July 17 - started at 930, first stop the harley store.  from there we rode to Hatchers Pass. a winding road up the mountain to Independence Mine.  the road continued up from there but it was straight up and a dirt road, so we stopped at the mine, took a few photos and headed down.

our next stop was the Musk Ox farm in palmer.  we took the tour-  saw their musk oxen.  Tony reluctantly walked the trail with us.  the most he's walked on the whole trip.  but he made it and he enjoyed seeing the musk oxes/oxen (whichever.)

after that, we had to drive through a construction zone  for about half a mile.  gravel, and slippery mud.  we made it through and headed for the Iditerod Headquarters.   when we got there we watched a brief video on how the dogs are treated.  we met Joe, and  another guy giving dogsled rides using their team of about 12 dogs.  the other guy was Joe Reddington Jr,  the son of Joe Reddington Sr., the father of the iditerod trail dog sled race.  Joe is a local hero.   the iditerod is a 1049 mile race from wasilla to nome.  it takes  about 9 days.   Joe Jr. told me he has made 14 iditerod races.  interestingly they use the same team of dogs from start to finish.  he said they start with about 16-20 dogs but only need about 5 after they get out of the  mountains and near nome.

He told us to go to a local biker bar about 17 miles up the road.  so we did.  the Tug Bar Goose Bay Inn. it was excellent.  we ate outside with local musicians playing while we ate.

while there we wondered where Sarah palin lives.  turns out she lives about 2 blocks from our hotel on the same lake as our hotel.  i am sure we will walk there tonight to say hi.

here are some more photos.  dont forget to click on them for a larger version.

on the road up to Hatcher's Pass (photo by Patty)

the Independence mine at top

Patty ready for the ride down the mountain

musk ox (photo by patty)

female musk oxes

at Iditerod headquarters (photo by Ginny)

sled dogs in action they are happy when they are running (photo by Patty)

Joe Reddington Jr.told us to go here for good food.  It was.

view from Goose Bay to Anchorage(photo by Patty)

Spike and Patty (photo by Ginny)

at Iditerod headquaters (photo by Ginny)

Sled dod puppies (photo by Tony)

on three say cheese. or not. (photo by Patty)

Glacier Cruise (photo by Ginny)

Blackstone Tidal Glacier in back. it was very windy! (photo by Ginny)

Tony enjoyed the walk to see the musk ox.

New born Musk Ox

female musk ox.

is this from Tony Deets' Dredge???

no you cant take him home Pat.