I-dit-a-what

I-dit-a meet with the mushers.... Yep, that's right we were invited to a party the week before the Iditarod to meet the top mushers. We may have had no clue who they were or the significance till after the Iditarod festivities but now we can talk about that time we rubbed shoulders with the local celebrities. Aily Zirkle is our new best friend. You can even check out our picture with her below. If you're wondering, she finished 3rd this year even after a snow machinery hit and injured one of her dogs. You can check out the crazy sad story here. And then Dallas Seavey the champion the last 3 years was there. And the. There were others... We don't remember them so maybe you'll get more scoop next year.

I-dit-a see.... Well Em-Kat and I got to see the start of the last great race. We had a warm place to watch the ceremonial start and even passes to get inside the ropes to meet the dogs. EmKat loves doggies, but she wasn't as fond of these. It may have been the barking or it may of been that there were so many. 

Interesting fact of the Year: Anchorage didn't get much snow this winter so there was snow shipped down from Fairbanks by railcar for the ceremonial start, but they didn't even use it. There was enough reserve snow even though this became a national story (oh those climate change crazies). And the day before the Iditarod we got a nice little snow of about 4 inches. 

This race takes a lot of preparation, determination and good friends helping you get ready. 

Check out all of the people helping each racer out. It's definitely a well oiled machine. 

One of the race teams at the ceremonial start

Em-Kat and I inside the lines meeting the dogs

Everyone needs a little fur to keep them warm

The dogs relaxing before getting geared up for the race

Em-Kat doesn't know how special this experience really is! 

Now we can check off seeing the Iditarod from the bucket list. Well, at least two of us can. Ward will have to wait until next year. (Don't feel bad for him, he was in Phoenix thawing out and playing golf)!

Xoxo,

W, M, and Em-Kat