Jan DeNapoli
Two Rivers, Alaska
Musher, Tour Guide
Jan DeNapoli is the owner of Muzzy's Place Kennel in Two Rivers, Alaska.  Originally
from Chicago, Illinois but always wanting to move to Alaska, she finally did so in 1990.
This is definitely the place she will stay!!!        
                                                     ~ ~ ~
When I'm home, I'm busy running dogs, scooping poop, feeding, giving massive
amounts of hugs and kisses to my wonderful furry friends, checking things off of my
"to do" list and working on this website.  I am a Certified Physician Assistant working
various contracts for variety.

I have dreamed about running the Iditarod since I was very young and since I moved
to Fairbanks, I have also gained an interest in the Yukon Quest (yes, I guess I have
lost my mind)... but I really don't have the time to run either of these big races so
instead I have helped out friends who run it, or volunteered for the race, either for the
board of directors (Yukon Quest) or at a checkpoint, or the start.  I also try to
photograph the start whenever I can.  

I began this mushing craziness with just a few dogs back in 1990 in Anchorage,
Alaska.  I was skijoring with my dogs and occasionally mushing with friends.  Finally,
in 1996, I relocated to Fairbanks and started to acquire more dogs and gear.   I knew
the mushing bug had a hold on me and I have been having the time of my life ever
since, with my furry friends on the North Pole, Two Rivers and White Mountain trails.  

Shortly after moving to the Interior, I began to make friends with the other local dog
mushers.  I found the mushing community to be quite friendly and eventually they
convinced me to go ahead and enter a race.  I wasn't really that interested in racing
competitively but the social aspect of it was quite appealing both for me and for the
dogs.  So, in December of 1999 I entered my first race (the Henry Hahn 200 mile race
in Two Rivers).  We had quite an experience on that race, one that I should write
about in a story one day, but in spite of the adventures and getting lost on the wrong
fork of the Chena River for over 6 hours... I managed to finish and win the coveted
Red Lantern!  Since that experience didn't scare me away, I then entered the very fun
Rochester Gold-King 100 mile race and had an absolutely fantastic time in March of the
same season.  During this race I met some new mushing friends who live south of
here, finished in the middle of the pack and a fun time was had by all!!!

Since then, I have entered some very fun local races in Two Rivers, Fairbanks,
Whitehorse Yukon Territory and even one starting in Bethel, Alaska.  I've traveled
many miles in the White Mountains, on the local North Pole and Two Rivers trails and
have loved them all (albeit, some in retrospect, but overall,  I wouldn't trade any of it
for anything in the world).  I have gained so much experience from the mishaps and
crazy things that have happened to us, that I have to say they were a blessing.... in
disguise, of course!

So.... join us as we move forward.  Think snow!!!  Here's to more adventure!!  ~jan