HUMAN
Name: Karen and Jeff Sones
Age: Karen – 62, Jeff- 63
Residence: San Marcus, Texas
Occupation: Karen – Orthodontic assistant, Jeff – State Trooper
Years involved with Iditarod: 20
Iditarod Role: Veterinarian
Current Location: Lakefront Hotel – Anchorage, Alaska
Date of Photo: December 7, 2019
Temperature: 68F / INDOORS
What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?:
Jeff – I got involved due to the great experience in the last frontier of Alaska. I enjoy adventure and I have done a race down in Texas called the Texas Water Safari Race, it’s a 260-mile canoe race. And, so I always heard about the Iditarod and was wanting to get involved in it. And so I came up and visited this place to get involved. And which I met a Deby Trosper that was from Texas. And anyhow, she got me first involved in the race and we’ve been involved in it since then, for the past 20 years. I believe it was 1998.
Karen – Actually. My husband first got me involved with Iditarod.
What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?:
Jeff – The reason why I’m here today is because the rookie meeting. I heard it’s going on and I asked about just sitting in on it and find out who else is getting involved in the race, and talking to Mark Nordman and just to see the new rules and regulations.
Karen – And we also have a cabin in Big Lake and we come and check on that about four times a year. So we just happened to time that just right.
Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:
Jeff – And I’d say my most memorable experience was back in meeting the old timers of the race, Joe Redington and Norman Vaughn. I can remember meeting Norman Vaughn at the Musher’s banquet. And he told me, he said, all I want to do is live to be age 100 years old. And that coming December, December 24th, was his birthday and, and he did make that age. And I’ve read his book and I found him to be a very interesting individual.
Karen – That’s really hard because there’s so many. They’re all memorable. I mean, every year we come up, there’s something new.
What do you know for sure?:
Jeff – I know for sure that there is a God and seeing Alaska makes me even a strong believer.
Karen – Ditto