Last weekend (September 29 & 30) I attended the Midwest Sled Dog Symposium & Iditarod Teachers’ Conference in Curtis, Michigan.  It was a great weekend attended by teachers and mushers with a common interest of inspiring students using the Iditarod as a teaching tool.  Teachers came to this beautiful setting from across the US including New Jersey, Ohio and, of course, Wisconsin.

Saturday was spent sharing ideas and learning about new ways to use the Iditarod in the classroom.  Keynote speaker was to be Lance Mackey, but he had to cancel so Paul Schurke from Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge in Ely, MN filled in.  Paul has been on many adventures, including trips to the North Pole.  He had amazing stories to share and a captive audience held on to every word.

On Sunday, Ed and Tasha Stielstra opened their kennel, Nature’s Kennel in McMillan, MI for us to meet their team.  I was given the unique opportunity to ride in a 4-wheeler being pulled by a 16 dog team through the colorful forest.  The puppies, the dogs, the beautiful fall colors, and the new friends made this a wonderful weekend.  Thanks, Ed and Tasha!