We're All Set

March 3, 2002

Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs--Seeley Lake, MT

Well, we're in Wasilla getting ready to start the race.  This is where we find out if everything we've worked toward for the last several months is going to work!

I'm very confident in my dogs, and I'm looking forward to getting out on the trail and getting into our "racing rhythm." 

This update is so short solely because I need to get some sleep before the race start (it's midnight as I'm typing this), but I wanted to thank everyone for their interest in our website, and extend to you my own personal hopes that we are able to provide coverage of the entire race that will allow you to understand what is happening like never before.

To those of you who have written me emails in the last few days, thanks so much for your questions and comments, and I'm very sorry that I haven't had time to reply.

Before I go, I will leave you with this story.  A reporter came to me in Anchorage at the starting line and asked why we did the Iditarod.  I looked at her, and I asked her to excuse me for becoming emotional, and I pointed to my dogs and told her that I remembered the days when they were born.  My eyes got pretty watery, and this feeling of pride and accomplishment came over me.  We are just beginning the race, but we have already achieved so much.  In the next several days, we will attempt to achieve even more....

See you on the trail.

Jim Gallea, Iditarod Musher Bib #27