Black Spruce Dog Sledding

Iditarod 2025: New Trail Preview

Due to a warm winter, the trail for the 2025 Iditarod will be different than in previous years. Instead of its traditional start in Willow, just north of Anchorage, the Iditarod will start in Fairbanks, and will run mostly on frozen rivers. It will also be the longest Iditarod in the race’s 50+ year history. […]

Kennel Update – January 20, 2025

It’s been a weird weather year in much of Alaska. While Fairbanks has enjoyed a relatively mild yet not-too-warm winter, points south and west of here have rivers and lakes that are yet to freeze as of mid-January. The Kuskokwim 300 in Bethel has been pushed back by one week, and may not run at […]

a close up of a light house at night

Exploring Fairbanks, Alaska: Seasonal Activities for Every Kind of Traveler

Fairbanks offers visitors a chance to experience the raw beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and a range of activities perfect for nearly every season. Whether you’re seeking thrilling outdoor adventures, serene nature exploration, cultural insights, or unique dining experiences, Fairbanks has it all. Let’s dive into the top things to do in Fairbanks throughout the […]

KattiJo’s 2020 Copper Basin 300

This post was originally published in 2020, following my first Copper Basin 300. That was my first 300 mile race; also my first solo race (without Jeff on the trail with me). And it was my second qualifying race for the Iditarod. In the 5 years since then, I’ve completed a second Copper Basin, two […]

To Marilyn, From Owl

Dear Marilyn, It’s me, Owl, writing to you as I always have, to share all the latest news from the trail. Even though you’re no longer with us, I wanted to send you this letter, because I know you’d still love to hear about how things are going. This season, I’ve been finding joy in […]

Eddie Vedder et al. that are standing in the snow

Jeff’s Iditarod-2022

The Ceremonial Start was absolutely fantastic! After missing this event in ’21 with Covid, mushers and fans were thrilled to be back running through Anchorage. AND, we had a blizzard! The snow dumped on us, starting at about 8 AM, and producing almost 8 inches of snow by 1PM. Some good friends and family showed […]