Thanks for the helpful responses.

Well, since I asked my questions on Jan. 8, I've become more and more intrigued by the whole Iditarod experience. So much so that I've organized my trip to take in as much as possible.

I actually bid on, and won, an Iditarider spot! So I will be going to the Musher Luncheon and Musher Banquet on the Thursday before the race. On Friday we get some instructions about what to expect at the start and about riding in the sled, and then on Saturday I will actually ride in a sled for the race start in Anchorage. My Iditarider credentials get me into the secured area for both the start in Anchorage and in Willow, so I will be going to both places. I'm staying at the Millenium Hotel in Anchorage before I move to Wasilla for Saturday and Sunday nights, at a hotel next door to Sarah Palin's house.

Then on Monday, I'm taking a ski-plane out to the Rainy Pass checkpoint. Apparently the leaders usually start coming through there around 10 a.m. We spend the day at the Rainy Pass Lodge watching the teams come and go before flying back to Anchorage around 4:30.

I've already watched the DVD's from the last three races, and I've read Gary Paulsen's book, Winterdance, which I absolutely recommend to anyone who is going to, or at all interested in, the Iditarod. It is thoroughly captivating and highly informative. I read it in three days. I've got a few other Iditarod books on order from Amazon.

So I guess you can call me obsessed, or maybe even addicted, even though I haven't even experienced the real thing yet. I can't wait!!