Running of the Reindeer

Over 500 loads of snow were trucked in to downtown Anchorage to prepare for the Ceremonial Start of the 2015 Iditarod and the Running of the Reindeer – two long-awaited and eagerly anticipated events of Fur Rendezvous, the largest winter festival in North America. It's uncommon for Anchorage to have a drought of snow in the winter months, but these past few months have proven especially difficult for dog mushers and other winter athletes who usually revel in the winter climate this time of year.  Regardless, from February 27 to March 8, thousands of Alaskans and visitors from around the world converged on downtown Anchorage for a sight to behold: eager and energetic sled dogs, Alaskan celebrity sightings, and more fur hats than you can count.

I spontaneously flew on a mileage ticket to Anchorage for this year's festivities.  March 7 was an unseasonably warm March day with no snow despite earlier weather reports of 6+ inches of new snow accumulation.  Bright and warm sun rays came out during the Iditarod Ceremonial Start, and the scent of reindeer sausage wafted all around.  Super friendly folks and loud laughter was around every corner, and there was a real spirit in the air - the spirit of the best of Alaska. 

I registered for the infamous Running of the Reindeer, which is sort of a play on Spain’s Running of the Bulls, but less intense or fatal.  Then I donned the same St. Pauli's Girl dress I wore to welcome my friend, James Volek, across Nome's Iditarod finish line in 2013.  This year's running event brought back bittersweet memories.  The last time I ran with reindeer in 2012, I was about 60 pounds heavier and had zero cardiovascular endurance.  This year?  I literally ran with reindeer and was toward the front of the pack in the "Gals Herd."  Once finished, I then got such a runner's high (first time ever, by the way) that I snuck into the "Groups Herd" and ran a second time!  Addictive, I tell ya.

Mucho thanks to my friends, Cyndi and Michael, for rolling out the red carpet and being such terrific hosts.  You know it’s been an epic weekend when friends in Bama say they've spotted you on the local FOX News channel.

"Running of the Reindeer" photos below courtesy of Michael Oliver.  Thanks for capturing the moment, Michael!

Wearable Art 2015

There are a few major events that Juneauites anticipate with glee each year: Winter Solstice, December First Friday, Public Market, and Wearable Art.  Out of all the community festivities, Wearable Art continues to be one of the shindigs I look forward to the most.  The bright colors, heart-pumping tunes, and whimsical atmosphere is a much needed break from the greyness of winter.  This year's Wearable Art Extravaganza was no exception.  With the theme Juxtaposition: A Celebration of Contrasts, Juneau's Centennial Hall welcomed a packed house and morphed into a theatrical runway, fit for New York Fashion Week.

I hope you enjoy these snapshots from Sunday's inspiring show.  (click the photos below to expand and see full frame detail)

Collecting Wilderness Peaks

I collect many things: feathers, fortune cookie messages, hotel room key cards from my travels, whimsical earrings. But now I can say I also collect art, more specifically fine art photography from Daniel Buck's Wilderness Peaks Gallery, right here in Juneau, Alaska.

Two years ago, I splurged and bought myself "Serenity" (pictured at the end of this blog post), a splendid sunset scene photographed at Lena Cove.  The photographer, who happens to be a good friend I met when I first moved to Alaska, recently moved his gallery to a terrific new space located at 263 South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau, across the street from the Red Dog Saloon. 

Just in time for December's First Friday Gallery Walk, Daniel hosted a Grand Re-Opening, and boy was it packed!  I knew this would be the case, so I waltzed down to the gallery earlier that afternoon, to check out the new space before all the crowds started gathering. 

Lo and behold, I cast my eyes on “Melt Creek.”  It wasn’t hard to notice.  At 32” x 48” and printed high definition on aluminum metal, it stood out.  But what really caught my eye was the turquoise blue of the water.  Icy turquoise is my favorite shade of blue (really, my fave out of the whole color spectrum), so I knew I had to have it.  Fortunately, I had first dibs on the art since I arrived so early - a blessing because, according to Daniel and his staff, there were about 70 people that evening who wanted to buy it off the wall, and a few budding fights over it, too!

"Melt Creek" was taken on a 10-day whitewater rafting expedition down the Tatshenshini (say that three times fast) and Alsek Rivers, which flow 130-miles through the largest internationally protected wilderness area in the world.  I can't wait to go there myself one day and see this inspiring spot.  Until then, I'll just have marvel this stunning glacial landscape from the warmth of my living room. 

 

"Melt Creek" by Daniel Buck.

With the artist, right after my purchase. 

The new gallery space.

"Serenity" under a crest of whale baleen.