The Second Most Asked Question...

Since arriving in September, the number one question we've been asked is, "How do you deal with the cold?" To which we reply, "It's simple. You stay inside!" Just like in Texas when it's 100+degrees, you stay inside!

The second most asked question has been, "Have you seen or met Sarah Palin?" One of the last times the Governor had been in Fairbanks was Sept. 11. She was here to see her son, Track, off as he deployed to Iraq. Well, we didn't arrive until Sept. 18 and so we obviously missed her.

Knowing that Todd Palin was participating in the race, Ray got it in his head this week that we were going to the 2009 Iron Dog Race and he WAS going to see Sarah. Not only was he going to see her, he was going to meet her; get her to autograph his Sarah book AND get a photo taken with her.

Well, as most of you know, Ray is particularly blessed. In fact, he'll tell most folks that he leads a rather charmed life. And so you know where this story is heading...

After a day of running errands that included shopping at Sam's to buy food for the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, on behalf of the youth of UCPC who raised $600 Souper Bowl Sunday, and delivering the goods to the Food Bank, we headed to Pike's. Pike's Waterfront Lodge is exactly that--a waterfront lodge. http://www.pikeslodge.com/

Pike's was the The Iron Dog official finish line, but the celebration was another 8 miles into town. After team Minnick/Olstad arrived, the most exciting thing that happened was a plane landed on the river.

It was wild to know we were actually standing on the Chena River!! We were told there was about two feet of snow on the river.

After about half hour hanging around Pike's--and no sighting of the Governor--our group decided to head on into downtown Fairbanks and check out the race celebration.

As we arrived, we were told the Governor was indeed there! Ray and I made our way down to the Noyes Slough and yes, Ray's wishes were granted! He got his book signed and I took his photo with Sarah.

What better gift? Happy Valentine's Day, Ray!!

2009 Tesoro Iron Dog Race

When Presidential candidate John McCain introduced his running mate, Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, I think most Americans learned a few things about Alaska. When Sarah introduced her husband, Todd, we learned about snow machines (and learned not to call them snowmobiles!). Todd (and different partners) are past winners of the Iron Dog race--the world's longest, toughest snow machine race. Only in Alaska, the Last Frontier, can one find such a race where the difficulty is compounded by unforgiving terrain, severe weather hazards, high speeds and the competitive nature of die-hard snow machiners.

The 1,971 miles unmatched challenge run, through the hardships of a snow-covered Alaska, began in Big Lake, went to Nome, and then Fairbanks. Racers will proclaim that each section of the trail has its varied hardships endured by both man and machine, but for each it's a worthwhile endeavor to showcase skill and ability in such an unforgiving wilderness.

The race began in 1984, but not as it is known today. A few transitions have occurred since then. The following year the race became known as the Gold Rush Classic and in 1990 became the Iron Dog Gold Rush Classic. In 2000, Tesoro Corporation became the title sponsor--naming the race the Tesoro Iron Dog.

The current course follows the Iditarod Trail from Big Lake on to McGrath, Ruby and then Nome. There the Trail Class teams claim their victory. Pro Class teams; however, turn back after a couple of days rest to run the stretch to Ruby in reverse, this time with a better understanding of what challenges they'll face. From Ruby, the competitors embark upon the final leg of their journey to Fairbanks and the finish.

The race involves some 25 Alaskan communities, 21 of which are checkpoints or the start and finish. And as if sub-zero temperatures aren't enough, the relentless pounding of the terrain is an annual destroyer of machines. Broken shocks, burnt drive belts and torn tracks are all common mishaps.
(Check out the broken windshield!)

Then if the roughness and tough terrain isn't bad enough, there are water crossings, steep inclines, ravines and unmarked trails to endure. Teams have a grueling task of maintaining control, forward motion, operational machines, awareness and safety, all while in the grips of exhaustion.

(Yvonne, Todd, Nick & Ray)

This year's leaders and race winners is the two-man team of Todd Minnick & Nick Oldstad. They were each riding Polaris machines. Todd, 29, is a native Alaskan and lives in Wasilla with his wife, Sharilyn. This was his 7th race. He works as an equipment operator for Big Dipper Construction. Nick, 26, also lives in Wasilla with his wife, Brianne. He has lived in Alaska since 1987 and this was his 5th race. He's a superintendent for Udelhoven Oilfield System Services.

Super Bowl 2009 AK Celebration

Skiing?of course. Snowboarding? duh! Hockey? hello! it is winter. Even volleyball and basketball are played here--but football? If you find any fans, it's highly likely they are from either Barrow, AK or the Lower 48. And so, who else would we celebrate with?

They lost. It was sad. So sorry Kurt!

But hey--it was a great game and a great celebration!! Our circle of friends has gotten a bit bigger. This gathering included new friends--two Jod's--Jodie A, and Jodi B & hubby Mike.

(Watching the kick-off while waiting for the wings to be done!)

Jodie A, Ken, Shanny, Liam, Jodi B (Pippi) and Mike [and Ray & Wendell too]

Jodie A is in town for the semester. She came to Alaska (Palmer) via North Carolina and is a big Tar Heel fan!! She's a professor at UAF and working on a doctorate. We met her at UCPC.

Jodi B, whom we affectionately call "Pippi) and Mike came to Fairbanks via Seattle, via Portland. Pippi and I work together at the hospital. She's the "policies" queen and I am the (interim) "contracts" princess.

Pippi was the only Steeler fan in the house. She took our trash talk really well. And in the end, her team prevailed. Congratulations, Steelers!

Our gathering wouldn't have been complete without our "old" friends--Pastor Sandy (a HUGE Duke fan), Stella (a big Tim McGraw fan), Freddie, Samantha, and Ken (from Utah), Shanny and Liam (from Colorado).

(Liam)

(Shanny)

We hope you were blessed with good friends and lots to eat.

Happy Cross Quarter Day! (yep, go ahead and Google it.)

Y&R and Wendell, too.