Alaska week 1

Wow! Alaska is amazing, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen!! Where to begin?? I guess the plane ride. Just so happens that I sat right next to one of the race officials for the Iditarod on the third leg of the trip. We talked a lot about the certain rules and different things that the mushers are and aren't allowed to do. After that I walked off the plane to Anchorage. It was amazing. I'M IN ALASKA!!! I still can't believe it. After I picked up my suitcases and then performing a whole juggling act with my carry ons, my suit cases and my dog, I met Daniel Seavey. He pulled up and walked towards me. He knew who I was just by looking. I was the only kid with a dog and the only person with shorts on with a foot of snow. We loaded up Cozmo and all of my gear and were off on the long 2 hour drive to Sterling. Its kinda interesting driving past signs that say "Avalanche Zone Don't Stop" and then stopping to let Cozmo use the restroom!! We didn't realize that at the time but... When we got to Sterling I got all of my stuff moved in then went to sleep waiting for the next day. I woke up and was so excited to get started. I was introduced to Scott the DLR, which means Dog Lot Rat. I then met Jake, the kid I am sharing a house with. They immediately got started at work. Mom, I will never complain about picking up after the dogs again after this!!! 200 plus dogs to clean after! That's a lot of work! After that we got the food ready, which for that day was fish, they get full pieces of fish. They love it. I thought I would go deaf it was so loud!!! Then we got our lunch break. During which I met Mitch Seavey!! It was so cool!! I mean Mitch Seavey Iditarod Champion!! Alaskan Sweepstakes Champion!! This is the guy to be with!! He is the nicest guy too, if you have any questions about mushing or anything he will try to help. It is so cool I still can't believe I am here. I then went back to the dog lot to collar some puppies. Those things can move FAST!!! and trying to put collars on the little buggers is almost impossible. I got them on all right and then Daniel came down to the lot and said "Wanna go Mushing?" My reaction "YES!!!!" We hooked up 18 dogs onto the ATV. I thought the lot was loud during feeding time?? I couldn't hear myself think it was incredible. For those of you who don't think it is right to do this, they live to be hooked up. They were more excited now than when there was food involved!! It was amazing when Daniel told me to pull the quick release. I almost fell off the ATV! The power that these dogs have is amazing. We were zipping around corners and flying thru the trees! One of the coolest things I have ever done. Unfortunately it had to end. When I woke up the next day I looked outside to see Bald Eagles! It was really cool to see them all in the wild! Along with seeing moose and winter geese, I have seen so much already that I never would have seen anywhere! That day we picked up some more poop and started to clean dog circles. But as with the day before, Daniel asked that same question "Wanna go mushing?" and I had the same reaction. We went mushing and once again it was awesome! I actually got to drive the four wheeler!! About the next day I was incredibly sore.. taking care of 200 plus dogs is hard work. We harness broke puppies the next few days, which was also very fun. Last night I barely slept. The Northern Lights were so beautiful!! Today we went through and gave all the dogs their medicine, which was fun. But Alaska is amazing!!! I am very happy that I came!!!
Until next time!!