Gammy & Pop Pop visit during Fur Rondy & the Iditarod

The "Last Great Race on Earth," The Iditarod Trail Race is 1049+ miles from Anchorage to Nome across mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and windswept coastline.  In the week leading to the start of the Iditarod tens of thousands of Alaska residents and tourists flock to Anchorage to participate in another annual event, Fur Rondezvous.  What a fun time to be an Alaskan.  This year Gammy & Pop Pop Carroll decided to time their visit with the Fur Rondy and Iditarod festivities.

Gammy Carroll along for the ride

First on the agenda:  Dog Sled Rides on the park strip in downtown Anchorage.  Gammy was quite surprised at the size of the sled dogs.  I guess when people think about running 1049 miles they imagine the dogs to be big and bulky not small and thin.  I still don't think she is convinced that these dogs are lean-mean running machines, bread to run like the wind.  On day's like this, I often imagine Bakoa in a harness on the gang line, yapping up a storm, rearing to go.

Hugh Neff & the Cat in the Hat

After seeing the first few sleds off at the incredibly crowded Downtown Starting Line we headed to Takishla where the ceremonial trail winds it's way through the park on the way to Campbell Airstrip for a more up close and personal view of the dog teams.  Mitch Seavey tossed a flyer,  Hugh Neff tossed lapel pins, and John Baker tossed a dog boot at Reyn.  We might just skip the crowds downtown next year and bring a little hibachi to build a fire to keep warm, some lawn chairs and cheer the teams on from along side the trail.  That is unless, we have more out of town guests.



Another day of amazing weather brought the perfect opportunity to go sledding. Though it's been more than a month since we've hand any significant amount of snow the hill was perfect.   Didn't notice it til we got home, but we had the hill all to ourselves the entire time we were there.  Except for a couple taking a walk and a lady walking her dog, we were the only ones sledding.  Hmmm?  Maybe everyone was in Willow for the official Iditarod re-start.

Pop Pop Carroll - also known as "the Shredder"

Reyn's motto:  "Love the wind in my face"

Did you hear about the moose that kicked a woman at the Town Square Park in Anchorage on March 7? Apparently she tried to pet the moose as it walked by her and it kicked her several times - once in the chest.  Fortunately she was all right (didn't need to go to the hospital) and more importantly the moose was allowed to go on it's merry way without being handled by the State Biologists.  In any event, it seems that moose like to look at the ice sculptures downtown too.  We took this picture just a few days before the incident.

Back Yard Hockey

Imagine being able to step outside and play hockey anytime you want (weather permitting of course). Second probably only to pond hockey, back yard hockey rinks are quite common in the upper Midwest and New England states (not to mention, Europe and Russia).  Many NHL players learned their love of the game from their early days playing outdoor hockey in their own back yard.  

Though we live just a stones throw from the Scotty Gomez Outdoor Ice Rink at Takishla Park, it is almost impossible for families with little kids to get any ice time with all the pick up games going on.  So, last year Steve built a little rink in our back yard.  This year's version( above) is twice as wide and has enough room for the whole family. Knowing Steve, I'm sure he is already drawing up schematics to use entire back yard next year.  I'd better remind him to save some room for the doggies to do their business.

It has been amazing watching Reyn get his "ice" legs under him.  Last year he didn't seem very interested but this year he and dad are on the ice at least two - three times a week.  Maybe it's because of the Calgary Flames Jersey Aunty Roxie got him last Christmas, or the fact that Steve streams the Flames & Canucks games live on the computer, or maybe it's because he now has a full complement of gear.  This year's addition of padded pants, elbow pads, and hockey gloves provides a lot of cushion in case of falls. Whatever it is, it sure makes for quality father-son bonding time.

Even Little Miss is getting into the action. Nalani loves being outside.  We had a bit of trouble getting her to keep her hat and gloves on at first.  If they weren't strapped on they were off within a minute of being outside.  She's finally figured out that she can stay outside longer if she keeps her fingers and head warm.