HUMAN

Name: Gretchen Wehmhoff

Age: 63

Residence: Chugiak, Alaska

Occupation: I own a newspaper

Years involved with Iditarod: As a spectator, since it started.

Iditarod Role: I’m a spectator. And I love to just show up and take photos. The dogs look so happy. And the mushers look happy too.

Current Location: Ceremonial Race Start, 4th Ave, Downtown Anchorage, Alaska
Date of Photo: March 5, 2022

Temperature: 32 F Outdoors Dumping Snow

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

Well, I first became involved with the Iditarod when it started. And of course, out in Knik the mushers out there real popular with the Girl Scout camp. I’ve always been involved with the Girl Scout camp, and the story, and of course of Togo the dog. And so I’ve always been intrigued with the race. And of course I, like most Alaskans, I follow it more than I follow football.

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I’m here today because I wanted my granddaughter to take a few pictures with me and try to catch the dogs moving. I’m afraid she was a little bit cold, but that’s why we came down today is to take photos and cheer on the dogs and the mushers.

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

I remember when I first saw Martin Buser running and I called up one of the television station reporters, and I’m like, “Who is this guy? And is he married?” So, that was one of my experiences. Of course, he was and he had kids. But hey, you never know.

What do you know for sure?

What I know for life. Oops. What I know for sure in life is that dogs are amazing. They just give so much love and they don’t live long enough.