North to watch the Yukon Quest

Competitors waiting to be harnessed before the start of the race

We left Anchorage before it was light on Friday headed to Fairbanks for the start of the Yukon Quest.  The drive north through the populous part of the state was uneventful as most of the cars on the road were headed into town while we were headed north.  A quick fuel stop in Talkeetna to top off the tank and we were back on the road.  The next leg was through a lonely stretch of icy road that was highlighted the Nennana River Canyon and then spectacular views of the Alaska Range.

The Parks Highway near Cantwell, Alaska

Nenana, Alaska Train Depot

Nearing Nenana, you first see the bridge sloping up ahead over the river and then the Y that will take you into town.  The village is quiet on a cold winter day and the only vehicle on the street is the state highway truck  laying sand on the road as I photograph the old church across the street from the river and the rail yard.

Back on the road, we quickly arrive in Fairbanks an hour plus up the road and head to our favorite craft brewery in the northern part of the state, Hoodoo Brewery, to grab a growler for the evening.  We called and made arrangements to get on Fort Wainright where we will be staying with friends for the weekend.

Saturday, the sun rose late and the temperature hovered at 13 degrees.  A little warm for the sled dogs but just right for humans.  We packed our gear and headed to downtown to the race start.  The crowd was getting thick as we tried to get close to the teams being harnessed.  Security was tight and kept us from mingling.  We were, however, able to get close to a few teams to snap a few good shots.

We drove back to the base to get away from the crowd.  We had our own semi private viewing area on the Chena River at Chena Bend to watch the mushers head out of town.  The dogs were excited and their muscles rippled with anticipation for the long trail ahead as they ran by.  The finish line lay a thousand miles ahead in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.  It always amazes me how sedate the dogs are until they are strapped into their harnesses.  These athletes are born and bread to run.  They are happiest when doing this.  The love and care the mushers show for each dog is incredible.

After the mushers pass, it was time for a quick lunch of some hot soup to warm us up and wait for the next round of excitement.  The Yukon Quest 300, a 300 mile qualifying race for the Iditarod, was following the same route.  The sun was setting as I grabbed my camera and headed back out onto the river.  Being this far north, the sun set early and the light faded fast.  I snapped pictures as long as I could before the light faded and the cold set in.  The temperature had dropped to 6 as I made my way back to the house.  My fellow race viewers had abandoned me in favor of warm coffee inside.

The mercury in the thermometer dropped that night to a more typical Fairbanks temperature.  As I packed the car in the -8 degrees air, the sun began to creep higher in the sky.  Driving south on the Parks Highway, we caught our first glimpse of Denali as we crested the Goldstream Hills south of town.  The day was clear and cold and perfect for driving.  We were rewarded near Cantwell with views of the great mountain rising 20,000 feet toward the sky.  I feel blessed every time I see the spectacular scenery in Alaska knowing that I had had the privilege of living here.

Denali seen from the Parks Highway south of Cantwell

The Alaska Range south of Cantwell

View of Denali along the Parks Highway

View of Denali from the south viewing area along the Parks Highway