Iditarod Race…2007 March 4th, 2007

Categories: Alaskana

My two brothers and their families as well as my son Gerrit and I spent the afternoon on Vera Lake in Willow watching the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon with the temperatures around 15 degrees.

Festive crowds were spread out along the trail as it wound down the lake. The mushers took about 20 minutes to get to our location from the starting line on their way to Nome more than 1000 miles away. The dogs were running strong and eager. All of them looking like they wanted to be the first to the finish line.

We relaxed in the sun, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and cheered each musher as they went by. It was a nice relaxing afternoon for us, but the beginning of 9?15 days of hard racing for the mushers and their teams.

Growing up on the Innoko River in the village of Holikachuk gives me a special affinity to this race since it is named for a town fairly close to ours. I remember the adults talking about going upriver as far as the Iditarod. They were talking about the river, not the gold rush town. I always wanted to explore that river, and still do.

My Dad, Gale Van Diest, had a dog team since it was the only way to get around in the winter. He hauled all our firewood with it and travelled to Shageluk and Anvik. I was allowed to drive them occasionally but usually spent my time inside the sled.

But our dogs were completely different than these racers. They were a lot bigger and slower. I think our dogs probably ran about 6 miles an hour or so on a longer trip, while these Iditarod race teams often average close to 15 miles an hour between checkpoints. Thats like running a 4 minute mile for hours on end.

Our teams were smaller, usually just 5?7 dogs. These teams are 16 dogs strong. I can?t imagine handling 16 dogs at full speed on some of the trails they are running. These teams are very well trained and in great condition.

Their sleds are nicer too. I don?t think they could haul much wood in them, but they look mighty comfortable. What with the new sit-down sleds and modern materials they are a far cry from the ones we used. Some of them almost look like they had lazy boy recliners on them.

There?s Rick Swenson, on his way to Nome.

Written by Marty Van Diest 1 Comment »

Hiding From The Wind In Palmer Alaska February 22nd, 2007

Categories: Alaskana, For Buyers, Wasilla Real Estate News

It’s -1 degree this morning in Palmer.  Wasilla is reading -15.  Forecasts today are for winds to 20 mph with gusts to 40.  That Matanuska Wind really magnifies the cold.  Hey, it’s clear and beautiful outside! There is always a bright side.

I don’t mind the wind or the cold until it gets really cold, like -20 or more.  There are some advantages to being built like a walrus.  The cold and wind remind me that we haven’t tamed everything, and that’s a good thing.

Since people often say they like Palmer but don’t like the wind, I thought I would tell you how to live in Palmer and stay out of the wind.  But first let me say that the wind blows in Wasilla too.  If it’s gusting to 60 mph in Palmer, the gusts are probably hitting 40 in Wasilla.  So just because you don’t buy a house in Palmer doesn’t mean you are avoiding the wind.

And, the wind doesn’t blow as much as people imagine.  It’s just that you remember it so well when the roof blows off.  We have serious wind storms only a few times a year.  I’m going to guess 5–8 wind storms that last 3 days or so.  I’m no geophysicist so don’t hold me to that.  I’m just giving my best guess after living here for 35 years. 

OK, where can you get away from the wind.

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Written by Marty Van Diest 2 Comments »

Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks, The Iron Dog Is On. February 12th, 2007

Categories: Alaskana

I don?t know what this has to do with real estate, but it has a lot to do with Alaska.? It?s part of what makes the state and the people different.? The land, the people, and the events are taken to the extreme.? But you have to love it.

The Iron Dog Race started yesterday, take a look at the short video of the starting line?describing the GPS system allowing us to monitor every team.? How many states have a ?first dude? that? has won a race like this.? Governor Sarah?Palin started the racers, including her husband.?

I just checked Todd Palins place on the official website and his gps says they are doing their layover in Galena, on the Yukon River.?

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Written by Marty Van Diest 1 Comment »

Valley Performing Arts, The 31st Season… by Tamara Van Diest February 10th, 2007

Categories: Alaskana

Photo Courtesy of VPA

Valley Performing Arts, in Wasilla, continues to amaze the citizens of the Mat-Su Valley with its recent production of Beauty and the Beast. I heard about it through my music teacher at the beginning of the 2006 school year. Sadly, I couldn’t audition because of its running time: six weeks of performances.

The cast is made up of people from all parts of the Valley; many have to drive 45 minutes just to get to the theater. Beauty is played by Laura Arnold, a local voice and piano teacher. Her husband, Andy, plays opposite her as the Beast. These two are an amazing duo; Belle’s beauty combines with Beast’s ferocious looks to give the audience a thrilling night. The other characters have a range of ages, the youngest at six years old, the oldest at 62. Several cast members, returning actors and those brand new to the stage, doubled as townspeople and enchanted objects. Simple bakers and tavern-goers morphed into napkins, plates, spoons and even an oven mitt.

While the acting was good, the music was better.  Jennifer Dalby, a retired music teacher, was the music director of the production. The night was filled with beautiful harmony, marvelous solos and several full cast pieces. The costumes were similar to those in the Disney movie. Belle had a beautiful blue dress, and a lovely golden ball gown, Cogsworth, the talking clock, had a framed pendulum attached to his chest and Lumiere, the candlestick, was required to keep his arms in bent up L-shaped positions while holding lit candles the entire show. People from opposite ends of the Valley got together to design and sew these costumes, some on Lazy Mountain and others on the far end of Wasilla.

Though the Broadway-style musical was excellent, it’s not the only play/musical that VPA has performed impressively. Past performances include: Man of La Mancha, Gypsy, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Into its 31st season, VPA has spellbound audiences since 1976.

Plays in the Valley are very popular, family events; Beauty and the Beast was almost entirely sold out two weeks before the performances started. People enjoy them and they are good for dates, family nights or just to get out.

Tamara Van Diest, (17), is a student at Palmer High School.

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Willow Winter Carnival…And More February 6th, 2007

Categories: Alaskana