Paws Along the Trail with Finishers

Brett Bruggeman and Monica Zappa come toward Nome across the Bering Sea

Walking around Nome, I feel like I am in Hollywood, seeing famous mushers just strolling around like everyone else.  Nic Petit, Deedee Jonrowe, Jeff King, Lars Munson, and Michael Williams, Jr., are all looking rested and relaxed. 

Did you know that when a musher is two miles away from the finish, a siren sounds all through town?  I didn’t, but learned quickly as all night long the siren went off.  A police car with blue lights flashing drives up Front Street ahead of the musher to stop traffic.  The team comes up a ramp of snow to stop under the burled arch in Nome.  Burled wood means there are large lumps and bumps on the wood.  Crowds stand around and cheer as the mushers arrive.  Photographers and videographers swarm in to get great photos of the finishers.  The last bag check of required sled items is done speaking through a loudspeaker, then the musher’s time for the race is announced.  “You finished the race in 10 days, 15 hours, 10 inutes, and 5 seconds!”  Mushers who have already finished come back to congratulate their friends.  It’s an exciting time for everyone!

Aliy Zirkle greets Brett Bruggeman and helps take off booties

The teams are dismissed out of the chute and leave to bed down the dogs; the mushers get to visit with family and friends, and, I’m guessing, sleep!  This morning we are expecting three more siren warnings and the last of our brave mushers and their incredible dogs to finish the Iditarod under the burled arch.