In early March I had the privilege to dine amongst friends and family of John Baker. Throughout the night impromptu speeches poked fun at the musher for having a consistent top ten record. John would simply smile as he moved throughout the dinning room visiting with his supporters in a serene state of confidence. John Baker now holds a new record time for his win and is the first Iñupiat from Northwestern Alaska to win the Iditarod race. Congrats to John, and to the impressive strength of all rural Alaskans.