Showing posts with label nome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nome. Show all posts

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Going Nome for Iditarod (updated 2026)


This is an updated version of a post originally published in 2020.

An Iditarod legend once explained to me that to be a full-fledged Iditarod fan, one must do three things:

1. Attend the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage
2. Attend the Re-Start in Willow (previously Wasilla, sometimes Fairbanks)
3. Be there for the Finish in Nome

Now, to be fair, for most fans this trifecta is a bucket list dream that may never come true. But, if you are able to swing it, here is some information, tips, and what have you to help make your bucket list trip a reality.

I am in no way a travel planner or expert, most of my opinions come from my experiences or tips I've gotten from others on the subject. I do not get a kick back or perks.

Getting Started - When to Book

Before you even look into travel and lodging, decide which year you're going. Nome is a small community with not a lot of options for places to stay so you want to book lodging well in advance (like when Iditarod of this year ends book for next year, and even then you may be too late). In the last ten years there have been major fires in two former hotel options - one is completely non-existant and the other has not yet reopened after major renovation and restoration efforts. Nome is not on any of the highway systems in Alaska so your options are extremely limited, but with a little planning you will find yourself having an amazing time. There's no place like Nome (Dorothy Gale was *close* all those years ago on her return from Oz).

But how do you decide when you want to go? That's easy. First, decide what finishes you want to see. Do you have eight to nine days to spend in Nome? Then you can see it all and then some. If you have a specific musher in mind that's a little harder to judge, but with some Iditamath you can at least ballpark it. The Iditarod race starts in earnest on the first SUNDAY of March - every year. (Ceremonial Start is always Saturday, but the real race starts in Willow on Sunday at 2pm). It typically takes the first musher 8.5 days (give or take a few hours) to get to Nome. [Now, if they start in Fairbanks the start will be on Monday morning following the Saturday Ceremonial Start in Anchorage, but the finish time/day should be about the same.]

If you want to see the Champion come to town (and I would suggest you DO because it's an incredible experience) you should book for Sunday through Thursday (at the least stay to Thursday evening). They typically expect a team to cross under the burled arch on Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday Morning. Most of the Iditarod big wigs and sponsors fly in Saturday evening/Sunday morning and leave out Thursday afternoon. They do book their hotels for longer stays but typically check out earlier than what they've booked and so rooms do become available for later in the week.

If seeing the Champ really isn't your speed, but you have a specific musher in mind, the bulk of the teams come in Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with the final teams coming in usually by Saturday evening. The Musher's banquet is that Sunday afternoon and typically all teams are in by then though there are the occassions where the Red Lantern comes across the finish line while folks are at the banquet. It is always difficult to judge until closer to race time as weather and trail conditions play a huge factor on how quickly the race is run.

If you can swing it - Go Sunday to Sunday. (That'd be the Sunday AFTER the Sunday start, and get the latest flight out so that you can attend the banquet). You would have Sunday to get your berrings, and all of Monday to check out all of the extras in Nome. Once teams come in you'll find yourself having a harder time pulling yourself away from Front Street and the HQ. But we'll discuss that all a little later in this blog.

Getting There

There aren't many options to get from Anchorage to Nome unless you're willing to take a dogsled. In fact, only ONE commercial airline services Nome. You can find Charter Services like Bering Air, but your cheapest option is going to be flying commercial. Be aware that all flights are totally dependent on the weather in Nome more so than Anchorage. I've been on flights where they didn't stop in Kotzebue as scheduled due to dense fog, and during the 2019 Iditarod several flights were cancelled because of the snowstorm that blew in and it took folks several days to make it to Nome as all flights were fully booked. Give yourself a buffer! 

With that in mind, let's discuss the options.

Alaska Airlines - This is probably your best bet for getting a good rate and a good flight to Nome. AKAir is top of its class when it comes to timeliness and affordablility. If you play your cards right you can swing a round trip fare for around 450.00 (ANC-OME-ANC). They typically run three flights daily during Iditarod season, though a quick peek on the app shows only two options for 2027 at this point. Direct flight is an hour and a half travel time (roughly). All flights are on your standard commuter plane, most often in the 737 series.

You can book directly with Alaska Air on their websiteIf you are an Alaska resident you get three checked bags free on your flight to Nome plus two carry ons. Make sure you're a Club 49 member to get this perk, it's free to all Alaska residents.

Charters like Bering Sea Air could be a possibility, but most likely at a much higher cost. They will also be much smaller airplanes and so you won't be able to fly with as much luggage - and heavier set people may not be able to board the flight. 

While there's not a lot of option for air travel, you don't have to book flights right away. You can often still get a flight for the day you want just a month before. Don't wait until the last minute, because airfare is rarely refundable or changeable without fees, but it's best to make sure you have everything else confirmed before booking your flights to and from Nome.

Please note - the Nome Airport is insanely small. As you come in from the runway (yeah you have to walk down stairs to get out of the airplane and walk across a snowy, windy runway) you will walk straight into the line of folks waiting to board their flight. On the other side of the line is where baggage claim is. There's no carousel. The airport is an experience in and of itself. And for some insane reason I LOVE it (after the fact). Keep this in mind when you get ready to fly home. You definitely do not want to get there at the last minute, they'll keep your luggage until the next day while you fly back to Anchorage. (Yes, I speak from experience.)

Once you land in Nome, you'll need to find a way from the Airport (which is quite aways away from the rest of town, though you CAN make the walk if needbe). There's no Uber or Lyft, and in 2026 there was no cab company running (which I hear was super fun for those visiting for the race). There is now a new Cab Company called Boots & Cab Co. their phone number is 907-304-1515 and according to the Nome Nugget newspaper article they take both cash and credit card (but I would bring cash just in case).

Housing Options

GET THIS DONE FIRST! Once you know when and how long you want to go to Nome, BOOK YOUR LODGING. Do not worry about airfare until you have figured out where you're going to stay. You will most likely have an easier time booking tickets to fly than you will be able to book a room to stay. It used to be that there were four hotels to choose from all near the finish line. Since 2022, however, the options were cut in half. It's harder now than ever before to snag a room.

Note that Nome is not big on amenities, it's about practicality. You'll be paying high prices, but you'll be getting moderate to economy type lodging. Remember you are going for the experience, not pampering. Going in with that mindset helps. This is not to say that you're going to be staying in a hole or anything, just note that you won't get quite the same amount of amenities we're used to in the big city or Lower 48.

As stated previously, there are two hotel options to stay in March. They are both within quick walking distance of the burled arch and Front Street. While I have only stayed at one of the hotels (the hotel I stayed at my first time in Nome has since burned down), I've talked to enough folks both from Nome and who have booked rooms in the past to get a good idea of what each has to offer. 

*Pro-tip: If you can't find rooms for the whole week, see if you can get rooms for later in the week. This doesn't work if you want to see the CHAMPION come in, but if you really have your heart set on going to Nome for any part of the Iditarod finish this is an easy back-up plan.**

Aurora Inn & Suites - It is warm, staff is friendly, the rooms are clean and spacious. Bathrooms are well kept - and each room has a bathroom. The Aurora is owned by the Bering Straits Native Corporation, and they seem to take pride in their establishment. There is ample parking in front and behind the hotel (though you do not need a car, but you can rent a vehicle at the front desk... it's expensive, I'd take a cab or walk). They have suites and standard rooms and one accessible room. The hotel is located on Front Street but several blocks away from the finish line. You can walk out the front of the hotel, cross the street to the Subway restaurant and watch the teams come off of the beach and onto Front Street if you wish (and if it's like 2019 and the ice has already broken up, they come off the beach further down the road so the teams pass right by the hotel on the street).

To learn more about the hotel you can visit their website. To book a room give them a call 1-907-443-3838 - or book through the website. They are much more responsive these days via the web which is super helpful! You can book well in advance and cancel up to just a day before your checkin date without being charged a cancelation fee.

**Pro-tip: It's been my experience that several teams choose to house their handlers/family in the Aurora, though many do choose to use host families, others prefer to be able to be RIGHT THERE where the teams come up off the ice.**

Dredge No. 7 Inn (Sluicebox Suites) - The Dredge #7 boasts "state of the art" accommodations. Wifi is complimentary. Rooms are either a King bed or Two Twins (I assume that means they push the two twins together and put on a mattress top to make a King?). Every room has a microwave, private bath, and cable tv. Rooms share a common area with several other rooms. The Dredge Inn is several blocks away from all of the Front Street action, but it's an easy walk to get to the fun. Rooms appear well kept and spacious. The hotel is owned by a 3rd generation Nome Mining Family. A lot of history of the mining era of Nome can be found throughout the hotel. The operate in two locations, but make sure you choose a room at the Sluice Box Suites location as that is the one located in town.

It used to be that of the hotels open during Iditarod, the Dredge was the best bet for having availability a few months out (vs the years out for Aurora and others). With it being 50% of the hotel rooms available in Nome, well... that's apparently not the case anymore. You can view more information about the hotel and book a room on their website. You can also give them a call at 1-907-304.1270.

Other Options - If you struck out on getting a hotel room, don't give up just yet. There are several bed and breakfast options that could be available, and locals often rent out homes and rooms for Iditarod fans. While you might be able to find something on Air BnB, your best bet to know what your options are is to visit the Nome Visitor Center's website. Not only do they have links to all B&B's in Nome, they also are the ones to contact to be put on the waiting list for the "Iditarod Overflow Housing Program". The visitor center will get you in touch with those renting out beds/couches during Iditarod. Not the most ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. Plus, you can't get more Iditarod than that! Some folks make life long friends this way. You can contact the visitor center through email or by phone 1-907-443-6555.


Food

Honestly, for being off the road system, folks may be surprised with the restaurants available in Nome. Like most everywhere in Alaska there's plenty of stops for Pizza, but you can also get Chinese, Thai, and other more "international" cuisine. Note that because Nome is not on the road system it is one of the parts of Alaska with higher prices on food and that gets passed on to the restaurant customer, but menus are fair when you keep that in mind. It helps that Nome is a major hub for Western Alaska so the prices are slightly lower than elsewhere in the region. 

There are also quite a few bars, but I've only been in one of them to meet with friends, so you're on your own for that (though, really, you gotta at least step into Board of Trade just to say you did it.)

Many thanks to Chrystie Salesky for confirming which restaurants are still in Nome. Covid and fires really changed that "landscape".

Pingo's Bakery & Seafood House - This is not a restaurant/bakery that you expect to find in "Rural Alaska". The food is different. It's not your standard comfort food. They have a different menu board almost daily. They are open only in the morning and afternoon but they are well worth the visit. There is VERY limited seating and it's pretty much family style. If there's a space open, sit. You can always order take out if you'd prefer to carry it down to the Iditarod HQ to chow down. The menu changes on the regular, but you can view it on their website.

Polar Cafe - This is aneatery attached to a bar. The Cafe entrance is around back. Once upon a time they were a full menu restaurant (diner type food) but it is my understanding they are now more of a coffee shop. A quick peek at their Facebook Page does show the occassional hot breakfast offering, but locals tell me it's not an every day thing. They do offer a variety of baked goods as well. You can view their menu here.

Airport Pizza -  Go for the pizza. Everything else is standard. But the pizza is worth the walk up the road. Alaskans love their pizza, so it's no surprise that one of the best places to eat in Nome is a pizza place. 
Contrary to what the name suggests, this is not in the Airport - it's actually a very simple walk from the finish line to the restaurant. There's plenty of seating and the walk helps you work off all that carby goodness. The menu is more than Pizza, but I mean... it's a pizza place, get the pizza. They don't really have an online presence, all menus appear outdated.

Milano's Pizzaria - Like many restaurants in Nome, Milano's serves more than just pizza. It's a conglomeration of Italian, several Asian cuisines, and American. Milano's is closer to the Iditarod action as it is located on Front Street so many choose to get their pizza there as opposed to the walk up to Airport. There is quite a bit of seating in Milano's as well, but (unless they've upgraded since 2019) the lighting is dark. Still, this is a good spot to get a hot meal right along the finish route. They do not have an online presence and menus seem to be outdated online. Yelp reviews show them popular with summer cruise ship guests.

Golden China - Standard American-Chinese place. Nice sized portions. Hot, made to order. If you're like me and like "Cheap Chinese" this is the place for you. They, too, are located right along Front Street and not a far walk from the finish line. Not only do they serve your popular Chinese-American dishes, they also have burgers and sandwiches and other "bar food favorites". This is a decent place to find sushi, too. Again, no real online presence, but this long standing restaurant is a safe bet for a decent meal.

Subway - Eat Fresh in Nome! No, seriously, your one "fast food" staple in Nome is the popular sammich shop of Subway. Located on Front Street, teams come up off the sea ice right behind the restaurant. It has windows looking out in the direction, so even if a team comes in while you wait for your sub - you won't miss it! Also connected to the restaurant is Nome's movie theater.

Husky Restaurant - The name fits for the event you're in Nome for. Another one of the Front Street options. Its storefront gives off bar vibes. Another Asian heavy menu that also has burgers, sammies, and other diner like food. 

La Casita Taco Shop - Located in the bowling alley of the rec center, which is a bit of a walk but doable. Looking at their website it looks like "street taco" more than taco bell which is always a plus. (Actually in doing research for this blog I find myself REALLY hungry after looking up their menu). A little more pricey than what you might be used to for Mexican food (at least compared to what all five bajillion Mexican restaurants in my part of Alaska are) but food looks super fresh in the photos. That's going to be a big part of the reason for the price difference. They also serve breakfast, so a walk just might be worth it to try a newer restaurant option.

Gold Rush Vietnamese FOOD to go - Just a hop skip and a jump from Milano's (if that) you can grab some authentic Vietnamese cuisine. You have to call in your order, and it does appear that it's to go orders only. Thankfully it wouldn't be too much of a walk to go from there to the Iditarod HQ or your hotel to enjoy your meal. 

Nome Soup Supper and Silent Auction - A fundraiser for the local Food Bank held by the Nome Methodist Church. For a donation you can sample several different types of soup. Get there early if you want to try the MuskOx stew. There's also moose, caribou... and beef and chicken for those that are less adventurous. Soup comes with bread and dessert. It will probably be one of your cheapest meals in Nome, and one of the tastiest. Seriously, do not miss this.

Coffee Shops

If you've been to Alaska you know that just like we love our pizza and ice cream, we also have a thing for coffee huts and shops. Nome has now joined that fad and there are several all around town.

Kigluaik Kuuppagvik - Located inside the Aurora Inn. You can visit their Facebook page to find out what their name means and see their daily specials.

Trinh's Floral and Coffee Shop - Located on First Avenue, she's open from 6:30am to 6:30pm in the winter Monday through Friday with shorter hours on the weekend. You can keep up with her menu on her Facebook page. It appears she also has some bakery items and ice cream.

Golden Grounds Coffe Co - They're a little up the road from Front Street and drive through only - so if you're planning to walk... um... maybe take a cab instead. It doesn't appear that they accept walk ups (but maybe it's worth a shot if you really need that cup of joe.) Check out their Facebook page for hours and specials and all the things.

Tundra Delights - This one you walk up to because it's pick up only. You put in your order and pick up at a little kiosk. Click here to view the menu and order online.

Nome, Sweet Nome

There's something special about Nome, Alaska. It quickly gets inside you. Very few folks who visit during Iditarod come away thinking negatively. Most - like myself - want to return immediately. This is a trip everyone should take, whether you're into the Iditarod or not. For an Iditarod fan - this is a must do if it's at all possible. There's just something so special about being with everyone cheering the dogs into the finish. The family like atmosphere as you walk by strangers who you just feel a connection to because you're all there for the same general purpose. The locals are friendly, greeting with smiles, and it's a slower pace. No one is really rushing (except maybe the dog teams). Nome, Alaska IS Alaska, and I hope if you're reading this you'll be ready to experience for yourself very soon.



Check out Nome part 2 - a look at what you can do and see at Nome while waiting for the dog teams to come in!




This blog has always been a hobby and will continue to be - and this list is more for myself than anything - if you can spare a few dollars to help keep this blog running I wouldn't say no. Please do not feel obligated, but know that all support (in every form, not just financial) is greatly appreciated! Click here to "buy me a coffee".

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

2026 Nome-Golovin 200 musher roster and race preview

Nome bid farewell to the hoopla of Iditarod Week Monday with officials, sponsors, and most of the teams and fans back home by Monday - but not everyone has had enough of Nome and her mushing trails. Put on by the Nome Kennel Club, the Nome to Golovin 200 mile sled dog race is set to take off Thursday night with seven teams vying for the top spot.

Of the seven teams running this year's race, one just completed the nearly thousand mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race. After almost a week long "break" from competing the team will be back out on the trail covering some of the same miles they just ran across days earlier.

Several other teams flew in for the race hoping to keep their season going just a little bit longer. And then there are the local teams, many attached to the kennel club as members of the board. It's a celebration of local and statewide talent that this year hopes to also bring a light to the opiod epidemic. The race plans to have each team carry Narcan in their sleds as a way to bring awareness and education to the area.

Teams will run from Nome to White Mountain and onto Golovin where they will have a mandatory six hour rest before turning around and heading back to Nome. Team must also take an additional six hours of "floating rest" which mushers will log in their logbook and it will be verified using the trackers. For the whole set of rules you can find them via the kennel club website

The mushers have their bib numbers already, though they won't have their musher's meeting until Wednesday. Vet Checks will happen Thursday before the teams take off Thursday Night. They expect a finish on Saturday.

So let's take a look at this small but mighty roster.

Musher Roster

BibMusherKennelLinkLinkLink
1Garrick FullerThe Dog LotFacebook
2Bailey VitelloTeam BaileyWebsiteFacebookInstagram
3Burr LemaireComstock KennelFacebookInstagram
4Jennifer NelsonNorthern Lone Star MushingFacebookInstagram
5Sarah RichardsDeja Vu Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
6Annette LlanesHonky Tonk KennelFacebookInstagram
7Diana HaeckerArtic Sky KennelFacebook
*Roster as of March 24 @ 8:30pm AKDT.


How to Watch

Official Website
There's not a whole lot of information on the race via the website, but the basics are there. You can also learn about the Nome Kennel Club - including its impressive history. 

Trackers
The race has confirmed that there will be trackers provided by trackleaders. Considering fans have gone into major tracker withdrawl after Iditarod finished, this will no doubt give great relief to many.

Social Media
The Nome Kennel Club's facebook page has given great info on each team running this weekend as well as info on the race itself. They've become pretty active lately and hopefully that will continue during the race.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6PM - Musher's Meeting

Thursday, March 26, 2026
9am-12pm - Vet Checks
6pm - Race Start

Saturday, March 28, 2026
Finishes to happen throughout the day.

Sunday, March 29, 2026
2pm - Musher's Banquet




Are you ready for another race? Who are you looking forward to seeing race down the trail? Comment below with your thoughts!



If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

"Lucky number seven strikes again!"

Tuesday night as crowds lined Front Street in Nome, Alaska, Jessie Holmes recreated a bit of history. The reining Iditarod Champion finished what he set out to do nine and a half days ago - he won back to back titles. The musher once better known for his stint on an Alaskan based Reality TV Show is now known to be a master at dog mushing.

As Jessie and team ran their way into Nome after coming off of their final mountain crossing the musher waved and cheered to the Iditarod Insider cameras "Lucky number seven strikes again!" referencing his first Iditarod when he wore Bib Number 7 and became Rookie of the Year. In 2026 he wore Bib Number 7 to become one of the few repeat Iditarod Champions.

Holmes and team lead for much of the race, something rarely seen in this era of dog mushing. They won every "first to the" award in this years race, sharing those honors with no one. Most races have seen those that win the early first awards lose position on the coast, but not Jessie. Holmes managed to keep at least two hours over his next closest competitor throughout the race and by the time he reached White Mountain he extended that lead to nearly four. 

Never showing the fastest average speed, it was all about strategy and team management. When things felt like they weren't going according to plan, Jessie pivoted. He wasn't feeling well himself at the beginning of the race so he held himself back. He 24ed earlier than expected in Takotna. He rested in Cripple and in Ruby. He didn't spend as much time as we normally see him camping outside of checkpoints. Holmes had time to talk with fans, volunteers, and other mushers. He put his team in their cuddle puddles and kept pace with his chores.

All the while faster teams threatened to catch him, but it didn't matter. He was playing a sort of cat and mouse game with them all. And now, in the end, he finished as the sun set over Nome, Alaska and the Bering Strait.  

"I've been chasing greatness since I got here," Jessie Holmes said in his Insider interview under the arch, "Susan and Lance... gonna try and make it three, one of them made it four."

After being signed off the trail and finishing his Insider interview Holmes went to his sled bag and pulled out steaks for each of his canine teammates. As Insider's Greg Heister exclaimed the dogs were getting ribeyes, Jessie responded, "I called my handler and told her champagne and steaks!"

When asked how he did it Holmes said he ran the race how they run things, and that he gave his team ample rest. "If you want to do great things, you gotta be an original," the now two time champ said.

Several times while talking to Insider and KNOM and KTUU in the chute, Jessie Holmes got choked up talking about his dogs. "Dogs first," Holmes told the media, "these guys deserve all the recognition and all the glory."

Zeus and Polar were the dogs chosen by the musher to sit for the champion photo. While Greg Heister acknowledged that Jessie would want all twelve dogs up there (but the platform isn't big enough) Holmes gave another round of pets and good dogs to each team member before unhooking the two that would sit with him under the arch.

Jessie's team were confident when they ran into the chute and under the burled arch, and after snacking were banging in harness and screaming wanting to continue on (considering it's over 100 miles shorter than what they ran last year they no doubt thought they weren't done!)

"It's unimaginable how attached I am to these dogs right now. I'm attached all year long, but after what we went through on that trail..." Holmes choked out with Greg Heister as he watched his handlers run his team down to the dog lot while Holmes stayed behind to be awarded his check. The 2026 winners check came to $80,000 to which Jessie yelled out, "DOG FOOD! DOG BOOTIES!" before thanking all of the sponsors for the prize money.

"We'll be back," he told them, "and I hope you will be, too."

Jessie Holmes came into the finish in 9 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes, and 51 seconds. The two-time Iditarod Champion says they're going for three in 2027. There are twenty-nine teams still out on the trail. 

Iditarod champion should finish tonight

Jessie Holmes at the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 54.
March 7, 2026. Anchorage, Alaska.
Jessie Holmes and his team of twelve dogs rolled into White Mountain at 3:10am AKDST Tuesday for their final 8 hour mandatory break. As stated in previous posts, Jessie Holmes and his team of dogs have dominated the race almost from the get go. The musher felt the pressure to defend his title and made that the only real goal for this season. Should he succeed, he will only be the third musher in race history to defend his title after winning his first one (other mushers have won more, but not consecutively after their first win). He will join his name with legends Susan Butcher and Lance Mackey if all things go according to plan today.

With Jessie coming in at 3:10am he will be able to leave as soon as 11:10am. The team has a four hour cushion (give or take a few minutes) on the next team (and currently only other team) in White Mountain. Travis Beals and his team of eleven came into White Mountain at 7:07am AKDST. The musher ran a solid race and managed his team well to have the ability to pick off quite a few teams that ran the race ahead of him. Beals mentioned to Insider that he felt that his team should be the champion team and that he was just running out of miles to catch Holmes. That seems to be the case with the nearly four hour lead Holmes has. Still, as we learned in 2014, solid leads mean nothing if Mother Nature wants to have her say. Beals will be able to leave White Mountain at 3:07pm AKDST.

The chase pack of positions third through fifth is where the real race is. Not knocking the top two, it's just that there is no clear cut winner for those placements between the trio of Jeff Deeter, Wade Marrs, and Paige Drobny. Drobny, of course, spent much of this race playing cat and mouse with Jessie Holmes sticking with him until the Kaltag Portage where Holmes managed to surge ahead from his already 1.5-2hour lead over the Squids. Marrs, much like Beals, sat back away from the leaders on his run to the coast choosing to bank rest so that his team would be ready to push on the coast. And, in somewhat of a surprise to fans Monday, Jeff Deeter made a huge move on the coast and finds himself in prime position to match or exceed his last finishing placement (4th in 2024 - Deeter did not finish in 2025.)

In a year where many fan favorite mushers spoke to Insider hinting that they were winding down their Iditarod racing careers (Michelle Phillips saying this is her last one as a musher but hopes to be a race judge in the future, Jessie Royer hinting she doesn't have many Iditarods left, and even Jason Mackey hedging on how long he'll keep running the race), the top five give hope that the next generation of Iditarod is in very capable hands. (Honestly, the current top 10 all should stick around a while. - excluding Phillips.)

The back of the pack saw a flip flop over night. When last we spoke Grayson Bruton was the race's red lantern winner, but how that is back to being Jody Potts-Joseph who has a worrisome long campout going on near Old Woman's(?) Cabin. With the champion finish closing in, the back of the pack may need to pick up their pace a smidge - though with Dan Carter being first time race marshall we have yet to know how he will handle that rule of being "non-competitive" at this point. Unalakleet is a major hub and an easy spot to move teams off the trail, so it's the "best bet" for where teams will be WD in this portion of the race. No guarantee that is what will happen here, however.

With Jessie Holmes being able to leave at 11:10am AKDST today, and a 70-77mile jaunt left for his team (mileage depends on who you talk to) there's still plenty of room for a race to go sideways. Most top teams make the run from White Mountain to Nome between ten and eleven hours so start looking for Holmes to finish between 9pm and 10pm AKDST Tuesday night (but watch those trackers sometimes team surprise us with a burst of speed and others surprise us by being blown off course - looking again at you, 2014!).



How do you think those last 70+ miles will shake out for the champ? What races within a race are you excited for? Comment with your thoughts below!

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

How to help support communities of Western Alaska

The last week has been its own sort of Hell for many small villages and communities along the West Coast of Alaska. Thanks to two major storms from Asia most of the coast is underwater. A storm surge hit Kotzebue and Nome (and surrounding communities) late Thursday with the end of Japan's Typhoon Halong hitting Sunday. Several villages were completely underwater with homes being lifted off and floating down rivers and out to sea. 

While Nome suffered mostly wind damage, elsewhere it's total devastation. The stories have been shared this week, tales of terror and utter loss. Miraculously most villages were spared loss of life, but at last count two confirmed fatalities with several more missing and unaccounted for are still have active searches.Water has just begun to receed, and while the Alaska Army & Air National Guards, State Troopers, and the Coast Guard are all doing their best to go where they are most needed the emotional impact is mighty. Also harrowing is that all subsistance food harvested and stored to support families through the winter are essentially gone. On top of housing food and water supplies are just... gone.


The damage is catastrophic. Recovery seems insurmountable at this point and we still don't know just how much there is.

Several legitimate Alaskan organizations are leading the call for help - financial and through time and goods. Alaska Public Media and Anchorage Daily News are keeping tabs on all of the ways we can support and send help, but there are a few main ones that are easy and quick to provide help to (for those outside of Alaska):

Alaska Community Foundation's Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund - general relief funds
Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach, Inc. - dog food drive
Bethel Community Services Foundation - Amazon Wishlist of imediate needed items for the region

**Please note the above links are vetted as best as possible.**

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

"THANK YOU! See you in Nome!"

Dallas Seavey pulled the hook at 7:53am in White Mountain and his team of 10 Alaskan Huskies trotted back out onto the Iditarod Trail, they have just 77 miles until they reach the finish line. Seavey has a three hour lead over current second place team of Matt Hall. Should Dallas maintain his lead he will achieve an historic sixth victory in the Last Great Race.

While it may seem like this is a runaway win for Dallas Seavey, the veteran musher knows not to celebrate just yet. Just ten years ago Dallas was third out of White Mountain following well behind the leader Jeff King who was nearly three hours ahead of Seavey. Aliy Zirkle was chosen to play spoiler having left White Mountain an hour behind King. As the trackers made their way through the Topkok Hills it looked like everything was going to stay as it was. No one was gaining, and King wasn't faltering...

...until he did. Halfway from the hills to the checkpoint of Safety King's tracker stalled. And stayed stalled. Reports came in of hurricane force winds in the Blowhole. Joe Runyan blogged that anyone out there was risking their life. A midnight, Jeff King hit his SOS button ending his race. He was blown off trail with no way to continue. Aliy Zirkle in the meantime was totally unaware of Jeff's misfortune and made it to the checkpoint of Safety completely rattled by the storm. She was advised to stay and wait until the winds died down. She had a two hour lead on Dallas and it seemed the right idea.

Then Dallas came into Safety and quickly signed out - he didn't want to be in the wind anymore than he had to be, and with no real barrier from the wind for the dogs it was better to keep moving in his opinion than sit there and wait it out. He was unaware Aliy was still there. Unaware that Jeff was not in Nome. 

Dallas won his second Iditarod that night in crazy dramatic fashion.

A similar storm hit in 2022, Dallas didn't win that year, but he came awfully close to it. We can sit and rehash the fairness of Brent Sass getting a message on his InReach device telling him to get moving as Dallas was still moving while Sass hunkered down to wait out the storm, but it's done and over with. Sass managed to hold Dallas off, but again Dallas proved that while one team is stuck in the final leg another can make progress. If anyone knows that the race ain't over in White Mountain, it's Seavey.

Faster finishes from White Mountain to Nome take 10 hours, sometimes they can take 11 to 12 hours. If Dallas manages to stay first and doesn't get stalled in the Topkok Hills or The Blowhole outside of Safety, look for a finish around 5:30pm AKST tonight.

Friday, July 16, 2021

Nome, Sweet Nome for Iditarod

Now that you've made it to Nome, what is there to do? Depending on when you come into the final stop on the Iditarod, you may have a bit of a wait until the champion or your favorite musher cross under the burled arch. But, don't worry about being bored! The City of Nome looks forward to the Iditarod week every year. There are many city hosted events taking place as everyone waits for the siren to go off and teams to come up Front Street.

In my last Idita-Getaway post, I pointed out the different restaurant options. Each one holds a special bit of Nome in them, and if you are at all into Food Network shows like Diners, Drive Ins, or Dives or if you were a fan of Anthony Bourdain it might be fun to take a look at all of them (and if you are there long enough it's easy to do). 

Your first stop should be your hotel's front desk. Most will have the calendar of events for Iditarod week. If by chance they don't, you can take a walk to the Nome Visitor Center (which you should do anyway). The calendar will give you the times and places each event/attraction take place. It typically has a map of the city on the back, and a description of each event. These maps are free, and make a great souvenir (speaking from experience). You can also download the Event Calendar ahead of time by visiting the Nome Visitor Center's website.


While at the Visitor Center you can chat with the very friendly volunteers and staff and ask their advice on what to do and see. They will give you updates on the race as they are able, they can explain the weather and the history of their City. They often have other free or cheap souvenirs (I'm a fan of their I <3 Nome buttons). It's also a great place to stop and warm up as you wait for teams to come in. They're also responsible for the City of Nome webcam, and are the folks you'll want to contact as you make plans for your trip and are in need of lodging (should you not be able to get a hotel, they are the keepers of the list of rooms for rent in local homes). This is also often the site for different tours to pick up/start. 

Behind the Visitor Center is a trail to the sea ice and the Nome National Forest. This one of a kind forest is the self proclaimed northern most forest, and is a unique photo op. Be sure to check with the Visitor Center before exploring just incase the sea ice is considered unstable (in 2019 we couldn't visit as the day after we arrived the ice broke up). What makes the forest its own is that while the trees are natural - they are "planted" on the ice after Christmas by the local families. They're used Christmas trees! The city also puts out different wooden decorations and other photo ops. It's totally kitchy and every visitor to Nome should experience it at least once.


Once you come back up to Front Street it's just a quick walk to the Russian Church and the Nome Craft Bazaar. Do not miss this. Many of the local artists and craftspeople plan their whole year around this bazaar. There are many beautiful Alaskan made crafts, artworks, and clothing. Many of the artists are more than happy to talk to you about their craft, their lifestyle, and their culture. There is also an art show where you can see many talented pieces and how they are judged.  Be ready with both cash and card as some of the vendors prefer one over the other. There is also typically a raffle at the door. 


Next, take a walk (or grab a cab if you aren't renting a car) and head for the Nome Museum. The Museum is fairly new having been built in 2017/18. It is one of my favorite museums in Alaska. Most of the exhibits are interactive and they share the Indigenous history as well as the goldrush and beyond. You are met at the entrance of the museum with a full on display about how mushing has been a huge focal of the area - with a tribute to both the Iditarod as well as Nome's most well known and celebrated musher Leonhard Seppala and his dog Fritz. You learn about the diphtheria outbreak that made Nome famous (as well as that little dog name Balto). Plan to spend at LEAST an hour there. Often during Iditarod you will find free talks and Iditarod specific exhibits. Jon and Jona Van Zyle (official artists of the Iditarod) were there in 2019 with a special exhibit of Jon's paintings and posters, and they also did talks on Jon's running the Iditarod as well as their adventures in Alaska.


Before or after you visit the bazaar, walk through the snow over to the Welcome to Nome gold pan sign. You can also meet the "Three Lucky Swedes" who supposedly put Nome on the map. This is a popular photo op for Nome visitors, and depending on the snow depth you may be much taller than the statues. There are also some recreations of Indigenous people's tools like a boat and salmon drying rack. Signs at each spot explain what you are looking at and the history of the items. 


Depending on what days you'll be in Nome there are several fun events you can attend as a spectator or even as a contestant. Several bars host trivia contests, pool tournaments, there's wet buns/tshirt contests (if that's your thing, the Alaskan spring break), poker tournaments, concerts, foosball tournaments. This is where that calendar of events really comes in handy. Most events are free to spectate, but some do have a $5 or $10 cover charge. Nome during Iditarod is a very festive atmosphere along Front Street where everyone comes together and you are the best of friends during the week. 

There are several gift shops open during Iditarod, and it's worth going into each one to talk with the store owner and to look at all the souvenir ideas. A lot of local artists fill the shops with their creations, and there are some really fun novelty items as well. The bars are also easy to slip in and out of even if you aren't a drinker (I'm not). A lot of history within those walls and there are several that people tell you to visit just to say you've been there.

If you have time and are dying for some every day entertainment, head to the Subway sandwich shop and go to the back, the Nome Movie Theater typically has two movies playing with your typical movie theater concessions. There will also be the basketball tournament going on during Iditarod and that brings a lot of athletes from all over Western Alaska to Nome. Many Iditarod fans go to catch a game or two. 

There's also a need to stop into the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve building. You can watch some videos on the ice age's "land bridge" that brought humanity to North American all those millennia ago. They offer snowshoe tours out in the preserve, as well as a host of information at their office. You can view fossils, there are some wonderful souvenirs (including pins that you can only get from National Parks), and learn some valuable history of the area. This is more of a hidden gem for many.

And then do not miss walking down to the Iditarod HQ. It is below the Iditarod Finish line and it's where you will mingle with mushers, their families, their handlers. The Iditarod dog lot will be behind the building and security will ask you to look but not take pictures. You can see how well the athletes coming off the trail look (which is AMAZING in comparison to what their mushers look like). Inside HQ are volunteers willing to answer all of your questions, a computer where you can check in with the GPS tracker to see how close the teams are to finishing, food for sale, and the Iditarod merchandise tables. There's also free (but very slow) wifi, and a lot of places to sit and warm up while your phone charges. 

There are things that I'm missing on my list. Nome events are always changing, though the mainstays go strong every year (except for when Pandemics hit). Every part of the week is a part of your Iditarod experience and while I do suggest taking your time and just being spontaneous, I also encourage you to take in as much as possible. By the end of your trip you'll most likely be in serious planning for your next trip to Nome. Just walking through the streets of Nome you can run into some really neat things. Talk with the locals. Talk with other travelers. We're all feeling the excitement (it's the one time I'm not THAT much of an introvert).

But, wait, what about...

Don't worry, I know what you're thinking WHAT ABOUT THE ACTUAL FINISH?! I want to see MY team come under the arch, I want to see the champion! Don't worry, I have that post planned as  my next article!



Like what you see and want to see post like this continue? Support is always greatly appreciated, if you want to buy me a slice of pizza (or more) I won't say no. (To be honest that money goes into paying for internet and other website related costs.)

Friday, February 28, 2020

Going Nome for Iditarod

An Iditarod legend once explained to me that to be a full fledged Iditarod fan, one must do three things:
1. Attend the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage
2. Attend the Re-Start in Willow (previously Wasilla, sometimes Fairbanks)
3. Be there for the Finish in Nome

Now, to be fair, for most fans this trifecta is a bucket list dream that may never come true. But, if you are able to swing it, here is some information, tips, and what have you to help make your bucket list trip a reality.

Getting Started - When to Book

Before you even look into travel and lodging, decide which year you're going. Nome is a small community with not a lot of options for places to stay so you want to book lodging well in advance (like when Iditarod of this year ends book for next year, and even then you may be too late). Nome is not on any of the highway systems in Alaska so your options are extremely limited, but with a little planning you will find yourself having an amazing time. There's no place like Nome (Dorothy Gale was *close* all those years ago on her return from Oz).

But how do you decide when you want to go? That's easy. First, decide what finishes you want to see. Do you have 8 days to spend in Nome? Then you can see it all and then some. If you have a specific musher in mind that's a little harder to judge, but with some Iditamath you can at least ballpark it. The Iditarod race starts in earnest on the first SUNDAY of March - every year. (Ceremonial Start is always Saturday, but the real race starts in Willow on Sunday at 2pm). It typically takes the first musher 8.5 days (give or take a few hours) to get to Nome.

If you want to see the Champion come to town (and I would suggest you DO because it's an incredible experience) you should book for Sunday through Thursday (at the least stay to Thursday evening). They typically expect a team to cross under the burled arch on Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday Morning. Most of the Iditarod big wigs and sponsors fly in Saturday evening/Sunday morning and leave out Thursday afternoon. They do book their hotels for longer stays but typically check out earlier than what they've booked and so rooms do become available for later in the week.

If seeing the Champ really isn't your speed, but you have a specific musher in mind, the bulk of the teams come in Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with the final teams coming in usually by Saturday evening. The Musher's banquet is that Sunday and typically all teams are in by then though there are the occassions where the Red Lantern comes across the finish line while folks are at the banquet. It is always difficult to judge until closer to race time as weather and trail conditions play a huge factor on how quickly the race is run.

If you can swing it - Go Sunday to Sunday. (That'd be the Sunday AFTER the Sunday start - typically the second Sunday of March, though in 2020 it will be the 3rd Sunday). You would have Sunday to get your berrings, and all of Monday to check out all of the extras in Nome. Once teams come in you'll find yourself having a harder time pulling yourself away from Front Street and the HQ. But we'll discuss that all a little later in this blog.

Getting There

There aren't many options to get from Anchorage to Nome unless you're willing to take a dogsled. Only two airlines run regularly to the finish line from Anchorage, though you might be able to find a charter service willing to take you that far. Be aware that all flights are totally dependent on the weather in Nome more so than Anchorage. I've been on flights where they didn't stop in Kotzebue as scheduled due to dense fog, and during the 2019 Iditarod several flights were cancelled because of the snowstorm that blew in and it took folks several days to make it to Nome as all flights were fully booked. Give yourself a buffer! With that in mind, let's discuss the options.

Alaska Airlines - This is probably your best bet for getting a good rate and a good flight to Nome. AKAir is top of its class when it comes to timeliness and affordablility. If you play your cards right you can swing a round trip fare for around 350.00 (ANC-OME-ANC). They typically run three flights daily during Iditarod season, with a direct flight option as one that stops in Kotzebue before continuing to Nome. Direct flight is an hour and a half travel time (roughly) and the ANC-KOTZ-OME flight is about three hours total time. All flights are on your standard commuter plane, most often in the 737 series.

You can book directly with Alaska Air on their website, you may also want to follow them on Twitter. They have an amazing social media team. I'm biased though. If you are an Alaska resident you get three checked bags free on your flight to Nome plus two carry ons. Make sure you're a Club 49 member to get this perk, it's free to all Alaska residents.

RAVN Air - Another option is the smaller prop planes from RAVN air. RAVN is the leading Alaska based "air taxi" service in the state. They service most of the remote villages and towns of Alaska. They are also far more expensive with fares as high as $710. With being one of the only games in town, RAVN has angered many Alaskans in recent months with their constant delays and cancellations with many reports of RAVN denying to waive fees for changing a flight even when the changes are due to their error. They don't have the best track record, but they may be the only option if Alaska Air is booked up. You can book with RAVN directly on their website.

RAVN appears to have no direct flight, but it does have a three stop flight - some of the stops are in villages that play the role of checkpoint for the Iditarod (one of the stops is Unalakleet). These flights are more expensive and more apt to have cancellations due to weather.

While there's not a lot of option for air travel, you don't have to book flights right away. We're three almost four weeks out from the 2020 finish and you can still book flights to Nome for the dates suggested above. Don't wait until the last minute, but airfare is rarely refundable or changeable without fees, and it's best to make sure you have everything else confirmed before booking your flights to and from Nome.

Please note - the Nome Airport is insanely small. As you come in from the runway (yeah you have to walk down stairs to get out of the airplane and walk across a snowy, windy runway) you will walk straight into the line of folks waiting to board their flight. On the other side of the line is where baggage claim is. There's no carousel. The airport is an experience in and of itself. And for some insane reason I LOVE it (after the fact). Keep this in mind when you get ready to fly home. You definitely do not want to get there at the last minute, they'll keep your luggage until the next day while you fly back to Anchorage. (Yes, I speak from experience.)

Housing Options

GET THIS DONE FIRST! Once you know when and how long you want to go to Nome, BOOK YOUR LODGING. You will have to call - while the hotels have a marginal online presence, they are still old school in how you go about booking a room. Note that Nome is not big on amenities, it's about practicality. You'll be paying high prices, but you'll be getting moderate to economy type lodging. Remember you are going for the experience, not pampering. Going in with that mindset helps. This is not to say that you're going to be staying in a hole or anything, just note that you won't get quite the same amount of amenities we're used to in the big city or Lower 48.

There are three hotels open in March. They are all within quick walking distance of the burled arch, and Front Street. While I have only stayed at one of the hotels (the hotel I stayed at my first time in Nome has since burned down), I've talked to enough folks both from Nome and who have booked rooms in the past to get a good idea of what each has to offer. **Pro-tip: If you can't find rooms for the whole week, see if you can get rooms for later in the week. This doesn't work if you want to see the CHAMPION come in, but if you really have your heart set on going to Nome for any part of the Iditarod finish this is an easy back up plan.**

Aurora Inn & Suites - This is probably the best hotel for the cost. It is warm, staff is friendly, the rooms are clean and spacious. Bathrooms are well kept as well - and each room has a bathroom. The Aurora is owned by the Bering Straits Native Corporation, and they seem to take pride in their establishment. There is ample parking in front and behind the hotel (though you do not need a car, but you can rent a vehicle at the front desk... it's expensive, I'd take a cab or walk). They have suites and standard rooms and one accessible room. The hotel is located on Front Street but several blocks away from the finish line. You can walk out the front of the hotel, cross the street to the Subway restaurant and watch the teams come off of the beach and onto Front Street if you wish (and if it's like 2019 and the ice has already broken up, they come off the beach further down the road so the teams pass right by the hotel on the street).

Though they don't have their prices online, it's a good to budget for $250* a night for a standard room. WiFi is extra (and expensive!). To learn more about the hotel you can visit their website. To book a room give them a call 1-907-443-3838 - they have an email address but they don't always answer back quickly. Phone is your best bet.

Nome Nugget Inn - This hotel has been in Nome a long... long... long... time. Or, at least, the building has. It's also the "official hotel" of the Iditarod in Nome. Many of the mushers, officials, and volunteers book rooms here. It is typically cheaper than the Aurora, but with the building being older it has a lot of older building complaints. Still, it's a bed and bathroom in a place that during the Iditarod has more demand than supply. The hotel is attached to a bar and a restaurant and the door leads you right out to the burled arch. If you're a light sleeper this might not be the best choice for you, but if the price is right there are always ear plugs. The party goes all night long the entire week of Iditarod finishes, lots of events happening in the bar. The bar is also connected to a restaurant (that is one of my favorites). So if you don't want to have to walk much the Nugget might actually be your game.

The Nugget will have a lot of familiar faces staying at it, and it's a very quick walk to the Iditarod HQ. If you want to be in the center of the action, this is it. But, remember, this is an OLD building and the hotels don't get renovated as often as hotels in the states. I've heard and seen mixed reviews of the Nugget, but as I noted earlier - you really do not have many choices. Last I heard rooms during Iditarod run about $199* a night. You can view more info on the Nome Nugget Inn on their website. To contact the hotel directly call the front desk 1-907-443-2323.

Dredge No. 7 Inn - The furthest option of the "big three", the Dredge #7 boasts "state of the art" accommodations. Wifi is complimentary. Rooms are either a King bed or Two Twins (I assume that means they push the two twins together and put on a mattress top to make a King?). Every room has a microwave, private bath, and cable tv. Rooms share a common area with several other rooms. The Dredge Inn is several blocks away from all of the Front Street action, but it's an easy walk to get to the fun. Rooms appear well kept and spacious. The hotel is owned by a 3rd generation Nome Mining Family. A lot of history of the mining era of Nome can be found throughout the hotel. The operate in two locations, but only the Sluice Box Street location is open during Iditarod.

The Dredge Inn is the only hotel that you can book in advance online - and they offer a 10% discount for doing so. A quick glance at their site shows that you can book for Iditarod well in advance (we're not even at the start of Iditarod 2020 and they have prices and dates for 2021). Rooms during peak Iditarod is listed at $254*, but it drops significantly after the Champion comes in. You can view more information about the hotel and book a room on their website. You can also give them a call at 1-907-304.1270.

Other Options - If you struck out on getting a hotel room, don't give up just yet. There are several bed and breakfast options that could be available, and locals often rent out homes and rooms for Iditarod fans. While you might be able to find something on Air BnB, your best bet to know what your options are is to visit the Nome Visitor Center's website. Not only do they have links to all B&B's in Nome, they also are the ones to contact to be put on the waiting list for the "Iditarod Overflow Housing Program". The visitor center will get you in touch with those renting out beds/couches during Iditarod. Not the most ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. Plus, you can't get more Iditarod than that! Some folks make life long friends this way. You can contact the visitor center through email or by phone 1-907-443-6555.

*All prices are guesstimates based on past rates. Please check with the hotel directly for any pricing information.

Food

I've often said that Nome has a wider selection of food options than we have in my hometown of Kenai, Alaska. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you can get just about anything you get in most populated areas of America. While there are no fast food options (unless you count Subway, which I guess most do) you can be sure to have plenty of options to satisfy. I'll list a few places I've eaten at below, note that some may be closed (one of my favorites closed after I went to Nome the first time and I didn't know until I got there the second trip. so sad!). Most establishments can be found on Yelp! So make sure to check that out when you're looking for places to eat. There are also quite a few bars, but I've only been in one of them to meet with friends, so I won't comment on them.

Pingo's Bakery & Seafood House - This is not a restaurant/bakery that you expect to find in "Rural Alaska". The food is different. It's not your standard comfort food. They have a different menu board almost daily. They are open only in the morning and afternoon but they are well worth the visit. There is VERY limited seating and it's pretty much family style. If there's a space open, sit. You can always order take out if you'd prefer to carry it down to the Iditarod HQ to chow down. Their garden salad is "fancy" and it's large. It's not really a *side* salad.

Bering Sea Sushi Bar & Grill - They have a huge menu, and surprisingly most of it is good. You have everything from American comfort food to Sushi and Chinese Food, to Pizza and bar food. This is the restaurant attached to the Nome Nugget Inn, so it stays pretty busy. Their breakfast is also pretty good. Portions are large for most of the dishes. They are open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. You will see many Iditarod folk there. I typically eat there several times. There's a great view of the sea ice and the Nome Forest

Polar Cafe - This is another eatery attached to a bar. The cafe is around the back. You get fantastic views of the sea ice. The food is typical American Diner fare, and while MANY swear by this restaurant as being the best, I've had very average meals. Other places IMO are better. Still it's a short walk from the Aurora Inn to this place, and it's well located. AND THE VIEW!

Airport Pizza - Go for the pizza. Everything else is standard. But the pizza is worth the walk up the road. Alaskans love their pizza, so it's no surprise that one of the best places to eat in Nome is a pizza place. The rest of the dishes - other than maybe the burgers - seem to be frozen food they've cooked up. The crinkle fries are just crinkle fries. Go for the Pizza. It's a Nome staple. Do it.

Milano's Pizzaria - I'm told this is owned by Airport Pizza, but I'm also told that the pizza here is not as good as Airport's so... I don't know. I didn't do pizza twice in a week. They also have pasta dishes on the menu as well as some Japanese dishes. I think Pizza/Pasta might be your better options as the Japanese dish I had was just okay. This location is on Front Street, so if you don't want to walk a ways to get pizza, this is the better option.

Golden China - Standard American-Chinese place. Nice sized portions. Hot, made to order. If you're like me and like "Cheap Chinese" this is the place for you.

Nome Soup Supper and Silent Auction - A fundraiser for the local Food Bank held by the Nome Methodist Church. For a donation you can sample several different types of soup. Get there early if you want to try the MuskOx stew. There's also moose, caribou... and beef and chicken for those that are less adventurous. Soup comes with bread and dessert. It will probably be one of your cheapest meals in Nome, and one of the tastiest.

Nome, Sweet Nome

There's something special about Nome, Alaska. It quickly gets inside you. Very few folks who visit during Iditarod come away thinking negatively. Most - like myself - want to return immediately. This is a trip everyone should take, whether you're into the Iditarod or not. For an Iditarod fan - this is a must do if it's at all possible. There's just something so special about being with everyone cheering the dogs into the finish. The family like atmosphere as you walk by strangers who you just feel a connection to because you're all there for the same general purpose. The locals are friendly, greeting with smiles, and it's a slower pace. No one is really rushing (except maybe the dog teams). Nome, Alaska IS Alaska, and I hope if you're reading this you'll be ready to experience for yourself very soon.



Coming up hopefully in the next few days... Nome part 2 - a look at what you can do and see at Nome while waiting for the dog teams to come in!