Hello Family and Friends. I am back to my weekly up-dates on my adventure blog. One thing I have noticed about Anchorage folks - they have fun in any way possible. In Alaska, it is about surviving the winter. Winter can be from October through May and a bit dark during most of that time. I personally didn't think it was as dark as I expected. Remember, moonlight and sunlight reflect brightly off of white snow! People in Anchorage not only have a frontier spirit but a wonderful sense of humor and a lot of events that include weird costumes. Remember the Ski for Women costumes? The end of February began the 75th Fur Rendezvous, affectionately known as the "Fur Rondy" up here which serves up 10 days of crazy winter fun. The last 10 days of Fur Rondy leads up the to start of the World Famous Iditarod Dog Sled Race (1,050 miles from Anchorage to Nome). Dog sled racing is a major part of the Fur Rondy which includes the World Championship Dog Sled Races where 30 mushers and their teams compete for $80,000 purse , on a 25-mile course that begins downtown Anchorage to Campbell Air Force Base and back to Anchorage. That is where the competition ends and the fun begins!
I watched a variety of events ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, including Snowshoe softball, where most of the competitors fell a lot! Costumes are optional for the Frostbite Footrace (5K and 10K ) on snow in bare feet! I kid you not! Then the festivities were topped by the World's Largest Outhouse races. Then I watched the Fur Rondy Running of the Reindeer, which is Alaska's version of Pamploma and draws thousands of spectators. Yes, I was a spectator this year. Next year you will see me participating in many of these fun activities! I will try the Frostbite Footrace and Run with the Reindeer. I am trying to convince a group to create an Outhouse for the race. Any creative outhouse team names? Past them along - ha ha.
The week's festivities end with a spectacular fireworks display. 25 minutes of beautiful sparkles in the sky. I had to be educated that that Fur Rondy fireworks were the big fireworks of the year. Remember, it is dark by 6 pm in the end of February BUT it is light all night long in the July so the July 4th celebration does not include fireworks. Makes sense doesn't it! Most of Fur Rondy events take place on main Anchorage streets downtown where some of the streets are purposefully left unplowed and mounded in the middle of the street so the mushers could race through the people-lined streets.
It was an experience to see a huge carnival plopped in the midst of a snow-filled parking lot. It was only 10 degrees and I braved a ride on the Ferris Wheel. I was so motion-sick that I spent the entire ride looking forward with a scared look. It was fun seeing little kids riding the carousel wearing snowsuits, boots and mittens. Funnel Cakes was the still the biggest hit of the carnival.
I did participate in the Native Blanket Toss. I held my rope handles of the seal-skin blanket as we tossed people high into the air. I did not brave the toss but I helped toss.
The first few pictures are from the Fur Rondy parade. Not much different from from Lower 48 parades, except it was 10 degrees outside and every float, etc was riding on snow-covered streets. You will notice the abundance of furs. The Fur Rondy is the big fur auction of the year. You see everything made out of fur - hats, mitts, coats, boots and of course a jock strap (top picture). You will notice many pictures of Natives wearing their kuspuks or parkys (jackets). Many are lined with fur,made with velvets, and beautifully trimmed. Look closely at the father holding the little girl in her fur jacket. The fur trim is bigger than she is!!! The Fur Rondy Princess and Junior Princess reminded me of the Cotton court in Memphis! The Shiners in their motor cycles, the Harley Boys with their fur hats, the Green Tractor with Rudolph on front, and our very own Anchorage Roller Derby girls!!! They floats and parade people through out some candy but most of them tossed out "lip balms" and hand warmers! Isn't that cleaver???
I did participate in the Native Blanket Toss. I held my rope handles of the seal-skin blanket as we tossed people high into the air. I did not brave the toss but I helped toss.
The first few pictures are from the Fur Rondy parade. Not much different from from Lower 48 parades, except it was 10 degrees outside and every float, etc was riding on snow-covered streets. You will notice the abundance of furs. The Fur Rondy is the big fur auction of the year. You see everything made out of fur - hats, mitts, coats, boots and of course a jock strap (top picture). You will notice many pictures of Natives wearing their kuspuks or parkys (jackets). Many are lined with fur,made with velvets, and beautifully trimmed. Look closely at the father holding the little girl in her fur jacket. The fur trim is bigger than she is!!! The Fur Rondy Princess and Junior Princess reminded me of the Cotton court in Memphis! The Shiners in their motor cycles, the Harley Boys with their fur hats, the Green Tractor with Rudolph on front, and our very own Anchorage Roller Derby girls!!! They floats and parade people through out some candy but most of them tossed out "lip balms" and hand warmers! Isn't that cleaver???
The mushers all took off every two minutes for 10 mushers and then there was a 3 minute commercial break. Then the next 10 mushers left for the races. They left downtown Anchorage to the Campbell Air Strip and back. These "sprints" (25 miles) ,seem like a very long sprint to me, are so fun to watch because the mushers and their dogs pass other sleds, tip over, and return to the finish line with frost on their faces and face hair. It was cold. By the way, do you know the three words all mushers use with their dogs? Gee, Ha and Whoa. Why these three little words. Think about traveling 1000 miles in subzero weather with snowfall and gusting winds, your face is so frozen all you can see is "gee" "ha" and " whoa".
The picture of the "Native" musher is Sam from Kozabue. He was so gracious and answered all my questions. Do you know the mushers have to train the dogs to go to the bathroom as they run? Who would have guessed! The Outhouse races were a hoot. The Sarah Palin look-a-like enjoyed the celebraty moments. I am open to any Outhouse names for next year. The first picture of Run with the Reindeer is the traditional Fur Rondy Princesses run with the Reindeer.
Don't you think her earmuffs are large? Then think about how difficult it is to push a stroller in 2 feet of snow. Even the packed down paths are difficult to manuver those wheels. See the gentleman who ran with the Reindeer in nothing but his gym shorts? Remember by this time it was below closer to 6 degrees outside. Brrrrrrrr! Did I mention that there is a lot of alcohol comsumed during this festival? And finally the amazing native Blanket toss.
The picture of the "Native" musher is Sam from Kozabue. He was so gracious and answered all my questions. Do you know the mushers have to train the dogs to go to the bathroom as they run? Who would have guessed! The Outhouse races were a hoot. The Sarah Palin look-a-like enjoyed the celebraty moments. I am open to any Outhouse names for next year. The first picture of Run with the Reindeer is the traditional Fur Rondy Princesses run with the Reindeer.
Don't you think her earmuffs are large? Then think about how difficult it is to push a stroller in 2 feet of snow. Even the packed down paths are difficult to manuver those wheels. See the gentleman who ran with the Reindeer in nothing but his gym shorts? Remember by this time it was below closer to 6 degrees outside. Brrrrrrrr! Did I mention that there is a lot of alcohol comsumed during this festival? And finally the amazing native Blanket toss.
It was amazing to be a spectator throughout these 10 days of fun and festive activities. I hope to be a participant in a few of these activities next year. I hope you all are welcoming in the spring weather. We have been experiencing some spectacular weather up here (40 - 50 and sunny). I will show our Iditarod pictures next week. David, Poli, Bruce and I enjoyed every moment of this "The Last Great Race" and all the other Alaska activities. It was fabulous having them up here for a visit. They all agree the scenery is amazing, the people are friendly, the food is superb, the cultural events were extrodinary and they found their new favorite beer, "Alaska Amber". The door is always open to anyone else who would like to visit!!!
Have a wonderful day!
Hugs from
Sheryl the Nanuq of the North.
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