Fur Rendezvous

This annual event in Anchorage, Alaska, has evolved over the years. I don't even have any pictures to post at this time, so you'll have to close your eyes and imagine a little main street with piles of snow all pushed to the side, causing burms the whole distance, and dog teams racing down Fourth Avenue for a 3 day race. This traditional winter event almost fell thru the cracks with the advent of the Iditarod Races. Also, the gaming laws ruled out the Monte Carlo Night, which was one of the highlights, and the Fur Auction is almost gone, too. The stock car races are gone, and the Miners and Trappers Ball threatened extinction. However, the city of Anchorage came thru and bailed Fur Rondy, as its now called, out, and the paper says its thriving. We'll see, because tomorrow morning is the annual Pancake Feed, held in Pioneer Hall, right downtown. The Pioneers of Alaska are a group of older residents, as you need to be here 30 yrs. to qualify for membership. The men Pioneers do the cookin' and the lady Pioneers do the set-up, serving, etc. and they may attract well over a thousand diners. I predict that tomorrow will find a far less attendance, due to the downtown construction with road closures and lack of parking. Also, the weather has not cooperated, because after heaps of snow, there have been a few days of thawing, making everything sloppy, messy, slippery. Well, we'll see how it turns out. The Miners and Trappers Ball is tomorrow night, and at the same time, the Senior Center has a dinner with 4 old Alaskans telling tales of the old days. Anyhow, it's a big week in Anchorage, prior to the start of the Iditarod Races, which start on March 1st. So check back, and I promise some images!