I started the day by meeting Dan Seavey, one of the founders of the Iditarod race over 45 years ago. He was selling and autographing his book, The First Great Race. Back in the '70s, dog sledding was on the decline because of alternative transportation via snow machine and airplane technology evolution that would allow planes to operate in a wider range of conditions. I haven't gotten far into the book, but he says he compares "then and now" in the race to show how things have changed, as well as mushing in general. I realize the book (as any auto-biographical work can be!) is slanted to his "dynasty," but I'm looking forward to reading it. Dan Seavey and his wife moved to Alaska from Minnesota in 1963, and then was one of the founding members ... read more

I've met a few more volunteers today, and got my outer wear from a rental place. It's an interesting concept...this couple started renting outdoor equipment like skis and snowshoes, and branched into renting outerwear as well. I'm sure I paid for about half of an entire outfit by renting, but I know I'm getting stuff that will keep me warm. Plus I didn't have to lug all that stuff up here! If I come back another year, I'll know better what I should purchase, but especially this first time it seems a great way to do this. Michelle made a couple trips and brought different sizes of pants and a jacket, as well as a balaclava, several pairs of mittens, gloves, and liners, several hats, a couple extra fleece shirts, and boots! She has also been ... read more

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History displays Balto in a glass case with a plaque to mark his contribution to history...but I had forgotten his Cleveland connection! In 1925, nationwide radio and newspaper coverage reported the news of the anti-toxin delivery; in Nome, mushers and teams were celebrated for their record-breaking 5-day journey through raging storms, frigid temperatures, and whiteout blizzards. Though each of the 20 mushers received a small wage and a citation from the governor of the territory, it was the team on the final leg that garnered most of the public glory. Understandably, there was some anger from other mushers, particularly Leonhard Seppala, a premier musher of the day, whose team had run a much longer and more dangerous leg. In addition to the team he drove for his leg of the delivery, ... read more

I'm excited to be planning my trip. I have several volunteer jobs lined up for the duration. Though I want to get as varied an experience as I can, I know I'll have time to play, too! The main job I'll be doing there is working with the Communications Team. I don't know the details yet, but as I understand it, we will be the information repository for the race. That job will start for me on Monday, the day after the official start of the Iditarod. We will be collecting and sharing data from the checkpoints, entering it into spreadsheets, issuing reports, and certainly more activities. Before the race, I have a short stint at the Registration Desk on one of the evenings, helping mushers and volunteers check in for the week, and will be ... read more