Headed for Yentna

Tess is preparing to fly to the Yentna Roadhouse this weekend to assist with the Iditarod. That is the first checkpoint of the race and a short plane hop from Willow, Alaska. She's going with her babysitting clients and their mom. Amanda and John have worked that checkpoint for years. John will be snowmachining out to the roadhouse with his niece. Tess is hoping to get some time on the snowmachines while they're out there.

I'm not sure why they call it a Roadhouse. There's no road anywhere near there. It's more of a Trailhouse. These establishments came into existence as stopovers for the multitude of folks traveling the trail system with dog sleds through the ages. During gold rush days, there was a "roadhouse" about every 50 miles, I think. Many of them still exist. Some are actually on "roads" now as the old trails were paved and became our main transit routes.

By the way, I believe the Yentna Roadhouse has a website. If you're interested.