Friday March 3, 2006

Iditarod 2006 Begins This Weekend

I am not sure why I find this one-thousand-one-hundred-mile-plus dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome fascinating.  I don’t even like going outside for my almost-daily walk if I must wear a sweater!  I use my treadmill or walking videos unless the weather is just perfect.

But, each year, at the end of February, I go to the Iditarod website; print the bios of everyone who is racing – there are eighty-three mushers this year; read their story; pick my favorites; and follow it a bit each morning and evening on the Internet.  OLN does carry it on TV, but by the time they air it, the events are over.  One story I found fascinating this year is Peter Bartlett’s.  He and his wife live in a 16′ x 24′ cabin, with plank flooring, no running water, and just recently got electricity.  Their wall decorations are dog harnesses. 

Consequently, when Cerwin and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary in 2003 by flying to Anchorage and renting a motorhome to travel some of Alaska’s interior, I wanted to visit the Iditarod Headquarters.

We had seen several advertisements for dog sled rides, but they were not the right timing, too expensive, too long, or something, so when we saw that the Headquarters offered a $5.00 ride (on wheels) for a few minutes, we thought this is where we get our dog sled experience.

I remember being surprised by how quiet the ride was.  I never thought about dog’s feet not making any sound when they run.

Since that trip, my favorite musher to follow is Jessie Royer.  She was our tour guide at Susan Butcher’s kennel during a riverboat trip.  She was also at the Athabascan Indian Village – across the river – to teach us more about sled dogs.  

Jesse came in 8th last year.

Since we’re in Alaska – I’ll show you a few scenes from our helicopter ride to Mt. McKlinley, which was THE HIGHLIGHT of our trip.

The first two photos were taken as we entered the foothills of McKinley.  I like these because you get a perspective of the scenery – due to seeing some of our helicopter surroundings.  The first picture is not a road – but a glacier slowly moving down the mountain!

The next photo is the top of Mt McKinley.  We were so blessed to see it.  We were told that only ten percent of tourists get to see the top – due to clouds or fog.

Flying in a helicopter around this area of Mt McKlinley was one of the most awesome travel experiences of my life.  THE MOUNTAIN was everywhere.  Tears were running down my cheeks from this breathtaking beauty.