Tim Muto

I’m going with “Ain’t no try. Ain’t nothin’ to it but to do it.” I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Bill Murray say that. Yoda says it a bit differently, “To do or not to do, there is no try.” The concept and that mentality is so beneficial to have in all aspects of life, and it seems to be a necessity when living out in Eureka, AK. That or it’s an attitude that I’ve picked up over the years working at Wild and Free Mushing.

Nelly Furtado – 2009.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a police officer. That’s literally the only thing I ever wanted to be, well, other than a professional roller blader or professional paintballer – a cop. During freshman orientation, I went into a room with all of the other prospective incoming law enforcement undergrads and department heads, and I almost just as quickly walked right out of the room. I found a list of majors that I had been handed and scrolled the list looking for something that I wanted to do with the rest of my life – that’s what college is for, right? I decided right then that I would pursue Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration. I found the room in the library where all the Parks and Rec folks were hanging out, and there were like seven people. They were all interesting….and, the rest is history.

Oh boy, a lot of places, but the summer before I came up to Eureka I was guiding overnight sea kayak trips among the Apostle Islands. It’s a little known inland archipelago on western Lake Superior, and I actually guided out there the summer before as well. All of my days paddling to and camping on islands, watching sunsets from a beach or getting caught out in some gnarly weather, cooking for people or helping them in any way, I missed it this summer, even though I was having a blast up here in AK.

Quite honestly, no not really. The lifestyle out here is pretty all encompassing. I pretty much do doggy stuff, or homestead-y stuff all day every day. I do enjoy watching movies when I get a spare moment or two, though.

The challenge. Doing this is the most difficult thing I have ever done, hands down, physically and emotionally and spiritually. Not only is living remotely a very challenging decision to make, working with sled dogs and training them for the highest level of long distance competition is ridiculously challenging as well. Those forces have combined out here. It’s my favorite part because of how much it helps me grow as a person, and how much I learn about myself.

Missing out on stuff. That’s really what brought me to Alaska, when I think about it. I worked with some folks that ran dogs in the winter months, and hearing them talk about it I knew that it was something I had to see for myself. Before I met them, I didn’t even realize people still went dog sledding. When I was really young, I would sit at the top of the stairs and listen to my parents or whoever was still up and talking in the living room, because I felt like I was missing out on something.

But there are so many keys to be had! If I had to pick ONE, it would be energy awareness. Having the full understanding that your energy and the vibes that you are giving off into the atmosphere are being completely consumed by your dogs, your attitude flows into the dogs. This seems to be an especially important understanding to be had in times of adversity. Keeping your cool under pressure is a key.