Big Crowd on Front Street for Dallas' Finish

Photo courtesy of Karen Fletcher
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Meeting the Delia's for Lunch

 The sign that greets you right now just inside the front door to the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage.

 After we'd eaten, I wandered back to the race offices to see if anyone "official" was around and found Joanne Potts. Stan Hooley had flown out to, I believe it was, McGrath earlier in the day. Joanne came to the Fancy Moose to say hello and chat with Norma and Joe, shown here.

 Once people began to realize the Delia's were there, people began stopping by the table. Here's Norma listening to someone, or, hmmmm.....

 ....maybe instead of listening to someone, Norma was doing the same thing we were, plotting how to swipe this adorable puppy that Cheryl brought over to show to Joe.

 After Delia's had left, I snagged Marlene Buccione from the merchandise table long enough to snap a photo of me, right, with Pat and Pat. How's that for easy to remember?

And then we handed my camera to Pat Schue to snap a photo of Marlene and me. The box in my hand? A doggie box to carry home part of lunch to bribe the dogs for going off and leaving them in their crates for what must seem like the gazillionth time to them. Ha

Iditarod 2012 - The Start, part 1

 On the way into Goose Lake Park to the trail. Last year I was able to sit down on this sign on the way out of the park. This year it's barely peeking out of the snow.

 Hard to believe this wooded area is in Anchorage but it's part of their lovely system of trails.

 Around the corner and, yeah, I can see where I'm going, where you see the people already collecting along the fence that has been erected.

 You know the first musher won't be far behind when the snow machiners pass doing a quick sweep of the trail.

 And here's the first musher, Jr. Iditarod champion Conway Seavey, who is carrying the Honorary Musher in his sled. Note the snow is falling at a pretty good clip at this point.

 Ray Redington

 Bill Pinkham

Jim Lanier

The Cat in the Hat seemed to be everywhere, even on Lanier's tag rider.

Tom Thurston

Jodi Bailey, wearing her ever present smile

Dan Kaduce on tag sled.

Wave, Walt! (Idita-rider)

Tossing booties to fans.

 Cim Smyth

Wade Marrs, wearing the kilt in honor of Wattie McDonald whose wife is ill, hence Wattie couldn't be here this year. Good for you, Wade!

 Jeff King, back after a year off for "retirement"

I'm still fuzzy on how, but Jeff lost his tag rider here.

 The dogs aren't wanting to stand around, tho', so Jeff's taking them around the corner to wait.

 Still waiting....

 And here comes Nic Petite.

Nic and the dogs are just seeing that Jeff's team is stopped in front of them.

John Baker

I found out later that John's Idita-Rider was whaling captain Simeon Patkotak Sr.

Kelley Griffin

Here comes Lance Mackey!

At this point we were all trying to figure out what he was carrying.

Look, Mom, I can mush with one hand!

 So why didn't Lance's tag rider get some goodies?

 Mike Santos

 Paul Gebhardt

 Sigrid Ekran

 Gerry Wilomitzer

 The Cat in the Hat is here, er, Hugh Neff

 Louise, of Dogbooties.com made these cool dog coats for Hugh.

Check links to right for part 2 and more Idita-pix