The Iditarod

It was -4 degrees when we went out to watch the Iditarod in March. (While the daylight had already increased significantly, the snow didn't start to melt until April.) Apparently, this was a little warm for the dogs. Their ideal temperature for running is -15. There is a ceremonial run through Anchorage before the teams drive north to the restart. It was definitely worth braving the cold to see these incredible athletes. Just completing the 1049 mile race is an amazing feat, and this year's winner, John Baker, set a record for the fastest winning time of 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, and 39 seconds.

The race is largely run by volunteers. To help raise funds for the Iditarod, they auction off spots on the sleds during the ceremonial run through Anchorage. They don't get to, and probably wouldn't want to ride there the rest of the race. This person, however, looks pretty toasty with all those furs.

There were no barriers between specators and the trail, so we were just feet from the teams as they ran by. One of the mushers threw Oakley a pair of the booties the dogs wear to protect their feet- just like they toss things from parade floats. She loved it.


Yep, that's Jamaica.


The dogs clearly love to do this. Mushers don't have to train them do pull the sled, they just hook them up and they're off. What they do have to train them to do is pace themselves.


Here we are standing at mile 118 of the original Iditarod trail. When settlers first came to Alaska, this was the main thoroughfare through Alaska. Before that, parts of it were used by the Native American Inupiaq and Athabaskan peoples. Brighton decided it was too cold to stay awake.

Waiting for their post-run salmon steaks:

Then it's into their straw-lined compartments in trailer:


At the Iditarod Festival, they have ice/snow sculpting competitions.