Dog Gone Good Days

Palmer, Alaska
Elk's Lodge RV 



The rain stopped but it was still cloudy today but cool. We drove a short distance to Wasilla to visit Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters.

I didn't expect such beautiful grounds and building for a place with free admission.  

Joe Redinton, Sr. was the driving force in the creation of The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1973.  Joe had an interest in the old mail and supply route which led to it being declared a National Historic Trail.


When we entered the building we were told that they had just started a video about dog sledding.  It was a great video and explained so much about the dogs.  

Did you know they are not taught to pull a sled.  They love to run which was proven to us when we took the sled ride.  

They also need 10,000 calories a day which relates to 50 Big Macs.  I'm glad I don't have that kind of food bill.  

All along the checkpoints of the race, every dog is checked by a vet.  They do use a protector for their paws on all dogs.  

These dogs are bred to run.  They are not  purebred huskies.  

The room was filed with trophies, photos, and displays.  Of course Bill loved these.  

These were commemorative pieces for the Iditarod Trail.









After touring the small museum we were invited to go out to see the puppies.  

We had so much fun with the puppies, I didn't even ask how old they were.

They were very energetic but Bill wouldn't let me take one home.

When we put them back in the kennel they all played with each other.

One of the things on my Alaska bucket list was to ride on a sled.  For a mere $10.00 we could ride on a "summer sled". 

Here we are on the "sled" waiting for the ride.

One of the employees wanted to know if we wanted photos and she took the camera and started at the head of the team.....

and took photos of all the dogs.  

They were pulling on the lines wanting to run.

One of the other dogs was wanting to run so badly, they brought him over and switched out another dog.

Can you see this white dog up on his hind legs trying to run before the sled is ready to go?

The ride was almost scary  the dogs ran so fast.

I told Bill it would be a lot easier if we had some dogs to pull this sled.

Harry wait!  We'll go get Boo and see if she can pull the sled.

I did bring a dog home.

We had coupons for buy one get one free admission for the Transportation Museum.  We drove by and said it looked like a junk yard.  We voted--4 votes to 0 to forget it.



Wasilla had their farmer's market today so we stopped.  No matter how much I wanted a tomato I wasn't paying $5.00 for one.  

This was a big  curly thing of a potato.







We made a stop at Sportsmen's Warehouse. Bill needs some new hikers but he didn't find anything he liked.

One more stop at Walmart and then I headed the truck back to the Elk's.  I forgot all about stopping at the Mat Su Visitor Center again.  

Right before I finished this blog, we had company. Roger and Sharon Hime are in Palmer and stopped by on their way back from Anchorage.

Sharon's sister, Janice and husband Robin were with them.  Harry and Carlena came over too, so we had a full house.  I know I took a picture of Robin and Janice, but couldn't find it on my camera.  I'll get one tomorrow when we see them at the Reindeer Farm.

Turtle Safely.......