Considering a possible move to Alaska, Abby's best friend Stef decided to visit us the first week of March. Not only was this week her spring break, but it was also the time when Anchorage celebrates the end of winter and beginning of spring with a week long festival known as Fur Rondy. Rondy, as it is commonly called, includes festivities ranging from fur trading to outhouse racing. The celebration concludes with the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race. We decided to show Stef the best of Anchorage in the winter time.
During Rondy, especially during the Iditarod start, downtown Anchorage bustles with food, festivities and all sorts of people. The hot dog vendors are out in full force, pushing specialties such as reindeer sausage that smell and taste wonderful on a cold winter day.
Fur Rondy (short for rendezvous) was historically a time for trappers to meet and trade their winter harvests. Fur is still traded and sold in various booths at Rondy and no place on earth is more appropriate to don your ridiculously fluffy, furry headwear.
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| Typical mushers truck |
The ceremonial start of Iditarod is one of the most popular events of the year in Anchorage. The mushers stage their teams along the sides of the street for everyone to see. When the race begins, mushers take off every two minutes for several hours.Spectators line up all over town to catch a glimpse of their favorite veteran or the most interesting rookie.
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| Starting Line is under the banner in the background |
We all enjoyed trying to weave through the throng to see each new musher start, although nothing could compare to Abby's enthusiasm. Iditarod is her newest obsession!
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| #22 - Mike Santos |
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| #42 - Colleen Robertia |
Just off the beaten (dog) path is a little Rondy carnival.
Everything from a Tilt-A-Whirl, to bottle toss to cotton candy make this a bonafide carnival. Several feet of snow on the ground and sub freezing temperatures are not enough to stop Alaskans from enjoying a good carnival!
One particular ride proved too tempting to resist, so the girls decided to take a whirl. Their faces say enough...
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| WOO HOO!!! |
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| Handlers ready the reindeer |
The last event of the day was the annual running of the reindeer. Hundreds of participants arrive in costumes, plain clothes, and some in almost no clothes at all. Several heats are run that include men, women, children and combinations. Once a heat starts, reindeer and people alike run, slide, fall, and laugh their way down 4th Street.
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| Reindeer pass the race leaders |
Rondy and Iditarod are wonderfully Alaskan events that are always enjoyable.
We were so happy that Stef could be here to enjoy them with us.
Considering a possible move to Alaska, Abby's best friend Stef decided to visit us the first week of March. Not only was this week her spring break, but it was also the time when Anchorage celebrates the end of winter and beginning of spring with a week long festival known as Fur Rondy. Rondy, as it is commonly called, includes festivities ranging from fur trading to outhouse racing. The celebration concludes with the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race. We decided to show Stef the best of Anchorage in the winter time.
During Rondy, especially during the Iditarod start, downtown Anchorage bustles with food, festivities and all sorts of people. The hot dog vendors are out in full force, pushing specialties such as reindeer sausage that smell and taste wonderful on a cold winter day.
Fur Rondy (short for rendezvous) was historically a time for trappers to meet and trade their winter harvests. Fur is still traded and sold in various booths at Rondy and no place on earth is more appropriate to don your ridiculously fluffy, furry headwear.
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