Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Iditarod--"The Last Great Race"

Last weekend we went to the official start (or restart) of the Iditarod dog-sled race in Willow, Alaska.  On Saturday they had the ceremonial start in Anchorage--but that one is just for show.  The real race is from Willow, Alaska, to Nome, Alaska.  Officially the race is 1049 miles (but the 49 is because Alaska is the 49th state), but the actual distance is around 1100 miles.



There was quite a crowd of people on the frozen lake (Willow Lake) where they start.


Flags of the Nations of the mushers (From left to Right--Alaska, Norway, Jamaica, Canada, Germany, and USA).


We hiked about 1/3 of a mile out onto the lake before they started to find a good spot.  The mushers left in 2 minute increments.


Flat Stanley watches a dog team and musher race by.


Justin and Flat Stanley wait for the next team.


Sometimes the dogs wear little booties, so their paws don't get too cold.





Off to Nome...

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Shadowrise--Volume 3 of Shadowmarch


Yesterday, I received a copy of Shadowrise: Volume Three of Shadowmarch By Tad Williams.

I promise you I will have a complete review of the whole series (up to this point--one volume remaining) as soon as I can.