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The
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is known
as "The Last Great Race on Earth",
a test of man and dog that passes through
1,150 miles of the roughest, most beautiful
terrain Mother Nature has to offer,
from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. While
you may never experience the challenge
of blinding darkness, sub-zero temperatures,
half-frozen rivers, and desolate tundra,
you can meet some of the hardy Alaskans
who have. Take a tour of Sun
Dog Kennel, home of World Champion
sprint musher Kathleen Holden, three-time
Iditarod musher Jerry Sousa, and their
dogs.
Your tour begins at the little
log office in downtown Talkeetna, with
a short, narrated bus trip describing
the history of Talkeetna and sled dog
racing. Visit an authentic Alaskan
log cabin, watch a brief video on the
Iditarod, meet the friendly dogs, and
see a demonstration of sled harnessing
and mushing preparation. Learn about
the winter training program required
to get these dogs ready for "The Last
Great Race," held annually each March.
Opt
for a four-mile sled dog ride on
local trails through some beautiful
and peaceful scenery, using a 6-passenger
wheeled cart. There are about 50
dogs in the kennel, and between 12
and 16 dogs help to pull the cart
while your musher-guide drives from
behind. The dogs pull their load
(around 1,800 pounds!) at speeds
of 10-12 miles per hour, and they
take off faster after each stop.
It's a wild but safe ride, and you'll
really feel the power harnessed in
these well-trained athletes.
Everyone
gets a chance to meet and play with
the kennel's future champions, the
puppies. By taking part in this tour,
you'll be strengthening Sun Dog Kennel
as a major contender in future Iditarod
races. In 2004, Jerry and his team
placed 16th out of a field of 87.
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