/ 2008 Archived Material / McGrath to Takotna to McGrath to Cripple to Takotn

Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail^™ McGrath to Takotna to McGrath to Cripple to Takotn

by Jane Blaile

This morning I woke up on the school floor where I slept and instead of the 3 people who began sleeping there, I saw 2 or 3 additional bodies sleeping soundly. I hauled my gear back down to the Iditarod logistics building. I wanted to eat breakfast before I left, and my pilot was there. At 8 o'clock, we headed to the airport and took off for Takotna. It was a beautiful, clear morning - moose chomping on the willows were easily visible. When you see a larger moose next to a smaller moose, you are usually looking at a cow and calf. Takotna has 2 runways...one is way up high on the top of the hill above the village, and one is on the river; it is a very winding river, so the runway is short. I was uncertain as to whether or not I'd be staying over in Takotna, but after a few minutes of looking around, I was convinced. It is a beautiful spot nestled along the river - today's sunshine make it dazzle. Many, many mushers were inside. As soon as I stepped in the door, Ed Stilestra spoke to me about my trip. He is a really sociable and kind man. Then Blake Freking said hello as well. A lot of them are taking their 24 hour layovers there, so they have time to relax and unwind to be rested and talkative. Shortly after that, I trotted up to the school. There are 11 students in the school, 3^rd - 11^thgrade. Of course, they aren't having class while the Iditarod runs through, but I met the principal/teacher, Bob Asher. He gave me some history of the school. They have received their quilt from the outside, which I hope to get a picture of later today. Later today? Right now I am sitting in the air terminal in McGrath again. It is 11 a.m. Why am I here again? Well, since the runway in Takotna is short and has a lot of snow on it, too much weight in the plane makes it hard to take off, so Danny took me out first and brought me here. He's on his way back with Jeff Schultz and then we will all take off from here where the runway is long and well groomed. We are going to Cripple. Jeff Schultz will be shooting pictures there and I just want to see it. It's a mysterious place which only exists as an Iditarod checkpoint. There is a village of Cripple, but it is not the same place. After visiting Cripple, I will return to Takotna - and PIE!