While in Valdez for our RV adventure, we spent a whole day taking in the Alaska aviation experience at the 2008 May Day Fly-In. This event is truly a unique experience for the pilots and fans of bush flying and real Alaska aviation. Pilots fly in from all around the country, pitch a tent under their wings and spend a weekend enjoying beach landings, flour bombing and STOL competitions. If you’re into flying at all, this is a must see event!
Hope you enjoy this sampling of “kites on wheels”! -Kevin
This is the first year out of three years that I’m not chasing the Iditarod Sled Dog race! It’s a mix of emotions because part of me is enjoying the break from it all, another part of me is really missing being part of it.
We had a blast at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race! It was total chaos downtown, and I think most people felt the same way… There wasn’t one volunteer of Iditarod that didn’t look like they were split fifty different ways! There is much beauty in total chaos though and for better or worse everyone’s heart is behind making this all happen.
Sure I saw familiar faces - but - one would probably say it’s impossible to recognize a dogs face in a crowd of thousands! Yes, I had several sentimental moments seeing familiar dogs returning to the race with the same go enthusiasm!
One amazing thing happened to me while interviewing my good friend during Rick Holt. A moment of clarity struck me! What I REALLY was going to miss about covering Iditarod for 2008 is the people, the dogs, and great and engaging conversations out on the trail that never make it to print, tv, or online video.
So I decided to scrap my plans of talking race strategy, stats, and season training and gear it all to real conversation. I believe there is much more value in this… but I could be wrong.
In my opinion - I can’t help feel media professionals (generally speaking) are stuck in a cut and paste mode! In regards to Iditarod the stories are the same year-in and year-out in just different variations. Supporting that thought - If I think back to a conversation I had with 2007 Iditarod champion Lance Mackey in Unalakleet - He said: “Sometimes I wonder how many shots they can take of the same thing?” - He’s more than right, he’s dead on!
I digress…
I will miss the faces of mushing, which make this sport a celebrated part of Alaska culture. There are few sports or events in Alaska that can bring us all together as a celebrated community in a very unique corner of the world - Iditarod is one of them.
We can’t stop change though, and I understand the Iditarod is becoming the Indianapolis 500 of sled dog racing. However, we can still make this sport more about the the people and communities that made it what it used to be.
In sum: It took being removed from mushing this year to gain a new fresh perspective in how I can share this race.
