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For me, the most moving moment of Iditarod 2007 happened early.  Almost the first sight that caught my eye as I entered 4th Avenue was a dog truck with "Susan Butcher" on the side.  Her girls were already there, playing in the sled and probably a bit overwhelmed by all the attention they were getting.  Dave Monson was focused, but on the girls, not the race, only moving into musher mode as it drew close to the time Tekla was scheduled at the line.  As Tekla donned her bib number and sunglasses, Dave, too, was donning a matching bib #1 for the official start of Iditarod 2007.

Rather appropriately, a dog named after George Attla's hometown was the leader for Tekla, Huslia.  With Tekla's help, Dave hooked up the dogs quickly and for a moment you almost expected Susan to step forward and onto the runners as the dogs began to pound their harnesses.  Instead. young Tekla, wearing bib #1, stepped forward and onto the runners, heading to the line without both handlers and her father, who followed behind wearing bib #1, too. For a moment, as she leaned over the handlebar, a natural movement so like her mother, there was a flash of recognition, recognition that Susan might be gone, but her style and love of life was captured in her girls.  Chisana rode in the sled and Dave, after a short ride on the runners, on a snow machine.

Tekla is off to the starting line!

More on the race soon!

Comments (2)

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Barbara Bennett said:

Wonderful article, very moving, June. Looking forward to lots more articles on this race!

March 05, 2007 | url

Kathy Mattes said:

Hey June, you really captured what I experienced on the streaming video. Guests arrived at my door right after Tekla took off and the first thing one asked me was "why are you crying?"

March 06, 2007