Welcome to Alaska

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeri Fink
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2001 11:47 AM
Subject: Welcome to Alaska

The plane dipped beneath the clouds.

I couldn't breathe.

I've traveled all over the world - seen the deserts of Israel, the terra cotta warriors of China, the towering peaks of the Rockies. Never in my life had I seen what lay, sprawling endlessly beneath me. Mountains, as far as the
eye could see, carpeted in glittering white snow untouched by human hands. No roads, no homes, no people. The white sky blends with the snow-covered peaks, broken only by the glaciers -- rivers of ice tipped in brilliant turquoise blue.

Welcome to Alaska.

Here in Anchorage the dry, frigid air is charged with excitement. It's Fur Rondy, the annual winter festival. There are a lot of activities - from snowshoe softball to the Pioneer Pancake Feed. I'm here for LCC2001 - the ft Coast Crime Mystery Writers and Readers Conference. It's nicknamed "Death Below Zero" and filled with people who love mystery stories. I've met authors from London and California, readers from Seattle and Arizona, fans from New York and Chicago. We all have so much to talk about!

The best, so far, was when a group of us hopped into a van and drove into the mountains. As we climbed out of the car we were greeted with ear-splitting howls. The dogs were restless -- eager to pull us through the snow on small wooden sleds. I was ready to mush!

Take a look at this picture. There I am on the dog sled. Come join me as these amazing working dogs race through the mountains.