4th day Alaska trip 2012 ANCHORAGE

Lance Mackey's truck

Heard dogs barking and lots of commotion at about 6:30am. We could see the mushers with their dogs and all the crowds around them from our hotel room window, thru the SNOW! Down to "the streets" early--no time for breakfast---after all its Iditarod day!!! Lots of preparation, barking and laughter. Such excitement and fun all around. On our way up 4th ave. to the START, we passed stands selling reindeer burgers, reindeer sausages (poor reindeer!!) and lots of free posters, buttons, coffee. cider. All this by 9am!! UGH--not for me! Great to hear the bio's on the mushers, amid cheers, see them hug their dogs before leaving and then the count down. There is an auction during the year some time for a seat in the mushers sled (an iditarider)--leaving with the musher at the start. Some of the seats go for $7,000 (for charity). They brought in about $150,000 from that auction!

Ceremonial start of the Iditarod/Anchorage

For Cathleen and Lois===Greg, fellow from The Insider who covered Nome when we were all there, skipped last year and is back. Surprised to see Dan Seavey (the Dad) at 71 in the race with his son Mitch and grandson Dallas. Also, Jeff King is out of retirement!! Martin Buser's son is "chasing " his Dad. The Barrington identical twins are in it, usually only one--first time for sis (but who can tell).

John Baker, last years winner, is back along with Lance Mackey. There were 67 mushers total. That is a goodly amount. Sorry to say, many of them won't finish for one reason or other. Many females in this year, you go get 'em girls!!!. DEEDEE LUMB-- said hello to your namesake, DEEDEE JONDROW. She's back with her pink parka and the dogs with their pink booties. After three hours, 2 minutes apart, all were all on their way to Willow, for the restart tomorrow.
Still snowing but who noticed!!

Deedee Jonrowe with her dog/in Anchorage

Down to the carnival, certainly looks different in the winter in the snow, sporting a ferriswheel, rides, games AND the "famous" blanket toss. One of the natives explained the tradition. The "blanket" made out of skins with handles made of rope for people to hang on to having the person to be tossed in the middle of the "blanket". Then in unison the people holding the pulls would all tighten and release creating the "heart beat" then on signal they would tighten the pulls for the toss. It worked! This was used as a type of lookout for whales. The person being "tossed" could get great height and pan the Bering Sea for any whale or seal sightings.
At the carnival they had a fur auction, with hundreds of furs. I was more interested in the audience! They were sporting some great fur coats, hats, jackets while bidding on the furs. Wolverine furs seemed to bring in the most money.
Now time for the running of the Reindeer (if they aren't sausage or burgers they have to run!@##$)
The idea is similar to the running of the bulls in Spain. People (2,300 in all) paid $25 to dress up in some funny costume and be chased by the reindeer down 4th avenue. Keep an eye out for pictures of these outfits (if and when I get to post them).  Idiotic but so funny.
My feet were frozen, even in my new boots, hands taking a toll so back to the hotel to warm up.

No we didn't buy these--tempted but nooo

Dinner tonight was at the Moose's Tooth pizza place. Seemed to be the "in" place!! Packed!! Someone told Hank to go and have the smoked rockfish pizza and he did. He liked it--I was not as adventuresome. Stopped at the Millenium  Hotel, Iditarod Headquarters. Saw my buddy Joanne who is in charge of a part of the race and others we had met in Nome.
Again, its late so off to bed so we can enjoy the trip to Willow tomorrow for the restart of the Iditarod!!
Still snowing!!