June 14, 2014 It's Flag Day! The Fun has Begun (Big Bear RV Camp, Palmer, AK)

It took some time to get organized and ready to leave Anchorage this morning.

Glen drove Jeff to the rental business to have his driver's license copied for the file.  Jeff was officially approved to drive.

The teens all showered and were dressed and ready for breakfast when Glen, Jeff, and Trisha returned.

Denny's prepared breakfast for the group.  Oh, my, it takes a lot to fill those teens' up.

Natalie is an organizer and had the RV ready to roll.  All suitcases were unpacked and put away.  The first stop was Fred Meyer store.  Think upscale (from Wal Mart) hardware/jewelry/grocery/floral/furniture under one roof.  

No one will now starve while traveling.

The first stop was the Ididaroid Race Headquarters near Wasilla, Alaska.  We watched an informative film on the care of the dogs.  The race covers 1042 miles.  This past March the winds reached hurricane speeds.  The winds blew over the dogs, rolled the sleds.  Still it only took 8 plus days to complete the race.

Brady, Tanner, Natalie, Landon

Natalie and Landon holding future racing dogs.

Brady with his choice of the litter.

Tanner with his favorite pup.

The four teens in a wagon being pulled by dogs that participated in the 2014 race.

Trisha, Jeff, Gayla and Glen.

 The guide in the wagon is the son of the gentleman that started the Ididitroid Race.   The guide has 90 dogs of his own.  He has two sons that participate in the race.  One son finished eighth this year.

Gayla feeding grass to one of the momma musk ox.

Natalie.

Glen with some of the yearlings.

Brady at the yearling pen.

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This is Maggie, born this past September.

Musk oxen became extinct in the 1830's when they were shot for food for the whaling ships that came to the Alaskan coast.  They were re-introduced in the 1960's to the wilderness region of northern Alaska.  There are now over 5000 in the wild.

Employees of this farm domesticate these animals in order to harvest the under layer of quivet..  Quivet is 8 times warmer than wool, non-allergenic, never wears out.  After being cleaned it is sent to a network of Native American women in the far away regions who need to earn cash in order to provide food and essentials to their family.  The musk ox is only combed twice a year to harvest the under layer.  A pound of quivet equals three miles of yarn which produces ten scarves  The scarves, hats, gloves, afghans bring a premium price.  

The change in time zones have caught up with the other family.  They are preparing for sleep.  Tomorrow we travel only 80 miles to the town of Talkeetna.