The Iditarod Trail had it's beginning as a mail and suppy route years ago from Seward to interior Alaska and then to Nome. In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life saving highway in delivering serum for epedemic-stricken Nome. The weather prohibited planes from flying in and the Bering Strait was already frozen so the necessary serum could not reach the small town. 18 teams of volunteer mushers risked their lives to take the serum 674 miles, weather 40-50 below zero. The winds came up while the last musher was nearing his destination. The sled turned over and the medicine was thrown into the snow. The driver dug through the snow with his bare hand and found the serum which saved the town. Today, the Iditarod Trail is a National Historical Trail. The race itself is in commemoration to the loyalty and courage of the sled dog, along with the trail's colorful past. Next March they will be celebrating the 40th year of the race. It is an 1,150 mile race, running from Anchorage to Nome in 9 to 17 days. 
The traditional sled construction use to be wood, bone, senew, and rawhide. Later, materials used for sled making were aluminum and plastics followed today by Kelvar and carbon fiber.
Not quite sure what breed or breeds these dogs are that are being raised to be sled dogs. They definitely are not Siberian Huskys that have distinct markings, along with thick fur and upright, triangular ears. Huskys were originally brought from Siberia during the gold rush in Alaska because of their strength and endurance to
subzero weather.
This is the "Summer Version" of a dog sled ride.
Mush, Mush! (am I suppose to have reins?)
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