"Next year..."

People volunteer at the Iditarod for lots of reasons. For many volunteers and mushers alike, a little exposure to the race led to not just a desire, but a need to be here. For others they had to be convinced by a friend that they would like it, and haven't stopped coming back every year since. And of course there are those that grew up with mushing, so the Iditarod is old hat. Among these different reasons for coming, there is a commonality in what they don't say. No one who comes to the Iditarod says, "That was fun, but once was enough." Even people who came on a whim because so-and-so has a sister who invited us, etc., can be heard starting to say, "Next time..."

What is it that brings people back year after year? This question has been asked of mushers frequently, and I think Dallas Seavey has it right. He said it's because there's always room for improvement. As soon as mushers reach Nome you start hearing the phrase, "I'll have to work on ____ for next year." I don't think the answer is much different for volunteers. The lifelong commitment to this race isn't a decision you make; it's a fact that sneaks up on you. There is always something bigger to help with, or more responsibility to take on, always a flaw in the system that could be fixed with a little reorganizing, and a new chance to get closer to the dogs, until you find yourself here year after year and still saying, "Next year".