Alaska Winter Fun - Riding, Skating, Skiing, Sledding, Laughing

There was a lot to pack into this Anchorage visit. I think we did quite well!

Iditarod Start!

The kick-off for the Iditarod was on March 6. It takes place in downtown Anchorage. The race itself officially started this year at Willow Lake, which is east of Wasilla (which is east of Anchorage). We went downtown to see the dogs run! There are pics and video below. On a side note, the musher wearing the yellow coat is the Jamaican dog sled team.

Fur Rondy - Reindeer Run!

This was the 75th anniversary of the Fur Rendevous or "Fur Rondy." It is a part of the Iditarod Festivities. A highlight of the last few years is the run with the reindeer, which is kind of like running with the bulls, but with less danger and weirder costumes. Mike, Char and I chose the charming St. Patty's Day "outfits" which were quite visible to friends watching the event. First there's a celebrity run with the reindeers, then individuals (men, then women), and finally the "herd" run, which is the category we fell into, as did the women wearing antlers, the large butterflies, etc. Each of those involved six reindeer running. Then they did one last run, where anyone who wanted to run could, and all of the reindeer were released at once. It was great fun and, don't worry, the reindeer are from a petting zoo. But antlers are antlers, and people often hurt themselves, so you had to keep an eye out.

Baby Elias at 5 Months

Obama and Almost Obama

President Obama came to Elmendorf Air Force based on Thursday. I almost got to see him...almost (small detail about having a military ID). However, Mike was there for the speech.

Our Activities

Eating, scrapbooking, playing with the baby, walking the neighborhood.

Outdoor and Indoor Animals

Mike, Eli and I watched the moose walk by on Friday (it is the street in front of Char's house).

The cats like to watch the ravens cavort outside.