Iditarod 2013 (Unalakleet, McGrath: low income, income, money)

[naturesdreams]

Well just a "virtual" side liner here... love to watch the reviews, reports and comments... will get there to watch live someday soon...

[Magic Qwan]

I'm stuck in Louisiana where summer (almost) never ends and we have only eating contests this time of year.

I'll spectate this race at a distance, though.

I've always been drawn to the Iditarod despite never having been even close to a sled or heavy winter clothes.

[sterling53]

Hi mr rance whats naptowne ak like big small main work where located in state whats your ocupation lf l might asks closest big town ect.

[Rance]

Naptowne is the old timey name of my community. It has since been re-named Sterling. Back in the late 50's I think it was they did that. It hosts 5 or 6 thousand folks that are spread out over a 10 mile long by 2 or 3 mile wide radius. It's 10 miles to the town of Soldotna and seems everyone calls that 10 mile stretch "Sterling", when in reality the real Sterling is maybe strung out for 3 or 4 miles along the one highway we have. We do have a gas station, a bar, a liquor store, a post office, 2 auto parts stores, a pizza place, a restraunt, a couple campgrounds with boat launches, a bridge, an Elementary School, a laundromat, and a fire station. It's nestled amongst two rivers (Kenai and Moose Rivers) and for the most part is a great community. I grew up here and the wife and I still have a house here, although we have a business in Eagle River that the Mrs owns and operates...so we also have an apartment in Anchorage.

Sterling is the one access to Swanson River Oilfield, which is where oil was discovered in Alaska back in 1957. I am currently working in the Swanson Field as a Drilling Foreman. Other occupations in this community consist of construction, guide service for fishing, at the local business', or many others work on the northslope, or drive the 10 miles to Soldotna or 20 miles to Kenai for work. Anchorage is approx 2 1/2 hour drive from Sterling, and that is the biggest town of all.

[sterling53]

Looked up your town on google maps . I love google earth and maps, you must have hundreds of lakes north of you, also several huge ones south eastward. Looks like state of minnesota land of 10,000 lakes. What date does the iditarod start?

[Rance]

Lot's of lakes in this area. Big and small. I do not know when the Iditarod starts.

[1stimestar]

Iditarod - Last Great Race on Earth®

[Magic Qwan]

This is going to be exciting. It starts exactly one week before my birthday.

[Rance]

5 Mushers from the Peninsula running this year I think. Fingers crossed one of them smokes the field to the finish line!

[sassymama66]

I am always partial to Jeff & Dee Dee - they finished 1 & 2 my first year in Alaska. I did like the look of Telpin's dogs yesterday - they were beautiful. Interesting to see how they hold up. Looking forward to being back up there next year for the start.