Sophie in Alaska (Iditarod 2014) : RACE START 2014 and Alaska dreamin'

Well, here I sit back in Wisconsin creating what will be my last blog post about my trip to Alaska...and I'm not liking the sound of that at all! First off, I would like everyone to know that I have Alaska Fever and its a very, VERY, real sickness. The scariest part is that I'm not sure if this will ever subside and I'm pretty sure the only cure for Alaska Fever is Alaska. During the time I was headed home and first night back I had so many people message me or call me and say, "Aren't you so excited to be home!?" And I think it just got a little overwhelming because truthfully, no, I was not excited to be home. Yes, I missed all my friends and loved ones, but I also missed the beauty of what I just left.

Last summer I went to Europe for 2 weeks with my best friend and experienced some of the most beautiful places this world has to offer, and after those 2 weeks I was MORE than ready to return home! To be honest, I'm usually a very homesick person when I leave, but this time it was different. On the way to Anchorage airport I started thinking about the unknown and when I'd ever return, and before I knew it my eyes were watering and I was trying to hold back tears as much I could so the shuttle driver didn't ask any questions. I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm doing the same thing as I write this.

I've told a few people that being in Alaska for me almost felt like falling in love for the first time. I was like whoa, what are these feelings and why the heck are they here!? Trust me, I've already seen some pretty amazing places in my almost 22 years of living and I had yet to feel something like that. It's the weirdest and scariest thing I've ever felt, and before I knew it I was searching for jobs and housing in Alaska. After finally realizing that I'm back home and took a second to breathe...I remembered that right now my life is here. Thankfully, I have the best family/ support system a girl could ask for who are always telling me to go for it, and who wholeheartedly support my wildest dreams, so who knows what the future has in store. Only the big guy upstairs knows that for sure!

If there is anything Alaska taught me, and if there is anything I could pass on from this experience its this...if you want something you've never had, then you've got to do something you've never done. If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary! One of my favorite quotes goes something like "Taking the leap may be scary, but the feeling of regret is scarier." So whether you're 22 or 62, go out and do it. This doesn't have to be doing something drastic like moving across the country or the world. But find that one thing, that big or small goal and DO IT! Remember, opportunities only come to those who seek them. So take the chance, be scared, and love it with all you have and I promise it will be worth it :)

So with that, here are some of the last moments I've spent in now one of my favorite places on Earth. Much love, Alaska!

When we arrived downtown the sunrise was just beautiful! Take me back!

We started going through teams at 7am, here we are going through Jeff Kings dog trailer.

Rise and shine pups!

Waiting to get checked by the technicians!

As the morning goes on the paparazzi comes out!

Heading to start!

Musher Nicholas Petit, another musher with a good chance of winning this year!

Dallas Seavey heading to the start. Notice the JJ Keller sled? There is always a little bit of home everywhere you look!

This is a handler helping hold back the team as they pull towards the start line. I was able to help do this with a team and I have to say the power of a team ready to race is incredible! It took a lot of strength to not let them drag me to the start ;)

The Jamaican musher Newton Marshall

Aily Zirkle and her team! Aily has competed in the Iditarod many times and has a great chance of winning this years race.

Musher Jessie Royer and her team!

Anna Berrington leading her team to the start, with a few passengers!

Another team headed to the start!

Booty time!

An Australian musher being pulled by his team to the start line

Lounging before heading out!

The start line with all the flags of where the mushers are from :)

I was able to capture a little bit of what the mushers do before they head out. One of those things are news interviews. I'm guessing that's one of the least favorite parts!