Days 10-17, Nome.

I was a bit lazy in keeping up the blog this week, because there was so much going on here. I didn't want it to be a chore, which sometimes it is on this computer. Nome doesn't have DSL yet, as far as I can tell.

Anyway, I'll attempt to be brief in wrapping up this year's trip.

I did a lot of shovelling when I first got here. I was up on my Aunt Bonnie's roof two different days. Since her roof leaks during the spring melt, I was hoping to save her some effort in bringing in buckets to catch the leaks. I think I did a pretty good job:











Lance Mackey and his team arrived on Tuesday...what a race he had! He has won 4 years in a row now. I posted some other pics and a video on my Facebook page.









I will have to fill in more later...for now it's off to the Iditarod banquet and home!

Days 8 and 9--From Homer to Nome

Alas, it was time to say goodbye to Homer. We lucked out and had a great drive from Homer back to Anchorage. We had some incredible views, all of which were suspiciously unphotographed?!

The flight gave us some good views of the Alaska Range:



After hanging out at cousin Pat and Sue's for some pizza and wine, we hit the sack late.

On Day 9, I got up to find out it was -35F last nite, but had warmed up to a balmy -17F for my morning walk (note the temp on the sign behind me!):



I did a fair amount of shovelling today on my Auntie Bonnie's deck, and just took it easy, watched the race on line at the GPS site, and caught up on the blog and e-mails. Tonight we will feast again at Pat and Sue's and catch up on gab, rumors and innuendos.

The race is heating up. Mackey has taken the race lead for the time being, but hot on his trail are 2010 Yukon Quest champ Hans Gatt, and soon to be retired 4-time champ Jeff King. We're still pulling for Martin to do well, but he is far enough back that we are all wondering what he may have up his sleeve. We'll see!

Days 6 and 7: Homer...moose meat, blizzards

Hi all, I haven't been able to do much on the computer up here. Right now we are at our friends' house (Caron and Paul), and are using their connection. I don't have a lot of time, but after Friday I should be able to post some more detailed information and hopefully some photos. Suffice it to say we haven't been able to even track the Iditarod that much. I understand that many of the mushers just came off of their 24 hour layover in Takotna and are getting close to Cripple, where another group (including Martin) are doing their 24 hr. Looks like King has a 14 mile lead over Mackey. The front runners will have to watch as King passes them by later in the day.

Met Caron and Paul's dog Blue (if this guy doesn't say "Alaska", I don't know what does):



We had a nice dinner of moose meat and fixins on Day 6. Blizzard.

Day 7, random occurrences, trip to the dump, where there are all kinds of strange birds in the trees.



A guy could get used to this place:



That's it for now. Hope all in the lower 48 are doing well!

Days 4 and 5--Homer, and Shovelling

I'm in training, of sorts. I will begin a 12 race mountain bike series on March 31st, when I return, so my goal up here is to not get flabby with all the eating and beer. So, everyday in Homer, I shoveled snow. Here you can see what I was contending with. A bunch of new snow that just kept on falling.

Days 2 and 3...Turnagain Arm/Girdwood/Homer

After the Iditarod start, we had a nice lunch with cousins Sue and Megan, Megan's friend Peter, and the Jarvis clan (Red Robin). Then Dad and I set off on the drive to Homer after a Costco run.



We stopped along the Turnagain Arm and in Girdwood for some geocaches:



The rest of the drive to Homer was long and snowy. When we got to the cabin we settled in, set up Dad's new 26" flat screen, and watched "The Hurt Locker." Bedtime at 4AM! Ah, vacation.

Days 1 and 2--Anchorage and the Iditarod Start

Dang if I didn't get a lengthy post done and have it fail to save. Thus, I'm going to tell the story briefly, in pictures, to catch up.

Day 1. Flight to Anchorage: uneventful. Next stop, rental car place (Midnight Sun). Dodge Durango.

Lunch!



Way to start things off: Glacier Brewhouse IPA



Add a thai chicken pizza (very yummy):



We stayed at the Westmark in Anchorage, just a couple of blocks from the start.

Day 2: This is Orion. Orion is one of Martin Buser's lead dogs. He looks happy, and also has that look on his face like "let's get outta here!"



A team at the start:



Martin looks up at a newscopter...that's my cousin Pat on the right.



Pat checks Roy just before Martin's start:



And he's off!

AK...3 days and counting....

Time to resurrect this blog after missing out on Iditarod 2009. Will try my best to update when I can. The plan for us this year is a week in Homer, and then we'll fly up to Nome on the 12th of March to watch the Iditarod finishers roll in off the Bering Sea ice. Dad and I are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather and a good time...and some great AK beer! Stay tuned....