Running of the Reindeer

These are exciting times for the Fur Rendezvous planners, as someone came up with the idea of this race.  . . no one knew exactly how it would turn out, because reindeer are usually docile animals, but the handlers/trainers were able to pull it off.  So they ran three blocks down Fourth Avenue in Anchorage to a street lined with people and vendors, and one was selling reindeer hotdogs, too.   It appears this will be an annual event, which keeps the tourists here between Fur Rendezvous and forthcoming Iditarod Races, which start on March 1st.  I have yet to get a good picture of the King and Queen Regent, but should have one soon. 

Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage, Alaska – 2008

The races are on, and here’s an image from the morning paper.

The Fur Rendezvous is in full swing, and downtown Anchorage is really crowded. I don’t know where they’re all parking their cars. I am fortunate to have a special (legal!) spot not too far from the action.
 This was the scene on Fourth Avenue yesterday.  Today is the new exciting ‘Run with the Reindeer’ race.  I hope to get more pictures of this, altho this image was stolen from the Anchorage Daily News. 

I felt like this last night, after playing the piano for one of the Fur Rendezvous events, but I didn’t get a beer.  It was non-stop music for almost two hours during dinner, followed by tall tale of old Alaskans.  The Mistress of Ceremonies asked for a show of hands of who was in Anchorage during the 1964 earthquake and about 3/4th of the full house raised their hands!   The tall tales, altho’ true, were wonderful, as the older set of Alaska told their stories.

Fairbanks Ice

Fairbanks has a great ice sculpturing exhibit,  but for more images, you’ll have to goto my other blog . . . I’ll have to admit our ice scultures didn’t compare, altho’ we did have a clever display of children’s delights, such as a rotating cup that you could give a spin and the children would get a free ride. Anchorage will be doing their annual snow sculptures next week, as Fur Rendezvous is just starting.  Check back and you’ll see what we do here. 

Welcome to Alaska Online

I am glad to be back online blogging about my favorite state.  I stole the web address from a license plate visible in California, but it’s got to be one of the more clever license plates, and to whom do I give credit?  Well, I don’t know, but in my travels, I’ve found that everyone wants to visit Alaska.  Some people have taken a cruise northbound to Skagway, so they feel they’ve seen the state.  No way!  Some people want to go both northbound, and southbound from Anchorage in a week or 10 days.  No way!
I hope you’ll enjoy reading future blogs, as I see Alaska from my home base.  As a travel consultant, I consider myself more of a travel ‘concierge’ because sometimes, you don’t want to travel around and see tourist things.  So I can accommodate your wishes if you give me a clue.  I can personalize your trip, but whatever you do, please see Alaska before you die!