THAT TIME WE WENT ON A FROZEN LAKE WITH 200 OTHER PEOPLE & MY HEAD EXPLODED

As most of you know there's a famous race here in Alaska called the Iditarod. It's a sled dog race that runs from Wasilla, AK to Nome, AK covering some of the harshest conditions sled operator and sled team will ever face. Also, it's awesome.

Turns out the Iditarod isn't the only long distance race that takes place in the state. Last weekend Adam and I bundled up and joined 200 of our new best friends on a frozen lake in Wasilla (yes, home of the Palin's) to see the start of Iron Dog. 

Iron Dog is a snowmachine race where teams race from Wasilla to Nome, and then from Nome they continue on until the finish line in Fairbanks. Basically, they cover 2,000+ miles in the middle of winter in about a week. INSANITY. 

Even better? To watch them take off you drive your car onto a frozen lake (cue my raised in CA mind exploding) with 200 other folks and essentially have a giant tailgate. I could buy an espresso on a frozen lake, hang out in the beer garden, get a hot dog! There was a snowmachine park for people to launch themselves into the air at high speeds, cross-country skiers tooling around, and something that REALLY threw me for a loop, people chilling around fire pits ON THE ICE. 

Everyone made fun of me because I kept saying things like, "HOLY SHIT THERE'S A FIRE ON THE ICE. WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!" or "Is that safe?" or "I can't believe you can buy an esspresso on the middle of a frozen lake!" or everyone's favorite, "Oh God, is that open water?" 

Yes. I am from southern California, please don't laugh. 

And to celebrate the fact we all survived and event where 200+ cars parked on a frozen lake we stopped on the way home and got beers that required you to use two hands just to lift them. This monstrosity cost $6.50. YES. You heard me. $6.50 for a 32oz bowl of beer. 

Even better? Mine was an Alaskan White, and Adam got Newcastle. Not even shitty beer! #AlaskaFTW 

So I guess I can cross "stand on a frozen lake" and "drink a beer that requires two hands to lift" off the o'l bucket list. What an awesome weekend. 

Even better? This weekend I plan to run with reindeer in the middle of downtown Anchorage, watch a "fur bikini contest" (shit you not) and attend a ski jump competition in the middle of downtown. Welcome to Fur Rondy. 

I love Alaska. 

Comments

[NewTeacherWife]

Please please please have more pictures.
Alaska sounds amazing.

[Ashley J]

Hahaha awesome. I have been on that lake for the Iditarod. It was amazing.

[Tori]

I don't think I mentioned this previously, but I am DIGGING those hot pink mirrored shades.

[Megs]

OMG. I would have said all of those things. Except more twangy.