About Val Jokela ...
I arrived in Alaska in 1980 with an aviation job in hand. My first
flying job was out of Merrill Field giving charter flights and flight
instruction. By early 1983, I was flying Twin Otters and Bandeirantes
to the Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Cordova, Valdez, Dillingham, King
Salmon and Mt. McKinley. My last job before joining the Federal
Aviation Administration in 1986 was flying F-27’s to Kodiak,
King Salmon, Dillingham, Aleutians and on contract for the USAF
DEW line sites.
My love affair
with sled dogs began in March of 1985, when I watched the Iditarod
depart from 4th Avenue. I knew in an instant that I wanted to be
part of that and make sled dogs my lifestyle.
In 1986, I was able to start mushing with my first five years of
mushing being spent as a handler for Jerry Raychel assisting him
in preparing for 3 Iditarod races and becoming exposed to racing
by completing the Chugiak 50 and Knik 200 and doing training runs
and trips. By 1991, I was able to fully make my dreams come true
by purchasing my home in Chugiak, and starting my first dog team
with 4 dogs from Jerry.
The last nine years, my husband Kurt and I have resided in Chugiak,
AK with our own team of Alaskan Huskies. I have completed many races
to include the Chugiak 50, Tug 120, Knik 200, Arctic Arrow 200,
Alaska Comeback Stage Race and other assorted local events, camping
trips and all the necessary training runs to properly prepare the
dogs for each event or trip.
I have always been emotionally moved by the history of the Serum
Run and intrigued and humbled by the accomplishment of the original
Serum Run mushers. I am honored to be selected to join the expedition
and relive and talk about the history as we travel from Nenana to
Nome. I am also excited to be able to have the opportunity to travel
the actual historical route.
This trip is dedicated and being run in memory of our friend Mellen
Shea who has been my inspiration and has made it possible by leaving
her “dream team” in our care, which will make my team
complete.
When I am not mushing dogs, I am into flying, running, biking, hiking,
and swimming and assisting Kurt with building cabins in Willow and
Trapper Creek and raising our bees and ducks.
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