When You Think You Have it Hard--Think of This Dog!

Click on the title of this post to read about a dog with big challenges who still can race1

Iditarod Enrichment Projects

All of the students in our class have chosen a p

When I made a dogsled

After school on Monday, I found a leaf cart that I'd used to make many other things and then I got some duct tape and a mesh bag and I taped it on a board. After that, I decided to add sled runners made out of wooden hockey sticks. And I attached a yellow string to the front. Here is a picture of my dogsled.

Last Musher Makes it to Nome!

It was a very long journey, but Celeste Davis has finally crossed under the Burled Arch! She looks tired and beaten, but she made it. Click on the title of this post to read all about her accomplishment.
Mrs. A.

Videos of All the Mushers

Iditarod Insider keeps posting videos from the race and the finish. Click on the title of this post, then scroll down and watch some videos. Your musher may have something special to say about the race that you can't find anywhere else. Leave a comment about any video you watch. Tell what the video was about and what you learned.
Mrs. A.

Emil Churchin Isn't a Loser

What happens when you don't reach your goal? Does that mean you are a failure? That's what my musher, Emil Churchin, thought when he had to scratch in Ruby. I hope he changes his mind. When I found out why he scratched, I knew he should be proud instead.
His big mistake was putting all of his focus on taking care of his dogs. He ignored some of his own needs. He forgot to keep himself hydrated by drinking lots of water. He didn't get enough sleep because he was worrying about his dogs. Then he slipped and cut his hand by mistake. Still overly exhausted, he decided to head to Ruby when he wasn't really ready. He and his team didn't make it to the checkpoint and had to camp outside in 40 degree below weather. This is when he decided they couldn't go on and so he scratched. I don't think Emil is a loser. How many people could even survive camping in that weather, let alone keep a dog team safe? That's what he did!
He is someone who did his best, but has more to learn. In life, it is better to try and come up short than to not try at all! Don't you agree?
Mrs. A.

Dallas Seavey's Finish

Dallas Seavey has a reason he drops dogs--and it isn't because they are sick or injured. Click on the title of this post to find out his reason.
Mrs. A.

Musher Falls Asleep and Falls Off of His Sled

Click on the title of this post to find out how the GPS Tracking devices helped a musher locate his team.
Mrs. A.

How Much Does It Cost to do the Iditarod?

Click on the title of this post to find out.
Mrs. A.

COLLEEN ROBERTIA'S FINSH!!!

Colleen Robertia has finally finshed her fist 2010 IDITAROD! TODAY! Check out the iditarod insider video on the link.

Abbey

Videos of Mushers Finishing

You can see your musher at the finish in Nome. Just go to iditarodinsider.com, click on daily video updates, scroll down to find your musher's name, and enjoy the video. Leave a comment and tell whether your musher crossed the finish line in the light of day or in the dark of night.
Mrs. A.

Who Will Win "Rookie of the Year?"

"Rookie of the Year" goes to the highest placing rookie in the race. Hugh Neff won this award his rookie year. So did Jason Barron, Cim Smyth, and Jessie Royer. I don't think any rookies have finished yet. Look at the current standings to see how the rookies are doing. Who do you think will be first to Nome?
Mrs. A.

Gatt Should Finish Around 7:55 on Nome Webcam

You might see Hans Gatt finish in Nome on the webcam between 7:50 and 8:10. You can click on the title of this post to view live pictures from Front Street in Nome.
Mrs. A.

LIVE Coverage Now Over-Lance Wins 4 in a Row!

The live coverage of Lance Mackey finishing in Nome is now over. If you watched it, leave a comment and tell what you thought about Lance, his dogs, or anything else at the finish.
Mrs. A.

You Can Watch the Finish LIVE at Iditarod Insider

The Iditarod Insider website has started to show LIVE coverage of the finish of the winner in Nome. I've updated this at 6:40 PM on Tuesday. I think Lance will finish soon. When you get to Iditarod Insider, make sure you scroll down to the bottom part and click on "Leader's Finish" under "Live Events."
If it doesn't work, try the webcam below to see pictures without sound.
Mrs. A.

Make a Prediction

Check the GPS Tracker at Iditarod Insider to see where Lance Mackey is on the trail. Write a comment under this post telling what time (Michigan time) you think he will get to Nome. Don't forget, you can watch the finish LIVE at Iditarod Insider OR you can watch on the webcam below this post.
Mrs. A.

Nome Webcam

Just in case you can't find the Nome webcam below, I have added it again. Just click on the title of this post and it will take you all the way to NOME!
Mrs. A.

King and Gatt--What a Match!

Everyone thinks Lance Mackey will be first into Nome unless something very unexpected happens. Click on the title of this post to find out about his closest competition. Which of them--Gatt or King--do you think will be second to cross under the Burled Arch in Nome?
Mrs. A.

Pictures From the Trail

Have you ever heard someone say, "A picture tells a story.?" People have been taking photos from all the checkpoints to remember the story of the 2010 Iditarod. Click on the title of this post, then scroll down and see the pictures from during the race.
Mrs. A.

Lance Wins Gold

Lance Mackey was the first person to get to Unalakleet. He got a Trophy with $2500 in gold nuggets from Wells Fargo.

Mackey Into Elim at 5:51PM Michigan Time. Do You Think Anyone Can Catch Him?

Dropped Dogs Have Many Problems

Nick did a great job in his post, "Dogs Going to Jail." He explained that inmates (prisoners) in Anchorage take care of many of the dropped dogs. Before the dogs visit jail, they need a complete check up with a vet. Click on the title of this post to find out the variety of problems a dog might have.
Mrs. A.

Lost Dog is Finally Found

Iditarod fans have been worried for days about a dog named Whitey-Lance. Click on the title of this post to read about a rookie's dog that spent 4 days on the trail alone and still survived.
Mrs. A.

Two Warriors Battling it Out! Like Greek Mythology...

Click on the title of this post to see why this year's Iditarod is sure to go down in history!
Mrs. A.

Warren Palfrey scratches in Galena

Warren Palfrey scratched on Sunday because he was going to have to leave Galena with 9 dogs and the dogs were all really young. So, because of that, he had to scratch because of his inability to compete for the rest of the race. Dropping out of the Iditarod was a really hard thing for him to do, said his wife and dog–handler, Kate. Warren Palfrey has raced in three other Iditarods.

How is Your Musher Doing?

Have you been checking on your musher? Leave a comment or a post and tell us how you think he or she is doing in the race so far.
Mrs. A.

The Burled Arch is going up!

Click on the title of this post to see a live webcam in Nome. They are putting the Burled Arch up. Who do you think will be the first to go under the Burled Arch in Nome? What day and time do you think they will finish? Click on comments below to write your prediction.
Mrs. A.

How Many Dogs Droped?

Their was lots of dogs that have droped. But I found out exactly how many dogs droped. their is 119 dogs that droped. that's crazy!

Sam Deltour and Sportsmanship on the Trail

In the Iditarod, mushers are on their own in the wilderness. There aren't any ambulances to call or repair shops to fix broken sleds. If you have an emergency, who will help? Click on the title of this post to find out. Leave a comment and tell what you think about Sam Deltour and what he has done along the trail.
Mrs. A.

What Do Mushers Eat?

It can be incredibly quiet in the Alaskan wilderness. Mushers hear only the sounds of their dogs breathing and the padding of paws along the snow covered trail. Then, a sound breaks the peaceful quiet-the musher's stomach starts to rumble! Snack time! Have you ever wondered what the mushers eat along the trail? Click on the title of this post to find out. What foods do they bring? What foods would you pack if you were doing the race? Why? Leave a comment!
Mrs. A.

How Cold is It?

Brrr...it might be 50 degrees here in Grand Rapids, but not in the interior of Alaska. When you check the temperature for your musher with the GPS Tracker, the temperature is measured by a little sensor inside the sled bag. Go to iditarod.com and find the link at the top called "Storm Watch Weather Center." You'll see the temperature (and sometimes the windchill) at the checkpoints. Does the temperature at the nearest checkpoint to your musher match the GPS Tracker? Why or why not?
Mrs. A.

What does the Serum Run have to do with the Iditarod?

I've just added a link at the top right to a fun game called, "Serum Run." Lots of people think the Iditarod was started to remember the famous Serum Run back in 1925, but that isn't really true. Joe Redington Sr. started the race to make sure people kept using sled dogs. If you play the game, you will find out how important sled dogs were in saving the sick people of Nome. I think this true story is important in Alaska history and helps us appreciate what heroes dogs can be. Do you know any stories of dogs that are heroes? What dog was it and what did it do?
Mrs. A.

Why Did Joe Pick the Iditarod Trail?

Thanks to Chris, we all know that the Iditarod Race started as Joe Redington Senior's idea. He wanted to make sure that people continued using sled dogs even though the snow machine was invented. But... how did the trail come to be?
Joe wanted his race to be the longest sled dog race in the world. No one knew how far dogs could go, but Joe knew Native Alaskans, gold prospectors, and even mail carriers used sled dogs to travel far acroos the Alaska wilderness.
Right by Joe's house was an old mail trail that led to the town of Iditarod. Joe used the trail all the time with his dogs to visit his friends and to go camping. This trail was used to carry mail back in the days of the Gold Rush. Using a trail with a history would certainly make the race more interesting. Joe decided the trail ought to be part of the race--and it is!
The race only uses part of the original Iditarod Mail Trail, but the race is named after it. The Historic Iditarod Trail goes from Seward in the south all the way to Nome. Click on the title of this post to learn more.
By Mrs. A.

Pat Moon Video

Click on the title of this post to see Pat Moon's video. I am so glad our class is sending him Get Well cards!
Mrs. A.

Newton Marshall

This musher is from Jamaica. He is using stray mutts from Jamaica to run and three dogs from Lance Mackey's first place team. His coach is Lance Mackey. Do you think he will make it to Nome? Also, would you like Lance Mackey for your coach? Click on the title of my post and you will see Newton Marshall's website.
By Caeden

I found out how many dogs got droped. their was 119 it sooooo hard to find it out! Now I have to find out why

How Kathleen Fredrick Scratched

It was such a bummer my musher scratched because I wanted her to win. My musher scratched because lot of her equipment broke. She was at Rohn when she scratched. I feel sad that my musher scratched but she might do it again next year.

Do you think she will do it again next year?

AG

Iditarod Air force

The Iditarod Airforce is a group of people who bring the drop bags to the check points, and support the racers, dogs and race judges. There are 31 pilots who move over 124,822 lbs of dog food to nourish the athletes. They will move over 537 dropped and scratched dogs back to Anchorage or one of the hubs and fly 45 veterinarians that monitor the athletes before, during and after the race to insure there well being.


Abbey

The Golden Harness Award

Lance Mackey 's lead dog Larry won the golden harness award in 2007. The golden harness award is givin to
musher to show the best canine athlete. All the racing mushers vote on who will win it.

Red Lantern Award

Did you know that the last person to finish the Iditarod is given the red lantern award? Did you also know that they give the same award in the Tour de France bicycle race? I did. It is called the lanterne rouge. The name comes from a red latern hung of the back of a train's caboose so conductors would look for the lantern and know that none of the cars of the train became disconnected.

How Many Dogs on a Team

How many dogs are on a team in the iditarod? Their are 16 dogs per team. But you prbably are going to drop atleast 5 or 6 at the most during the race.

How deep is the snow in Anchorage Alaska?

Do You Now How Deep The Snow Is In Anchorage, Alaska?

Do you now how deep the snow is in Anchorage, Alaska? well I looked it up! it is 48 inches or 120 centimeters!

from,

Smurphy

Wynsma

How dark will it be on the trail tonight?

Have you ever noticed that when there is a full moon out, you can see your shadow? The moon reflects the sun's light off of its surface and onto the earth. This can help the mushers see along the trail. But tonight is quite different. Mushers are going to have some really dark nights from now to the end of the race. Check out the moon phase that I just added to this blog. Will the moon be reflecting very much light onto the earth tonight?
By Mrs. A.

Newton Marshall

Have

Starting The Iditarod

Ray Redington's grandfather Joe Redington Sr. is the person who started the iditarod! He started the iditarod because snow machines were taking their place. So he made the iditarod to save the dogs! Ray has brother named Ryan. Ray and Ryan are doing the iditarod.They are doing pritty good this year. The first few iditarods they used different breeds of dogs. And lots poodles were in the iditarod. But now huskys took their place. the iditarod will keep on running!

My ride with Ed Stielstra

On January 31, 2010, I went on a sled dog ride with Ed Stielstra at Boyne Highlands. It was snowing at the time. With the snow blowing in my face, it was hard to keep my eyes open. His lead dog's name was "Cookie." It was a fun ride, and I'm sorry it had to end.

make a Get Well Card for Pat Moon

Pat Moon could really use some kind wishes from

Pat's Story

After you view Alex and Lily Kate's video about Pat Moon, you may want to find out more about him. There is an interesting video that tells what inspires him most at Iditarodinsider.com. You have to go to the Daily Updates and look for it. It is dated 03/08 and called "Pat Moon: What Inspires Him?" If you watch that video, leave a comment here and tell me what you think of it.
Mrs. A.

Alex and Lily Kate Report From the Trail

Breaking News From Alex and Lily Kate

Alex and Lily Kate made a video news report this afternoon about Pat Moon. I have been working to get it into this blog, but so far, it hasn't worked. I will keep working on it. Check back in an hour or two. I hope it will be here then!
Mrs. A.

Dogs Going To Jail

My musher Ray Redington Jr. Has 13 dogs. That means 3 dogs are in jail. But they didn't do anything wrong. They go to jail because they get droped. Droped means the musher thinks the dog can't run any more. Because they either get hurt or sick. The people in jail love when the iditarod comes. They also get excited when just 1 dog comes! My musher Ray is in 18 th place at Takotna. He is taking his 24 hour. and wating to come back on the trail.

Alex and Lily Kate with Important News

Lance Mackey

Lance has overcame lots of things in his life. He went through cancer in his throat. He also had many problems with addiction in his younger life. But, he has had lots of positive things in his life too. Like doing the iditarod 7 times! He has won the last 4 years. Lance's father and brother both won the iditarod before him. When Lance finished with bib #13 (just like his brother and father) he felt good.

You can email your musher on their websites! Lance says that he has been "mushing since birth"! He also told me in an email that boy and girl dog do not have a diffrences in the race. Do you think he will win? I do!

From Sydney

WIN LANCE WIN

Scratched Mushers, Strategy for Martin Buser and the Leaders

Some mushers have already scratched.  Some of the leaders are ready to think about when to take their 24 hour rest.  Read the latest news at this link: http://www.iditarod.com/race/

Dallas Seavey's Lead Dog

My musher Dallas Seavey has a dog named Refrigerator and frige is his lead dog.  I think that's funny, don't you?
From Lily Kate

Class Question

Griffen has been reading many parts of this blog.  He found a post called "The Journey Continues."  If you want to read it, look on the right side of this blog.  Go down until you find a red 2008.  Click on the arrow next to 2008.  Then click on the arrow next to July.  Then click on "The Journey Continues."  Once you read it, think about all of the fun things to do in Alaska.  I went kayaking with a nurse from Anchorage that I met on my trip.   If you went to Alaska, what activity would you want to do?

Colleen Robertia

I learned something special about my musher.  I thought she was going really, really slow.  Then I learned that her dogs are older than you think.  She uses grandma and grandpa dogs that are older than most of the dogs.  She uses them because they want to run and she thinks that it doesn't matter how old they are.  What matters is that they want to run.  Do you think she will win? Why or why not?
By Abbey

GPS

Hi Class!  On Monday, we get to use tracking devices to track our mushers.  You go to iditarodinsider.com and click "iditarod tracker." Then you'll see all the mushers names.  Pick yours.  It will show you where your musher is on the map.  Have confidence in your musher and whatever place he or she gets in, it is fine!
By Benton and Mrs. Anderson

Gary's Problem

     Today we learned that Gary Paulsen made many mistakes after the Official Restart. He tipped over and dragged behind his sled. While he tried to pull the snow out of his jacket, he forgot to watch where he was going. His lead dog turned down the wrong trail and Gary didn't even notice! Cookie led his team 60 miles up into some mountains on the WRONG trail. And...worse than that, there were about 30 teams following him! They all had to turn around and go back 60 miles to the REAL Iditarod Trail. If you were one of the mushers who followed Gary, how would you feel?

Rookie Problem

TEAM Visit Today

Today we had high school students visit and teach us about teamwork.  The name of their group is TEAM.  It means Together Everybody Achieves More.  We learned that it takes cooperation, listening, a serious attitude, communication, ideas, patience, practice, concentration, and determination to work as a team.  Do you think Iditarod dogs need the same things to work together?

Response to Winterdance Ceremonial start

We read aloud together a chapter from Gary Paulsen's book, Winterdance today.  He described everything that happened to him during his first Iditarod Ceremonial Start in Anchorage.  Tell your parents what happened to him.  What mistake did he make with his lead dog?