One of the most unusual, and original, extreme sports, "The Iditarod Dog Sled Race" begins in Alaska today.  This race will take the 62 teams over 1,150 miles of some of the roughest and yet most beautiful terrain in the world.  

Beginning in Anchorage (South Central Alaska) the sleds will travel in below freezing temperatures to Nome (Western Bering Sea Coast).  Between 12-16 dogs and their musher will travel this extreme terrain (dense forest, frozen tundra and rivers, and across mountain ranges) in 10-17 days.

The race commemorates a life-saving journey in 1925 when Nome was stricken with a diphtheria epidemic that was killing their town.  Heroes were made when this journey started to bring the serum back that would save this town.  Without those mushers and their loyal, hard-working pack, many more lives would have been lost. 

I admire their dedication and am envious of the view!  Photos are by Jeff Schultz a premier photographer in Alaska.

Sara K. Braden, Beautiful McKinney Homes and Art for All Occasions