Moon Run Kennels in Chugiak, Alaska, is the dream of Jim and Bonnie Foster, who moved from Florida to Alaska in 2003. Jim wrote on their web site for Moon Run Kennels, "In 2001, my wife and I decided we needed to move out of Florida. Bonnie's dog obsession was in full swing by then so considered active mushing communities.
Turned out there's no place better to get involved with dog mushing than Alaska, and as luck would have it, this is where we found a job. On our move up to Alaska on the AlCan we stopped in at Frank Turner's kennel, MukTuk. Bonnie had been communicating with him on the Internet researching Lacy's history. MukTuk was our first introduction to a big racing kennel. We were totally enthralled. I could not imagine a better life than Frank's. And so it started."
From that beginning, that love of sled dogs and the sport of mushing, Jim and Bonnie forged a kennel, which they describe as a dog-dude ranch and retirement center. Anyone who's been to their home knows the description is apt. The dogs are as welcome in their beautiful home as the people who visit, and their furry friends can be found relaxing on sofas and chairs right along with people. The vibe at Moon Run Kennels is relaxed, welcoming, and dog-friendly ("We don't need no stinkin' leashes!"), and the Moon Run kennelmates, whose lineages include dogs from such well-known mushers as Jon Little, Zack Steer, and Frank Turner, among others, are some of the luckiest dogs in Alaska. For several years Jim and Bonnie hosted one of the most popular open-house gatherings before the Iditarod, as top-notch mushers, fans and friends all converged to fill their home with fun, laughter, memories of past races and excitement about the race.
Enter Misha Pedersen, from Prague in the Czech Republic is a 43-year-old dog driver who's been mushing a dozen years. She spent her first two winters in Alaska with Charlie and Robin Boulding and got hooked on mushing, before moving to the state permanently in 2003. She worked five years as a guide for Vern Halter's Dream a Dream Dog Farm in Willow, and for the 2010-2011 season she moved north to Two Rivers and worked for Judy and Devan Currier's Lara-Ke Kennel. Her first race, in 2000, was the Henry Hahn 100. In 2006 she completed the Serum Run, in winter of 2009-10 she completed the Knik 200, the Tustemena 200 and the Klondike 300, finishing sixth in the K-300. Last season, she completed the Sheep Mountain 150 and the Yukon Quest 300, finishing seventh in the latter race.
And now, after traveling nearly 1,000 miles in the toughest sled dog race in the world, she's about to become a Yukon Quest finisher with a team of Alaskan huskies from Moon Run Kennel and Yaks Lair Kennel, owned by Leslie Morrison of Eagle River. On race website, she answered the question, "What do you love most about running sled dogs?" with the reply, "They are like three musketeers, one for all and all for one."
On Feb. 1, the team hit the road for Fairbanks and the Yukon Quest: Bonnie, her son Randy, Misha, and Misha's mother, Jona, along with 15 sled dogs. Staying with friends, they made final preparations for the longer journey ahead.
Bonnie's posts to her Facebook page told the race story in spare but telling detail:
• Feb. 4, 1:41 pm: Dogs looked wonderful taking off. The radio announcer said they were the most enthusiastic looking.
• Feb. 5, 12:54 am: In Two Rivers. Misha and dogs look good. All bedded down
• Feb. 5, 2:33 pm: Misha and the dogs came in earlier than expected. All look good. She will leave about 5:30 p.m.; temps are warm. I have no gloves on. She thought going over Rosebud Summit was easier than she expected.
• Feb. 5, 8:11 pm: Misha is on top of Eagle Summit now. She dropped Boo; was told he had a wrist injury. Not. He is in the back seat of the car sleeping
An 18-hour break in Bonnie's posting happens then. At the top of Eagle Summit, Misha loses a dog from the team. Bonnie's friend Sebastian Schnuelle, a Yukon Quest champion who is blogging the race for fans this year, explains what happens:
"On another table is Misha Peterson. Heartbroken, still missing one of her dogs, which has been seen up and down the trail between Mile 101 and Central. For any animal rights people crying now…., put it in perspective, house dogs turn loose to… its not a big deal and they will be reunited soon. But for Misha this means most likely to be out of the race. Another full year of training might be coming to a premature end. In this case, it´s hitting very close to home for me as Bonnie and Jim, who own the team are good friends of mine. It reminds me of my 1999 Quest attempt, where things were looking bleak in Central, and led me to ultimately scratch in Circle. Scratching is a very emotional thing. At the time I felt left out, left behind. All my friends where heading down the trail. Each checkpoint has a very distinct feel, once the mushers are gone. The high-flying vibe is gone. It´s very quite all for sudden. People are busy with cleanup. But no more energetic dogs lunging and screaming to go. And then…. a few minutes later. Somebody coming in the checkpoint screaming: THEY GOT THE DOG. And not only did they get the dog, another Musher, Ed Abrahamson, a Quest 300 musher got the dog. He came into the checkpoint with the dog, named Riot, in the team. That's a best-case scenario….. no outside assistance, no help! And Misha should be good to go and continue. Ed had quite the story to tell, with him driving a nice team of 11 big males…. And what do 11 big males do, when they see a female. They go chase….. and the chase was on, off the trail, on the trail, trying to get Riot. All ends well in this case…."
• February 7, 7:05 am: Misha getting ready to leave circle pretty soon. Will be a long run to Dawson probably pretty solitary
• February 7, 12:20 pm: We are leaving Circle now on our way to Dawson city, Yukon Territory, Canada for the next adventure in the Yukon Quest
• February 7, 8:58 pm: On our way to Tok. Saw several hundred caribou right on the road and a couple of moose. Dogs looked well rested and misha smiling as she left. Not much net on the road but will try to download some pics soon. Fulloon and warm. Two rivers was about 15 and it is 7 degrees going towards Tok past North Pole
• February 8, 1:41 am: So far this has been a wonderful experience. So many truly good people, great vets, friendly faces. good times, good weather, good people good dogs…life is good
• February 9, 10:43 pm: Presently inDawson. Neat city, fascinating people. Have been talking all night with a couple of Canadian Rangers. What a bunch of men. Have tent put up…..most of dog tent is up. Weather holding. Everything going well…
• February 10, 10:40 pm: Dogs came into Dawson city wagging their tails and looking happy. They ate like pigs, bedded themselves down and went to sleep. They have this part learned. Vet check is at 0800. temperature here is 27 today. Haven't worn my parka yet.
• Feb. 11, 11:31 am: Dogs had their vet check at and everyone passed. Tasso will be staying with us as she seemed to have a couple of minutes where she was unsure of what was happening. The vets thought she looked perfectly good, so this is merely being very conservative. Now I have a bed dog. . They are getting their beauty rest and lots of massages today. Misha is scheduled to leave at around 6:30 a.m. Sunday…from there it will be a long run. Boo and Riot are fine but they would like to rejoin their buddies. Everyone is eating well.
• Feb. 12, 6:11 pm: Dawson site cleaned up and ready to go. Each site has to be inspected before you leave. We will leave tomorrow for the next checkpoint and follow her down the highway to Whitehorse. Dawson looks like a typical northern gold town. Fascinating history. Would like to come back again with a sno-go. We have met some really cool people here and the temps are amazing. It is colder in Nashville and New York City. Not good for the dogs.
• Feb. 14, 10:29 am: Everything good here. Misha is doing well. So are the dogs. She will be in Whitehorse probably Thursday
• Feb. 14, 2:44 pm: Almost into McCabe Creek. One dropped, Axi. The boys started to like her too much. Weather is still quite warm -- 34 degrees at Carmacks.
• Feb. 15, 1:32 am: Misha just got into Carmacks.
• Feb. 15: 9:33 am: Left Carmacks….. one more checkpoint before the finish….eight-hour mandatory rest. Everyone can use it. Vet looked at Axi again this morning and thought she looked pretty darn good. Her backside is a bit sore, and she is in heat.
• Feb. 15, 10:53 pm: Misha is in Braeburn. Team is looking good according to the Quest web site. Randy and I are in Whitehorse taking care of some things here before the final run. For sure, it has been a hell of a journey with highs and lows and sometimes just pure desperation and some darn good luck.
• Feb. 17, 1:30 am: Misha crosses the finish line in 17th place.