Dreams not of just the glory of winning the race, but of what was and what can be done when a team of 16 dogs and one musher take on all the Alaska bush can throw at them - with the goal just to cross under the the Burl Arch in Nome with all dogs healthy,
A bond not often seen in todays "It's all about ME" society of taking the easy way to a goal of personal glory and 15 minutes of famce reached by doing as little as possible.
That is NOT the mushing life style - it literally is a life style. Whether it be the 1000 mile races or the 4 team 'snall' races and every length between., We fans are watching the Irod, but many of us are as closely following 4, 6, 10 and 12 dog races being run distances from 5 miles to 1000 miles. Each race is a victory of that dream.
This is the perfect theme song for the start of the race today - written and recorded by Eskie deom Norway (Dog lsedding is truly an international sport)
The words to the song are:
Come gather young huskies
it's high time you learn
'bout a placed called the Dazell Gorge
and the Farewell Burn.
I've raised you as sled dogs
I hope I didn't fail
'cause we're going to run
the Iditarod Trail.
Chorus:
And we'll march day and night,
gonna need all your power.
Alaska can be brutal
in the wee morning hour.
Now tell me young leader,
are you're mind set on home?
Please erase that good memory,
we're going to Nome.
The trail may seem endless,
so I'll sing you this song.
To keep you remembering:
it's a thousand miles long.
Chorus
The winds will keep howling.
The trail can be slow.
25 below zero.
Yukon River overflow.
The coast wears you down,
it's a long gruelling test.
Just remember in White Mountain
You'll get 8 hours rest.
Chorus
The trail may seem endless,
so I'll sing you this song.
To keep you remembering:
it's a thousand miles long.
Then at last it is over,
The nine days in March.
When we get to Nome city
and cross under the arch.
Chorus x2
God speed, fair roads and perfect trails to all out there- where ever yu are running throughout the word.
