HUMAN

Name: Julie Goodman

Age: 57

Residence: Newton, Iowa

Occupation:  Administrator

Years involved with Iditarod: This is my 2nd.

Iditarod role: I’m an observer

Current Location: McGrath, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 13, 2020
Temperature: -6F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with Iditarod. I had heard about the Iditarod many years ago when Susan Butcher was winning. And I will say, I was one of those people that would go, “Oh those poor dogs,” like people do today. And so I just kept watching it. And then a couple of years ago, Jeff King’s dogs got hit by the snow machine and I started following their rehab, the two that were rehabbed. Then I thought, “Oh my God, these dogs are fantastic. They are happy as can be. The mushers love them.” And so I said, “I have to go and see this.” So that is how I got to be here.

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

I am here today and involved with the Iditarod because I’m not getting in any younger. I’m in good health, so I’m doing what I want to do and Iditarod was one of them. Actually, I’m going to go on to Nome and hopefully get to see them come in.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was, normally when you come to Alaska you are saying, “Where are the moose? I want to see the moose. Where are the moose.” This year, we’re going, “Where are the moose? I don’t want to see the moose.” Because there’s so many in town. It’s so funny. You’re usually looking for them, but now you’re looking for them because you don’t want to see. So that’s kind of funny, I think.

What do you know for sure?:

I know for sure in life is that life is not a dress rehearsal. You got to get out and do what you want to do when you have the chance to do it.