{"id":7360,"date":"2020-05-21T11:03:46","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T15:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/?p=7360"},"modified":"2020-06-05T11:47:38","modified_gmt":"2020-06-05T15:47:38","slug":"alaska-dog-mushing-encounter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/alaska-dog-mushing-encounter\/","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Dog Mushing Encounters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Wendy<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The two most famous dog sled races in North America are Alaska\u2019s Iditarod (Anchorage to Nome) and the Yukon Quest (Fairbanks Alaska to Whitehorse in Yukon Canada). When visiting and choosing adventures most people consider an Alaska dog mushing encounter. It is one of the most sought-after Alaskan adventures. Why? It\u2019s unique, it\u2019s available in the coldest regions of our planet, and it incorporates Alaskan tradition, the wilderness, nature, animals, and speed. Plus, tourists can sit back and experience the ride or try driving a sled team. There are only a few places on the planet where one can participate in such an exhilarating experience. Alaska is one such place to go dog mushing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Alaska Dog Mushing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Transportation of people and goods in the frozen Arctic throughout history depended upon sled dogs. They were first used by native people for travel and to pull loads, especially transporting supplies to inaccessible areas. Frozen rivers often served as the travel highways for sled dog loads. Up until the \u201860\u2019s, sled dogs were an integral part of Alaskan life. In 1965, sled dogs were finally fully replaced by planes in delivering mail and getting to remote areas of Alaska. However, today very rural communities in the Arctic use sled dogs for transport \u2013 in Alaska, Greenland, and Canada. Of course, sled dogs are still an integral part of racing sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our 10 weeks in Alaska, we did partake in several Alaskan sled dog-related activities. We learned so much about the interesting history of Alaskan Husky sled dogs and the two famous cross-country, wilderness, and frigid races. It\u2019s fun for a tourist to experience a piece of an exhilarating historic experience – an Alaska dog mushing encounter. Read on to learn more about where you can go dog mushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Iditarod and Yukon Quest?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These races are cross-country long-distance sled dog races. While the Iditarod takes place in Alaska, the Yukon Quest, or better known as the Quest, is an international race from Alaska to the Yukon in Canada. Iditarod is just under 1,000 miles, and the Yukon Quest is 1,000 miles. Both are run in the grueling Arctic winter, and the Yukon Quest is usually colder. Their rules, costs, and prize money differ between the 2 races. Alaska is a great place to learn about these long, frigid adventurous races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iditarod Trail Headquarters and Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To learn about the Iditarod, visit the Iditarod Headquarters and Museum. It is in a quaint log cabin building in Wasilla Alaska near Anchorage. This log cabin represents the home of the Alaskan mushers and is a checkpoint on the Iditarod trail route. The museum educates visitors about the Iditarod. Trophies, Iditarod artifacts, photos of famous mushers, plus a variety of Iditarod memorabilia that speak to the history of the Iditarod fill the museum . You can see videos of Iditarod races, and unusual exhibits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The famous sled dog, Togo, who led a dog team to Nome in 1925 to deliver serum for diphtheria, is on display; this was the inspiration for starting the Iditarod race. In summer, sled dog cart rides are available here. The museum is open all year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting Sled Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Alaska<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tom and I had our first sled dog encounter in Fairbanks Alaska during the Riverboat Discovery trip. This was our introduction to the role sled dogs played in Alaskan life. On the Riverboat, we were lucky to meet David Monson, the owner of Trail Breaker Kennel. David shared some information about the breeding and life of a sled dog. It was all new to us, and the demos by David opened our eyes to the history and present-day sled dog races. Here we also learned about the famous Alaskan Iditarod and the Yukon Quest races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail Breaker Kennels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Alaska<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In talking with David Monson on Riverboat Discovery, he invited us to join a \u2018Backstage Tour\u2019<\/em> at Trail Breaker Kennel<\/a>. Trail Breaker kennel was started in 1976 by Susan Butcher; we enjoyed the experience at Trail Breaker; it was informative, interesting, and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today and for over 40 years, Trail Breaker Kennel is considered a premier championship racing kennel. Trail Breaker Kennel began in Eureka Alaska and now is in Fairbanks; Trail Breaker Kennel is known for excellent dog care and training. In addition to dog care, Trail Breaker Kennel offers the world an opportunity to visit for a look at the mushers and their Alaskan Huskies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are Susan Butcher and David Monson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Susan Butcher, David\u2019s late wife, was the first woman to finish in the Iditarod\u2019s top 10 fifteen times; both David and Susan were pioneers of sled dog racing. She started Trail Breaker Kennel <\/a>in 1976 when she first planned to run the Iditarod. Susan was considered a fearless adventurer who loved the wilderness and her dogs. She won 1st<\/sup> place four times before she retired to start a family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After David began racing in the Iditarod, he and Susan met at Joe Redington Sr.\u2019s kennel (Joe is considered the”father of the Iditarod”). Susan and David married in 1985 and ran Trail Breaker Kennel together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David also placed regularly in the top 10 in the 80’s, and in 1987 he came in second behind Susan in the Iditarod. David won the Yukon Quest in 1988 after coming in second in 1987; the Yukon Quest is an international race, and considered a much tougher race than the Iditarod. Susan and David were the famous Dog Sled Racing Power Couple<\/em> in the 1980’s. Both were honored multiple times at White House events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their lasting contribution to the sport of dog sledding was Susan\u2019s groundbreaking approach to raising and training sled dogs \u2013 \u2018Treat them with love!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Trail Breaker Kennel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The evening that we took David up on a Backstage Pass<\/em> at his historic championship kennel was a gorgeous, perfect night. What first struck us was the scenery on the Chena River. In the evening, before the presentation, we watched a beaver on the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n