Iditarod 2008

And, they're off!
We'll be following the progress of the 103 Iditarod mushing teams for the next couple weeks on the www.iditarod.com website. They have an interactive map on there which tracks the teams progress.

I haven't checked it yet today, but I imagine all teams have passed through Yentna by now.

It was a beautiful day at Willow Lake for the restart yesterday. Blue skies, very little breeze. I believe the temperature hovered at 8 degrees above zero all day. But we found it very pleasant.

Stephen had to watch the Willow Airstrip all day as his station with the AK Defense Force. I guess they've had trouble in the past with folks crossing the airstrip to get to and from their vehicles. But that's a super busy small plane airstrip. So you can't have people and animals strolling across it.

Alicia and I joined the throng of people on Willow Lake to watch the 103 teams be sent off at 2 minute intervals. So it's not like someone says, "Ready, set, GO!" and they all take off at once across the lake and down the trail. They are numbered and they leave in order.

You've got a lot of rookies and mushers of all ages. One of the rookie females is 62 years old. So if any of you are thinking of giving this a shot... go for it! Why not? We'll be at the Lake to cheer you on...