IRON DOG RACE 2010

BIG LAKE, ALASKA


The Iron Dog Race, known as the world's longest, toughest, snowmobile race. Brave men and this year a team of women, blazing through freezing temperatures and snow -packed trails hoping to reach Fairbanks via Nome.


SYNOPSIS




*The Iron Dog Race is in it's 27th year.
*Was first called the Iron Dog Iditarod
*This year race from Big Lake to Fairbanks is 1,971 miles
*There are 34 Pro class racers including, former first dude, Todd 
 Palin 
*Todd is 4 time winner of the Iron Dog. 
*There are 28 checkpoints with the furthest being 120 miles 
  apart
*Winning prize, $50,000
* The race started this past Sunday and will end in Fairbanks 
  coming Sunday 2/28
*Todd got injured and fell out of the race by Monday
* Racers use duck tape to tape their cheeks and forehead to prevent frost bite. 

Cabin that we stayed overnight on Saturday: Me, Joe and Curt

Frozen lake 4 feet thick

Miller and Miller: father and son rookie team (15)

The start of the race

Tyler and friend. Tyler is Curt's nephew and 2 consecutive years runner ups. Tired of being bridesmaid

The Army National Guard - proud sponsors

My first upfront encounter with the machine. Many more to come

The Islander- restaurant on the edge of the huge lake. In the winter patrons drive their vehicles or snowmachines. In the summer, boats dock on the jetty. Funny!

A sumptuous meal at the Islander

The beast

    Tyler Johnson, #8

The  Welches plus Joe

Reindeer... that's Santa's friend. No sir, I am vegetarian..no reindeer dog for me

Pose before the big and crazy ride, from the crazy dude who had no quams about going 80 miles per hour and jumping banks. See the video on FB.

Now this is me calmly learning to drive one of these big iron dogs. Exhilarating!!!!

Chris calmly navigating me through the process. What a difference a dude makes!

Bunny boots with duck tape

All the kids as young as 3 years old, drive their own snowmachines.

Joe and I standing in the middle of a lake..unbelievable!

Cars driving on a frozen lake

Only in Alaska. Ice fishing on frozen lake with the BBQ grill going in the background

www.irondog.org for the latest update.

Baby Hanna, grandma , and aunty Michelle

Crepes for breakfast. Yumm