/ 2007 Archived Material / Trail Tidbits 14

Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail^™ Trail Tidbits 14

by Kim Slade

Today:

Saturday, March 10, 2007, Day 8 of the Iditarod – Sunny, winds 25-35 mph gusting 45 mph, 0°F.  After leaving Anvik this morning, we flew to Grayling, the last village until Kaltag.  There were several teams resting around the village.  Because it was Saturday, many of the school kids were wondering around soaking in the sites.  I shared some shells with several students and then made my way to the school where I met the PT (principal/teacher) Maryland Johnson.  She gave me a tour and we talked shop.  The school, David Lewis Memorial, has 42 students K-12, 5 teachers, 2 ancillary staff, and 3 part-time staff members.  It is the biggest village school I have visited along the trail.  Maryland said the entire village is celebrating the race by having community gatherings such as cakewalks, cookouts, and spaghetti dinners.  The younger students made goodie bags for the mushers and the older students painted a huge sign a mile outside of town welcoming the teams.

 Eagle Island:

Although the teams were resting back in a slough, Eagle Island checkpoint was easy to spot with the bright orange tents and canvas buildings.  This checkpoint is very primitive and a little unusual – they used ice blocks as building materials - very unique construction!

 Memorial:

Flying over the trail on our way to Unalakleet, we past Old Woman Mountain where I learned David Monson and his girls will spread Susan Butcher’s ashes along the trail.  I have a feeling this will become a very spiritual spot for the mushing community.

 Traveling the Trail:

One of the things I have enjoyed most on my travels has been flying with Danny Davidson, a pilot with the Iditarod Air Force, and Jeff Schultz, Iditarod’s official photographer.  Danny and Jeff have allowed me to see the trail from a vantage point not many have seen as it circuitously winds across Alaska.  We have swooped low and landed in front of teams in order to get that great shot!  I am very lucky that they have taken me under their wing and allowed me to tag along.  I have seen the race from a unique perspective thanks to them.

 My hat goes off to all of the Iditarod Air Force pilots I have flown with this trip.  Joe, George, Bill, Bruce, and Danny, Thank you - It’s been a wild ride so far!

Where is Jack?

Can you figure out from this picture where Jack is now?

 One Small Square:

The details in this frame may be harder to see, but if you look closely you can observe several details.