We're in Brevig now, a little village with an unusual story involving a mass grave and the 1918 flu. Seventy two of the eighty people living here in 1918 died within a week:

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF13/1386.html

We started the day in Nome, which was surprisingly sleepy despite today being the start of the All-Alaska Sweepstakes race.

We had to leave before the race start at 10 a.m. for our long ride along the road to Teller, about 70 miles away. But when Tohru and I walked into the Polar Cafe for breakfast, we recognized the only other people in there right away.

Lance Mackey, going for the triple crown, and his wife Tonya. I was more nervous than Lance was when I asked to take this picture. He's on the trail now, probably around Council. He's a living example of the law of attraction–good things happen if you envision them for yourself. And earlier this year he said he desired to finish in the top three in the Quest, top 10 in the Iditarod, and he wanted to win the All-Alaska Sweepstakes. He already borders on legend. A Sweepstakes win would make it official.

Our ride to Teller was surprisingly nice. I expected a road to be less thrilling than the country we have covered so far, but there was cool stuff out there.

Like this mountain, 3,879-foot Grand Singatook, taking a hit from the wind.

And this wolf, that must have been watching us as we motored by.

And this moose, hanging out in this old mining camp.

I was in Brevig a few years ago with my pal and then co-worker Hal, pictured risking his life below. He and I installed a Davis weather station on the roof of this school. Buddy, I'm happy to report that the current temperature is 8, and the wind is from the northeast at 4 mph.