7th day Alaska trip ANCHORAGE and MCGRATH

At the airport at 6:45AM as I am on the waitlist for the Pen Air flight to McGrath. Hanks flight is confirmed and ready at 8:15am. Hank off. I waited until noon with conflicting opinions as to my flight status. By noon the flight was cancelled due to weather--now its really snowing. Went to the Millinneum Hotel with all the cancellettees. I now have a room, huge, for $89. Hank is in McGrath in a single small room, bath down the hall for $200. A double is $400. NOTHING in McGrath should be that price.
As the Millinneum Hotel is the headquarters for the Iditarod I spent the rest of the day with them. Finally got my volunteer badges etc. for the trip north. Met a girl and guy that ran the race last year and would be sitting out for this one. VERY interesting observations from them.
Not such an exciting day but will hope tomorrow the weather is better and I get to McGrath.

6th day ANCHORAGE and hopefully MCGRATH

Banners all over Anchorage

Last years winner--John Baker

In Willow, Alaska  sooo much snow

Up at 5:30 AM (that's NOT  my thing!@#) for Hanks flight at 8:15 and I am still on the waitlist to go to McGrath.  Hank was ok but I waited till noon and then all flights cancelled due to heavy snow. Did meet some nice folks though. Two women who ran the Iditarod last year, and a few of the Vets we met in Nome and Unalakleet. So that passed some time. As the final flight was cancelled we all went to the Millinneum Hotel, Iditarod Headquarters and close to the airport. Got a room, had lunch, hung out. Hank got to McGrath. Snowing hard there as well. Spent time with the Iditarod group and helped at the desk etc. Fun hotel. Lots of activity. They have the latest updates on the race and I helped with computer updates (you'd be proud Henry!) Will try tomorrow for an early flight to McGrath!

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!!

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!!

3rd day 2012 alaska trip - ANCHORAGE

Had an interesting day!! WHEW!! Started out early today with breakfast, again, at the Snow City Cafe.

Mary and Diana at the Snow City Cafe in Anchorage

Another great breakfast. Sat next two two ladies that got my attention. One lady had on very spiked beautiful dark green shoes and I just couldn't imagine walking around in the snow and ice in them. I had to ask her how she managed. We then met Mary and Diana who are date consultants/professional matchmakers. My VERY FIRST!!! Their business is MEET ME FOR LUNCH. They teach how to dress, where to go and all those important tips to meet Mr and Miss Right. At the moment, they are lacking in men from 40-60 years old. Hey, any takers??? Hi Mary and Diana--they are checking out the blog.

Oh, the shoes.....she grew up in Anchorage and got her first pair of "heels" at about 4 years old. She then was hooked!! Went to every garage sale etc and looked for any kind of heels/spikes to buy. Diana said the spikes "dig in" are are actually good in the snow. Mary said she actually runs in them. Bless her!!@#
On to my favorite place to shop for the best, most authentic native art---The Native Hospital Gift Shop.
The lady who runs it, Karen, is there only on Friday so today was the day. In the lobby of the hospital someone was playing a guitar and everyone was singing. I joined them for awhile and it was great.
In the shop I met another lady who seemed like she knew what she was looking for and buying--I hooked on to her. She taught me a lot about quality and authenticity of the native pieces. Hank and I, of course, bought some wonderful "works of art".
It started snowing and continued all day but didn't really amount to much. Seems warmer--maybe I'm just getting used to it.

Shop where they make the qiviut scarfs, hats etc. They repaired a scarf Hank bought me years ago . The warmest material EVER!!! and beautiful. I loved the little shop front.

Another Fur Rendezvous event was the native market in the Diamond Mall. Tables and tables of art pieces. I didn't think as nice as the ones in the gift shop. Found a few very special pieces and made Hank a happy boy. Met a girl with the most beautiful long white fur coat. She said she made it for her wedding. I did take a photo hope it will come up here--I'm working on that.
Stoped at  OOMINGMAK where they make qiviut (musk Ox) knits. Hank bought me a scarf there many years ago, 30 or so, and  a hungry moth had lunch in a few places. The native lady there had repaired it for me--did a nice job.
The town is now filling up with Iditarod people so lots of traffic and many streets are closed.
Dinner time--to one of our favorite places for king crab legs, Phyllis' off 4th on D. Great crab dinner. Used to be $19.95 now its $30. So sweet and so much!!
On Friday nites at the Anchorage Museum its free admission from 6pm to 9pm. Two exhibits we wanted to see. Faces of approx. 20 men and 2 women after the finished their climb up Denali! Some faces revealed anguish and pain while others joy and jubulation.
Next exhibit Smithsonian Arctic Heritage showing many small films of village life past and present. Displays depicting life as it was in the villages, including some unique ivory pieces, seal gut "raincoats", ceremonial wear, tools etc.
Busy day. Home to get ready for any early start tomorrow. ITS IDITAROD TIME!! 10am start.

At David Green Furriers/No he didn't buy it--I bought fur boots.

Just a note from yesterday about David Green Furriers, where I bought my boots. The lady that we spoke with was the granddaughter of David Green who owned the first store. One of his sons daughters was Maria, the lady who helped us and took us into the fur vaults. That was an experience. We went thru a pictoral history of the family and the store. Her grandfather met with the best of them---the Pope, many Presidents and many celebrities. Their side of 4th ave. was the side most damaged by the 1969 earthquake. 4th ave was the street that just opened up and literally swallowed up cars, road, trees and the like. Her grandfather was in the steam baths and shouted "The Russians finally got us". He thought it was a Russian attack. Maria just had a flat tire, otherwise she would have been driving on 4th ave. she was out of town waiting for someone to come help her. To Barb Cirone---when we were here the furrier  was Jonas Brothers (no relation), remember that store with the huge bear at the front door?
They have since gone out of business and David Green is the main furrier around. He loans many of the Fur Rondezvous people parkas from his shop to wear during the event. They are beautiful parkas! The fellow who sat next to us last nite at the melodrama had one of the beautiful parkas on. He was 91 years old and was the Regents KING!!! His QUEEN was sitting next to him with her tiara on and another beautiful parka. She was married 4 times but buried all four---some spell!! Quite a pair.
Just a bit of "fur" history. Till tomorrow.

2nd day Alaska trip - ANCHORAGE

Up late today so Hank can be extra rested. Difficult yesterday on a body that had chemo only a week ago.
Went to breakfast at the Snow City Cafe - L and 4th and around the corner from the hotel. VERY local place with great food. Went to David Green Furrier to ask a question--well that turned into a boot buying stop. Bad for Hank, great for me. Fox fur on the boot--will try to  picture them. GREAT BOOTS.  Love them!! This is also Fur Rendezvous--their winter carnival.  Some interesting events as the blanket toss, Canstruction (thats with an a--don't know what that is, oyster shucking (Hanks wants to go for the results--eating them!), native craft markets, dog sled rides, a "foot race" looks like naked!! That should be fun---or COLD!!and the running of the raindeer--got to see that!! We went to the Snow Sculpture Competiton. Maybe 25 sculptures that I will try to picture here. On to the Rondy MELODRAM. Titled "Alyeska Jones and the Viking Crypt" at the Snow Goose Theater--dinner first. Great LOCAL show. You were to toss the popcorn at anytime on anyone and YES THEY DID. The theater "swam" in it. Cards were held up for audience participation--boos, hisses,whistles etc. Very funny. Then to the grocery store for some Snapple, can't do without that, can we Jane!! Off to bed as it is AGAIN midnite!!!

first day Alaska trip 2012

Haven't had snow all winter and what is predicted for today---our departure day---you got it SNOW!!
We "got out of Dodge" before any weather and had almost on time flights to Anchorage, thru Minneapolis. Had an interesting seat partner--besides Hank!! She was from Germany and had come to Alaska, for the first time, 15 years ago to care for a family with 3 kids. She really wanted to go to NYC but this was the offer. She loved Alaska so much she comes back often and this time was here for the Iditarod--going to Nicolai and Rainy Pass (checkpoints for the mushers). She just married a fellow from India and he hates the cold so he didn't come. They are moving to Mumbai soon to try that out and then maybe to Australia!! She moves around this girl!! She can make those plans as they don't want any children (think the job 15 years ago cured her!!). Anyway, got the car rental and headed to the Captain Cook Hotel --my very favorite hotel ever. Temp here was 11 degrees and LOTS OF SNOW!!
Had snack in the hotel and off to bed as it was midnite Alaska time.  Till tomorrow.