At this time of year I always miss the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous and the ceremonial start of the Iditarod in Anchorage. Fur Rondy/Iditarod is THE big winter break, with sprint dog races over three days for the former, carnival rides, fur auctions and street food. The city brings in many truckloads of snow in most years, as the streets need the extra for the dogs. I remember going to these events back in the early 60s, before the Iditarod was even a thing. Everybody knew the racers and the competition was fierce. The advent of Iditarod lessened the audience for Rondy, but it’s now timed as a run-up to the Iditarod ceremonial start. When the wife and I moved back up there in 1998, we volunteered for the Iditarod start and worked the street, keeping people back when teams were brought up to the starting line. I know that there are some who think the dogs are ill-treated. Here’s a shot of one of the poor things being abused.
