All photos here courtesy of Pat Schue. Thanks, Pat!
Pat sent a lot of really nice pix of "backstage restart", but this has to be my favorite. Kinda says it all, doesn't it....and it's on the back of Lance and Newton's truck.
Newton posing with fans.
Inside the Willow Community Center, artist Jon VanZyle signs Pat's poster.
The crowd is gathering near the restart banner on Willow Lake.
Sebastian going through his last sled check before he hits the trail.
Seavey dogs are ready to go!
Hurry up and wait, hurry up and wait, let's get this show on the road. Seavey dogs.
Hmm, I've got to remember this for next year. A lounge chair on a sled that was pulled out onto the lake by a snow machine for an older fan to be able to see the restart. Someone actually brought Col. Vaughan out onto the lake in his wheelchair this way one year.
Dallas Seavey, Yukon Quest 2011 Champion
Catching a few rays before the start.
Bonnie Foster, left, making sure Sab gets himself packed and ready to go on time.
This tag sorta speaks for itself, I'd say.
Bored?
Hey, can you see Russia from here?
Hans Gatt laying out his gang line.
Ed Stielstra tending to last minute details.
Dawson Dolly even sang to the tv guys!
Martin Buser already had on his serious game face.
Lance Mackey....anywhere Lance was, you knew cameras, media and fans couldn't be far behind.
Something tells me Kristy Berington's "bad hair day" hasn't improved since hitting the trail.
Keith trying to get one of those pesky ID tags on one of Sven's dogs. The metal links are hard to get on under the best of circumstances, even worse with cold hands and in a rush.
#17, some musher named Mackey, looks ready to rock'n'roll.
Sometimes you've got to wonder how Lance finds time to get ready (Yeah, I know a great team behind him) with all the media demands put on him.
Newton's also in great demand with the tv guys. Mush, mon!
Bonnie, Helen, and Mike waiting for the restart.
Iditarod mushers really know how to throw a tail-gate party.
Sven Haltmann
Wonder how many gazillion photos this banner featured in over the day?
Sebastian making one last adjustment as the time draws near.
The dogs are ready!
The Berington Twins
Okay, let's get this show on the road!!! Mush! Mush, mon!!!
Iditarod Headquarters in Anchorage during the race, the Millennium Hotel from outside. And, of course, you'll notice the sign for Fancy Moose Lounge, a very popular hang-out for one and all.
One one of the posts inside the Fancy Moose.
June Shelley working in the phone room.
One can never have enough stuffed huskies.
This was as close to dogs as we got today. A plane was due in but hadn't arrived, so we just sat in the Moose and enjoyed the view.
I don't normally get in photos with folks, but figured, hey, these are the parents of one of my favorite mushers, Aliy Zirkle, so why not. It also let me show the haircut. Ha
They did fly in a sled while we were there, albeit in pieces. The people front left have the runners while the rest of it followed.
Pat Schue and GG Goss
