We woke up Sunday morning and the temperature was 2 degrees, 2. It was sunny and there was a lite breeze. Chilly would be an understatement. Today was the restart of the Iditarod in Willow. The start was scheduled for 2 pm. and by then it had warmed up to 14 degrees. It was nice and sunny as we made our way to Willow.
The start in Willow was easy to get to. This year they provided Shuttle bus service from several locations. $2 per person and kids were free. Not bad for a 20 mile bus trip.
We arrived in Willow with plenty of time to visit the staging area, this is were all the musher's were with their dogs before the race. Have you ever heard hundreds of sled dogs howling at once, Wow!
We wandered around and saw the sites. We saw Martin Buser and Lance Mackey being interviewed. Lance Mackey had a huge crowd and looked like the celebrity he has become. It helps to win three Iditarod races in a row.
We saw DeeDee Jonrow getting her dogs ready for the race, they each had pink harnesses. Mitch Seavey was there and his team looked very relaxed.
There was so much to see and there were thousands of peop[le there on the lake ready for the start. Yes being on the lake was safe. Ice is over 3 feet thick.
We made our way to the starting chute to watch the teams begin their 1000 mile journey to Nome. Many people had been out there for several hours waiting to see the first mushers go. Many people were from the lower 48 and you could tell they had no idea it would be so cold. It really wasn't that bad if you dressed for it. The lite wind made it a little cool. After a couple of teams started people started heading for the warmth of the Willow school.
We watched as Newton Marshall came down the start chute, he is the first Jamaican to enter the Iditarod Sled Dog race. Pretty brave young man. Although what possessed him to leave the beach for the snow?
The crowd cheered and everyone had fun. there were good eats, we ventured over to the vendors and found Reindeer hot dogs and Buffalo Bratwursts w/ grilled onions. These were very good.
We had a great time, and then caught the bus back to Wasilla, to the original re-start. In the 80's & 90's the race left Wasilla and travelled down my grandmothers driveway to the lake before heading to Knik and then up the Yhetna River. Those were the good ole days sitting on the deck watching the teams go by.
We had just as much fun this year and will go back again next year.
Hope to see you there!
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