The Iditarod Trail in 2020 was definitely different from years past.  Covid was making its way across the country, and the world was quickly shutting down, but not the Iditarod!  I admire the strength and the stability the Iditarod had during this time of unknown.  In true Iditarod fashion, we used our 8 traits of Iditarod, persevered through, kept everyone safe, and had an awesome race!

To choose one story from the trail to share that really stands out to me is a hard task.  I could talk for hours, reminiscing about my entire trip.  Although if I had to choose one, it would be flying across Alaska.  This, ironically, was the part I was most nervous about.  However, once I took my first flight to Yentna Station, with Blair Braverman, everything changed!

Getting into one of the planes and taking off over the Alaskan wilderness is an adventure you can never forget.  For every flight I was glued to the window, asking questions to the pilot, wondering what everything was.  I was like a kid in the candy shop.  When the flights were over, I couldn’t wait to get back on another plane to see more.

The scenery was like nothing I had ever seen before, from flying over the Alaska Range to the shores of Unalakleet all different and new.  I came home with about a thousand pictures from just my flights 🙂

Being the 2020 Teacher on the Trail was an amazing experience, from the application process to being out on the trail.  The whole process made me reflect upon my own teaching practices in a way I hadn’t done in a long time.  Taking the chance and applying to be the Teacher on the Trail was truly life-changing. Take a chance! You never know what could be in store for you!