My Sled Dog Ride in Willow, AK (7 pics)

17 years ago

I haven't finished going through all of my Iditarod race photos but I have prepared some photos of the day I went on an 8 mile sled dog ride in a most beautiful area.

We went to the Dream a Dream kennels of 14 time Iditarod musher Vern Halter. Vern is a friendly, very approachable man with lots of smiles and love for his 70+ dogs.

We sledded in Willow, AK, just outside Wasilla. It had snowed heavily the night before leaving a bright, beautiful, sugary winter wonderland. The likes of which this Southern California gal has never seen.

This is Vern telling us (a group of 11) about how to pack and prepare to run an Iditarod.

This is Vern's kennel.

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This is where we rode in Willow, AK just outside Wasilla.

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This is Vern and I and his Boarder Collie Jessie. Vern had loaned me his suit and other gear that he wore in one of the Iditarod's he raced.

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My view as I was sitting in the sled's front basket. I sat in it for 1 mile of the 8 mile ride.

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This was taken while I was standing on the back runners of the sled. I did this for 7 miles. It was a blast! I did have to ask the musher to stop so I could take the photo. :-)

{{!gwi}}

Me ... one very happy musher.

{{!gwi}}

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: Vern Halters kennels in Willow, AK

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Comments (32)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Oh Jodi,

I loved the pics and look forward to seeing many more. I imagine that ride was really an exhilarating one!

It looks like you located some good boots after pondering buying them before the trip.

Sue
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
17 years ago
You are just having to much fun Jodi. LOL! Love the outfit.
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Thanks everyone. I was so excited to finally be able to post high quality versions of my videos. I sent the link to kennel Vern Halter. During the week I will post other short videos I created during that trip. Jasdip: the dogs, at least at Vern's kennel are well socialized right from birth and very friendly. They do scrap among each other because each dog has its own hierarchy not only in the canine world but also when pulling sleds. There is always a lead dog with anywhere from 5-15 dogs behind him. The lead dog is an exceptional decision maker and will steer the sled away from thin ice, and other dangers of the trail. The other dogs often struggle to get to a higher rank in the pull line and will jump over each other to the point that all of the harnesses are terribly tangled and it takes several people to get it all straightened out. Nicole: someday I may actually put together a video of live footage I took at the official start of the race. You can feel and hear the excitement in the dogs. Nanny: you're probably referring to Jeff King, he's well known in the Iditarod world as a racer, inventor and writer. Cabellas Sporting Goods store carries Jeff King designs. I've read his book Cold Hands, Warm Heart. He is a better musher than writer, but it's still interesting. I have several photos of him and his dogs as they took off from the block at the official start. Ellie: yes, the dogs are incredibly psyched! While waiting to start the race there is a handler for each of the 16 dogs so that they won't take off down the trail without anyone on the sled. Alaska huskies are not a breed per say but a list of attributes that suit the race mentality. They are generally medium size, a good eater (important on the trail to not be finicky), powerful and smart with a drive to run. They come in many colors and points but all have that incredible drive to run in them. Murraysmom: three people are really not that difficult for the dogs. The sled usually has to be weighted down by something to stay solid on the ground as the dogs go wild flying down the trail. The sled I rode on had a basket in front for someone to sit in, a middle area for the kennel's driver and a back area for another rider. I sat in the basket for about an hour when the other person riding with me (who had done this before) offered me her spot on the back rails for the ride of my life. Go back and take a look at how thin the sled rails are. I was amazed, especially because Vern had given me a pair of his cold weather boots (along with his Iditarod jumpsuit and gloves). The boots were big enough for me to wear over my own cold weather boots. Meaning the boots were several times wider than the rails. If anyone wants to get a personal and humorous view of what it's like to train for and race in the Iditarod, I highly recommend Winterdance by Gary Paulsen. He's best known for children's books like Hatchet, but took some time off writing to race the Iditarod. I laughed so hard in parts and was amazed in others by what these racers go through, and particularly Gary who kind of took bonding with his dog to the extreme (and paid for it :-) Jodi-
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casey_nfld
17 years ago
That last picture is breathtaking!!! What a wonderful experience.
czech_chick
17 years ago
Jodi, I enjoyed these pictures so much!

Thanks for posting.

Carol
pattico_gw
17 years ago
The little green boxes...was that where the dogs stayed???

I would hope they could all cuddle together to stay warmer.
maryanntx
17 years ago
Great pictures and what an awesome experience!
glenda_al
17 years ago
Fantastic Jodi!

More more more!
mduncan0614
17 years ago
I have been looking forward to seeing your beautiful pics, thanks for posting. Would love to see more.
grammahony
17 years ago
I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Leslie
Jodi_SoCal
Original Author
17 years ago
Everything you see me wearing (except the gloves) were given to me by Vern Halter to wear during my ride. The suit he wore in one Iditarod when Wells Fargo was his sponsor. The mukluks were huge! I could have fit two of my feet into them! And I'm glad Vern is not a tall man or I would have really swum in his suit.

It was not terribly cold at his place but one never knows what it will be like out in the area where we mushed so to play it safe, Vern made sure I was fully outfitted. He gave me mittens but I never wore them, it was just too darn hot out.

Photos 3, 4 and 7 were taken out on a lake bed where it was expected to be much colder, though it turned out not to be.

Alaskan Huskies (not a breed, just a type of dog bred for speed and endurance) are not indoor dogs. They would be miserable inside because of their metabolism. During dog races, a musher will often not race his dogs or he will stop and rest once the temps climb to 30Â° or above. The dogs will overheat.

Jodi-
webegardnr
17 years ago
The first picture with the dog on the dog house brought back memories of my malamutes. they *loved* the snow! They became indoor dogs in the spring and summer, but in the winter they refused to come in. Your right, their houses are more than warm enough. I'd hate to have to comb out the under coats of 70+ dogs when the weather heats up.
FlamingO in AR
17 years ago
What a beautiful place and great photos, Jodi. Thanks so much for sharing them. I think you've been to AK more than anyone I know! lol

Your ride looks like a total blast!
lindyluwho
17 years ago
You look so cute Jodi. You always take such fun trips. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Linda
kacram
17 years ago
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will you take ME next time?

thank you for sharing!

I hope you are back to feeling well!
missmaggierock
17 years ago
Jodi, Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Looks like so much fun and also lots to learn.

I know Alaska is so dear to you! I'm glad you
got to go.
minnie_tx
17 years ago
How exciting and what a memory!!!
nodakgal
17 years ago
Great pics Jodi!
vicki_lv
17 years ago
Oh Jodi!! I got goosebumps over these pictures! I am envious of you for being able to partake in that. WOW! That is SO cool. And I just love the pictures.

Thank you so much for sharing. I have anxiously waiting to see them.
sable_ca
17 years ago
Great pictures! I hope that you frame the one of you in your musher outfit. Imagine your grandchildren looking at you some day and saying "That's grandma!"

I can't wait to see more photos. I also love Alaska, but have never been there in the winter.
jel48
17 years ago
What a great experience! And your photos are fantastic.
donna_oh
17 years ago
WOW, what an experience!

Donna (^_^)
gemini40
17 years ago
Holy smokes....what fantastic pictures Jodi.. Incredible.
You have an audience just waiting for more when you get a chance.

june
jannie
17 years ago
Thanks for sharing your fantastic photos!
gwanny2three
17 years ago
That would be so fun! Beautiful pics Jodi!
Jasdip
17 years ago
Absolutely stunning pics Jodi!!!
I love the scenery! Everything is so bright and pristine.

Thanks for the new wallpaper! Now if I can only decide which one... :-)
Granlan_TX
17 years ago
Wow, an experience of a lifetime...you lucky lady!

Simply beautiful; I can understand your love of Alaska. :)
hayjud_mn
17 years ago
Your pictures are breathtaking!
Thank you for sharing the experience!
mariend
17 years ago
We had an Alaskan Husky in CA, but lived in the mountains and he really did love winter and snow, but we had to watch summer. He loved to sleep right in from of a swamp cooler and his coat was so thick and fur between the toes. BUT, he was a one person dog, tolerated others and we did have to watch him around small children. He did like his space. He lived until he was almost 17 years old, had arthritis, but our vet gave him the same shot they give race horses once a month and for 3 weeks he felt great then became hurting again.We still miss him.
Kathsgrdn
17 years ago
So, how did you find Vern? And did you just happen to meet him or did you sign up for the ride with some tour company? Sounds like a lot of fun.
kayjones
17 years ago
That must have been a great experience. I was saddened to hear that two of the dogs died - breaks my heart.
Jodi_SoCal
Original Author
17 years ago
Kath, it is very, very difficult to find sled dog rides in the Anchorage/Wasilla area during Iditarod and Fur Rendezvous (another huge event in the same timeframe) time. Just about anyone with sled dogs is either running the race, helping someone who is running the race or a volunteer for the race.

We really lucked out. Found a small company who does custom tours. The owner, Candice, made some phone calls and finagled her way into Vern's very busy day. He's done 14 Iditarods and at 60, is retired from racing but he sponsors other racers. He helps them prepare, loans them dogs, etc. So we got to spend some time at Vern's kennels, check out a sled up close that was all packed for a gal named Nancy Yoshida who was going to race for the first time this year. Unfortunately Nancy took a hard spill on a notoriously dangerous part of the Iditarod trail called The Steps and had to scratch from the race.

So, long story short ... we had a custom tour created for us by Candice at Salmon Berry tours. She's a great gal!

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: Salmon Berry Tours
okwriter
17 years ago
Jodi, I posted on your other recent thread...I've enjoyed your pictures. Thanks for sharing!

My Sled Dog Ride in Willow, AK (7 pics)

Comments (32)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle

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My Sled Dog Ride in Willow, AK (7 pics)

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