My Friend Matt Rossi Even though we only met twice before Matt left to compete in his first Iditarod, I feel connected to him and his team. Hours before the race he is full of optimism and excitement. I met up with Matt at the Finger Lake checkpoint. He was tired but still just as optimistic. He had reason to be discouraged... he took a wrong trail for 20 miles, he left food at the last checkpoint thinking that he had a "drop bag" here - he didn't, and he had a couple dogs reluctant to eat. Matt was quick to say he made a mistake. Matt took full responsibility for it. He didn't blame or get upset. He took care of his dogs and looked ahead. There is a lesson in this for all of us! I'm thinking of you Matt!