There's Something About Nome...
by Kim Knudsen
I took the week off of work to spend time with the kids during their spring break. Oh how I wish I didn't have to work... I would just be a full time Nomite. There's so many wonderful things that go on in Nome and when I'm at work I feel like I'm missing it. I like showing the rest of the world what a great place Nome is. Nome has been in the media lately with the Bering Sea Gold show, Alaska State Trooper show, and various news reports. I don't think the shows represent Nome very well so I felt incline to start a blog from a Nomite's perspective. I was born and raised here... when I was a teenager I hated it here and dreamt of leaving, making it big, and never coming back.
Well that didn't turn out... There's something about Nome and draws people back... ask anyone who has lived here. Coming back as an adult and making new good memories with my family has been enjoyable.
Since I had the week off which is also Iditarod week I took a lot of photos to share with you.
 |
| My daughter Addison at the Iditarod dog lot in Nome. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| My kids Addison and Reese at the Iditarod finish line. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Angry Birds snow sculpture at Iditarod Fine Arts show. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Musk Ox snow sculpture at Iditarod Fine Arts show. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| The twins Aiden and Reese at the Iditarod finish line. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| My kids Aiden, Reese, Jeremy, and Addison at the finish line. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Goofy kids. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Addison, Kim, and Aiden at the Iditarod Fine Arts show. Photo taken by Jeremy Knudsen |
 |
| Addison |
 |
| Aiden |
 |
| Reese |
 |
| Jessica Hendricks. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
Addison was so excited to see a musher Jessica Hendricks come in.
 |
| My mom Thu Lan selling her delicious food at the Iditarod craft fair. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Musher Newton Marshall from Jamaica scratched from this years race because one of his dogs got loose named May. After several days she was found and returned home to her owner Jim Lanier (another musher). May had travel 150 miles towards home. Here's a picture of Addison with Newton... she was so excited to get a picture with a real live musher! Photo by Kim Knudsen |
|
 |
| Here's a photo of my friend Dora Ahwinona-Smith selling her beaded crafts at the Iditarod Craft Fair. She's also sporting her plaque that she won in the women's light weight arm wrestling competition. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
I took some scenic photos...
 |
| Icicles hanging from our roof. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| A crazy tourist who decided to camp out on the ice. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Sun over the Bering Sea ice. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Looking southeast out on the ice waiting for musher to come in. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Looking west on the frozen Bering Sea. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Raven flying in the sky just outside of our home. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Sun Rise just outside of our home. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| On Beltz highway heading south towards town. Martinsonville on the right. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
|
 |
| Finish line. Downtown Nome, Alaska. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Quarantined dog lot. Where they keep the Iditarod dog finishers for a couple of days before going home. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
short video of dogs singing at the dog lot.
 |
| At the dog lot. This dog is just begging to be kissed. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Close up photo. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Addison with 2013 Iditarod Champion Mitch Seavey. She was so excited to meet him. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Night life happenings. Ian Foster from Bering Sea Gold season 1 performing at open mic night at Bering Sea Bar. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
|
 |
| Morning sunrise on First street. Neighborhood where I grew up. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Mike Williams, Sr. bib #35 coming off the ice and into Nome in 45th place. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Mike Williams Sr. Photo taken by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Mike Williams Sr. and his dogs. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
 |
| Mike Williams, Sr. lead dogs. Photo by Kim Knudsen |
We went to the Mushers Signing at Iditarod headquarters it was packed with long lines and huge crowds.
 |
| Travis Beals (the guy who proposed to his girlfriend under the burled arch at the finish line), Addison, and 4 times Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey |
 |
| My favorite musher and future Iditarod Champion, Aaron Burmeister |
 |
| Addison with Dallas Seavey 2012 Iditarod Champion |
 |
| Addison with Dee Dee Jonrowe. Breast cancer survivor who has run multiple Iditarods |
 |
| Jeff King (4 times Iditarod Champion) came in 3rd this year. |
 |
| Aliy Zirkle came in 2nd this year |
 |
| Mitch Seavey 2013 Iditarod Champion |
When I asked Addison who was her favorite musher out of all of the ones she met today she said "Mitch"
