17 March, 2001

Going to the dogs!

Yesterday was the beginning of the North American Open Dog Sled Race. Nineteen teams are competing in this year's three day event, which starts and ends in Fairbanks. We were at the starting line to cheer on some of the teams. We then headed out to the 17-mile mark to watch the tail end of the first leg. The teams would run 20 miles on both Friday and Saturday, and would finish up with a 30 mile run on Sunday. These teams are fast! The winner of leg one finished in only 59 minutes. WOW!

The streets had been paved with snow for the start of the race. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

...needless to say, there was a lot of "mush" under our feet! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

The dogs couldn't wait to get started! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Get ready... _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Get set... _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Go!!! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Rounding the corner at mile 17 _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Welcome to the Fairbanks Ice Festival 2001! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

This block of lake ice has been affected by the sun. "Candling" is caused by melting at the interface of the ice crystals. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

A close up of the awesome effects of candling. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

An ice artist's canvas. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Competitors in the multi-block competition work into the night in order to complete their creations. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Sculpting ice requires talent and diligence. (Of course, a source of hot chocolate doesn't hurt.) _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

One team prepares to lift a latt"ice". _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Children LOVE the playground made of ice. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Naturally, NO ONE loves an ice playground more than an ice scientist does! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

There! In the red coat! Is that who I think it is??? _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

A desert animal in Fairbanks? Not much threat posed by THIS scorpion! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Birds in paradise. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

The "Archer"...that's my sign! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

A Pacific salmon jumps from the ice! _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

One of the FIRST PRIZE winners! Speaking of PRIZES, have you entered the ice thickness competition? _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com