Doesn't this dog look like a gnome? It's the gnome that's been to Nome! The Siberian Husky pictured at the left was a sled dog who led his team in a race against time. In January 1925 a potential diphtheria epidemic lay ready to ravage the young people of Nome, Alaska. The only serum available was in Anchorage, almost 1000 miles away. Why not bring it by boat? Ice had locked Nome in for the winter. Why not by airplane? The only two available aircraft had been dismantled for the winter. It was decided that a train would carry the serum part of the way. From Nenana the mushers delivered the medicine in a relay race that involved over 20 mushers. The mushers and their dogs faced a blizzard with -53 degrees F temperatures and strong winds.
A Norwegian by the name of Gunnar Kaasen drove his team, led by Balto, the last leg of the race. Although he was not considered that good of a lead dog, Balto saved his team from certain death in the Topkok River. He was able to remain on the trail in almost whiteout conditions. Kaasen stated that he could barely see his hand in front of his face. Missing the last dog sled team because of the blizzard, Kaasen and his dogs had to travel twice the distance. (Wikepedia)
Tracy's mom, Sylvia, is the winner of the "Name That Gnome" contest. She intrigued us with this story of Balto, which she found in a book called, The Cruelest Miles. Her prize? Let's just say that Balto will never have to experience freezing temperatures again. Sounds like two mzungus I know!
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