Date: March 9, 2010
Official Sunrise @: 7:34 Photograph Taken @: 7:16
Temperature: 18° Wind: None
Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Nikon D200
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Winter Weather Advisory In Effect
Urgent – Winter Weather Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1124 PM Akst Mon Mar 8 2010
Matanuska Valley-
Including The Cities Of…Palmer…Wasilla…Sutton…Chickaloon
…Winter Weather Advisory In Effect Until 3 PM Akst Tuesday…
The National Weather Service In Anchorage Has Issued A Winter
Weather Advisory For Snow…Which Is In Effect Until 3 PM Akst
Tuesday.
A Powerful Storm Will Track Into Western Prince William Sound
Tonight And Over The Anchorage Bowl Tuesday Morning. Moderate
Snowfall Is Expected To Continue Overnight And Through Tomorrow
Morning Before Tapering Off To Snow Showers Tuesday Afternoon.
Snow Accumulation Of 4 To 8 Inches Is Expected Overnight With An
Additional 3 To 6 Inches On Tuesday.
What more is there to say? Winter is still here in Wasilla, Alaska.
Dang!!
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“I really have thought for my whole life that Alaska was an island”
~Facebook comment on March 8, 2010~
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Continued photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start
Today I am continuing my photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start, held last Sunday, March 7, in Willow, Alaska. This series of photos will continue through Thursday, March 11, with approximately 25 new pictures each day.
Rather than focus my attention on the race itself I thought it would be interesting to document the pre-race activities, preparations at a mushers home and kennels, and in the staging area during the hours before the actual start. I felt like this was something many fans of the Iditarod have never seen up close and I felt like I should share these images with my readers. I am very grateful to Dee Dee Jonrowe for giving me the opportunity to do this.
Again, if you find any photos where I have not identified someone, or have identified the incorrectly, please e-mail me @ rondayvous2000@yahoo.com with the correct information and I will update it immediately.
The official web site of the Iditarod has an informative web page which lists all of the mushers in the 2010 race, along with their biography’s and photograph’s. It is interesting reading and will enlighten you, not only about the people themselves, but also about the history of the Iditarod.
You can find the web page here:
As I published this morning’s post, Paul Gebhardt was leading the race, out of the Rohn checkpoint at 8:32 last night, three hours and 7 minutes ahead of Sebastian Schnuelle.
You can track your favorite racer and check current race standings here.
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Now, let’s look at more scenes from the 2010 Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska.
Dan Seavey chats with a Seavey Fan. In 1973, Dan helped Joe Redington, Sr. found the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a 1,000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. Dan competed in the first and second Iditarod races placing third and fifth respectively. His son Mitch, and grandson Dallas, are both racing in this year’s Iditarod.
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Two of Dee Dee Jonrowe’s sled dogs.
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Blue skies, white fluffy clouds and brisk temperatures were perfect for Sunday’s re-start.
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Ryan Redington takes a moment to pose for a picture as he gives his sled a pre-race check. Ryan has raced in six Iditarod’s. His best finish was 18th. in 2007.
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Jim Lanier’s sled awaits it’s dog team in the pre-race hours. Jim has entered and completed thirteen Iditarods. His best finish was 18th. in 2004.
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Dee Dee’s handlers and volunteers unload her race sled to begin preparing it for the race.
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Left front: Sally Jo Martin, Cindi Martin, Dr James Martin. Dr. Martin and Cindi, owners of Valley Chiropractic Clinic in Wasilla, have been one of Dee Dee’s sponsors for many years. I feel bad that I don’t know the names of the other people in this group. I will add them if and when some nice person provides them to me.
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I liked the way this gentleman was dressed and he was kind enough to stop for a picture when I asked him.
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Lance Mackey entertains a large group of his race fans while camera’s roll.
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As starting time drew near, officials with stop signs began to appear in the staging area. The stop signs were used to control the race teams as they got in line for the re-start.
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Ramey Smyth loads gear at the front of his sled while his daughter Ava practices her own dogsled racing techniques at the back.
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Colorful Alaskan style outerwear was very apparent on spectators and mushers alike.
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I believe this to be Mitch Seavey and his family, but as they were posing for another photographer I’m not sure.
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Volunteers lend a helping hand to Dee Dee Jonrowe and her mother as they return to the staging area. Dee Dee is dressed to race, ready to begin preparing her team.
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Dee Dee Jonrowe with her sister Linda.
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After Dee Dee returned to the staging area wearing her Iditarod parka many of her fans came by to wish her well and to ask for her autograph.
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More autograph signing as a crowd gathers around to hear her comments about the upcoming race.
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This young man was proud to pose for pictures with Dee Dee as she put her arm around his shoulders.
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Volunteers enjoy the sunshine and the Iditarod atmosphere. From left: David Martin, Sally Jo Martin, Cindi Martin, Dr. James Martin, Bill Collins.
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Suddenly a voice from the crowd called out Dee Dee’s name. Dee Dee looked up, gave a cry of delight, and rushed towards the person who had called.
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Here she embraces the woman who called out her name, obviously a good friend who has shared many conversations with Dee Dee.
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Another group of friends huddle round Dee Dee Jonrowe before the race, wishing her well and saying a prayer for her.
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Dee Dee is a hero and a friend to many young women because of her strength and determination in the face of injuries and illness.
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Happy smiles and good will were the order of the day for those who admire Dee Dee.
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Her starting time getting nearer, Dee Dee begins making last minute checks of her sled and it’s required contents. Once she has completed that duty she will turn her attention to her handlers and those who have volunteered to help her on this important day, occasionally shedding a tear as she thanks them for all they have done.
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Husband Mike double checks Dee Dee’s sled to make certain his wife has everything she’ll need to survive alone in the Alaskan wilderness for the next 8 or 9 days.
