“ABOUT ME AND MY ADVENTURES”
A Letter from Claude Henry
Howdy Friends and Neighbors:
It all began in Emmett, Idaho back in April 1984. I was just wandering around not knowing how to get where I wanted to go. Then I came across Driftin’ AaronG and his four year old son Andrew. They were loading up an old truck they called Ole’ Rust Bucket.
Well…I happen to overhear their plans to drive north into Canada and go all the way to Alaska. And guess what my friends…Alaska was exactly where I wanted to go. It was the last frontier, and my adventuresome little soul wanted to be a part of it.
Driftin’ AaronG, my author, after nearly scaring me to death when he first discovered me, was kind enough to offer me a lift, something about wanting a pet anyway, and so I joined in their journey. This was a great way for me to begin my training for my young mousehood, and make a proper name for myself.
Little did I know at the time that I was destined to become famous and known as; “Claude Henry, the Iditarod Mouse.” My journey leads me to near peril many times and as my reputation grew throughout all of the far North Country I made many new friends and traveling companions. Some of my closest and most helpful friends are; Treetop, a wild and frolicking squirrel who really helped me through that first harsh winter, and the attack of the ornery and mean Red Tailed Hawk, which I just barely survived I might add.
Then along came Rambo, named after that great American War Hero. Rambo was destined to become a great leader of sled dogs. He befriended me and helped me through the Alaska Iditarod. And of course I must mention Rowdy, my buddy who lives underneath a saloon in Anchorage, Alaska. It seems as if Rowdy, wearing his little black derby hat pushed down over his right eyebrow is always into some kind of mischief, but I love him anyway. Then there is of course Rowdy’s sweet little girlfriend, Klondike Lil, who sings for all the other little critters in the Mouse Tavern, under the saloon.
I have many such friends who join me in my adventures, but my most dearest and favorite is my little sweetheart, Little Sue, named after the Little Susitna River in Alaska. It was Little Sue that made my first set of buckskins and coonskin hat that set my direction to becoming the ever famous Claude Henry, the Iditarod Mouse…
Well friends and neighbors…I’d like to talk more about all the little critters in my adventures, but I think I should save some of them so you can be surprised and as excited as I’ve been through each new adventure…And if you can take the time, please do let me know how I’m doing, and if there is an adventure you might like to send me on…Who knows, maybe my author will write one just for you!!!
You may write me or any of my friends in care of this website, and I assure you that any e-mails or letters received will be answered between our many adventures…
So until later…So Long!
Your Friend,
Claude Henry, the Iditarod MouseP.S. May you all live a happy and wonderful life of adventure…
