It's that time again - Iditarod fever

[Blue_In_AK]

Last night we attended the pre-race mushers' banquet where the mushers draw their starting position numbers. About 1500 people gathered for a really great steak dinner, fun entertainment and a few words from each of this year's 62 racers. Here are a few shots.

The partiers


If there was such a thing as an Alaska state troubador, Hobo Jim would be it. Here he is singing his signature tune, "I did, I did, I did the Iditarod Trail," assisted by some young friends. Everybody here loves to sing this song. You can watch a YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-cTzxkHPMs&feature=related



Musician and satirist Mr. Whitekeys, another Alaska legend, entertains during the meal. I don't think anyone even knows his real name. :)


I took advantage of someone else's photo op to get this shot of Lance Mackey, who will be going after his fifth straight win this year.


DeeDee Jonrowe is happy to draw #2. Position #1 is honorary, so she will be the first musher on the trail. DeeDee. who is a breast cancer survivor, is running her 29th Iditarod this year.


Aliy Zirkle first thanks her dogs, THEN her sponsors.


Kristi Berrington will be running her second Iditarod.


It's impossible to take a bad picture of Jamaican musher Newton Marshall. He is wonderful. His shirt says "One love, one mush." :rofl: This is also his second Iditarod.


Rick Swenson is the only musher to have won five Iditarods.



Tomorrow is the ceremonial start here in Anchorage, and then the real race begins in Willow on Sunday.

[Celebration]

1. Beautiful, Blue

I can feel the excitement in the air.

[Mira]

2. It's like being there with you

it's a world that without your reports I did not know exists

thanks!

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us!

Very well presented, too.


Back in the decades when I was young and strong, I flirted with idea of moving to Alaska and was always fascinated with the Iditarod race. ( Later I realized how much I like LOTS of sunlight.....):evilgrin:

[Mz Pip]

4. What a great time!

Looking forward to your pictures, as always!

[Callalily]

5. Every year I look forward

to your Iditarod photos, and I've never been disappointed. Thanks for all your hard work photographing and posting this special event.

[Solly Mack]

6. "One love. One mush" Love it!

Thanks, Blue!!

[rdking647]

10. one love one mush shirts

http://jamaicadogsled.spreadshirt.com/

[hippywife]

7. I thought of you today when I heard it on the news.

And I love that t-shirt, too! I know you are having a great time! :hug:

[Blue_In_AK]

8. The race feels good this year.

I hope everyone stays safe. The weather is pretty nice right now -- the wind has died down a lot -- but you never know what's going to come up out there in the course of eight to 12 days. There can be lots of snow, sometimes there's that slushy, melty stuff, then the wind will come up 50 mph when the temperature is only -20. Sometimes it's very, very still at -50 degrees. I do stand in awe of the mental strength and physical endurance of these human and canine teams. I could never pull it off. Me and the Shih-tzu?? Unh-unh. :)

[rdking647]

9. i love hobo jim

ive tried to find sheet music to the iditarod song for years but have never had any success.
I would love to run the iditarod but having no survival skills at all,Id die so it wont be happenning

Ive been to the both willow and nome but not for the race..
I also have newtons one love one mush shirt

[alfredo]

11. Can't wait to see the eager faces of the dogs.