Alaska At Sunrise

You can track your favorite racer and check current race standings here.

By Ron Day, March 14, 2010 6:28 am

Date: March 14, 2010

Official Sunrise@: 8:18 Photograph Taken @: 7:33

Temperature: 17° Wind: None

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Nikon D200

Today’s weather forecast is calling for a chance of snow with highs near 28° and lows tonight around 25°.

That sounds pretty boring. I’m glad we had a nice day yesterday, Saturday, in Wasilla. Although it was pretty chilly in the morning things had warmed up a little bit by the afternoon. We had some nice blue sky, too. Hopefully we’ll have more of the same today.

“Can someone tell me the point of Daylight Savings time in Alaska, when you get 24/7 sunlight in the summer??????” “Anyone?”

~Facebook Comment – March 13 2010~

An Interesting Afternoon Along The Old Glenn Highway

After loafing around the house for a good part of the day on Saturday, Becky and I decided to take a drive along the Old Glenn Highway, near Palmer, Alaska. While we were at it we decided we’d take our Dachshund dog, Schnitzle, along with us. He hadn’t been on a drive with us since last summer & we kind of thought he’d enjoy getting out of the house for a little while.

Five minutes into the trip we were re-thinking our decision to take Schinitzle. He wasn’t having much fun at all. Instead he was sitting in the back seat, tethered to his little doggie seat, crying & carrying on as if we were taking him to the veterinarian for a shot, or even worse, to have his temperature taken. No matter how much we reassured him, or how many treats he received, he wouldn’t settle down. Finally, we agreed to let him carry on by himself, ignoring everything he said to us.

We just talked louder if we had something to say to each other.

Initially Schnitzle wasn’t too happy to be going on a drive with us. He cried and moaned and otherwise carried on very loudly until we found a place to pull over so he could go for a short walk. After that he quieted right down…mostly. The photo above shows him complaining & whining as we drove out of Wasilla.

After we turned onto the Old Glenn I found a spot with the snow plowed wide enough to park the car and pulled into it, waiting inside while Becky took Schnitzle for a short walk on his leash. A very short walk because he doesn’t like cold and snow too much. His small feet are pretty tender and his chest is much too close to the frozen ground for cold weather walking.

Afterwards he settled right down, sitting on Becky’s lap, dozing off almost immediately as warm air from the heater flowed gently over his long body.

Peace and quiet at last!!

It usually takes three or four of these rides each spring before he becomes accustomed to them. Then he just sits back in his seat and watches the scenery pass through the window. At those times he is a lot of fun to have in the car with us.

An ornamental tree provides a tasty winter snack for an Alaska moose. Yummy!

As we drove along the Old Glenn Becky spotted a moose standing in someone’s yard. I turned the car around a little further up the highway and drove back until we saw it again. Luckily there was a side road nearby and I was able to pull into it and stop the car to take pictures. This old girl is stripping the bark from the home owners ornamental tree, a tasty treat for her and one of the reasons it is so hard to keep a nice looking yard in many regions of Alaska.

The scenery along the Old Glenn was very beautiful yesterday, with fresh snow on the distant mountains & coating the spruce trees very nicely, too. The only problem was there was nowhere to pull over in order to take a few pictures. Although the traffic wasn’t real heavy, there was just enough to make it impossible to stop in the middle of the road for a picture. Reluctantly, I let many beautiful scenes pass bye…un-photographed.

Nearing Palmer we pulled into a scenic area near the frozen Matanuska River. This couple was taking a stroll in the fresh snow when we arrived.

Finally, as we neared Palmer, I pulled into a side road which led us down to a parking area near the Matanuska River. There were already several cars parked there, their occupants out walking in the snow under a pretty blue sky. Schnitzle was anxious to get outside again so I parked the car and all three of us got out to stretch our legs.

Down by the river a couple was walking together, holding hands, enjoying each others company on a perfect Alaskan winter day. It looked like their destination might be an opening in the ice where the river was visible, flowing clear and cold.

Out of nowhere came this small yellow airplane, flying low, directly at them. They dropped their hands, preparing to run to safety if they could.

Suddenly, as they neared the river, a small yellow airplane, with skis instead of wheels, appeared off to their left, flying low to the ground, coming right at them. The couple were startled by the unannounced appearance of the aircraft and they released each others hands, looking like they were going run. At the last moment however, the airplane veered away , gaining some altitude, making a lazy left turn.

The man and woman returned to each other and grasped hands once again, watching as the airplane flew back down the river at a very low altitude before turning back towards them. It became clear then that the pilot was only practicing landings and take-offs on the soft snow along the rivers edge.

It wasn’t a crazed terrorist after all.

Just an Alaskan.

After all of that excitement Becky and I were hungry and decided to drive to the Noisy Goose Restaurant, just outside of Palmer, a few miles away. She said we could leave Schnitzle in his seat in the car, with the motor running and the heater on, and that he’d be okay.

I wasn’t too sure, but I agreed to her plan anyway.

The Noisy Goose is a nice little place along the Glenn Highway. Even though it takes us nearly a half hour to get there from our house in Wasilla, we like it’s comfortable homey atmosphere and eat there quite often. Good food, too. I had a Patty Melt and Becky ordered another type of sandwich, a dip of some sort.

After we’d finished eating we paid for our meal, asking the waitress for a small “to go” container so we could give Schnitzle a couple of french fries and maybe a small piece of hamburger.

Becky had been right about leaving Schnitzle by himself in the car. He was fine, just as she’d said he would be. When we unlocked the doors he was curled up comfortably in his car seat, lulled to sleep by the soft music we’d left playing quietly on the radio.

He was thankful for the Burger & Fries, though. He gulped them quickly down, then, sitting on Becky’s lap, looked contentedly out of the window as we drove back to his home.

Lance Mackey Leading Iditarod

At the time I published this morning’s post Lance Mackey was leading the 2010 Iditarod, into the Unalakleet checkpoint at 3:32 a.m. this morning. Hans Gatt and Jeff King had left the Kaltag checkpoint at 2:45 p.m. and 3:33 p.m. yesterday and were in 2nd. and 3rd. place respectively.

Ryan Redingtondropped out of the race yesterday, becoming the 12th. team to scratch. There are 59 teams reamining in the races.

Alaska, Alaska Communities, Wasilla Alaska, dachshund, Glenn Highway, Matanuska River, Old Glenn Highway, Palmer, snow, Wasilla, winter

Photos from the 2010 Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska.

By Ron Day, March 12, 2010 8:19 am

Date: March 12, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:24 Photograph Taken @: 7:32

Temperature: 4° Wind: None

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Canon G9

Some color in the sky this morning. Hooray! There wasn’t a lot of it, not enough to create a beautiful sunrise, but at least there was a little bit. That was encouraging to me.

We’re supposed to have a high today of 20° in Wasilla, and tonight’s low should be near 5°.

It’s not exactly spring weather yet, is it?.

“People r crazy I need to move I wonder how the weather is in Alaska?”

~Facebook Comment – March 12 2010~

Random photos from the 2010 Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska

To complete my photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska I have added a collection of photographs that didn’t quite fit into my main story line about Dee Dee Jonrowe.

I hope you have enjoyed the photos I have posted over the past few days. I’ve been flattered to hear that many teachers are using them in their classrooms to teach their students about the Iditarod, and life in life in the Last Frontier – Alaska! Hearing of the ways my photos are being used makes me feel that my efforts have been worthwhile. Thank you very much.

The lead racers are into Ruby this morning, on their way to Nome, but it’s still too early to predict a winner. There are frozen rivers, snow covered mountains and thick forests yet to be negotiated. Many things can still happen on the trail before the 2010 Iditarod winner crosses the finish line in Nome, Alaska next week.

The official web site of the Iditarod has an informative web page which lists all of the mushers in the 2010 race, along with their biography’s and photograph’s. It is interesting reading and will enlighten you, not only about the people themselves, but also about the history of the Iditarod.

You can find the web page here:

You can track your favorite racer and check current race standings here.

As I published this morning’s post Jeff King was leading the race. He arrived at the Ruby checkpoint at 3:08 a.m. Close behind is Lance Mackey, Hugh Neff and Mitch Seavey, who are also at the Ruby checkpoint.

Now, a few more photos from Iditarod 2010.

Faces In The Crowd

Lance Mackey

Bill Collins

Martin Buser’s Truck

Mike Jonrowe

Lance Mackey

Sebastian Schnuelle

Martin Buser

Ryan Redington

Mitch Seavey

Michelle Phillips

Faces In The Crowd

Michael Suprenant

Born To Race

Martin Buser’s Dog Team

Dr. James Martin

Kristy Berington

Quin Iten

Born To Race

Karen Ramstead

Left to right: Myself, Cindi Martin, Sally Jo Martin, Travis. We’re packed into the back seat of a pickup as we travel back to Dee Dee Jonrowe’s home at the completion of the 2010 Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska.

Alaska, Iditarod, Wasilla 2010 Iditarod, Alaska, Iditarod restart, Lance Mackey, mushers, photos, Pictures, racers, ron day, Wasilla, Willow, winter

The Re-Start Of The Iditarod Dogsled Race In Willow, Alaska-Part 4

By Ron Day, March 11, 2010 8:17 am

Date: March 11, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:27 Photograph Taken @: 7:26

Temperature: 1° Wind: None

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Canon G9

More cloudy skies this morning in Wasilla. I’m certainly ready for more beautiful sunrises but they are in short supply recently. Just as I was about to photograph some boring gray clouds with trees in the foreground to use as today’s sunrise photo, my favorite little tweety bird stopped by, settling on the suet block I’ve provided for birds like him.

I quickly snapped a few photos and after some tough negotiations he finally agreed that I could use one of them for today’s blog, under the condition that I replace this suet after he eats it all up. At first I was upset. I told him that his demands were totally unreasonable, but then I relented, agreeing to his terms after he reminded me that there was absolutely nothing else to photograph on this dull looking morning.

The above picture shows him being firm during our business meeting. This is one smart little Chickadee.

“You know the snow is bad when they cancel school in Homer, Alaska. =)”

~Facebook Comment March 5, 2010~

Continued photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start

I am continuing my photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start, held last Sunday, March 7, in Willow, Alaska. This series of photos will continue through Thursday, March 11, with approximately 25 new pictures each day.

Rather than focus my attention on the race itself I thought it would be interesting to document the pre-race activities, preparations at a mushers home and kennels, and in the staging area during the hours before the actual start. I felt like this was something many fans of the Iditarod have never seen up close and I felt like I should share these images with my readers. I am very grateful to Dee Dee Jonrowe for giving me the opportunity to do this.

Again, if you find any photos where I have not identified someone, or have identified the incorrectly, please e-mail me @ rondayvous2000@yahoo.com with the correct information and I will update it immediately.

You can find the web page here:

You can track your favorite racer and check current race standings here.

As I published this morning’s post Dallas Seavy was leading the race. He arrived at the Cripple checkpoint at 1:26 a.m. this morning. John Baker(2nd. place) and Martin Buser (3rd. place) are also at Cripple.

Dee Dee Says Thank You Then Begins Her Race To Nome

With only minutes remaining before her scheduled starting time, Dee Dee chatted briefly with each of her handlers and volunteers, giving them a personal thank you for the work they had done.

All Creatures Veterinary Clinic of Wasilla, Alaska has been one of Dee Dee’s race sponsors for many years. Jo Rehn, pictured here, is owner of the clinic, Dee Dee’s Veterinarian, and also her very good friend.

Bill Collins of Willow recieves a thank you hug from Dee Dee Jonrowe.

This volunteer introduced herself to me but I feel bad that I have forgotten her name, a mistake I will try to fix as soon as I am able.

Cindi Martin and her husband, Dr. James Martin, own Valley Chiropractic Clinic in Wasilla. For many years they have sponsored their friend Dee Dee in her Iditarod races.

Dee Dee adjusts a harness while speaking to two of her dog handlers, giving them her appreciation for all of the time and effort they have put into this years Iditarod race.

As race officials instruct them to be ready, Dee Dee and husband Mike climb aboard the sled, awaiting the signal to advance to the starting line.

While bystanders cheer her on, Dee Dee and her team slowly advance towards the starting line.

The announcer counts the seconds backwards from 10 on the PA system, then says GO. The excited dogs bark in excitement as the handlers release them, allowing them to run freely, like they’ve been trained to do…like they want to do. The crowd, tightly packed against a protective fence, cheers wildly as Dee Dee passes by waving to them.

As a cameraman from a local television station captures Dee Dee’s entrance into the 2010 Iditarod, her loving fans take hundreds more pictures with their digital cameras.

An arm appears in the crowd lining the fence, waving to Dee Dee, wishing her luck. She gives a small smile in return, then encourages her dog team to pick up the pace. It has already been a long day for her, and there’s a long night ahead as she races to checkpoint three, Skwentna, which is 52 miles away. She’s already tired, worried about her mother who will undergo treatment for cancer while she’s gone, but Dee Dee is strong, she’ll do just fine, thank you. This is her 28th. Iditarod start, she knows exactly what needs to be done to finish well, and she’ll do it too, or at least give it her very best shot. That’s the kind of girl she is.

I Have More Pictures From the Iditarod, So….

As I finished up my Iditarod re-start story today I realized that I have many more pictures that I wasn’t able to use because they didn’t quite fit into my story line. So I think tomorrow, Friday, I’m going to post them here on my blog “Alaska At Sunrise”. I hope my readers will enjoy viewing them.

Alaska, Alaska Communities, Iditarod, Wasilla 2010 Iditarod, Alaska, Dee Dee Jonrowe, dogsled race, Idi, Iditarod, photos, Pictures, ron day, Sunrise, Wasilla, Willow Alaska, winter

The Re-Start Of The Iditarod Dogsled Race In Willow, Alaska-Part 3

By Ron Day, March 10, 2010 8:31 am

Date: March 10, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:30 Photograph Taken @: 7:29

Temperature: 7° Wind: None

Camera Used: Canon G9 Photographer: Ron Day

Basically, it’s just another snowy day here in Wasilla, Alaska. We have almost a foot of new snow on the ground now, most of it appearing within the last two days. I’d more or less put the snow blower away for the year, thinking spring was surely around the corner. But yesterday I dug it out again and gassed it up, spending a couple of hours clearing the driveway then forging a path around the house, making it easier for me to take sunrise pictures.

There wasn’t a real sunrise this morning, though, just more snow falling from gray clouds, so I just took a picture of our deck, which was the most interesting subject I could see.

Pretty sad, huh?

The forecast calls for more snow throughout today but with clearing skies for the rest of the week. That’s a good thing.

I think I need spring.

REALLY? It’s March and it’s 1 degree out!!!! I swear last week it was 40 BUT now it’s1. Oh, Alaska is full of wonders and surprises!!!!!

~Facebook comment -March 10, 2010~

Continued photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start

You can find the web page here:

You can track your favorite racer and check current race standings here.

As I published this morning’s post, Hans Gatt and Cim Smyth were the only two mushers to have reached the Ophir checkpoint. They are currently leading the race.

Dee Dee prepares her team for Iditirod 38

As Dee Dee’s starting time drew nearer and nearer you could feel the excitement growing, in the people as well as the dogs. Handlers were busily preparing each dog for the race, fitting booties and harnesses to them and trying to keep them somewhat calm. The noise was nearly overwhelming as dogs barked, yipped and howled. Not just Dee Dee’s dogs either, there were dozens of dogs from nearby teams acting the same way, all of them wanting to begin the race, unable to contain their excited enthusiasm.

Mushers were shouting out instructions to handlers, who in turn were shouting to other members of the team. Nearby, over a PA system, announcers were introducing racers, those who had drawn earlier starting numbers, and counting down the time before each of them left the starting gate to the cheers of the crowd.

The team next to Dee Dee’s pulled suddenly away, the sled dogs barking as their feet scratched in the snow. A small crowd had gathered, cheering loudly for them. It should have been quieter then, after the neighoring team had left, but it wasn’t. Seeing their neighbors leaving before them made Dee Dee’s dog team bark even louder. They felt they were being left behind…and they didn’t like that.

Dee Dee made one last trip up and down the long line of dogs hitched to her sled, stopping to visit with each handler and volunteer, thanking them, giving them a hug, or a kiss on the cheek. It was an emotional time, in spite of the noise.

A race official came over, telling Dee Dee to enter the staging area. She and husband Mike mounted the sled, released the brakes and signaled for the handlers to move the dogs forward.

Dee Dee’s twenty-eighth race to Nome was set to begin.

Paul Gebhart and his team enter the staging area. A few minutes more and he will be on his way to Nome. This is Paul’s 13th. Iditirod. His best finish was 2nd. in 2007. He currently holds 14th. position in the 2010 race.

Tamara Rose discusses her Iditarod strategy as she awaits her starting time. This will be her first Iditarod race. Currently she holds the 64th. position.

Dee Dee Jonrowe contemplates things still yet to be done before she enters the starting gate at Iditarod 38.

As she makes her way down the line of dogs, handing out energy treats, Dee Dee takes a moment to talk to one of her handlers.

Every dog on her team is her friend, she makes it a point to give encouragement to each of them. Look closely and you will see love and adoration in the eyes of a dog.

Her starting time drawing nearer Dee Dee walks down the row of dogs with a bag of bright pink booties in her arms, handing out a set to each member of her dog team.

One of her dogs shares a smile with Dee Dee as it gets it’s booties.

In wonderfully bright sunshine, Justin begins fitting booties to dog paws.

Confident, ready to race the Iditarod, this pretty girl seems to know what lays in store.

Mike and Dee Dee help the handlers put booties the dog team.

A handler and one of her dogs share an affectionate kiss before the journey begins.

Then Dee Dee stops by to give a kiss of her own.

Pink harnesses are next, after the booties. The dogs know the routine but are becoming impatient. They want to race.

Pretty dogs, harnesses and booties in place, anxiously await their turn to be hooked to the sled.

Cindi Martin smiles as she reassures one of Dee Dee’s sled dogs.

With all of the needed gear in place, this dog, ready to race, licks it’s lips as it finishes one energy bar and prepares to eat another which lies near it’s front feet.

Besides Dee Dee’s team, there are dozens of other dogs nearby, all of them excited by the sudden activity. They know they are going to race and can’t contain themselves any longer. Their barking and howling is so loud that handlers can no longer talk to each other. They use hand signals instead. Here Dr. James Martin, left, and Dee Dee’s mother Peg Stout, right, smile for the camera as they keep their distance from the noisy dog team.

On the other side of the truck, in the shadows, handlers are still attaching harnesses.

Sometimes the comfort of a few strokes is enough to settle an excited dog, at least temporarily.

As the dog are prepared for the race, Dee Dee begins re-checking her own gear once again.

Nearby dog teams prepare to enter the staging area. Excitement is growing as the dogs and handlers hear an announcer on the nearby PA system counting down the time as other mushers and teams begin their race to Nome.

Almost ready, Dee Dee’s dog team, harnessed to her sled, are moved to the right to avoid other teams who are entering the staging area before them. From here, at the back of the sled, it’s an amazingly far distance to the lead dog.

While Dee Dee stands by, one of her handlers gives his dog a kiss.

And gets a kiss in return as well.

By now Dee Dee is as anxious as her dogs are. She want to begin the race, knowing that once she is on the trail everything will become suddenly quiet again, and peaceful, with only the breathing of her dogs and the sound of sled runners against the snow to break the silence. I think she was looking forward to that.

Alaska, Alaska Communities, Iditarod, Wasilla 2010 Iditarod, Alaska, Dee Dee Jonrowe, Iditarod, Parks Highway, photos, Pictures, race, re-start, ron day, sled dogs, Sunrise, Wasilla, Willow Alaska, winter

The Re-Start Of The Iditarod Dogsled Race In Willow, Alaska-Part 2

By Ron Day, March 9, 2010 8:00 am

Date: March 9, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:34 Photograph Taken @: 7:16

Temperature: 18° Wind: None

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Nikon D200

Winter Weather Advisory In Effect

Urgent – Winter Weather Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1124 PM Akst Mon Mar 8 2010

Matanuska Valley-
Including The Cities Of…Palmer…Wasilla…Sutton…Chickaloon

…Winter Weather Advisory In Effect Until 3 PM Akst Tuesday…

The National Weather Service In Anchorage Has Issued A Winter
Weather Advisory For Snow…Which Is In Effect Until 3 PM Akst
Tuesday.

A Powerful Storm Will Track Into Western Prince William Sound
Tonight And Over The Anchorage Bowl Tuesday Morning. Moderate
Snowfall Is Expected To Continue Overnight And Through Tomorrow
Morning Before Tapering Off To Snow Showers Tuesday Afternoon.
Snow Accumulation Of 4 To 8 Inches Is Expected Overnight With An
Additional 3 To 6 Inches On Tuesday.

What more is there to say? Winter is still here in Wasilla, Alaska.

Dang!!

“I really have thought for my whole life that Alaska was an island”

~Facebook comment on March 8, 2010~

Continued photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start

Today I am continuing my photo coverage of the 2010 Iditarod re-start, held last Sunday, March 7, in Willow, Alaska. This series of photos will continue through Thursday, March 11, with approximately 25 new pictures each day.

You can find the web page here:

You can track your favorite racer and check current race standings here.

As I published this morning’s post, Paul Gebhardt was leading the race, out of the Rohn checkpoint at 8:32 last night, three hours and 7 minutes ahead of Sebastian Schnuelle.

Now, let’s look at more scenes from the 2010 Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska.

Dan Seavey chats with a Seavey Fan. In 1973, Dan helped Joe Redington, Sr. found the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a 1,000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. Dan competed in the first and second Iditarod races placing third and fifth respectively. His son Mitch, and grandson Dallas, are both racing in this year’s Iditarod.

Two of Dee Dee Jonrowe’s sled dogs.

Blue skies, white fluffy clouds and brisk temperatures were perfect for Sunday’s re-start.

Ryan Redington takes a moment to pose for a picture as he gives his sled a pre-race check. Ryan has raced in six Iditarod’s. His best finish was 18th. in 2007.

Jim Lanier’s sled awaits it’s dog team in the pre-race hours. Jim has entered and completed thirteen Iditarods. His best finish was 18th. in 2004.

Dee Dee’s handlers and volunteers unload her race sled to begin preparing it for the race.

Left front: Sally Jo Martin, Cindi Martin, Dr James Martin. Dr. Martin and Cindi, owners of Valley Chiropractic Clinic in Wasilla, have been one of Dee Dee’s sponsors for many years. I feel bad that I don’t know the names of the other people in this group. I will add them if and when some nice person provides them to me.

I liked the way this gentleman was dressed and he was kind enough to stop for a picture when I asked him.

Lance Mackey entertains a large group of his race fans while camera’s roll.

As starting time drew near, officials with stop signs began to appear in the staging area. The stop signs were used to control the race teams as they got in line for the re-start.

Ramey Smyth loads gear at the front of his sled while his daughter Ava practices her own dogsled racing techniques at the back.

Colorful Alaskan style outerwear was very apparent on spectators and mushers alike.

I believe this to be Mitch Seavey and his family, but as they were posing for another photographer I’m not sure.

Volunteers lend a helping hand to Dee Dee Jonrowe and her mother as they return to the staging area. Dee Dee is dressed to race, ready to begin preparing her team.

Dee Dee Jonrowe with her sister Linda.

After Dee Dee returned to the staging area wearing her Iditarod parka many of her fans came by to wish her well and to ask for her autograph.

More autograph signing as a crowd gathers around to hear her comments about the upcoming race.

This young man was proud to pose for pictures with Dee Dee as she put her arm around his shoulders.

Volunteers enjoy the sunshine and the Iditarod atmosphere. From left: David Martin, Sally Jo Martin, Cindi Martin, Dr. James Martin, Bill Collins.

Suddenly a voice from the crowd called out Dee Dee’s name. Dee Dee looked up, gave a cry of delight, and rushed towards the person who had called.

Here she embraces the woman who called out her name, obviously a good friend who has shared many conversations with Dee Dee.

Another group of friends huddle round Dee Dee Jonrowe before the race, wishing her well and saying a prayer for her.

Dee Dee is a hero and a friend to many young women because of her strength and determination in the face of injuries and illness.

Happy smiles and good will were the order of the day for those who admire Dee Dee.

Her starting time getting nearer, Dee Dee begins making last minute checks of her sled and it’s required contents. Once she has completed that duty she will turn her attention to her handlers and those who have volunteered to help her on this important day, occasionally shedding a tear as she thanks them for all they have done.

Husband Mike double checks Dee Dee’s sled to make certain his wife has everything she’ll need to survive alone in the Alaskan wilderness for the next 8 or 9 days.

Alaska, Alaska Communities, Iditarod, Wasilla 2010 Iditarod, Alaska, Dee Dee Jonrowe, dogsled race, Lance Mackey, photos, Pictures, re-start, Willow, Willow Alaska

The Re-Start of the 2010 Iditarod Dogsled Race In Willow, Alaska

By Ron Day, March 8, 2010 10:08 am

Date: March 8, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:37 Photograph Take @: 8:40

Temperature: 25° Wind: From the north @25 m.p.h – Gusts to 45 m.p.h.

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Canon G9

I was so busy working on today’s post that I lost track of the time. When I finally looked outside I found that sunrise had happen quite some time ago and I’d missed it. But I didn’t really miss too much because it is again real nasty out there with, horizontal snow in strong gusty winds. As I stepped out onto my studio porch to snap a picture of some sort Becky was just leaving for work. She stopped the PT Cruiser long enough to roll down the window to say good-bye to me. I snapped a picture of her and that is today’s sunrise picture. I hope she doesn’t mind too much.

I have several hundred pictures to sort though this week, all of them taken yesterday at the re-start of Iditarod XXXVIII in Willow, Alaska. I’ve quickly browsed through them and think I’ve got some pretty good shots. This week, for several days at least, I will be posting them here on Alaska At Sunrise for my readers to enjoy.

I hope they help to give you a sense of what Alaska’s Iditarod Dogsled Race is all about.

“I wish was in Alaska today to see the start of the Iditarod. That should go on my BUCKET LIST.”

~Facebook comment March 7, 2010~

The 2010 Iditarod Begins

Mushers entered into Iditarod XXXVIII are officially on their way to Nome, Alaska. The race began in Anchorage on Saturday, with a ceremonial start, but the real race started on Sunday with a re-start in Willow. Seventy-one racers are entered into this year’s event, including many rookies.

I was honored to have been asked to participate by photographing Dee Dee Jonrowe as she, her dog handlers, and volunteers prepared for the race. Over the next week I will be posting many of these photos on Alaska At Sunrise. Although they will have a strong slant towards images of Dee Dee and her team, I was still able to capture many other sights during the pre-race hours as other teams prepared for the race, too.

The weather was beautiful for the re-start, with temperatures in the low 20’s and the sky a pretty blue with white fluffy clouds. Several thousand spectators were on hand, lining the starting chute and cheering for their favorite mushers and dog teams.

I photographed many people during the day on Sunday. Many of their faces are unfamiliar to me and I feel bad because I’m unable to identify them, or have identified them incorrectly. For that reason I’m asking my readers to help me, if they can, by e-mailing me with names to match the faces in my pictures, or correcting me if I have made a mistake in a caption.

My e-mail address is; rondayvous2000@yahoo.com

I hope you enjoy, over the next few days, my photographs from the 2010 Iditarod.

Thank You

Jonrowe Racing Kennel – owned and operated by Dee Dee and Mike Jonrowe.

The view from Dee Dee Jonrowe’s kitchen window, overlooking her backyard where the dogs who will form her 2010 Iditarod team are tethered.

Hours before the start of the race, Dee Dee Jonrowe and her mother Peg gather at the kitchen table to visit quietly and read the Sunday newspaper.

Mike Jonrowe, left, and other volunteers carry Dee Dee’s racing sled to the truck for loading. Dee Dee’s favorite Labrador Retrievers follow along to oversee the activities.

The sled is hoisted onto the Jonrowe Racing Kennel’s dog truck.

After the sled is loaded and secured to the top of the truck all of the dogs who are going to Nome with Dee Dee are turned loose and make a wild dash to the truck where handlers load them into individual cubby holes. The dogs are anxious and excited, for they know they are off to another racing adventure.

Smiling and laughing, this sled dog makes a run towards the truck, hardly able to contain his excitement about racing to Nome, Alaska in the 2010 Iditarod.

Leaving Mike and Dee Dee’s home I’m able to photograph the dog truck in front of us as we drive down the long driveway towards the Parks Highway, on our way to Willow, Alaska, just a few miles away.

Handlers for Ryan Redington attatch new runners on his bright sled in preparation for his run to Nome.

Other mushers begin making preparations for the race.

Trailers and trucks containing sleds, dogs and required gear begin to arrive at Long Lake, Near Willow, Alaska, where the race will begin.

Dee Dee, along with her mother and a friend, or fan, pose for pictures before the race.

Dee Dee Jonrowe and her mother, Peg Stout.

Dee Dee assists her mother as they walk to a nearby home on the lake’s shore. They will remain in the house for several hours, resting and preparing for the race within the semi-privacy of it’s walls.

Mitch Seavey chats with a fan. Mitch started nineteenth in the race. He was the Iditarod Champion in 2004. Since then he has finished among the top ten in every race.

One of many colorful and unique hats worn by fans of the Iditarod.

Martin Buser made sure he spent a lot of time talking with his many fans. Martin is a four time winner of the Iditarod (1992, 1994, 1997, 2002) and hold the race record of 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes.

Martin Buser, dressed to race, ready for the 2010 Iditarod.

Jane Faulkner, a rookie, started 22nd. in the race.

One of Dee Dee Jonrowe’s dog handlers answers questions from fans near her truck.

Colorfully dressed race officials discuss the upcoming race.

Mitch Seavey listens to questions and comments from his fans.

Jane Faulkner receives some valuable encouragement from one of her dogs.

Colorful, and uniquely Alaskan clothing was in abundance at Iditarod XXXVIII

Martin Buser, relaxed and confident, talks with a fan before the start of the race on Sunday.

Alaska, Alaska Communities, Iditarod 2010 Iditarod, Alaska, Dee Dee Jonrowe, dogsled race, Iditarod 38, Iditarod XXXVIII, mushers, nome, Parks Highway, photos, Pictures, re-start, ron day, Sunrise, Wasilla, Willow, winter

More from Washington D.C and my plans for the Iditarod re-start

By Ron Day, March 6, 2010 9:00 am

Date: March 6, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:43 Photograph Taken @: 7:51

Temperature: 25° Wind: None

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Canon G9

I walked out to the bluff to take this morning’s sunrise picture but their wasn’t one. Just dull grayness where the mountains should have been.

Not pretty.

Instead I found this Chickadee(?) breakfasting on a brick of Suet I’d placed on a birch tree a while back. It didn’t seem very frightened of me, let me walk up close to photograph it while it ate, so I decided to use it for today’s picture.

His name is Smitty.

We’re supposed to have more snow today and tomorrow and it looks as if that might be true. It will be nice for the Iditarod racers and their dogs to have some real winter weather for once as they begin this year’s ”Last Great Race”.

Highs near 35° for south-central Alaska with lows near 12°. Not quite spring weather, yet.

Tomorrow’s Alaska At Sunrise post will be delayed somewhat as I leave the house early in the morning to attend the Iditarod re-start in Willow, Alaska.

Have a great Saturday, everyone.

“I would love to just runaway….and forget about these conservative people in Alaska!”

~Facebook Comment from March 5, 2010~

Two More Photos From Washington D.C.

Yesterday I received an e-mail from my friend Cindi containing two group photos taken in Washington D.C. last week as they attended a Chiropractic Convention there. They all looked so pretty and handsome in these pictures that I just had to post them. It’s obvious they truly enjoyed their brief stay at our nation’s Capitol.

From left: Dr. Hediger, Dawn, Cindi, Becky, Dr. Martin, Kimber, Debbie, David.

From left: David, Debbie, George, Dawn, Becky Cindi. George, a well known Washington figure, was their impromptu tour guide, taking time out of his schedule to spend an entire afternoon showing them through the capitol building. Afterwards he used his own car to drive them to a nice restaurant where he had dinner with the Alaskan group, including Dr. Martin.

I sell more photographs at Fine Art America

I received word this morning that two more of my photographs have sold from my gallery at Fine Art America.

Fired Up was sold as an 8″ x 12″ framed print and Laced In Apricot was sold as an10″ x 20″ framed print.

My sincere thanks goes out to the buyers of these prints.

Fired Up

Laced In Apricot

2010 Iditarod

The 2010 Iditarod dogsled race begins today with a ceremonial start in Anchorage , Alaska. Seventy-two mushers and their dog teams are set to race 1,150 miles through the heart of Alaska, reaching Nome and the finish line a little more than a week from today.

Tomorrow, Sunday, a re-start of the Iditarod will take place in Willow, Alaska. From there the racers will begin their real journey through Alaska and it’s sometimes cruel weather and landscape. I will be in Willow to photograph the re-start and will be posting pictures here on “Alaska At Sunrise” beginning Monday morning, possibly Sunday night if I return home early enough.

The weather looks to be quite wintry for tomorrow’s re-start, with snow and cold in the forecast. It should be great weather for photography and I hope to have some interesting “Real Alaska” type photos for you to enjoy.

Alaska, Alaska Communities, Canon G9, Wasilla 2010 Iditarod, Alaska, Capitol Building, Fine Art America, Iditarod, Photography, photos, Pictures, re-start, ron day, Sunrise, Washington D.C., Wasilla, Willow Alaska, winter

Dalton, Brylan, and Destiny come for a short visit

By Ron Day, March 5, 2010 8:01 am

Date: March 5, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:46 Photograph Taken @: 7:37

Temperature: 25° Wind: Out of the NE @ 25-35 m.p.h.

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Canon G9

It’s nasty outside this morning, so nasty in fact that I didn’t even bother going out for the sunrise picture, just stuck my Canon G9 against a window in my studio and snapped away.

The wind is howling, sounds cold and ferocious, the sky is dark gray had heavy, and it’s cold. we’re supposed to get more snow, too, according to the predictors. Snow will be good for The Iditarod, the 1,049 mile dogsled race to Nome which starts tomorrow, but I think many of us would just as soon have some sunshine and warmth.

I’ve added a few more blogs to the blog roll on the right. I check each of them every day and often find some interesting reading.

OMG! I have moose in my yard, eating on my tree and now bedded down in my yard.

Only in Alaska, I love it!!!

~Facebook Comment~

A bright Spot In Our Day: Grandchildren

Yesterday, while Jenny attended a meeting, Becky and I watched our three youngest grandchildren for about an hour. They are always a delight to us when they’re here.

While Dalton and Brylan played with their new toy airplanes, which Grandma bought for them in Washington D.C., Destiny was quite content being held by her grandparents.

Schnitzle had a good time, too, running from one to the other, barking and having fun. He likes his kids and gets very excited when I tell him they are coming to visit. He’ll run to the entry and sit there, looking out of the window in the door, until he sees their truck pull into the driveway. I used to tease him, telling him they were coming when they really weren’t, but I stopped doing that because I felt mean when he’d become excited and run to the door with his tail wagging furiously.

Becky took this picture of Destiny as she was waking up in her carrier moments after Jenny had walked out of the door. She is such a sweet baby, always ready with a smile and very seldom crying. By looking at her it’s hard to believe she was born a few months early.

Brylan found a corner to himself and was quite content for a while, playing with a toy belonging to our cat, Miss Paws, along with a dinosaur and Bart Simpson on a skateboard.

We had to bribe Dalton to get this shot. He was hungry, as he always is, so we told him he could have a corn dog if he’d pose for a picture. Dalton will do about anything for food, including sitting in a chair upside down and making a funny looking grin. Schnitzle is on his way over to check things out, curious as to why his friend is acting so strangely.

Brylan and Dalton with their new toys direct from Washington D.C., exact replicas of Air Force One. As you probably already know, there is always two identical planes in the air whenever the president travels anywhere. I myself wasn’t sure which one of them President Obama was in, but Bart Simpson knew, and was trying to convince him that he should come along as a mediator or something. Of course he was refused and quickly escorted off the runway by the Secret Service.

Dachshund dog Schnitlze stops moving just long enough to have his picture taken. He loves his “kids” and has lots of fun playing and running with them. After they leave he always goes to his bed, crawls under his blankets and crashes for a few hours. Playing with kids is hard work and wears him out.

Alaska, Canon G9, Wasilla, grandchildren Air Force One, Alaska, Bart Simpson, Bayview Drive, dachshund, dogsled, grandchildren, Iditarod, President Obama, ron day, Sunrise, Wasilla, winter

Waking up with a moose and I photograph more vehicle lights in the darkness

By Ron Day, March 4, 2010 9:21 am

Date: March 4, 2010

Official Sunrise @: 7:49 Photograph Taken @: 7:56

Temperature: 20° Wind: None

Photographer: Ron Day Camera Used: Nikon D200

A bleakish morning with a few snowflakes falling from dull gray clouds. As you can see from the above photo visibility is pretty limited, the distant mountains are completely hidden from view by the clouds. It certainly does not feel like spring today.

Snow in the forecast with highs in the lower 30’s and lows near 28°.

What i would give to click my heels and be laying by the ocean listening to the waves!

..oh wait my luck ..i’d wind up in alaska laying next to a walrus!!!

~Facebook Comment~

A Moose Boosts My Heart Rate

I woke up at 3:30 this morning, laid there awake for quite sometime listening to a couple of owls hooting to each other outside my window somewhere. Then I got to thinking about different techniques for taking pictures at night. When those thoughts kept me from going back to sleep again I decided that I might as well roll out from under the blankets.

And I did.

After fixing a fresh pot of coffee, and pouring a slug of it into a big cup, I stepped outside into the darkness, on my way to the studio.

Normally when I go outside early in the morning I stop next to the house for a moment, peering into the darkness and giving a listen or two. But this morning I didn’t do that, I just blundered along, stepping into the driveway while holding my coffee in one hand and digging in my pocket for my keys with the other. After a few steps I began hearing crunching sounds coming from my right. Big crunching sounds. Crunching sounds that a moose makes when it is running through crusty snow.

Dang!!! That’s not good.

I couldn’t see very well, it was still really dark outside, but it sure did sound like a moose was running towards me, and not too far away, either.

The thought of being run down by a moose before I’d even tasted my coffee got my adrenaline flowing real good. I made a mad dash to my studio where I quickly climbed the 4 steps to the little porch. Once there I felt safe and took a look into the darkness, giving a listen while I was at it.

Nothing. Nothing at all. Complete and utter silence.

Except for some heavy breathing on my part.

Hmmmm. That was weird! Where in the heck that moose went I just didn’t know.

I got embarrassed when I imagined the beast hiding out there somewhere, behind some bushes or a birch tree.

Giggling.

I stood listening for several minutes more, but all I heard was silence, then the hooting of the owls, once again.

Were they laughing, too?

I never did see or hear it again, but you can bet it will be a while before I step carelessly away from the house in the darkness again.

In a previous post I mentioned that I should look at my maps to identify the mountain peak in the center of this photograph, since it appears so often in my daily sunrise pictures. Turns out that I didn’t need my maps, all I needed to do was look on the Internet. It was pretty easy.

This is Mt. Goode, situated near the head of the Knik Glacier. Mt Goode climbs to 10,449 feet (3,184.86 meters) above sea level. Mount Goode is located at latitude – longitude coordinates of N 61.327222 and W -147.983889. The nearest Alaska city is Whittier, 43 miles away. It is accessible only by smaller aircraft equipped with skis.

I made this shot from my yard yesterday. It was taken late in the afternoon as the sun was beginning to settle on the horizon. The lighting on the snowy mountainsides is what caught my eye, it looked very beautiful and inviting to me, although I don’t think I would have really enjoyed being up there. Much too cold for me, I’m sure.

More Photos Of Vehicle Lights In The Darkness

I spent the pre-dawn hours this morning fooling around once again with lights from my neighbors vehicles as they drove to work. This time I tried a new technique.

By attaching my tripod to the tripod collar on my 80mm-2oomm lens, and using the MC-36 remote release by Nikon, I was able to rotate my Nikon D200 during the exposures, resulting in some very interesting images.

Initially I began by rotating the camera about 90° to the left and then back again, but I found I had better results by simply rotating it 90° then ending the exposure at that point.

I’ve noted the specifics for each picture as a reference in case you’d like to try this yourself.

Each of these photos was taken at ISO 100, White Balance set to Incandescent, and shutter set to bulb. I used manual focus, set to infinity, along with manual exposure mode and spot metering.

These photos were all taken from my studio on Bayview Drive, near Wasilla, Alaska

Time: 5:14 a.m. – Lens Focal Length: 120mm – Exposure: 26 sec @ f4.5

Time: 6:05 a.m. – Lens Focal Length: 105mm – Exposure: 10.3 sec @ f6.3

Time: 6:06 a.m. – Lens Focal Length: 105mm – Exposure: 12.6 sec. @ f6.3

Time: 6:08 a.m. – Lens Focal Length: 92mm – Exposure: 10.6 sec. @ f6.3

Time: 6:08 a.m. – Lens Focal Length: 80mm – Exposure: 13.7 sec. @ f6.3

Time: 6:16 a.m. – Lens Focal Length: 80mm – Exposure: 8.3 sec. @ f8

Alaska, Photography, Wasilla Alaska, Bayview Drive, Knik Glacier, Mt. Goode, night photography, ron day, Sunrise, vehicles, Wasilla, winter

Becky’s Washington D.C. Photography