Today’s ceremonial start was more than magical as the snow lightly fell making it feel like the perfect mild winter day. Due to a misunderstanding late last night, I almost wasn’t able to attend the event. Apparently, my name was on the flight manifest to leave early this morning bound for the Skwentna checkpoint. Thankfully, I was moved and all calm was restored. My Iditarider experience with #20, Sydnie Bahl, would materialize after all. As those around me made their way from musher to musher and media personnel captured every moment, I was taught how to bootie a dog and snapped some photos of my own. Of course a little time was taken to cuddle a few pups as well. Sydnie took the time to give each dog their dose of medicine, Prilosec, to protect them from stomach ulcers. She was so welcoming and never minded my asking multiple questions as she prepared.
Climbing in the sled after so many years of imagining the moment was one I will never forget. The movement of the dogs and the momentum of the team really is a magnificent thing to watch and feel. Seeing their gait from behind modify based on team speed and terrain was intriguing. They truly move like a well-oiled machine. Her young female lead dog, Perlin, was given constant praise and encouragement as she passed so many people, unsure of herself. She kept looking back at Sydnie as if to say, “How am I doing, Mom?” It was absolutely precious.
We trekked the 11 mile route, visiting often, and enjoying every moment. After the loud cheering and support of the crowd, there were periods of quiet stillness. We passed through tall, majestic trees, heavily laden with snow, taking in the sights and sounds, keeping a close eye out for a moose. The only muffled sounds at certain points were the panting of the dogs and the sled runners gliding over the snow. You can clearly understand what draws mushers to love this sport so very much. Arriving at the end, the dogs dove into their warm meal. I, on the other hand, hugged my musher and walked away with the most marvelous of memories.
Mmmm… let’s try these!
- Menu- Create a musher menu for a checkpoint with certain amounts of protein, calories, etc.
- Map- Ask students to look at the race map and decide where they predict a musher will stop for their 24 hour layover. Defend their answers.
- Musher Bios- Have students research and create a biography piece of writing or poster of a past musher such as Susan Butcher, Mitch Seavey, Lance Mackey, Jeff King, Dick Mackey, Martin Buser, Rick Swenson, Libby Riddles, etc.
- Mneumonics- Have students attempt to create a mneumonic to remember certain checkpoints in order.
- Mean/Median/Mode- Use musher stats during the race to practice these 3 math skills.
