Friday, March 5th

Where else but Alaska can you get a picture of a carnival ferris wheel with those gorgeous mountains in the background? This photo was snapped just outside the Post Office we walk to every afternoon. I had to really buck up the willpower not to go across and get a pronto pup. I swear we smelled the mustard as we rounded onto 3rd Avenue.

They were gearing up for the Iditarod as we walked down 4th Avenue. The news stations had their trucks set up and a few were broadcasting live from the street. The ceremonial start to the "Last Great Race on Earth" begins in the morning. There are 71 mushers taking part in this extreme race. They cover a harsh terrain on the trail going across mountains, tundra, frozen rivers, and forests. The teams consist of 12-16 dogs. It takes them 10 to 17 days to reach Nome. We'll get out and cover this tomorrow. It really cranks this city up with journalists, news stations, and tourists ascending on the town to watch it begin.