Anchorage

Mar 1-2, 2013
UA1285 MIA-IAH, UA320 IAH-SEA, UA1192 SEA-ANC, UA1129 ANC-SEA, UA438 SEA-IAH

United Airlines had a really amazing fare to Alaska that was helpful for us to earn some status miles, but the challenge is that we actually had to start in Miami.  Luckily I was working in Houston that week, and took advantage of the proximity to Miami.  Although we didn't have a lot planned for Anchorage, we were pleasantly surprised to find that we had ended up at the start of the Iditarod dog race.  On Saturday morning, we headed downtown to the ceremonial start location.  The race actually starts outside the city on Sunday, but the ceremonial kick off is the big send off from Anchorage.  Before the races started, we got to view the trucks that the dog teams start in.  When the race finally started, every 60 seconds each team got a run through the main street of the city.  To end our short stay, we headed back south with a unique experience and a lot of extra miles.  I ended the trip in Houston, where I started to transition to my new job.

Mar 1-2
Travel to Anchorage from Miami.  Have all day Saturday in Anchorage

One of the trucks used for the Iditarod team transport

Dogs ready for their debut

A reminder of the destination of Nome 1000 miles away

One of the many ceremonial race starts from the start line

Front row seat to the race start

Looking down on our way south

Alaskan fjord

Mar 2-3
Travel back to Houston