Helping Hands

* *DISCLAIMER* * Dog mushing will not be mentioned in this post . . . except for that once.

There are many reasons why I love the state of Alaska. Here are a few:

Things are bigger in Alaska. Now I'm not talking hair or cowboy boots, but mountains, rivers, fields, fish, vegetables, etc. - anything that is testament to God's breathtaking beauty.

Adventure. There's always a thrill here in Alaska and if it has to do with the outdoors, you can do it here and to the extreme if you so desire.

The people. This is the most important reason why I love this state. Alaska is the largest state in terms of area, but has one of the smallest populations, so "cities" and towns are spread out all over and the distance between them is vast. This does not matter in the least. Once you've made a friend, you're friends for life. There are so many places I can go in this state and have a welcoming face ready and willing to take me in or help me out. Hospitality comes so easily to people here in the great white north and it's something I appreciate and try to imitate. 

I bring this up because one person, Karen Erickson, is proving once again how wonderful and accommodating Alaskans can be. Moving out to Unalakleet is no easy task. It's not like I can stuff everything into my car and drive myself, my pup, and all my belongings to that wonderful little village. No. The only way in and out is by plane. This means everything must be shipped, which can get VERY pricey.

This is where Karen comes in. Karen is from Unalakleet. She flew into Anchorage with her son, Donald, the other day. They checked no baggage. Karen called me with an offer I couldn't refuse: to take a few of my boxes as her baggage back out to Unalakleet. Let me rephrase that: Karen and Donald offered to take FOUR of my boxes out to Unalakleet. All my winter gear and some food and apartment items will make it to my little home in Unalakleet FREE. That's close to 190 lbs. of gear and needed essentials!

Needless to say, I am incredibly thankful for God's provision, blessings, and amazing people and friends he has brought into my life up here.

Continuing a dream

As many of my friends and family know - I love dogs.

Since being in Alaska, God has blessed me with a multitude of exciting and life-enriching experiences; one of those being dog mushing. I always knew I would find a way to surround myself with those of the canine persuasion and Alaska has provided that opportunity. Dog mushing it is.

My first time on the runners behind a team of dogs was at the Easter Sunday sled dog races four years ago when I was living in Unalakleet, Alaska. I had three dogs, crashed into another team, and I pushed the sled more than those three dogs pulled it. Still, I was hooked.

A couple winters later I started working part-time for DeeDee Jonrowe, an Iditarod musher. This is where I learned of the basics of mushing, sled dog care, training, the scooping of copious amounts of dog poop, and my love for all that has to do with mushing.

I took a year off from the winter sport to pursue career possibilities, but I soon discovered I had the mushing itch and there's no cure for that kind of itch except to scratch it.

I now will be returning to where I first discovered my love for mushing to deepen my knowledge and experience of the sport. Come October, Unalakleet will once again be called home by yours truly to work for a local musher, Middy Johnson. This time I will be training dogs full-time and participating in local races.

I'm starting this blog to share my experiences of mushing in the great white north with friends and family.

Enjoy!