Ed and Willow Salter

The home of Wild and Free Mushing in Eureka, Alaska on Joe Bush Creek was founded by Ed and Willow Salter in early 1970’s.

The Salter couple was just planning an extended vacation to Alaska, but their extended vacation quickly turned into a one year adventure as they found themselves staking a piece of property in the Alaskan wilderness.  In order to patent the land they had to build a livable structure within one years’ time.  They did just that, and the rest is history!

Their one year vacation turned into a lifetime of adventure; they spent the next 40 years establishing what is now known as the Salter Homestead on Joe Bush Creek.  Ed and Willow spent 40 years trapping and mining, as well as raising, training, racing, leasing and selling sled dogs.  They truly were living the Alaskan dream on this amazing piece of property.

When Ed and Willow decided that it was time to move on, they reached out to Brent and asked if he was interested in taking over the homestead and we all know what happened next..  Brent was incredibly happy and proud to be able to move into the Homestead at Joe Bush Creek in 2012. Brent is keeping the Homestead and the Salter story alive and although the Salter couple now lives far away, the connection between the three is still strong.