HUMAN

Name: NICOLLE HENDRIX
Age: 41
Residence: FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Occupation: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT IN PEDIATRICS
Years involved with Iditarod: THIS IS MY 11TH RACE.
Iditarod Role: SLED HOLDER/CHECKER
Current Location: NOME, ALASKA
Date of Photo: MARCH 14, 2019
Temperature: 65F / INDOORS

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

WHEN I FIRST STARTED 11 YEARS AGO, I WAS SIMPLY A FAN, A VERY EXUBERANT FAN BEFORE I MOVED TO ALASKA. BUT THE WHY FOR COMING BACK IS THE FAMILY THAT I’VE MADE VOLUNTEERING ALL THESE YEARS. IT’S NO LONGER JUST HOLDING SLEDS OR JUST WELCOMING PEOPLE, IT’S WELCOMING FRIENDS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE BECOME THE FAMILY I’VE CHOSEN.

Tell me about your most rewarding experience on Iditarod?:

THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WAS THE NIGHT THAT ALIY ZIRKLE CAME IN 2ND PLACE AFTER SHE AND JEFF GOT CAUGHT IN A STORM. THAT YEAR I HAD LOST MY DAD AND WAS WITH ALIY AND ALLEN ON THE QUEST WHEN THAT HAPPENED. AND THAT WAS A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE FOR THEM TO BE FAMILY. BUT THEN, TO BE HERE FOR HER A MONTH LATER AND WATCH EMILY DO THAT HEART-BREAKING INTERVIEW THAT WAS SO SPECIAL AND SO NEEDED AS ALIY FINISHED, AND STILL BE APPRECIATED FOR THAT 2ND PLACE FINISH. THAT WAS MY MOST MEMORABLE NIGHT ON IDITAROD.

What do you know for sure?:

THAT NOTHING IS FOR CERTAIN AND THAT EVERY DAY IS A GIFT. AND THE BEST PART OF LIVING LIFE HERE IS THAT WE GET TO EXPERIENCE THAT GIFT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING THAT’S OFFERED TO US HERE.