Author: Teacher on the Trail (590 posts)


What Time Is It?

I have lost all concept of time since I have been out on the trail. As I was speaking with William, my snowmachine taxi to and from the airport, neither of us could remember what day I came in. William then made a comment that makes so much sense. He said, “we don’t really worry …

Pictures Tell a Story – Kaltag

As I was watching Wade Marrs booty up his dogs while preparing to leave Kaltag, I swear one of his dogs smiled and winked at me. This dog sat just like a little person while Wade put a booty on each paw. It appears to me that he is thinking to himself, “yep, I’ll just …

A Brother’s Love

What would you do for your sibling? Jason Mackey is willing to slow his Iditarod race down and help his brother, Lance. Lance Mackey, four time Iditarod champion, is one tough man. He hasn’t been dealt the best hand of cards, but he has fought through what he has been given. Lance is a survivor …

Pictures Tell a Story – Huslia

One of my favorite things to witness in the checkpoints is the relationships between the mushers and their best friends. When entering the checkpoint the first things most of the mushers do is pet their dogs and give them recognition for the run. The last thing they do upon leaving the checkpoint is pet their …

Huskies in Huslia

Proud. The word many of the villagers feel about having the Iditarod come through for the first time in history. Walking around the checkpoint you can see many children playing basketball, looking for mushers to sign their Huslia pennant, villagers volunteering, and snowmachines driving around. Inside there are tables overflowing with food for anyone to …

Pictures Tell a Story – Galena

One thing I really admire about Aliy Zirkle is she appreciates her fans. Aliy is taking her 24-hour break here in Galena. She has been in and out all day feeding, stretching, and caring for her dogs. She has also found some time to sleep a little. Additionally, Aliy found time to pose for a …

GILA Boarding School

  I arrived in Galena this afternoon. There were already mushers that have checked in and some that have even checked out. A lot of teams have decided to take their mandatory 24-hour stop in Galena. Jeff King was the first musher into Galena winning the Millennium First to the Yukon Award. Jeff was awarded …

Pictures Tell a Story – Anchorage

Idea for students: What is the dog that is sitting in the picture above thinking? Here is what I think: I am very confused. What is going on right now? I don’t understand why the team left Manley without me and they put me on a plane. I don’t fly, I run. Now I’m stuck …

Where Do The Dogs Go?

I had to spend the day in Anchorage today in order to catch a flight to Galena. Once I get to Galena I will move along the trail. Back in Anchorage at the Millennium Hotel, Iditarod action is still proceeding as normal. Late this morning I looked out back and noticed some people milling around …

Integrity

The definition of integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Brent Sass displayed true integrity last night when interviewed about his recent disqualification from Iditarod 43. In case you missed the news, Brent Sass was disqualified last night from the race for possessing a device capable of two-way communication. According …