The Iditarod--Start and Finish
L's sister, Louise, and her friend, Mary, who are teachers in Pennsylvania, arrived Wednesday afternoon for the start of the Iditarod weekend activities.
Thursday we checked out the Iditarod headquarters (gift shop, people, and activities) at the Millennium Hotel. Lots of volunteers were gathering and beginning to sort out their duties. Some people have been coming up for years to work during the Iditarod. There was plenty of swag in the gift shop to attack tourist dollars.
After Mary and Louise had time to boost our economy, we went to the Dimond Mall to see the native arts and crafts display. There were more Alaska native artisans in one place than I have seen in a long time. I think there more than at the Eagan Center during the Alaska Federation of Natives convention this past fall. We made a careful tour of all the tables. There were some nicely carved ivory pieces, etc but nothing that overly tempted me. Their prices were much higher than usual. I've noticed that at AFN, some years things are expensive and other years there are many reasonably priced pieces.
Thursday afternoon late we drove to Alyeska for supper at the Prince hotel. It was a windy and cold and clear drive.
Friday, we toured the snow sculpture on foot in the bitter, very bitter cold wind. The picture below is more impressive than the display actually was. It wasn't much this year. But I hand it to those who did the sculpturing in the cold that we have had.
After lunch at Humpy's we shopped. I don't think I have ever seen/felt the wind blow as hard as it was blowing down town on Friday. It was fierce and possibly dangerous for the young and the elderly. We ended the day with a lovely dinner at the Crow's Nest.
Saturday morning it was breakfast at the Captain Cook coffee shop and out on 4th Avenue for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. It was clear, cold, and a bit breezy. The crowd was much thinner than last year---it was much warmer last year.The picture below is from my Alaska World Affairs Council office window.
After watching a number of the mushers start, we went out by the house and watched a number of the teams go by on the trail. We were so close people were slapping the mushers hands as they raced by.
Saturday evening we attended an Aces hockey game. That was the first live hockey game Louise and Mary had seen. It was a good game---the Aces won in an overtime shoot out.
Sunday morning we had an early breakfast at the Captain Cook and off we went to Willow for the official start of the Last Great Race. It was a beautiful, clear, sunny warm morning with no wind. (We seldom have wind here--especially not day after day with temperatures of 5 and 10 above.) Below: Dogs are waiting to get ready to head for Nome.
We were there for about three hours and watched a number of teams leave on their way to Nome.
Louise and Mary left on their way to Pennsylvania Monday morning. We had a great time!
The Finish
Lance Mackey won the 2007 Iditarod. It was a big win for him.
Two other favorites, Martin Buser and Jeff King,came in 4th and 5th respectively. Below is a pic of Martin Buser.
It's been nine days since Mary and Louise left, and it seems like at least a month. It was a special time for us. Thank you, Mary and Louise for coming!!!
10:27:36 PM 
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