Friday, March 19th

Saturday, March 20th
Yesterday we spent the day in Anchorage. What a beautiful city, surrounded by mountains and water. We spent the morning walking downtown, down the famous 4th Street, known to me as the ceremonial start to the Iditarod. We found a bronze husky statue marking the start, took the obligatory picture and enjoyed the shops and galleries.

We met up with Bart, a former classmate from Holdrege and his friend Richard. They set about showing us all their favorite sites in the city. We drove up near the trail head for Flattop Mountain where we had an amazing view. It was a cloudy day so our glimpse of Denali would have to wait.

We drove up to the Portage and then to Alyeska Ski Resort - the only ski resort at sea level. We took the lift to a fru fru restaurant that was full of attitude. I almost felt like I was in LA for a moment... tiny portions, high prices were good for a laugh and the view from the top of the gondola was amazing.


We heard stories all the way back to Anchorage about the famous Bird House bar that had burned down but was later recreated in Anchorage. I somehow think that Bart had more stories in that place than he shared. We had a drink and it was time for our tour guides to get back to their lives....Richard's family was waiting and Bart had to get to work.

It was an amazing day - so fun to see an old friend and share some laughter and even some Husker football talk. A hug goodbye and our day was over. Thank you Bart and Richard for a memorable and treasured day. You promised a treat of summer fun and fishing... we just might take you up on it!

Today is Saturday and we're waiting to board our plane for Nome. We are hoping that we might get the opportunity to see one of the last finishers of the Iditarod cross under the famed burled arch. When we arrive in Nome, we will meet up with the mushers from Jerry Austin's last week's trip and the ones we will be sharing our week with. We will be at the Iditarod Finisher's Banquet tonight - meeting the mushers, seeing all the awards distributed and hopefully petting some of the teams.

I'm sitting her looking at a gentleman waiting to board the same flight as ours. He has on a coat with Itidarod patches sewn all over it - I can't help but wonder who he is and what his affiliation is. I think it's safe to assume that we're Iditarod geeks.