Tails from the Trail- IDITA_ _ _

A is for Attitude

According to Sanka W Dog, “Attitude turns barriers into hurdles, obstacles into opportunities and problems into solutions.” With a positive attitude, you can accomplish goals and overcome challenges. Out on the trail, a positive attitude is a must.  Without Joe Redington’s positive attitude and perseverance, we may not have an Iditarod.  He continued to follow his dream of restoring the Historic Iditarod Trail and preserving the Alaskan husky culture, even when many didn’t think it was a good idea. 

A positive attitude can also be seen in many the Dog of the Month journals.  In Brett Bruggeman’s journal about Scabs, Brett shows that a positive attitude and perseverance helped to create a fantastic bond between him and his lead dog, Scabs.  

Photo Credits: Brett Bruggeman

Lev Shvarts talked about his lead dog Goldie in a Dog of the Month Journal.  Her confident attitude and work ethic made her an amazing lead dog at just two years old!  Even though she is now retired, she is still sharing her confidence, work ethic, and love of running with upcoming litters.

Photo Credits Lev Shvarts

Think about what kind of attitude you want to share with the people closest to you and your community: confident, caring, loving, kind, positive…

A is for Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is located in south-central Alaska on Cook Inlet.  Anchorage is the home of many exciting sites, immense history, and both the Fur Rendevous and the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod.  

Fur Rendezvous, created by Vern Johnson, was first celebrated in 1935 as a three-day event.  It began as a sporting tournament with activities such as skiing, hockey, and a children’s sled dog race. At that time, Anchorage had a population of about 3,000 and this event brought the whole town out in celebration. What once was a small-town festival has become a ten-day event, prior to the Iditarod, that is known nationally and internationally.  Some of the activities include The Blanket Toss, The Fur Rondy Open World Championship Sled Dog Race, Rondy Carnival, The Outhouse Races, and even Running with the Reindeer

Teachers, the time has come! I will be heading to Alaska next week.  I am so excited to start this adventure and share it with you! Stay tuned for daily updates from Alaska beginning February 25th.

Check out the following One School One Read (book club) outline for Carol Marsh’s I’m Reading About the Iditarod Book Club.