Donning my flameproof parka

[Blue_In_AK]

I invite those of you who are interested (and whose delicate sensibilities won't be offended) to visit my Iditarod XXXV gallery here http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/gallery/2562796#134838653 to get a feel for this unique Alaskan experience. The photos are from the ceremonial start here in Anchorage last Saturday and the official restart in Willow on Sunday.

[trof]

1. I remember one year when they had to truck in snow in Anchorage

for the start.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. We had plenty this year...

but the trail has been pretty rough. Nineteen teams have been forced to scratch already -- musher and equipment failure, the dogs are all fine.

[trof]

3. Ever go to F Street Station?

That was my favorite bar & grill.
Had a lot of layovers in ANC in my flying days.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Yes, that's a nice place...

Back when I had a real job we used to eat lunch there quite often.

[trof]

7. How about Darwin's?

That place was WILD.

[Blue_In_AK]

11. Yep, been there, too

although not for quite a while. I think the last time was for my best friend's bachelorette party maybe 8 years ago or so. We had a blast.

[crim son]

4. Those are great photos.

I wouldn't remove the suit too quickly, however.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. LOL. I hear ya.

[Catshrink]

8. Thanks for posting..

the dogs are beautiful.

[Bunny]

9. Those are nice pics, thanks. The dogs are just beautiful.

Why would you need a flame-proof parka?

[Blue_In_AK]

13. I posted a few dog photos

earlier in the week and got flamed pretty savagely about the "cruelty" of the Iditarod, much to my surprise, since I thought I was just posting some nice pictures. It IS a major event up here, though, and a lot of fun, so I figured I'd take my chances again and hope this post slips under certain people's radar. :)

[Bunny]

15. Sorry that happened to you.

Can't imagine how letting dogs do what they love to do could be wrong, but some folks will complain about anything, I guess.

[merh]

10. Those are great photos

thanks for posting the link! :hi:

[datasuspect]

12. why do you need a flameproof parka for iditarod photos?

i don't get it.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. See my response above.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6289945&mesg_id=6290039

I could link you to the other thread, but I'd rather not resurrect it. It got pretty ugly.

[datasuspect]

16. found what you were talking about

it's weird how the same voices for such profound kindness to animals can be the same voices that vomit so much spleen and viciousness against their fellow humans.

weird.

[Kali]

17. Spent a winter in Anchorage in the 70's.

Lived up by the golf course for Elmendorf. 601 Irwin - I can still remember the address. Had my first "real" job - waitressing at this little restaurant, Danny's Pepper Tree on Mountain View. He got busted for dealing heroin about the time I left. There were always a bunch of these good ole boys with radios pretending to be contractors sitting around drinking coffee and calling us darlin' - narcs.

There was a great recreation center in the neighborhood where I had my first experience with kids of all ages and styles hanging out together. I loved it. It was my first real experience with diversity, having been mostly raised in whitebread lower Scottsdale AZ at a high school of 3,000. I think there were two Black kids, a couple Indians and maybe a half dozen Hispanic kids.

I loved my time in Anchorage and have always wanted to go back. I remember the Fur Rendezvous too, if you REALLY want to get un-pc, heh.

[Blue_In_AK]

26. Oh, yes, Fur Rendezvous is definitely not PC :-)

I posted a few pix in the PhotoGroup last week of some Rondy activities, snow sculptures, the sprint dog races, the fur auction ... but I couldn't quite bring myself to post the picture of the multiple bear hides laid out on the ground for people to buy. It's not like anything you'll see anywhere else, that's for sure.

Anchorage's diversity is one of the things I love most about living here, too, and it's even more diverse than it was back in the '70s. There are almost 100 languages spoken by the kids in the Anchorage school district now, quite a few in a city of only about 260,000.

[Nicole]

18. Great pics.

I didn't know the dogs wore mittens? Or what looks like green mittens in pic #126.

[Maddy McCall]

19. Awesome! Thanks for the link.

I don't have any huskies, but here's a photo of my weimie boy.

[roguevalley]

20. wow, what a pretty dog. check my weinie dog in my sig. :-D I love your pictures

once again. They are so wonderful and they show the spirit of the event and the dogs so well. I love the fur rondy. it was the second largest American festival behind mardi gras. I imagine its overtaken mardi gras now.

[roguevalley]

21. I put a comment on your site. I just LOVE the dog nose and the

dog looking out of the dog box. Boy, its been so cold this year. People scratching. The start is always so exciting. Thanks again, honey. Lovely stuff as usual.

[Maddy McCall]

24. I love dachshunds!

They are sooo smart. One of my friends has one, and she is such a smart dog...also the boss of the house. :D

[auntAgonist]

22. Those are excellent photographs, thank you

for sharing them.


:hug:
aA

[Robb]

23. Great shots, Blue

Been a terrible winter here for snow in CO, at least on the weekends. Or, more accurately, at least on the weekends when I haven't been chasing my betrothed. :D

My poor pups! At least they'll always have the couch. :)

Last great race indeed. :thumbsup:

[leeroysphitz]

25. Those are great photos.

[fight4my3sons]

27. Beautiful photos! I love the dogs!!