Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail^™ Trail Tidbits 13

by Kim Slade

Slow Start:

Friday, March 9, 2007, Day 7 of the Iditarod – Sunny -10°F. I had planned to leave Takotna with Jeff and Danny again today about 9:30 a.m., unfortunately, Danny’s plane had to go into the shop for repairs. Seems that when we landed the day before, the handle he needs to control the flaps broke. Fixing it took a little more time than we thought, so we got a late start. It was after noon before we were on our way to Shageluk.

Shageluk:

We landed in Shageluk with time for Jeff to take some shots and me to visit the school. As I was going up the steps, the kids were coming out, but they stopped to talk to me a bit and get their seashells – I am passing out shells to all the students I see along the trail. I call it ‘leaving my footprint along the trail.’ I have been giving each school a book on some Florida topic (thanks to the faculty at JAT in Vero) as well. The school in Shageluk, Innoka River School, is the biggest school I have visited along the trail. It has 34 students and 3 teachers – primary, middle, and high school. Thanks to a special grant, the school now has an art teacher too. I got to speak to the teachers as we watched teams leave the school grounds. The school is in session during the Iditarod with the staff feeling the race provides a wonderful learning opportunity for the students. They have had many visitors this week – a person form Iditarod Communications, a veterinarian, an Iditarod Air Force pilot, and Gary Paulsen. Check out the school’s website to see what they have been learning - http://shageluk.iasd.schoolaccess.net/. One neat project I got to see was hanging on the Washteria’s wall (this is a place were villagers can shower and wash their clothes). The students adapted the artistic style of Keith Haring, a modern-pop artist. The dogs they painted were fabulous!

I found a friend on the trail while in Shageluk – fellow educator Jean Polluck from New Jersey was working at the checkpoint. It was nice to see a familiar face. Jean said she is thoroughly enjoying working in Shageluk.

Anvik:

We arrived to the Yukon just as musher Ramy Brooks was coming up the river. Danny circled around so Jeff could get a shot of the team coming up onto the bank and into Anvik. We landed on the river and had a little hike to the checkpoint. The village is located high on the banks of the Yukon River and has a bit of a rise to hike – and in my huge arctic boots it’s not fun!

Due to our late departure earlier today, we unfortunately missed the First to the Yukon Award. This award is sponsored by the Millennium Alaskan Hotel and rewards the musher who makes it to the Yukon River first a seven-course feast prepared at the checkpoint and a $3,500 cash prize. This year it was Marin Buser and the menu included: king crab-apple tower, smoked corn bisque, king prawn & scallop, seared ostrich medallions, grilled jicama, chocolate crepes, and port poached pear. The rustic setting of the checkpoint was transformed, as a formal table with fresh flowers, crystal, fine china, and silver candelabra was set. After dinner, Martin was presented with an “after dinner mint” - $3,500 in crisp one-dollar bills served on an engraved Alaskan gold pan.

I met with Mary Walker at the Blackwell School in Anvik. She is the principal and a teacher. There are 23 students, two teachers, and one intern at school. The students here also get into the spirit of the race - some of the students took snow machines and helped put up trail markers before the race began. The school is very successful having met AYP two years in a row. Even though the school is small they do have a basketball team, and the coach? He is a 6th grader here at the school. The team has traveled to Holy Cross to play against their team and plans to host games here at the school as well.

Where is Jack?

I bet if you think about it, you can figure out where Jack is in the picture.

One Small Square:

This item belongs to a vet. Name the all the parts. What makes this one item different than others?

Note:

I plan to disclose the answers to all the questions and puzzles at the end of the race, so don’t give up!

Going on an Iditarod Haiku Hike:

Have you heard a Haiku poem? It is a traditional Japanese poem usually used when describing nature. It is comprised of three lines – the first has 5 syllables, the second has 7 syllables, and the third has 5 syllables. Check out the following website to learn more - http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poetryclass/Haiku.html.

Today, I am going on an Iditarod Haiku Hike! Join me and write your own Iditarod Haiku. Use the Iditarod website to find more information about the trail and the race. Take a look at Jeff Schultz’s photographs to get inspired. Here are some examples: