Sunset Ranch

Flew to Missoula to meet Don and Beth than onto a 5 1/2 hr. car ride to Burley Idaho for family time and Grandpa's memorial. If Don hadn't packed everything he owned it would have been more pleasant, but we made it, barely.

At the ranch it was nice to see everyone, (although we all live no more than 20minutes from each other in Anchorage) but it was sad to be around Grandma and Grandpa's house and not have them there, and realizing they will never be there again, we might not be back to the ranch as well.

Mom came back to Missoula with us, meaning the car was so full we were straddling flowers, computers and Don's shite for the whole time, insanity started to set in around Dillion, Montana. Being in Missoula brought the realization that Spring actually means green grass, baby animals and sun! I wanted to stay forever and ride bikes and laze in the sun.

Flew home to snow but not quite so much ice, a bike ride today past ice skaters at the Lagoon was a funny paradox.

Seth has called, sounds like things are looking up, a more interesting family that likes to go on runs with him, interesting tours and jungles. Hope to hear from him again soon.

Iditarod in Willow

Saturday night and Sunday were spent in Willow awaiting the restart of the Iditarod. Lots of good food, nice weather and beach chairs out on the lake made for a really fun weekend. It was Hendrick's birthday (22) so we had a little sherbet and in a good time. Waited three hours for G.B Jones our favorite racer, only to find out he scratched at the starting line, "Your in danger of loosing your fan base G.B!"

Messages on the answering machine from Seth have him staying with a family who makes metal keg taps and his ATM card not working, lots of new experiences I guess you can chalk this up to.

Start of the Iditarod

Braved cold and large crowds of glass eyed tourists to see the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, today being officially Susan Butcher day. Mushers wave hand, hand, wrist, wrist like they beauty queens they are certainly not. Snow paves 4th ave. as dogs wearing vests with sponsors names and people riding the baskets slide by. This will end today in Anchorage, they'll pack up in trucks and head to the official start in Willow tomorrow. Will go the Ash's cabin and watch them race by on the lake, this time baskets full of supplies.

Have to miss Seth today as you can be sure he would have been singing the Rondy song to himself, "Rondy, Rondy-zvous come on" fist pumping to the sky on the last word. He is somewhere in Taiwan right now, will here from him once he buys a cell phone hopefully. More pics. to come as we watch the race tomorrow on Crystal Lake. Off to buy foot warmers and borrow Aunt Bonnie's down pants and maybe some chips for tomorrow's festivities.