It is bittersweet to say that it is time to go home and I’ll soon be “Shipping Up to Boston” (a Dropkick Murphys reference). My time and experience in Alaska has been unreal! I have already been asked the question many times: What was your favorite part of the trip? I believe I’ve given a different response every time. There have been so many memorable moments; it is nearly impossible to definitively choose one thing as my favorite. Additionally, I truly think an experience like this takes time to reflect upon all that has been done. 

I can say that I’ve enjoyed meeting and talking to the hundreds of people who I’ve crossed paths with while I’ve been in Alaska. I am appreciative of the volunteers and all of their hard work. I am humbled by the support I’ve been given by family, friends and strangers. I am excited for the new friendships that I’ve developed. I am eager to share the things I’ve learned with others. I am grateful for having this opportunity. I am continuously amazed by the dogs and the mushers. All in all, I’m inspired. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my posts throughout the race and over the course of the year. I will still be posting lessons, reflections and ideas in the upcoming months. For now, it’s time to get back home and back into my classroom. 

Here’s some pictures from my time in AK: 

me and Lance Mackey

Cindy Abbott and me

view as an Iditarider

Ramey Smyth and me

Charley Bejna with his team being lead by lead dogs, Brown and Black

a view of Mt. Denali from Nikolai

Susan Smith, principal and teacher in Takotna

view from Unalakleet

Aliy Zirkle and her team climbing Cape Nome

Aliy Zirkle making her way along the Bering Sea

White Mountain checkpoint

Me, Debski, and a well executed “photobomb”

Dave and Colleen Dye, volunteers on the trail

Matt Hall

Paige Drobny

moose spotting from the sky

A group of some of the volunteers pose for a group photo in the morning at the Takotna checkpoint on Friday March 8th during the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Photo by Jeff Schultz/ (C) 2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

At Safety checkpoint

White Mountain volunteer crew

visiting elementary schools and presenting about the Iditarod

Jon and Jona Van Zyle

Yentna Station for the Jr Iditarod

Dan entertaining at Yentna Station Roadhouse