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The Iditarod Games

[wpvideo 4yzAbBN7] What a sendoff!  The teachers, administrators, support staff, and students kicked it into high gear as they sent me on my way to Alaska.  To begin the day, I saw all staff in T-Shirts with my picture on it.  It was overwhelming. At the end of the school day there was a Pep …

Learning Names, There and Back Again

The Iditarod is an amazing role model for building relationships. It’s one of the few cultures I’ve been in where friendships form instantly, dogs melt your heart on an hourly basis, and the wide open landscapes of ice, snow, and mountains take your breath away and make you want to linger for a day or …

Iditarod Community

I’ve been at Galena for about 27 hours now.  In that time I’ve observed many interactions that help me understand better what community means. Here are some examples: Charlotte, who lives in this remote Alaskan village, brought moose soup for the mushers. Robert and Katie, volunteers, attend the comms desk and do a great job …

Eye on the Trail: While you Slept..

While you slept, Fourth Avenue and Cordova Street in downtown Anchorage were transformed from blacktop roadway to snow covered trail.  Friday night is when the trail through downtown Anchorage literally materializes before your eyes.  The City of Anchorage has been stockpiling snow for the whole winter to build trail for the Fur Rondy and Iditarod.  …

Eye on the Jr: Meet the Mushers Pt. 2

The Jr. Iditarod starts on Saturday February 24th at 10:00 on Knik Lake right across the road from where Joe Redington’s old boat the Nomad sits.  You can follow the race through Eye on the Trail at Iditarod.com, at jriditarod.org or thru the Jr. Iditarod Facebook page. Meet the Jr. Iditarod Mushers, a five part …

2024 Iditarod Mushers Banquet

The Banquet has concluded. Thank you for the Support! Join us as we gather for a special evening on Thursday, Februray 29, 2024, to commemorate the history of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and look towards the future. Don’t miss out on the event of the season; the celebration of The Last Great Race …

It’s All In The Name

With just a few more days left (7 to be exact, but who’s counting?) I am ready to close the door on this school-year and dive headfirst into summer. But before I know it, I will be prepping for the start of a new school year. Reflecting on my year as Iditarod Teacher on the …

Eye on the Trail: St. Patrick’s Day – Page 2

“One year Later,” is what Gerhardt Thiart repeated numerous times as he shook hands in the chute this afternoon on Front Street.  Bridgett Watkins likely had the same thought on her mind as she followed Thiart by 8 minutes to the arch. They were only 60 miles from Nome last year when winds through the …

There Are No Roadhouse Blues

Spent the night at the Iditarod Trail Roadhouse in McGrath, Alaska – population 479. Waiting for dog teams to come in I found myself grabbing a bunk, and settling in with some coffee….and new friends. If you recall from earlier this week there is a lot of HURRY UP! And WAIT involved in the Iditarod. …

Eye on the Trail: Rookie Review Part 1

The three mushers featured in this part of Rookie review were also rookies in 2022.  KattiJo Deeter, Gerhart Thiart and Bridgett Watkins were three of the six mushers who were forced to scratch due to the infamous Blow Hole storm.  But they are back to attend to unfished business and achieve their goal of standing …