HUMAN

Name: John Nikolai

Age: 44
Residence: Nikolai, Alaska
Occupation: Man of many talents.

Years involved with Iditarod: Since I was a kid.

Iditarod Role: Basically everything.
Current Location: Nikolai, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 11, 2020
Temperature: -30F/Outdoors 60F/Indoors

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

I got involved with Iditarod when I was a kid, can’t remember what age, but it’s been here all my life. I’ve seen Iditarod start in Anchorage. I’ve been at the Iditarod banquet before. I have helped out with Iditarod checkpoint in Anvik, where I’ve lived for like seven years. So I’ve helped with the Iditarod there and seen Iditarod up and down the trail.

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

I am here today and involved with Iditarod because I grew up with it and it shows the kids to help out, volunteer and meet mushers, meet everybody. Get to meet people like you and get opportunities like this.

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

Well, one of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was, Lance Mackey came in to here. I used to live down here by the river, used to own a cabin down here. I had him… He stayed on the floor. He had moose soup. He wanted my dog, but I wouldn’t let him take it. Then years later, when I moved to the Yukon and Anvik, well, he ended up out there and he didn’t have a watch. His stuff was wet. He tried to give me 10 bucks for quarters. I wouldn’t take it. And I helped him out there. Seen him again here and got a selfie with him. It’s a memorable experience for me. Lance Mackey.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is where I’m getting interviewed here is 100% guarantee with everybody on this world that death will find us. No matter how far you go, no matter how fast you run, no matter where you hide, death will find you. So the point of that is, while you are on this earth, there will be so many Iditarods or so many iron dogs or so many things that you could do… The point is, have fun with the life and enjoy it.