HUMAN

Name: Douglas Tony

Age: 40
Residence: I’m from Nikolai, Alaska
Occupation: I work with the Nikolai Village Council. 

Years involved with Iditarod: I’ve been involved with the Iditarod since I could remember.

Current Location: Nikolai, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 10, 2020
Temperature: 12F/Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved with Iditarod because it was the main event coming into town when I was young. It was always right before our spring carnival; and just the excitement, you could feel it building weeks before, even.

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

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because I can’t help it. It’s just so much fun interacting with all the new visitors, being able to talk with the mushers, see how the trail conditions are; interesting every year, no matter what. Very disappointing when the trail’s rough and we miss it for a year.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

I think one of my most memorable Iditarod experiences – and there have been many – and if I had to pick one, I would say, just interacting with the mushers and the dogs; being able to see them at a young age and expecting them to be super tired when they get into the checkpoint; and they’re exhausted doing all their chores. And we’d politely stay out of their way and thinking they’d be tired. And here come Joe and Libby Riddles and they’re cracking jokes at each other and themselves. I just love that about the mushers.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is the Alaskan spirit and way of life sure stays strong, and is stronger with the Iditarod involve;, and I really love that about it.