Iditarod Musher James Volek at the Finish Line

​I first met James Volek in the summer of 2012 in downtown Juneau.  He caught my eye because he was wearing a snazzy suit and loafers, and I thought to myself, "What is this jewelry salesman doing in a rogue place like the Viking Bar?"  I had to know more. 

C: "So... what do you do for a living?"

J: "I pick up dog poop."​

C: "Pardon?"​

J: "I pick up poop and mush dogs on the glacier."​

​This was intriguing to me.  I had just returned from an epic dog sled tour with Sebastian Schnuelle's Blue Kennels.  I was obsessed with the dog mushing sport, having served four months earlier as an official Iditarod volunteer in Nome.  Not only did I have Iditarod Fever; it was in my blood.

The topic of "Iditarod" naturally came up in our bar room conversation.  James - in his humble yet assured way - said, "Yeah, I'll be in it next year."  I was in awe.  It's not every day you randomly meet a brilliant athlete from a sport of which you are so fond.  I didn't quite believe this suit-clad fella when he admitted he would be an Iditarod contender.  I doubted James' statement until he showed me the two tattered Post-It notes in his wallet, each scribbled with the names of Iditarod checkpoints and the number of miles in between. Then it occurred to me: this Dude is the real deal.

When I saw those Post-It notes, I just knew.  One day, Mountain Man James would finish the Last Great Race on Earth.  And his long-awaited and much deserved moment came when he crossed the Iditarod Finish Line in Nome in the wee-hours of March 17, 2013.  I was so blessed to see my friend's ambitious goal come to fruition.  Congrats, James!  We are all so proud of you!

All smiles.​

James and his legit fur ruff.​

Signing the Final Checkers Report, making the finish official.​

James with his very proud Mom and Aunt.

James with his mentor, four-time Iditarod champion, Martin Buser.

This, folks, is how you properly welcome a friend across the finish line!  I pulled out the St. Pauli Girl dress and topped it off, Alaska-style, with ermine earrings.