5th day Alaska trip 2012 ANCHORAGE/WASILLA/WILLOW

In Willow,Alaska  the OFFICIAL start of the Iditarod

Up early to drive to Wasilla, home of Sarah Palin, to get a school bus for the trip to Willow to see the start of the Iditarod. This was suggested as there was so much snow in Willow that the parking was limited and the traffic would be "snarled"!! Went from Wasilla High School--slow trip to Willow as there is only one road there--sounds like Long Island!!!@#
Arrived in bright sun, quite cold and a ton of snow everywhere. In the community center they sold native goods, Iditarod pins, shirts etc and had a big hall for eating with displays around--paintings, herbs, jelly, teas etc. to purchase. VERY crowded.

In Willow, spectators at the craft fair

A COLD spectator

The start of the race is around Willow Lake, frozen now of course. There was a staging area for the dogs and a chute for them to pass thru towards the START line. Just like a Giants game, they had the Jr. ROTC color guards and a girl from the high school sang The National Anthem. One by one, again two minutes apart, the mushers and their dogs were introduced and the countdown began--off to NOME amid cheers, flags and barking. Then a DJ on the loud speaker plays "Who let the dogs out". Well, I thought it was funny, maybe you had to be there. Next to last was Dan Seavey. I spoke of him before. He is an oldtimer at 71 years, winner of the Iditarod many years ago and BACK AGAIN. When the countdown began they said "Dan, just leave when you're ready"!! Loved it, and he did!

At the Iditarod start--clear skies

He left amid lots of cheers.
There was talk of the difficulties in the race this year. There has been so much snow and the temperatures are low. The moose are quite a hazard as they are having trouble foraging thru the deep snow and realize a nice snowmobile packed trail is easier to walk on. At times they meet the dogs and can do great deal of damage. Also, the Bering Sea has some boulders and very rough ice due to the storms this winter. They will try to have the teams go more to the side of the Sea as opposed to straight across. Every year they change direction for the race. This year it is the northern route which may bring more severe weather that has plagued the area this winter. We'll see and hope for the best.
Back on the bus, dinner and get ready for our trip to McGrath tomorrow. We have to be at the airport at 6:30am as Hank has a ticket but I don't--still on the waitlist. I may have to stay in a hotel here another nite and send Hank on to McGrath.
PS  On our drive back from Wasilla the sun was setting over the snow capped peaks. What a site. We also saw 5 moose on our way. More than on Fox Run!!