Iditarod, the Premiere Dog Sled Race, is Mushing Ahead

by Jamie Rhein on

And they’re off! The Iditarod is into Day 3 of its 1130 mile race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. There are several check points along the way; I counted more than 20. According to last year’s finishing date, there are about 9 more days left. Last year’s winner came in on the 15th.

The race follows the Iditarod National Historic Trail every year, but switches which stretch of it is in the race. One year it’s the northern route. One year it’s the southern. This year is the southern route’s turn. This back and forth switching gives relief to the small towns that that take part in it. Mushers, press and volunteers have a way of taking a toll on small town Alaska. Every other year for a town is plenty.

Years ago, when the trail first opened, not for the race, but for trade and whatnot, dog sleds were used to deliver goods from coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the interior mining camps like Ophir and Ruby and communities like Nome. Everything from the mail to furs and gold made the trip.

The Iditarod website offers a map of the race, a comprehensive history, updated results, videos and photographs, so even if you are in the tropics somewhere you can feel connected to the excitement. Photo is courtesy of Kayak ’49 on Flickr. Check out his other shots of Alaska.

The Mütter Museum: Macabre, Morbid, and a Must-See!

by Willy Volk on

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, the Mütter Museum was born in 1858. Designed to educate future doctors about anatomy and human medical anomalies, today the Museum’s collection boasts over 20,000 objects and serves to feed the brains of the public about our medical past. It’s also beautifully disgusting. If you’ve got a strong constitution, then you’ll delight in the unusual pieces on display, like:

  • The plaster cast of the torso of the Siamese Twins, Chang & Eng, and their conjoined livers!
  • Joseph Hyrtl’s collection of skulls!
  • The collection of 2,000 objects extracted from people’s throats!
  • The tallest skeleton on display in North America!

Yeah…this ain’t no ordinary museum — in fact, many people may not be able to stomach it. Can’t make up your mind if this is the destination for you?

Finally, you should have a look at the Virtual Tour of the Museum — just don’t lose your head over the sliced section of human head.

[Photo: Istolethetv]

Cape Verde: Rich in Heritage and Beauty

by Jamie Rhein on

Cape Verde, made up of 10 islands off the coast of West Africa, boasts the oldest European settlement in the tropics. I didn’t know that. All I knew before I did some searching is that one of my Peace Corps friends went to Cape Verde on vacation once and sent me a post card of its beautiful mountains.

Unfortunately, the reason for Cidade Velha was the slave trade. Back in 1462, the place was hopping. But, pirates ruined the affluence. My son, who at age five has a thing for Jack Sparrow, would love the idea of the pirates. They raided so much the Portuguese quit the town and moved elsewhere. If you head to Cape Verde, you can still see Cidade Velha’s ruins that indicate its history as a trade center.

Cape Verde’s islands also have beaches for lazing about if that’s your thing, or you can put on hiking boots and hit a trail. Because of its location, Cape Verde has both Brazilian and Senegalese cultural trimmings. The music here, in particular, is a fusion of both. Check out Cape Verde Travel. There is a map of the islands. Click on each island for information particular to that one. For several shots of Cape Verde’s landscape, villages and wildlife, ignazw’s photos on Flickr are a great place to start. Detailed descriptions are included.

The National Hotel in South Beach: Art Deco Bliss

by Jamie Rhein on

This morning a friend of mine woke up in South Beach basking in the luxury of the National Hotel on a quick 48-hour weekend away. She took the trip as a solo retreat of sorts from Columbus, Ohio’s grayness and cold. When she called to tell me about her woman-breaking-out-on-her-own plans, gushing giddiness, I felt giddy myself-and a little envious. “You should see this hotel,” she said, delighted to name some of the fine points of her room. She got me with “It overlooks the ocean. ” Currently, I’m overlooking another dusting of snow.

When I checked out the National Hotel’s website, its history and location further sold me. First built in the 1940s with Art Deco details, it was restored and reopened in 1997. The restoration is award-winning and includes original furniture, plus other authentic Art Deco pieces throughout. Being that Art Deco is my absolute favorite, I can imagine how lovely it would be about now to sit in Tamara, the hotel’s restaurant, enjoying the finery while sipping a glass of wine. If that’s not enough, the district of South Beach where the hotel is located is the Art Deco District where there is a visual feast of other restored buildings within walking distance.

I can picture my friend there, wine in hand, right now. And, in two days, will be happy to listen to her tales of just how wonderful it was.

Women’s History Month: Susan B. Anthony’s House

by Jamie Rhein on

March is National Women’s History Month. With this year’s theme, “Generation’s of Women Moving History Forward,” here’s a hooray to the house of the woman who gave the women’s rights movement its early momentum.

Even though the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin isn’t made anymore due to its lack of success, the Susan B. Anthony House in Rochester, N.Y. is a gem. Okay, I confess; I haven’t been there, but I am a proud dues paying member. Susan B. Anthony, civil rights leader, women’s rights activist and all around terrific gal was a close friend to Frederick Douglass. Between them, they helped change American history.

Anthony lived in this house when she was at her activist best. She was even arrested here after she voted. You have to love an upstart. Besides touring the house to see how she lived, there are exhibits that highlight her life and work. Each month there is a lecture and luncheon as well. If you don’t have time to hop on over to Rochester any time soon, you can tour the house on the website. It’s pretty nifty. Each room will come up and then the camera pans each.

In case you want a Susan B. Anthony dollar. Keep your eye out. The last 41,368,000 were minted in 1999, but they are still circulating.