This Post is for Hunter Gonzalez

This is a special post for Hunter, a student from Alton, Illinois.   He asked many great questions.  He wanted to know what the Red Lantern Award looked like.   So, Hunter, here is a picture of that Red Lantern that was presented to me at the finish in 2012.  

I did not get to keep this trophy, but my name, along with all the others who received the "Red Lantern Award", is engraved on one of the name plates on the base that the Red Lantern sits on.  My understanding is that there are two Trophies...one stays in Nome and the other one is on display at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla.  

This is the Red Lantern that I was given.  To me is a reminder of the dream...of all the hard work that it took for me to realize my dream...finishing Iditarod my rookie year and driving a team of happy, healthy dogs all the way to Nome.  Definitely an experience of a lifetime and an accomplishment of a lifetime!  Dream BIG Hunter, and follow your dream.