“When I heard that Jodi had this idea for checkpoint sponsorship I thought to myself, “Wow that girl has a knack for Marketing”.  Then it occurred to me that this was a wonderful opportunity to honor my Dad, Fordyce Logan Jr., in a way that would surely be humbling for him and appreciated by both of us. “

It is safe to say that this very special checkpoint sponsorship is, to me, both humbling and appreciated. The story of this man for whom Nome was such a  special place is best shared in the words of his son, our friend, Paul Logan~

“When I heard that Jodi had this idea for checkpoint sponsorship I thought to myself, “Wow that girl has a knack for Marketing”. Then it occurred to me that this was a wonderful opportunity to honor my Dad, Fordyce Logan Jr., in a way that would surely be humbling for him and appreciated by both of us.

During my parents eight years in Nome (1979 – 87) Fordyce worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus as a faculty member focused on providing construction trade skills to individuals in the native community. It was a joint project between the University and Kawerak.

When he arrived the campus consisted of one lone building and what you see today, in terms of actual construction, is mainly the result of his efforts within that program. In addition to construction of the Northwest Campus he, also, spent much of his time out in the many villages providing training to local individuals while building Community Centers. Many of these were built during those eight years.

Besides being a mentor and a teacher Fordyce was a business man and had his own construction firm, Logan Construction. This was something he brought with him to Alaska from the California Bay Area where myself and my Brothers and Sister grew up He introduced what was then a relatively new construction technique, and one completely new to Nome, known as “double walled super-insulated” construction. This technique drastically reduced the cost of winter heating. Anyone who has lived in Nome knows how high that cost can be. At that time I was in College and would travel each summer to Nome to work for him in the business. I can tell you we could not build those homes fast enough and you can find them all around Nome and out in Icy View. In fact some of the first homes in Icy View were built by Logan Construction. “Nicy” View from up there!

I moved to Nome (don’t live there now) straight out of high School after graduating a semester early. I was actually in Nome before my parents were. That was 1978. When I got off the plane it was early March and the temperature was 19 below and not a cloud in the sky. I did not know it could be that cold with the Sun up and shinning bright. I learned a lot of stuff after that. Like how to take a cab from the “BOT” to the “Anchor”. It was a long ride of about ten feet. I was only eighteen so I get a pass on that one. A few weeks later some dog race came into town that everyone was interested to see. Something called the Iditarod.

The Town siren would blare with the arrival of each new musher. It didn’t matter if it was three in the morning that siren was going off and folks were showing up. So, as fate would have it, I was present for the closest finish in Iditarod history. I will never forget Dick Mackey coming up the chute on Front ST., icicles hanging off his bearded face, when his lead dog decided it was time to stop and sniff around a little. Then, with Rick Swenson not far behind and gaining fast, with about 50 yards to the finish, Dick runs up, just a few feet away from me and with one of the most intense looks I have ever seen, grabs the lead dog and hauls them across the line in what was a photo finish. It was an unbelievable sight for a teenager far removed from his own element.

My Father loved Nome and the people there. He would have stayed the rest of his life if my Mom had of let him. So, it will be good to honor him in this way. No pressure Jodi. See you and Dan in Anchorage. Love you two.”

Thank You Paul, we can not wait to see you in Anchorage this March!!!