Talk about March Madness! When it comes to sports, things get a little strange here in Alaska. Especially at this time of year, when winter has been going ... and going ... and going. Sure basketball's fun, but what about this event from the recently completed Fur Rondy in Anchorage?
Yes, Outhouse Races!
Why aren't these races on national TV, I ask you? The most important rule in this demented event: someone has to be on that toilet seat during the entire race.
Then there's the World Ice Art Competition, which is going on right now in Fairbanks. The sculptures are incredibly elaborate and beautiful, but seriously -- don't you have to be a little crazy to work in below zero temperatures carving ice with a chainsaw?
The madness takes a unique form in certain men. The Alaska Beard Competition is proof of that. Why else would so many fine gentlemen compete for the title of "Mr. Fur Face"? If you think this picture is ... odd ... imagine the photos I didn't post. Believe me, you can't.
And sometimes the madness affects an entire community. Take the Nenana Ice Classic, which is a lottery for guessing the precise minute when the ice will begin to break up on the Tanana river, causing a tripod to crash. Here's a shot from the webcam trained on that tripod all winter long. Bored? Why not check the webcam? Because nothing's more fascinating than watching ice not thaw.
The pool currently stands at $350,000. Last year the winner drilled his own holes in the river ice to study the conditions. That's serious business. Or crazy. I can't decide which.
March Madness? Oh yeah. We've got it bad here in Alaska. I'm so tired of winter, I'm dying to heat things up. Like, maybe with some hot firemen. (How's that for a segue?) In case you don't know me, I write the Bachelor Firemen series about the sexy, smokin' hot firemen of San Gabriel California. I'll give away a signed copy of HOT FOR FIREMAN to one randomly chosen commenter. All you have to do is tell me which Alaska event looks the craziest. :-)
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And click here for a complete list of participants in the March Madness Blog Hop. I hope you're having a blast! <
