Iditorod XXXVII - Nome Sweet Nome

The official map of the Iditarod. For some perspective, it is 77 miles from White Mountain, where all mushers must take an eight-hour layover, to Nome.

2009-04-08T05:52:21Z

northernvisions
The official map of the Iditarod. For some perspective, it is 77 miles from White Mountain, where all mushers must take an eight-hour layover, to Nome.

The destination - the "burled arch" on Front Street.

2009-04-08T06:00:43Z

northernvisions
The destination - the "burled arch" on Front Street.

As everyone awaits the arrival of the first team into Nome, the kids use the roof of the church across the street as a sledding hill.

2009-04-05T11:17:48Z

northernvisions
As everyone awaits the arrival of the first team into Nome, the kids use the roof of the church across the street as a sledding hill.

An Alaska Native woman in her kuspuk.

2009-04-08T06:00:57Z

northernvisions
An Alaska Native woman in her kuspuk.

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T10:10:56Z

northernvisions

Everyone turns out to greet this year's Iditarod champion.

2009-04-05T10:10:14Z

northernvisions
Everyone turns out to greet this year's Iditarod champion.

The amazing Lance Mackey and his even more amazing team pull off the threepeat, joining the late Susan Butcher and Doug Swingley as the only mushers to have won three Iditarods in a row,

2009-04-08T06:03:04Z

northernvisions
The amazing Lance Mackey and his even more amazing team pull off the threepeat, joining the late Susan Butcher and Doug Swingley as the only mushers to have won three Iditarods in a row,

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T11:27:34Z

northernvisions

Victory!

2009-04-05T11:27:07Z

northernvisions
Victory!

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T11:12:42Z

northernvisions

Family, media and fans crowd around. Lance's mom is wearing a jacket that says, "See, mama, dreams do come true."

2009-04-05T10:10:29Z

northernvisions
Family, media and fans crowd around. Lance's mom is wearing a jacket that says, "See, mama, dreams do come true."

A happy Lance is greeted by his wife Tonya.

2009-04-05T11:25:22Z

northernvisions
A happy Lance is greeted by his wife Tonya.

A well-deserved smooch.

2009-04-05T11:22:50Z

northernvisions
A well-deserved smooch.

Larry gets some loving.

2009-04-05T11:14:01Z

northernvisions
Larry gets some loving.

The money shot.

2009-04-05T11:19:02Z

northernvisions
The money shot.

Larry says, "Ooohh, that feels good."

2009-04-05T10:10:19Z

northernvisions
Larry says, "Ooohh, that feels good."

Lance and Tonya and the new Dodge truck.

2009-04-05T10:12:52Z

northernvisions
Lance and Tonya and the new Dodge truck.

Seven and a half hours later, Lance and Tonya await the arrival of the second-place finisher.

2009-04-05T11:23:38Z

northernvisions
Seven and a half hours later, Lance and Tonya await the arrival of the second-place finisher.

And the kids are still sliding off the roof.

2009-04-05T10:12:32Z

northernvisions
And the kids are still sliding off the roof.

And arriving in second place is...

2009-04-05T10:09:38Z

northernvisions
And arriving in second place is...

...Sebastian Schnuelle, having an excellent year with his first-place finish in the Yukon Quest a month ago.

2009-04-05T11:25:15Z

northernvisions
...Sebastian Schnuelle, having an excellent year with his first-place finish in the Yukon Quest a month ago.

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T11:22:22Z

northernvisions

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T10:21:03Z

northernvisions

This is Sebastian's best finish in five Iditarods.

2009-04-08T06:00:17Z

northernvisions
This is Sebastian's best finish in five Iditarods.

Sebastian poses for the fans with one of his lead dogs.

2009-04-08T06:06:37Z

northernvisions
Sebastian poses for the fans with one of his lead dogs.

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T11:22:56Z

northernvisions

A little more than an hour later, in third place...

2009-04-05T11:15:44Z

northernvisions
A little more than an hour later, in third place...

...John Baker.

2009-04-05T11:12:27Z

northernvisions
...John Baker.

John and child.

2009-04-08T06:09:21Z

northernvisions
John and child.

This is John's 14th Iditarod, and he has tied his best previous finish.

2009-04-08T06:10:09Z

northernvisions
This is John's 14th Iditarod, and he has tied his best previous finish.

Around 4:00 a.m. I was awakened by the siren announcing the arrival of another musher. I contemplated for a few minutes, snug in my warm bed, but soon decided to layer up and go out and bra ...

2009-04-06T14:37:13Z

northernvisions
Around 4:00 a.m. I was awakened by the siren announcing the arrival of another musher. I contemplated for a few minutes, snug in my warm bed, but soon decided to layer up and go out and bra ...

Mitch has completed his 16th Iditarod.

2009-04-06T14:36:06Z

northernvisions
Mitch has completed his 16th Iditarod.

Twenty-two minutes after Cim Smyth, here comes Dallas Seavey.

2009-04-06T14:36:47Z

northernvisions
Twenty-two minutes after Cim Smyth, here comes Dallas Seavey.

Dallas has now finished his third Iditarod and has vastly improved his previous best finish of 41st in 2007.

2009-04-08T06:12:59Z

northernvisions
Dallas has now finished his third Iditarod and has vastly improved his previous best finish of 41st in 2007.

Jen couldn't keep up, but she did finish the race in 43rd place.

2009-04-06T14:41:25Z

northernvisions
Jen couldn't keep up, but she did finish the race in 43rd place.

I believe this is one of Dallas's dogs.

2009-04-06T14:42:06Z

northernvisions
I believe this is one of Dallas's dogs.

And then Aaron Burmeister arrives seven minutes later.

2009-04-06T14:46:11Z

northernvisions
And then Aaron Burmeister arrives seven minutes later.

The media on the job at 5:00 a.m. A good race for Aaron, who was born and raised in Nome. His previous best finish was 13th in 2007 and 2005. He has now finished 12 Iditarods, seven in t ...

2009-04-06T14:52:49Z

northernvisions
The media on the job at 5:00 a.m. A good race for Aaron, who was born and raised in Nome. His previous best finish was 13th in 2007 and 2005. He has now finished 12 Iditarods, seven in t ...

Aaron's dogs enjoying some love. One thing common to every single sled dog I met was their very even temperament and good nature. .The sled dogs are some of the sweetest dogs I've ever bee ...

2009-04-06T14:58:20Z

northernvisions
Aaron's dogs enjoying some love. One thing common to every single sled dog I met was their very even temperament and good nature. .The sled dogs are some of the sweetest dogs I've ever bee ...

Jessie Royer arrives in eighth place 11 minutes later.

2009-04-06T14:59:10Z

northernvisions
Jessie Royer arrives in eighth place 11 minutes later.

This is another good race for Jessie, who has just tied her best previous finish in 2005. This is her eighth Iditarod and she has been in the top 21 in all of them.

2009-04-06T15:02:34Z

northernvisions
This is another good race for Jessie, who has just tied her best previous finish in 2005. This is her eighth Iditarod and she has been in the top 21 in all of them.

Jessie was trained by four-time Iditarod champion, Doug Swingley, and was rookie of the year in 2001.

2009-04-06T15:03:23Z

northernvisions
Jessie was trained by four-time Iditarod champion, Doug Swingley, and was rookie of the year in 2001.

Off to the dog lot for some R & R.

2009-04-06T15:04:36Z

northernvisions
Off to the dog lot for some R & R.

These are Ramey Smyth's lead dogs pulling into Nome at 7:52 a.m..

2009-04-06T15:08:33Z

northernvisions
These are Ramey Smyth's lead dogs pulling into Nome at 7:52 a.m..

In the frozen golden dawn, here comes Hans Gatt in 10th place. Dawn is at 9:30 a.m. in Nome at this time of year, and sunset is around 9:30 p.m., both an hour later than in Anchorage. I t ...

2009-04-06T15:28:27Z

northernvisions
In the frozen golden dawn, here comes Hans Gatt in 10th place. Dawn is at 9:30 a.m. in Nome at this time of year, and sunset is around 9:30 p.m., both an hour later than in Anchorage. I t ...

The dogs look quite dapper in their matching yellow coats.

2009-04-06T15:16:05Z

northernvisions
The dogs look quite dapper in their matching yellow coats.

Happy Hans has finished his 10th Iditarod.

2009-04-06T15:16:52Z

northernvisions
Happy Hans has finished his 10th Iditarod.

Libby Riddles is at the finish line to greet Hans and his team. Libby was the first woman to win the Iditarod in 1985.

2009-04-06T15:19:02Z

northernvisions
Libby Riddles is at the finish line to greet Hans and his team. Libby was the first woman to win the Iditarod in 1985.

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T10:11:08Z

northernvisions

Here comes Sonny Lindner at 10:19.

2009-04-06T15:29:31Z

northernvisions
Here comes Sonny Lindner at 10:19.

It's very cold out, probably 10 below, but the dogs don't really seem to mind. Their coats are very thick.

2009-04-06T15:30:28Z

northernvisions
It's very cold out, probably 10 below, but the dogs don't really seem to mind. Their coats are very thick.

Sonny has now completed 17 Iditarods, never outside the top 25.

2009-04-06T15:32:04Z

northernvisions
Sonny has now completed 17 Iditarods, never outside the top 25.

Warm greetings from family and friends.

2009-04-06T15:32:38Z

northernvisions
Warm greetings from family and friends.

I don't know if these are Sonny's kids or grandkids, or just friends, but they look so cute on the sled.

2009-04-06T15:34:50Z

northernvisions
I don't know if these are Sonny's kids or grandkids, or just friends, but they look so cute on the sled.

And in 12th place, Jeff King and team, arriving at 11:06 a.m.

2009-04-06T15:36:13Z

northernvisions
And in 12th place, Jeff King and team, arriving at 11:06 a.m.

This is Jeff's 20th race, and only the fourth time that he's placed outside of the top 10.

2009-04-08T06:21:20Z

northernvisions
This is Jeff's 20th race, and only the fourth time that he's placed outside of the top 10.

In the face of really bad weather around Shaktoolik, he chose to wait it out rather than take unnecessary risks.

2009-04-06T15:38:48Z

northernvisions
In the face of really bad weather around Shaktoolik, he chose to wait it out rather than take unnecessary risks.

I don't have a caption for this picture. I just like it.

2009-04-06T15:39:47Z

northernvisions
I don't have a caption for this picture. I just like it.

The children love the dogs, and the dogs love them back.

2009-04-06T15:40:58Z

northernvisions
The children love the dogs, and the dogs love them back.

Jeff's proud team mates.

2009-04-06T15:41:43Z

northernvisions
Jeff's proud team mates.

If it's pink, it must be DeeDee.

2009-04-06T15:42:04Z

northernvisions
If it's pink, it must be DeeDee.

DeeDee, a breast cancer survivor, mushes for the cause. She arrived with her team at the finish line at 12:56 p.m.

2009-04-08T06:24:49Z

northernvisions
DeeDee, a breast cancer survivor, mushes for the cause. She arrived with her team at the finish line at 12:56 p.m.

DeeDee Jonrowe has now finished 27 Iditarods.

2009-04-06T15:44:35Z

northernvisions
DeeDee Jonrowe has now finished 27 Iditarods.

Praise for the team.

2009-04-06T15:45:23Z

northernvisions
Praise for the team.

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T11:27:10Z

northernvisions

A member of the team.

2009-04-06T15:47:07Z

northernvisions
A member of the team.

Strike a pose.

2009-04-06T15:47:47Z

northernvisions
Strike a pose.

You sly dog.

2009-04-06T15:48:05Z

northernvisions
You sly dog.

I continue to be amazed by how loving these dogs are.

2009-04-06T15:48:43Z

northernvisions
I continue to be amazed by how loving these dogs are.

Ah, right there. Ooohhh.....

2009-04-06T15:49:14Z

northernvisions
Ah, right there. Ooohhh.....

Waiting for Ken Anderson. The girl in the middle is one of his dog handlers, and the baby is one of his six-month old twins. The other baby was inside with mom having an afternoon snack. ...

2009-04-06T15:52:19Z

northernvisions
Waiting for Ken Anderson. The girl in the middle is one of his dog handlers, and the baby is one of his six-month old twins. The other baby was inside with mom having an afternoon snack. ...

The kids are still sliding off the roof and angling for the best view. No one seemed to mind.

2009-04-06T15:53:02Z

northernvisions
The kids are still sliding off the roof and angling for the best view. No one seemed to mind.

Aaron Burmeister, with what looks to be a bit of frostbite, waiting to meet Ken at the finish line.

2009-04-06T15:53:44Z

northernvisions
Aaron Burmeister, with what looks to be a bit of frostbite, waiting to meet Ken at the finish line.

And here he comes, capturing the moment with a disposable camera.

2009-04-06T15:54:51Z

northernvisions
And here he comes, capturing the moment with a disposable camera.

He has now finished his ninth Iditarod.

2009-04-06T15:56:17Z

northernvisions
He has now finished his ninth Iditarod.

A happy moment.

2009-04-06T15:57:06Z

northernvisions
A happy moment.

Daddy's home.

2009-04-06T15:57:31Z

northernvisions
Daddy's home.

A frosty dog.

2009-04-06T15:57:59Z

northernvisions
A frosty dog.

The Nome media, at least, is still on the job.

2009-04-25T09:41:38Z

northernvisions
The Nome media, at least, is still on the job.

Kids and dogs.

2009-04-06T15:59:02Z

northernvisions
Kids and dogs.

Hugh Neff and team in 15th place at 3:42 in the afternoon.

2009-04-07T17:01:11Z

northernvisions
Hugh Neff and team in 15th place at 3:42 in the afternoon.

The team.

2009-04-07T17:03:21Z

northernvisions
The team.

This is Hugh's sixth Iditarod and his best finish.

2009-04-07T17:03:43Z

northernvisions
This is Hugh's sixth Iditarod and his best finish.

Kids and dog.

2009-04-07T17:04:25Z

northernvisions
Kids and dog.

Hugh had quite a bit of frostbite on his cheeks.

2009-04-08T06:29:03Z

northernvisions
Hugh had quite a bit of frostbite on his cheeks.

This is just a cool-looking dog. I love this one.

2009-04-07T17:05:45Z

northernvisions
This is just a cool-looking dog. I love this one.

northernvisions' photo

2009-04-05T11:15:34Z

northernvisions

This one reminds me of Yoda. It must be the ears.

2009-04-07T17:06:41Z

northernvisions
This one reminds me of Yoda. It must be the ears.

Paul Gebhardt in 16th place at 4:26 p.m.

2009-04-07T17:07:53Z

northernvisions
Paul Gebhardt in 16th place at 4:26 p.m.

Frosty beards.

2009-04-07T17:08:46Z

northernvisions
Frosty beards.

In the wind.

2009-04-07T17:09:05Z

northernvisions
In the wind.

Brrrr....

2009-04-07T17:09:29Z

northernvisions
Brrrr....

Aliy Zirkle and her team arrive two minutes after Paul Gebhardt.

2009-04-08T06:32:41Z

northernvisions
Aliy Zirkle and her team arrive two minutes after Paul Gebhardt.

Aliy has now finished nine Iditarods.

2009-04-07T17:10:50Z

northernvisions
Aliy has now finished nine Iditarods.

She looks pretty frosty, too.

2009-04-07T17:12:01Z

northernvisions
She looks pretty frosty, too.

Snotcicles.

2009-04-07T17:12:23Z

northernvisions
Snotcicles.

Aliy was given the boa at one of the last checkpoints.

2009-04-07T17:13:01Z

northernvisions
Aliy was given the boa at one of the last checkpoints.

She had an accident where she broke the tracks of her sled and her boots got wet, so her feet are wrapped in clothes and jackets.

2009-04-07T17:14:37Z

northernvisions
She had an accident where she broke the tracks of her sled and her boots got wet, so her feet are wrapped in clothes and jackets.

Paul has thawed out a bit and is talking to the media. He has finished the race now 13 times.

2009-04-07T17:16:48Z

northernvisions
Paul has thawed out a bit and is talking to the media. He has finished the race now 13 times.

The dogs are so photogenic.

2009-04-07T17:17:16Z

northernvisions
The dogs are so photogenic.