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 I was born in New York City but consider New Cumberland, Pennsylvania my childhood home. While in high school, I attended a presentation on the Naval Academy that included a movie called “Ring of Valor”. It showed Naval officers traveling the world, driving ships and flying planes. “I was hooked." I enlisted in the Naval Reserves and was later selected for the Naval Academy. During my Naval career I was able to, travel the world, drive the ships and fly both helos and fixed wing aircraft.The Navy overeducated me. I have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Education and a Master of Administration. After my retirement (graduation as I call it) from the Navy, my wife, Linda, and I , settled in Ventura, California and ran a motorcycle training program. But a TV show about flying in Alaska awakened a lifelong dream of flying in Alaska.
Being believers in living your dreams, we sold the business, packed a
few belongings and moved to Alaska, site unseen. Doors quickly opened
and I was hired first as a flight instructor and then as manager of the
Elmendorf Aero Club. This job proved to be so close but yet so far from
my dream of flying Bush Alaska. So, when the opportunity arose I jumped
on a chance to fly for K-2 in Talkeetna, Alaska. I not only fly around
majestic Denali, but I get to share my awe and joy for Alaska with
travelers from all over the world. On a plane trip to Shageluk during
the 1997 Iditarod “I became fascinated by the idea of driving a dog
team across Alaska.” In 2001, with a borrowed team of freight dogs and
4 months of mushing experience, I started the Serum Run. But, because
of 5 mph dogs and a lack of experience, I turned the team around.
Don Bowers helped me, like so many others, get started in mushing. I
kept my dogs at his place while preparing for the ‘99 Serum run and
helped with his Iditarod team. When Don died, Linda and I became the
caretakers for his place caring for his dogs until good homes were
found for them. In 1999 I took some of his dogs to Nome on the Serum
Run including Maybelline, who many know from Don's book. In 2002 I
competed in the "Last Great Race" the Iditarod.
This year I will be flying the Iditarod trail stopping at Skwentna,
Rainy Pass, McGrath, Shageluk, Unalakleet, White Mountain and Nome.
Listen for my "92FOX" trail reports right here on Dogsled.com
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