Page 102 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020 SPRING EDITION INTERACTIVE

As it turns out, in an unusual twist of iro-
ny, there was plenty of snow in Anchor-
age for the race start this year, but not
enough snow in the mountain passes, so
the starting point for the race had been
moved to Fairbanks, which is becoming a
more common occurrence due to climate
change, another of the Moderows’ activ-
ist fields of interest.

While we playfully jumped up and down
on the lake (after all, it’s not often that
San Diegans encounter a frozen lake),
Joe explained how the dog teams start
the race in three-minute intervals, so
mushers, dogs, and the vast deployment
of Iditarod volunteers must prepare for
the brutal reality of waiting hours with
dozens of other racers before they even
begin the race.

As we drove past the Chugach Moun-
tains, which intersected with the Talkeet-
nas, the peaks intensified in grandeur,
until finally we arrived at the Alaska
range, magnificent in its snow and fog
covered glory. I will never forget my first
view of Mt. Denali, 20,320 feet of crag-
ged majesty, contrasting sharply with the
emerald green pine trees, the crystalline
snow and the magnificent azure sky.

The peak that day was shrouded in
clouds translucent as a negligee, offering
merely a thin veil, yet providing a heart-
pounding illusion of the mystery and
allure that lies beyond.

102 WDT MAGAZINE SPRING 2017