Alaskan History
Joe breaking trail toward Barter Island. [Photo by Andrea Loveland]
Introducing Malamute Joe Henderson "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) By Thom “Swanny” Swan My home community of Two Rivers, Alaska is perched on the very edge of civilization. Traveling due north from my back door I could drive my dogs to the North pole encountering only a single dirt road and perhaps a couple of long-abandoned mining claims, but nothing else recognizable as manmade. Like the frontier communities of the eighteenth and early 19th century America, we enjoy only the basic trappings of civilization such as a small postal station, a general store and our own version of a colonial tavern. 'The Lodge' is the de facto gathering place of our community. It hosts town meetings, wedding celebrations and funeral wakes. It's where we learn the news and gossip of the day and argue over current events. Workers are hired and fired over a pint and valid real estate contracts are sometimes scribbled onto beer or whiskey stained bar napkins. We are a community of characters and The Lodge reflects the character of our community. One of the characters I most enjoy seeing at The Lodge is "Malamute Joe" Henderson. He and I share a love of northern history experienced behind a strong team of traditional sled dogs and our conversations quickly turn to strong dogs, cold camps, earlier times and adventures of the trail. Names heard in our conversations frequently include the likes of Samuel Hearne, Alexander McKenzie, John Franklin, George Back or Dr. John Rae.
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