Fur Rondy Fun

Fur Rondy to Anchorage is what Seafair is to Seattle - just with a lot more snow, some sled dogs and a few reindeer. Calvin and Ruth came up to visit us during Fur Rondy last year when we hit up events like the parade, ice sculpture competition and sled dog racing. This year we didn't fee like braving the crowds, but there was one thing I wanted to check out - snowshoe softball. Since it was going on close to our house, we decided to walk there with Banjo.

But we got a little detoured on our way. After only two blocks we ran into a moose! And not any moose, but a bull moose at that, sans rack. We decided to turn around and go another way, but this bull decided to follow us. He pretty much followed us all the way home until he spotted some trees he wanted to eat in our neighbors yard. We had forgotten to bring the camera with us, so we went back inside to get it, and Emily took these pictures as we tried for the second time to make our way to the snow-covered softball diamond.

The snowshoe softball was fun to watch. One guy actually made a really sweet diving catch in left field. I wondered why all of the batters were swinging at the first pitch they saw until I finally saw one take a pitch and the ump yelled out "2 and 2". I guess they start everyone off at 1 and 2 to make the game go a little faster. Everyone really does run a whole lot slower with snowshoes on, and the bright neon pink softball pretty much dies in the outfield so it doesn't roll around a whole lot. And what softball game would be complete without a giant case of domestic beer - Coor's Light was the choice today. We only stayed to watch a few innings because it was a bit nippy out with the wind, even though it was a beautiful day.

The batters need to be aggressive when they start 1-2 off the bat.
Softball in the snow - you gotta love it.
The defense take their positions in the snow-covered field.
Emily and Banjo hanging out by the bleachers.
Me and Banjo on the way to the diamond.
The moose that chased us home!

Fur Rondy to Anchorage is what Seafair is to Seattle - just with a lot more snow, some sled dogs and a few reindeer. Calvin and Ruth came up to visit us during Fur Rondy last year when we hit up events like the parade, ice sculpture competition and whatnot. This year we didn't fee like braving the crowds, but there was one thing I wanted to check out - snowshoe softball. Since it was going on close to our house, we decided to walk there with Banjo.

But we got a little detoured on our way. After only two blocks we ran into a moose! And not any moose, but a bull moose at that, sans rack. We decided to turn around and go another way, but this bull decided to follow us. He pretty much followed us all the way home until he spotted some trees he wanted to eat in our neighbors yard. We had forgotten to bring the camera with us, so we went back inside to get it, and Emily took these pictures as we tried for the second time to make our way to the snow-covered softball diamond.

The snowshoe softball was fun to watch. One guy actually made a really sweet diving catch in left field. I wondered why all of the batters were swinging at the first pitch they saw until I finally saw one take a pitch and the ump yelled out "2 and 2". I guess they start everyone off at 1 and 2 to make the game go a little faster. Everyone really does run a whole lot slower with snowshoes on, and the bright neon pink softball pretty much dies in the outfield so it doesn't roll around a whole lot. And what softball game would be complete without a giant case of domestic beer - Coor's Light was the choice today. We only stayed to watch a few innings because it was a bit nippy out with the wind, even though it was a beautiful day.