The Iditarod!

One of the highlights of our trip to Alaska was a visit to the trail head of the Iditarod dog sled race. This year was the running of the 36th event. We had an opportunity to meet Joe Reddington Jr. who is the son of the co-founder Joe Reddington Sr who passed away in 1999. We got the chance to play with the sled dog pups. At Wasilla, (the trail head) visitors are encouraged to play with the pups and handle the dogs so as to make them familiar with people. Karen just loved those pups. This race is also called the "Last Great Race on Earth". The race covers 1150 miles starting in Anchorage and begins the off road segment in Wasilla. The end of the race is in Nome Alaska. The race is done over a period of 10-17 days depending on conditions. Each sled is pulled by a lead dog with anywhere from 12 to 16 dogs. The race actually began as a supply and mail route to remote sections of the state. Mail and sullies in and gold going out. As whether or not I would participate in such an event it seems highly unlikely given there is no warm beach involved. In the sumer the teams continue to train. The dogs are trained to lay down when they stop running both to rest and conserve heat. This place is worth the visit!