Here's a recap:
Once we got Mrs. Rizzuto onto the first plane we were good to go. We actually had to walk downstairs from the gate, outside, and then up steps into the plane! She was surprised how small the plane was... in fact, I think her exact words were "I didn't even know they made planes this small." I think she was nervous, and glad to see Chicago when we landed. The plane from Chicago to Anchorage was a much better size!
The first "mini" plane!
Flying into Anchorage was pretty amazing. We flew right over glaciers and the ice of the Gulf of Alaska. We met a gentleman on the plane who told us Alaska has four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and tourist. Apparently we are in full on winter. He says this is one of the coldest winters and that Anchorage is on point for having the snowiest winter ever!
Flying in over glaciers....
Right now in Anchorage they are having the Rondy Festival. The full name is the "Fur Rendezvous" and it's held every February as a "Celebration of Winter" or "Frontier Spirit." It is a way for Alaska to remember and celebrate the time of gold miners and fur traders! This is the 77th year for the festival! It has some pretty unique events - a fur auction, a fur trappers' ball, a reindeer run, snowshoe softball, competitive snowball fights, ice sculpting events and more! There are also several native tribal events including arts and crafts sales, blanket tosses, and multitribal gatherings. There are also three days of dog sled sprint races and strength pulling events.
We walked around a bit. We saw part of the fur auction, a bit of blanket tossing, and the carnival. Yes... a carnival with rides and food and everything. In the midst of winter. With snow on the ground! It was so strange to see kids riding carnival rides while bundled up in hats, coats, gloves, boots, etc.
Late this afternoon we got to see one of the greatest tests of athleticism I have ever witnessed..... the Outhouse Races.
Yes, Outhouse Races.
Essentially, you build an outhouse (complete with toilet and toilet paper), put it on skis, get four people to push it and one person to ride in it. You run down Fourth Avenue, make a turn and head back.
Here are a few pictures to prove I'm telling the truth....
Starting Line
Racers!
We stopped into the Native Arts and Crafts Market and met lots of really interesting people and saw lots of amazing artwork! We learned how to play "Inuit Yo-Yo" and I bought one to bring home for the 3A boys to try (along with a video of them in action). I also learned something new.... I knew that the native people make carvings from walrus ivory. They collect the ivory as a part of their hunting. They still hunt walrus to provide food for their families. But, there was a whole new material that people were making artwork from that I never expected.... fossilized whale bone! Apparently, their ancestors would toss the bones when they were whale hunting and over time the bones got buried and forgotten. Now, as the spring thaws happen, those bones are being exposed and collected to make new pieces of art! So, as one of the artists told us, it's the ultimate recycling project. They are making new art from their ancestors trash! It's pretty amazing.
This evening we were able to sit in the warmth of our hotel room and watch the fireworks over the Cook Inlet! We were glad to be warm, as we were super freezing outside!
Tomorrow we have a big day..... We are going to take a "snow machine" (we were told to call it that instead of a snowmobile) to a glacier, spend the night at a roadhouse, and then go dog sledding at Dallas Seavey's kennel! I may not be able to post again until Monday... so stay tuned! We are anxious to see the difference in the dogs we mushed with in Minnesota and Dallas Seavey's Iditarod dogs! What do you think will be different???
Mrs. Reiter
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