IDITAROD WEEK: 3rd Annual Bering Sea Brew Festival

I'm not much of a beer drinker.  But give me an opportunity to celebrate the Iditarod, Alaskan-style, and I'm game.​  This under-the-radar event, the Bering Sea Brew Fest, takes place way out on the frozen Bering Sea.  I can't imagine a more Alaskan location to day drink and hobnob with other eager Iditarod fans.

Fest-goers congregated near an under-the-ice mining tent.

Standing west of Nome, with the frozen solid Bering Sea in the background.​

We were greeted with warm smiles and raised glasses.​

A bundled up Kevin Burton, head brewer at Anchorage's Glacier Brewhouse, poured us some beers.  Talented fella!

Raspberry wheat from Glacier Brewhouse.  Yummo!​

Autographing the brewfest banner.​

​Semi-frozen raspberry wheat beer.  The key is to drink fast before it freezes!

Iditarod Musher James Volek at the Finish Line

​I first met James Volek in the summer of 2012 in downtown Juneau.  He caught my eye because he was wearing a snazzy suit and loafers, and I thought to myself, "What is this jewelry salesman doing in a rogue place like the Viking Bar?"  I had to know more. 

C: "So... what do you do for a living?"

J: "I pick up dog poop."​

C: "Pardon?"​

J: "I pick up poop and mush dogs on the glacier."​

​This was intriguing to me.  I had just returned from an epic dog sled tour with Sebastian Schnuelle's Blue Kennels.  I was obsessed with the dog mushing sport, having served four months earlier as an official Iditarod volunteer in Nome.  Not only did I have Iditarod Fever; it was in my blood.

The topic of "Iditarod" naturally came up in our bar room conversation.  James - in his humble yet assured way - said, "Yeah, I'll be in it next year."  I was in awe.  It's not every day you randomly meet a brilliant athlete from a sport of which you are so fond.  I didn't quite believe this suit-clad fella when he admitted he would be an Iditarod contender.  I doubted James' statement until he showed me the two tattered Post-It notes in his wallet, each scribbled with the names of Iditarod checkpoints and the number of miles in between. Then it occurred to me: this Dude is the real deal.

When I saw those Post-It notes, I just knew.  One day, Mountain Man James would finish the Last Great Race on Earth.  And his long-awaited and much deserved moment came when he crossed the Iditarod Finish Line in Nome in the wee-hours of March 17, 2013.  I was so blessed to see my friend's ambitious goal come to fruition.  Congrats, James!  We are all so proud of you!

All smiles.​

James and his legit fur ruff.​

Signing the Final Checkers Report, making the finish official.​

James with his very proud Mom and Aunt.

James with his mentor, four-time Iditarod champion, Martin Buser.

This, folks, is how you properly welcome a friend across the finish line!  I pulled out the St. Pauli Girl dress and topped it off, Alaska-style, with ermine earrings.  

The Awesome Aliy Zirkle - 2013 Iditarod Second Place Finisher!

Aliy Zirkle is my favorite.  She's genuine, upbeat, and sweet as pie.  She's got a huge grin that lights up the Iditarod trail.  And she's one heckuva musher.  Aliy came across the Iditarod finish line less than one hour after Mitch Seavey, and I was right there to see it firsthand.  Delightful! 

With Aliy at the post-race Musher Signing in Nome.​  What an awesome athlete!

2013 Iditarod Winner - Mitch Seavey

I had the awesome opportunity to vacation in Nome this past week, just in time to watch Mitch Seavey come across the Iditarod finish line!  Words don't quite describe the excitement in the air.  Check out this video to see what it was like.

A large outdoor screen projected the arrival time of the first musher.​

Friends, family, and sponsors gathered under the burled arch, awaiting Mitch Seavey.​

The media awaits the big arrival.​

Been waiting for this moment for a year.  So excited to be back under the arch!