Talkeetna Flower Kennel and Homestead

Off-grid living with sled dogs

Healthy Lifestyle

Growing food

Subsistence Lifestyle

Preserving food

The Flower Kennel Dogs

The homestead workforce

Outdoor Life

Training the Flower Kennel Dogs

Cabin Life

The Flower Kennel Dogs

Self-Sufficient

Projects for a lifetime

Exploring Alaska

Stories of adventures

Kennel and Homestead Tours

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TALKEETNA FLOWER KENNEL AND HOMESTEAD TOURS

We are closed for the remaining of the 2023 season.
We will be open again June 1, 2024

Book Now

Visit the Flower Homestead, a musher’s homestead tucked away just south of Talkeetna in the Boreal forest of Alaska.

Here we live a sustainable life together with the Flower Kennel Sled dogs. The kennel is unique in that the sled dogs are not only part of the family, but an integral part of our real authentic off-grid Alaskan lifestyle. The dogs help with hauling water from our spring in winter and haul our building material and firewood we harvest from our homestead to keep warm and cozy during the cold Alaska winters.

We grow, harvest and gather most of our own food and live a self-reliant lifestyle as much as possible. 

We are committed to our dogs and the Flower Kennel is their forever home. Our tours are an exclusive opportunity to see how and why we live in the far North. We are a small locally owned operation and our tours are casual and personal.

Welcome to our home.

Iris (owner)
Bluma, Rachel, Lilja, Sam, Mouse, Flora, Hayden and Kiglu (companions)

Kennel and Homestead Tour

Summer Tours

THE FLOWER KENNEL – Alaskan Sled Dogs

Bluma is very shy and it took me a long time to gain her trust. But then she gave it all, and became my soul mate and main go-to solid leader. She knows left and right, but sometimes has her own opinion. She is a major trail finder in the backcountry and drags the whole team over bare ice if I ask her to do so.

Bluma

Super shy, driven and stubborn

Position: Retired
Hobby: Chasing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 13 years
Siblings: Rachel, Luke

Sam is the big boy with a big heart. Always ready for a cuddle and he can't help himself, but giving a lick is his trade. Sam has a steady run and is always in for the long haul. He takes over when the trail becomes flat and boring. Sam is the only sled dog in the world who loves summers, when he can snuggle with everybody visiting the homestead.

Sam

Cuddly, graceful and lovable

Position: Lead, Team, Wheel
Hobby: Loving
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 10 years
Siblings: Diesel, Lilja

Hayden never stops moving, except for the evenings on the couch. He will share the couch as long as he is petted or when its his wrestle ally Flora. He makes up his lack of natural talent with his determination and enjoyment of life.

Hayden

Strong, focused and a cuddle.

Position: Team, Wheel
Hobby: Relaxing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years

Rachel is super delicate and smart; why pull when the big boys can handle it. But when the going is hard, its Rachel who leans her full weight into her harness. She leads the team from the front and teaches the boys some determination. She is the only one who dares to stand up to her sister Bluma and can't live without her.

Rachel

Shy, elegant and smart

Position: Retired
Hobby: Observing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 13 years
Siblings: Bluma, Luke

Mouse is the impatience boy of the pack. In harness he transforms in a fearless hardworking dude - most of the time. With his tail high up in the air, his eyes are always scanning for another opportunity to lead the whole team on one of his off-trail adventures.

Mouse

Adventurous, dude and snuggler

Position: Lead, Wheel
Hobby: Digging
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 7 years
Sibling: Flora

Kiglu is the power house of the team. He is still learning to wait when loading water or firewood, but then he would single handed pull the load up to the cabin if it was up to him. During runs he always check on his running buddy with a lick or a growl. The others all seem to love it.

Kiglu

Super strong, playful and curious.

Position: Team, Wheel
Hobby: Playing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 7 years

Lilja has energy, energy and then some more energy. Her big long tail will sway in the wind all day, and I suspect all night. Along the trail she always finds fascinating sights and will let us all know with a bark or howl. Food or a snowflake falling out of the sky...why do the other dogs not get more enthusiastic?

Lilja

Energetic, cheerleader and lively

Position: Lead, Team
Hobby: Raising Alarm
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 10 years
Siblings: Diesel, Sam

Flora is all business. Organizing her dog house garden, collecting food bowls, storing bones, working in harness, claiming the couch, going after that moose (if she can) she does it all with an intense dedication and focus. Oh, and super cute.

Flora

Focused, super smart and cute

Position: Swing
Hobby: Hoarding
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 7 years
Sibling: Mouse

Bluma is very shy and it took me a long time to gain her trust. But then she gave it all, and became my soul mate and main go-to solid leader. She knows left and right, but sometimes has her own opinion. She is a major trail finder in the backcountry and drags the whole team over bare ice if I ask her to do so.

Bluma

Super shy, driven and stubborn

Position: Retired
Hobby: Chasing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 13 years
Siblings: Rachel, Luke

Lilja has energy, energy and then some more energy. Her big long tail will sway in the wind all day, and I suspect all night. Along the trail she always finds fascinating sights and will let us all know with a bark or howl. Food or a snowflake falling out of the sky...why do the other dogs not get more enthusiastic?

Lilja

Energetic, cheerleader and lively

Position: Lead, Team
Hobby: Raising Alarm
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 10 years
Siblings: Diesel, Sam

Mouse is the impatience boy of the pack. In harness he transforms in a fearless hardworking dude - most of the time. With his tail high up in the air, his eyes are always scanning for another opportunity to lead the whole team on one of his off-trail adventures.

Mouse

Adventurous, dude and snuggler

Position: Lead, Wheel
Hobby: Digging
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 7 years
Sibling: Flora

Hayden never stops moving, except for the evenings on the couch. He will share the couch as long as he is petted or when its his wrestle ally Flora. He makes up his lack of natural talent with his determination and enjoyment of life.

Hayden

Strong, focused and a cuddle.

Position: Team, Wheel
Hobby: Relaxing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years

Rachel is super delicate and smart; why pull when the big boys can handle it. But when the going is hard, its Rachel who leans her full weight into her harness. She leads the team from the front and teaches the boys some determination. She is the only one who dares to stand up to her sister Bluma and can't live without her.

Rachel

Shy, elegant and smart

Position: Retired
Hobby: Observing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 13 years
Siblings: Bluma, Luke

Sam is the big boy with a big heart. Always ready for a cuddle and he can't help himself, but giving a lick is his trade. Sam has a steady run and is always in for the long haul. He takes over when the trail becomes flat and boring. Sam is the only sled dog in the world who loves summers, when he can snuggle with everybody visiting the homestead.

Sam

Cuddly, graceful and lovable

Position: Lead, Team, Wheel
Hobby: Loving
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 10 years
Siblings: Diesel, Lilja

Flora is all business. Organizing her dog house garden, collecting food bowls, storing bones, working in harness, claiming the couch, going after that moose (if she can) she does it all with an intense dedication and focus. Oh, and super cute.

Flora

Focused, super smart and cute

Position: Swing
Hobby: Hoarding
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 7 years
Sibling: Mouse

Kiglu is the power house of the team. He is still learning to wait when loading water or firewood, but then he would single handed pull the load up to the cabin if it was up to him. During runs he always check on his running buddy with a lick or a growl. The others all seem to love it. .

Kiglu

Super strong, playful and curious.

Position:  Team, Wheel
Hobby: Playing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 7 years

THE FLOWER HOMESTEAD

Weird winter Back to ice skating.

#nordicskating #iceskating #wildice #schaatsen #mushershomestead

Open
Weird winter Back to ice skating. #nordicskating #iceskating #wildice #schaatsen #mushershomestead

Challenging conditions with these warm temps and icy trails, but we are on a sled.

#mushing #mushershomestead #sleddog #warmtemperatures #sledehond #mydogs #alaska

Open
Challenging conditions with these warm temps and icy trails, but we are on a sled. #mushing #mushershomestead #sleddog #warmtemperatures #sledehond #mydogs #alaska

Every winter I try to learn a new skill / have a new goal. This year I have 2. Getting in a good cardio shape (skijor with the oldies Bluma and Rachel) and becoming a better cook. 8 of us think I am succeeding in the second goal already.

#chumsoup #sleddogfood #salmonsoup #dogfood #dogsupplements #sleddogs #mushershomestead #alaskahomestead #chum #fishsoup

Open
Every winter I try to learn a new skill / have a new goal. This year I have 2. Getting in a good cardio shape (skijor with the oldies Bluma and Rachel) and becoming a better cook. 8 of us think I am succeeding in the second goal already. #chumsoup #sleddogfood #salmonsoup #dogfood #dogsupplements #sleddogs #mushershomestead #alaskahomestead #chum #fishsoup

Almost sledding time. Skijor on the lakes for now. Waiting for more snow…

#skijor #alaskawinter #winter #snow #mushing #alaska #mushershomestead #sleddogs #workingdogs #mydogs

Open
Almost sledding time. Skijor on the lakes for now. Waiting for more snow… #skijor #alaskawinter #winter #snow #mushing #alaska #mushershomestead #sleddogs #workingdogs #mydogs

After ice skating we run the dogs.

📸 @snowskirts

#mushing #drylandmushing #dogsledding #sleddog #hunden #hundentraining #mushershomestead

Open
After ice skating we run the dogs. 📸 @snowskirts #mushing #drylandmushing #dogsledding #sleddog #hunden #hundentraining #mushershomestead

There is one thing I love more then mushing and that is iceskating.

#iceskating #nordicskating #naturalice #wildice #mushershomestead #schaatsen #natuurijs #alaska

Open
There is one thing I love more then mushing and that is iceskating. #iceskating #nordicskating #naturalice #wildice #mushershomestead #schaatsen #natuurijs #alaska

The full article about me and my dogs can be read at https://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/tag/sz-magazin-auf-instagram

Finding a more purposeful life in the wilderness in Alaska. @szmagazin

#mushershomestead #alaska #homestead #sleddogs #schlittenhunde #offgrid #sustainable

Open
The full article about me and my dogs can be read at https://sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de/tag/sz-magazin-auf-instagram Finding a more purposeful life in the wilderness in Alaska. @szmagazin #mushershomestead #alaska #homestead #sleddogs #schlittenhunde #offgrid #sustainable

It’s happening

#iceskating #nordicskating #schaatsen #natuurijs #alaska #alaskafall #alaskawinter #naturalice #frozenlake

Open
It’s happening #iceskating #nordicskating #schaatsen #natuurijs #alaska #alaskafall #alaskawinter #naturalice #frozenlake

Hard night frost and cold days are here. Having mixed feeling about it, as it means two things: 1. All outside water has to be drained. 2. Ice skating season is soon upon us.

#alaskafall #alaska #rainwatercollection #rainwater #mushershomestead

Open
Hard night frost and cold days are here. Having mixed feeling about it, as it means two things: 1. All outside water has to be drained. 2. Ice skating season is soon upon us. #alaskafall #alaska #rainwatercollection #rainwater #mushershomestead

Just fall.

#falltraining #alaskafall #fall #sleddogs #sledehonden #alaska #drylandmushing #mushing #mushershomestead #workingdogs

Open
Just fall. #falltraining #alaskafall #fall #sleddogs #sledehonden #alaska #drylandmushing #mushing #mushershomestead #workingdogs

With night temperatures dropping well below freezing, fall chorus are picking up. Hauled spend grain from @denalibrewing to mix with garden clippings, dog straw and chicken manure for the compost pile.

#composting #spend-grain #brewery #wasteproducts #sustainability #mushershomestead #chickens #dogstraw

Open
With night temperatures dropping well below freezing, fall chorus are picking up. Hauled spend grain from @denalibrewing to mix with garden clippings, dog straw and chicken manure for the compost pile. #composting #spend-grain #brewery #wasteproducts #sustainability #mushershomestead #chickens #dogstraw