. Sort of related: I tried skijoring at the Gold Run Nordic Center in Breckenridge- definitely need lots of lessons:-) Made me admire all who are running the Iditarod, including several from my state. Go doggies go!
Should add that since each team now carries a GPS, officials can tell if the order has changed between checkpoints, which may account for differing news accounts. However, if you look at race standings at iditarod.com, you will see the order based on times in and out of checkpoints. The order of arrival in Nome is the only one that really counts.
NEWS FLASH..Alaskan Public radio progrma on NPR right now:
3.30 pm Cdenral. Ann S. speaking now and Vic..
‘they organizied food drives,…. bloggers got the word out…lots of people in their
pjs……….
OT re NPR…it was on All things considered, and pretty short, but last 2 sentences
are SP’s suggestion that people may need to leave the villages,….”and that created a log of objections, that people have lived there for thousands of years…..”
OT!! (when am I ever on topic?? LOL)
Grr mean ol’ spam filter ate my post
Another village in need!!
I adopted another village and am helping them get their food/fuel drive started.
Details:
Alakanuk (the village between Nunam Iqua and Emmonak that I passed in my shopping story)
Pronounced: uh Luck uh Nuck
Pop: 700 +
Households: 154
Food donations can be sent to:
Alakanuk Food Drive
c/o Alakanuk Traditional Council
P.O. Box 149
Alakanuk, AK 99554
Posting this will do another post trying to avoid the spam filter LOL
part 2
Fuel Donations can be made two ways:
Credit Card donations can be made by calling:
Mike James, City Administrator
grr I think it’s the phone number thats throwing these into spam so call area code 907 then the rest of the phone number is 238 followed by 3313
hee hee sorry spam filter doesn’t like me today
Checks can be sent payable to:
City of Alakanuk
to the above address.
Quyana Mudpups for your help. Any questions contact me @ nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com
Quyana Again,
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
LOL there I got around the mean ol’ spam filter
Quyana Again Mudpups!
Ann
…so I just figured out that the IRON part of the ironDOG applies to the snow machines….[kinda slow - but once I catch on...WATCH OUT]
OOPS apologies for mentioning the unmentionable one in midst of the race info.
I was so excitied to hear the intro using the AnonomousBlogger words that I wanted to share it….
Back to the race…
This is kind of cool – you can see the Iditarod (southern route this year) checkpoints and destination in relation to Ann S’s village, the new adopted village Alakanuk, and Emmonak (Nick Tucker’s village). Nome is shown on the coast under the big red 39T label, and Nunam Iqua on the coast far left of the little red 6C label. You have to zoom in of course – 125% works great.
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/maps/districts/dist39.pdf
The mean spam filter doesn’t like two links per post, so here is the link to the 2009 route with checkpoints:
http://www.iditarod.com/race/route.html
HI Ann! How do you like the way I tied in rural AK to the Iditarod? LOL! Ever pushing your cause…
I meant YOUR part of rural AK! I hope the villages to your east are faring OK this winter.
OT But how fun is THIS????
Katie Couric has won a Cronkite Award for her revealing, multi-part interview of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
The Cronkite Awards have been presented biannually by the USC Annenberg School for Communication, in honor of CBS News legend Walter Cronkite, since 2000.
Couric won her award in the category “Special Achievement for National Impact on the 2008 Campaign.” In the awards announcement, judges called Couric’s interview with Palin a “defining moment in the 2008 presidential campaign,” and described it as “extraordinary, persistent and detailed.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/10/katie-courics-sarah-palin_n_173661.html
*silently thanks Katie Couric*
GOOOOOOOOOO MUSHERS!!!!!!!!!!
@ Paula
Hey Sa-Rah!! How do like them apples? That “gotcha” journalist who thinks “she is the center of the world” whipped your superficial, lyin’ hide and won a Cronkite Award for doing it!!
—————-
May all the booties stay on the mush puppies during the race. They’re the real iron dogs!
OT – but what a topic!
I just got home from work and saw that Cronkite Award thing! How freakin’ cool is that!
..somebody is now spittin’ nails, you betcha.
NPR audio on rural AK: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101669755 (haven’t listened yet, so no comment on whether it differs from the APRN broadcast).
@Martha Unalaska Yard SignNo Gravatar (10:23:39) :
I find it offensive that the word “dog” is even used in the Ironing Dog race. They should change the name to “Waste Gas Across Alaska”. Wannabes.
————————————————————-
I completely agree….The Iron other thing has nothing to do with dogs at all. It should be renamed something else. It is just a way for rich guys to feel macho. If they had wanted to feel like hero’s they should have used those machines to deliver food to the people that needed it.
Yeah, iron dog is a stupid “nickname” for those things, but that’s what they get called, due to their having replaced real dogs and sleds for critical transportation needs. I’m all for them as an essential transportation methods (for Ann, for instance), but the whole race thing is just stupid. SO glad I don’t have to live near that source of testosterone poisoning.
There’s also a kids’ book by Susan Butcher and Dave Monson (her husband/widower), illustrated by Sarah Douglas, titled “Granite”. It’s about her greatest lead dog. You can find in on Amazon if you’re looking for it.
@tigerwine
Thanks for the info on Jeff King! When we visited Alaska we visited his place. My son still remembers it — he was only 8 and super impressed!