Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod

First, Banff Film Festival World Tour at UAA last night -- lots of "do not try this at home" stuff - Slacklining?  Free form over canyons?  Death wish!  Fun to watch though!  We followed a father and two little boys out to the parking lot, and we said, "Better watch out for them tomorrow!"  We could just picture them setting up their own death-defying feats!

Today - watched the "ceremonial" start of the Iditarod from mile 4 on the trail behind someone's house - with their annual party, complete with a trumpet salute for each musher - and singing of O Canada and the Norwegian national song at appropriate times!  There was a fire going and hot drinks, and everyone was having a great time.  The "real" start of the Iditarod was moved to Willow several years ago, but the dogs go 11 miles from downtown Anchorage on Saturday, then are picked up and moved to Willow for Sunday's start.

That's Judy in the white down vest watching.  We were going to go right out and ski afterwards, but we'd gotten cold standing there watching the teams, so we went grocery (and wine) shopping instead and are headed out to ski now that we're warmed up.  It's in the 20s here with a light snow, and we've gotten a couple of more inches in the last few days.  Tomorrow is the Tour de Anchorage, which Brian did last year (25, 40, or 50k).  He's not doing it this year because we both were sick in February and traveled to NY, just not in shape for it.  We'll be there watching because Lance Mearig, our landlord is skate skiing it for his first Tour.

See the rest of the album for the Iditarod start on Facebook.