HUMAN

Name: JIM VETSCH
Age: 67
Residence: BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
Occupation: I’M RETIRED. I USED TO WORK IN A COAL GENERATING STATION IN BISMARCK
Years involved with Iditarod: THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I’VE WORKED
Iditarod Role: I’M TRAIL CREW. AND MY JOB IS TO COME OUT AND GET THE CHECKPOINT READY FOR THE MUSHERS WHEN THEY COME THROUGH, TO BE CHECKED BY VETERINARIANS. AND IF THEY WANT TO STOPOVER AND REST, WE HAVE A PLACE FOR THEM TO REST AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR DOGS.
Current Location: FINGER LAKE, ALASKA
Date of Photo: MARCH 4, 2019
Temperature: 9F / OUTDOORS

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?:

THAT’S KIND OF AN INTERESTING QUESTION. I’VE ALWAYS WATCHED THE IDITAROD. I ALWAYS KNEW WHEN IT WAS GOING ON AND I KEPT UP WITH IT IN THE NEWS. AND SO, NOW THAT I’M RETIRED, I HAVE TIME. AND I WENT ON THE IDITAROD WEBSITE LAST SUMMER AND DECIDED TO CONTACT A FEW OF THE MUSHERS JUST TO SEE IF I COULD HELP THEM AND WHAT I COULD DO TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IDITAROD.

Tell me about your most rewarding experience on Iditarod?:

IT’S BEEN KIND OF NEAT MEETING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. AND I’M AMAZED AT HOW MANY ALASKANS VOLUNTEER FOR THE IDITAROD. THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEAL TO THE ALASKAN COMMUNITY. AND THAT’S WHAT’S IMPRESSED ME THE MOST. IT’S REALLY EXCITING FOR THEM.

What do you know for sure?:

KNOW FOR SURE IN LIFE THAT, YOU KNOW, I’M RETIRED, BUT YOU NEVER STOP THINKING ABOUT NEW THINGS TO DO; MORE THINGS TO DO. YOU JUST FEEL LIKE YOU DON’T WANT TO TURN IT OFF. YOU JUST KEEP LOOKING FOR MORE THINGS TO DO.