In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life saving highway for epidemic-stricken Nome. Diphtheria threatened and serum had to be brought in; again by intrepid dog mushers and their faithful hard-driving dogs. (ok it was a copy and paste) But I did see the REAL lead dog (stuffed) in honor in a museum in Nome.
It just so happened that Ron was in Nome when the first musher sled team crossed the finish line. It must have been the most exciting sight to see. Ron said they were screaming and yelling and some were making an odd noise. He thinks it may have been a walrus noise??? I have to ask and see if i can find out what it is. And of course, he didn't have a camera. And of course, I wasn't there. sigh.
So the next best thing is the newspaper. Here are some pictures of the winner, his dogs and his family.
From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days. The dogs do not get replaced. If they get hurt or ill, they have to continue without replacing him. Some teams get so small that they cannot finish the race. Really important to train and train their teams to keep them healthy and strong.
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Pretty cool, I read about the winner on the KMBC website
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