each day an adventure in alaska: plan on sleeping in tomorrow....

busy weekend with the Iditarod. MT drove us out to Willow the next day...thanks! it wasn't storming here but the snow was falling there and it kept falling and falling. visibility as you can see got pretty slim at times.

we had to keep brushing snow off everything...SH kept up with that. for some reason we brought the car brush out with us. it came in handy though.

the streets were not plowed and there was minimal room for parking, especially where we usually park....so in the end we opted to just head to the main lake where the teams take off.

not sure if it was the snow or the corona scare that kept folks away but i've never seen so few people along this ugly orange fence. there did seem to be a larger crowd closer in to the start sign. most were bused in and probably not dressed to hike through thick snow across the lake. great for us.

the pictures are a bit sub standard. between the ugly fence, the port a potties and the camera constantly being coated in snow...well, it was not my best year photography wise i'm sure but we all had fun out there. it was an adventure in Iditarod watching.

the teams are on their way to Nome. word is there is quite a bit of snow coverage for much of the way. that will slow down the teams. harder for dogs to trudge through deep snow. concerns for moose using trail because there is so much snow and the trail will be easier walking.

i'm thinking the snow could be tougher on the dogs joints as well, so higher risk of injuries.

i hope they all travel safely to Nome. only 57 teams so it did seem to go fairly quickly. many left before the last teams went through.

the rest of these are from the ceremonial start. i'm still looking through the others.

i know some who were out on Long Lake where we usually are. it was a bit more of a trek to get out there and sounds like there were far less folks out there than usual.

these lei's were cute on the dogs. they are less decorated for the actually start and the sleds are packed full for the long runs.

the sleds are empty on Saturday. the trucks were up off the lake this year so a bit further of a walk to try and up there to see them. i was wearing snow shoes but it was still a bit of a trek...when i got closer i saw hoards of humans heading down the hill to line up. seemed like a good idea to get out of there.

i had packed down our patch by the trail so we could watch a bit easier without sinking in. i got my steps in yesterday.

the dogs got no walk yesterday.

look at that sweet golden retriever...he's not running, just chilling with his buddies.

today was Monday walk. we had good showing at both the walk and coffee after.

we did the gasline/powerline/tank trail today. wanted to show them the eagles nest. it was there but the eagles weren't today. oh well. it was snowing today a bit but not too heavy. we had a pretty walk. it was fairly warm too, upper 20's at least.

i'm making croissants right now. i'm about ready to roll out and add the butter and do the first few turns before letting it chill again. so it will be a late night. my last batch was a fail, but i decided to give it another go.

the yeast and the rise both looked better today.

so we shall see.

i am tired from the weekends activities. lots of social/people the last few days. i always kind of need a break from other peoples after i've been around them a lot.

i'm goofy that way.

Buser is running his young team and is sending his experienced team with a younger musher who has been training with him and a handler i'm guessing.

Jeff's handler running for him as he recovers from his surgery and when zoya team was running past it wasn't zoya on the runners it was a man. we kept checking the bib number. very confused...it was her husband. she had health issues and had to drop out herself. he's run the Iditarod but not for many years. he no doubt runs dogs a lot though so it shouldn't be too much of a stretch for him.

the dogs really are the stars in this sport.

Aily...always a crowd favorite. tends to finish top ten but hasn't gotten the win yet. she's come dang close several times though.

mushing gear.

dog trucks and loads of rope and booties.

more furry crowd members. this guy had a full wolverine, teeth included.

just a lot of action as teams prep and then line up and head out for their 11-12 mile run through town.

the Iditariders get loaded up for their adventure. this one looks ready for the blizzard that hit Willow the next day. it was actually fairly mild temperatures out there on Saturday

you get this ride by bidding for it. costs more to run with the more well known mushers.

costs a lot to make the Iditarod go. loads of volunteers for sure, but still a lot of expenses as well.

Kristy's bib was first...her twin sister wasn't too far behind though. they run every year, generally just cruising along in the middle of the pack together.

it's a festive party atmosphere out there and all along the trails.

the restart is a bit more serious as the mushers are more focused on the real race.

it is fun to wander around the teams prepping the sleds for the long journey though. different than this day...but just as fascinating for some reason. it's like seeing in others luggage. some are not light packers. i'm an over packer so i know i would have a big full sled.

this was an easy run for the dogs through town.

yesterday the snow got more and more sloppy with each team that passed putting the last teams at a disadvantage.

no idea how many turns that actually was. i'm not very detail oriented. it's in the fridge. i'll do one more turn and then toss it in the fridge for the night

nothing planned for tomorrow. would like to pay a few bills and get the taxes done for myself and WARIS. shouldn't take too long. it's just a bother.

we were impressed with this guys dreads.

not everyone can pull them off, but some can. we disagreed on man buns...i think there are some guys that can pull that off as well. maybe some of it is age related...just starts to look odd when you have a pot belly i think. that's just me though.