Let's Rondy

February is Fur Rendezvous, which also means carnival time in Alaska. There are dog mushing races, melodrama's, blanket tosses, outhouse and foot races, carnival rides, displays of a myriad of things, fur auctions and so much more. I even had a cousin who was Miss Fur Rondy in the 40s (Charlotte Manning), before my time. Fur Rondy has been around for 78 years, and there was a time in the not-too-distant past when it seemed like it might disappear. But those in power brought it to a come-back, stronger than ever.

I've not done too much in more recent years associated with Rondy, although last year some of my Harley friends and I did run with the reindeer, a five-year-old event at that time, rather like the running of the bulls in Spain, although not quite as dangerous. This year I elected to do a bit more.

Jaz's first place portrait photo of Jon.  Hard to take a good photo with shrink-wrap and the light from the windows.  But you get the idea.  Congratulations, Jaz.

My friend, Jaz, had a photo in the amateur photo contest and it was being displayed at the Sears Mall. She won first place in the contest for her category. Woo hoo. There were a lot of awesome photos, too, so that's quite an accomplishment.

There was a category of photos for everyone who likes photography.  I do like flowers.

I went to the photo display with friend Flounder and we wandered up and down the rows of photos, on foam backings, most of them shrink-wrapped for protection. There were some pretty incredible shots, with both of us liking many, and in awe of some outstanding work.

A whole wall dedicated to second place ribbons.  It was nice to see so many awards.

A few days later I chose to go down to the railroad area downtown and view the snow sculptures. I had always enjoyed those in the past, but don't really like to go downtown. However, there was a nice parking lot adjacent to the sculptures, and parking was no problem.

The old Fourth Avenue Theater.

As I wandered in and out through maybe 20 or so blocks of snow, some beautifully manipulated into something I could not even begin to create, I was fascinated by the artistry shown by people using mere snow. There was a bull of some strange type, with wristbands and horns that stuck out maybe a few feet. How did they do that without them breaking off?

Look at those horns, and the definition of the leg.

There was a moose with binoculars “scouting” for hunters most likely, a sea otter, a gorilla and other sculptures that were a treat to feast your eyes upon.

Who's the hunted here?

Love the whiskers.

Kong lives!!

At the old Alaska Railroad Depot a model train display had Alaska Railroad models, and many others, most of them running on the tracks around little slices of towns, mountains, or even circus grounds with ice cream and peanut stands. One little engine had a smiley face on it, and it made you smile just to see it. I'd never gone to the train display before, so it was fun, interesting and another free event.

The smiley-faced train was running along a parking lot filled with old cars.  These are great displays.

The model trains ran through mountains, towns and through fairy tale lands.

Then Saturday, March 2, was the 6^th annual Running of the Reindeer. This year some of my Hoggie friends and I were dressing as Little Red Riding Hoods and the Big Bad Wolves. Many people dress up for this event. I think Rondy in general is kind of like Mardi Gras where costumes abound everywhere, crazy hats, dogs wearing costumes.

Hoggies disguised as Red Riding Hoods and Big Bad Wolves.

We added a couple more Red Riding Hoods to our Hoggie group.

Our group was in Herd 3. The first two herds are for ladies, then men. Lastly is the group herd. We have to wait as once a herd is sent on down the street in ankle-deep snow, the reindeer are let loose to chase them, and then they have to be brought back down to the beginning by the reindeer handlers.

Our very own Wonder Woman.

The Three Amigos.

It wasn't as cold this year, probably 28 degrees. But standing around for an hour or so makes for some cold feet. One of our other hoggies had given us handwarmers, but it wasn't my hands that were cold, it was my feet. But, if you want to play, you gotta pay. It's still fun to stand around and watch others in costume … there's some of everything that shows up. There were people dressed as deer with actual antlers, mocha coffees, bumble bees, a Green Lantern comic book hero. You name it, you could probably find it there.

A flying squirrel and a giraffe. 

Red solo cup ... I lift you up ... where's the beer?  There were some kegs, but not in this photo.

A herd of two-legged reindeer.

I took photos while we waited to pass the time. Suddenly, it was our turn to move to the starting line. We were ready, it was time for our herd to move forward. As we did, we were asked to part the herd, to let the handlers bring the reindeer to the back of the herd for the start of the run. After they'd passed, we moved together again. There really wasn't any warmth in this group although you'd think there would have been with all the hot air being released. Nah!!!

Taking the reindeer back to the start, ready to chase down the third herd, ours.

Then … five, four, three, two, one. We were off. Ankle-deep snow plagued those who were unaware (last year we had a couple of our group do face-plants). The crowd prohibited moving too quickly.

Red Riding Hood Pam and me, moving along ... slowly.

Where were those reindeer? I keep looking back. I knew our two-legged herd was given a head start, but when people start screaming, you have to wonder if there's one behind you, willing to run you down to get to the carrots or whatever other treat is at the end. Nope, nothing there. I kept moving. The rest of my hoods and wolves moved forward, and I fell behind. But I kept them in sight. Julie is tall so it was easy to track her and use her as a beacon as I moved forward.

The screams suddenly became louder. I looked behind, and there they came, the reindeer, moving quickly amongst the runners. How do they have those antlers and keep them from spearing or snagging someone? They moved quickly, darting left and right, to come through the herd of humans unscathed except for a pet or two from those who put their hands out. Then they were gone.

Here, there, gone.

But wait, there's more. A lone reindeer on a leash with its handler was meandering leisurely through the humans. The crowd stopped. It became a petting zoo as everyone wanted to touch it. The reindeer was quite relaxed and was appearing to enjoy itself. Then they moved on, past me, toward the end of the street for photo ops. Then it was truly over.

A reindeer petting zoo, right in the middle of the street.

Fun to look at, docile -- apparently.  But ... those spikes could hurt you.

There's always something that invites us to bring out our goofy ... Flounder and me.

No hoods or wolves were injured and no oxygen was necessary in the 2013 Running of the Reindeer. Stay tuned as I'm sure we'll be doing this again next year.