Saturday was one of my top three favorite times* at Summer Camp! It was the long-awaited "Mushers' Picnic." This is the day when many mushers descend on Iditarod Headquarters to sign up for next year's race. We did not want to miss any mushers, so we arrived early. We immediately headed for the "puppy pen" to get our "puppy fix" for the day. Above, 2015 Teacher on the Trail Erin Montgomery and I enjoy playing with what we agree are the cutest puppies of the week1
Soon, the mushers started to arrive. The first to sign up was Rohn Buser, son of Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser. When his father arrived a few minutes later, one could not help but love seeing them together. Martin has always been one of my favorite mushers because one of my first years following the race with my students, he was the winner, and he personally went out to the finish line to congratulate finishers every time a new one crossed under the famed "Burled Arch," signifying that the racer had finished. Martin was not required to do this, but he did, and in doing so, he taught a tremendously valuable lesson about sportsmanship to my students! (It is also interesting to note that Martin and Mrs. Buser named all of their children from checkpoints in the Iditarod!)
Another great moment was when Karin Hendrickson arrived. Her home and kennel were the first we visited on our first day in the area, and it was such a wonderful visit that I am sure I will never forget it. Karin has agreed to let my classes "adopt" her and follow her preparation for the race throughout the year. This has to be a wonderful learning experience for my students!
It was similarly awe-inspiring to get to meet Aily Zirkle, who finished second in the last three races! She is just as personable as her winning smile hints, and it was so much fun to be able to meet her and talk a few minutes. It is interesting to note that she attended elementary school for a year at the school where our daughter will be a teacher in the fall! Small world!
Another important part of this day is when one "Teacher on the Trail" finishes her year and passes on the official Teacher on the Trail sleeping bag and all of the other responsibilites of this important position. Jen Reiter(left) has done an exceptional job, but we now look forward to working with Erin Montgomery, who is equal to the task, we know.
It was so great to be able to meet some of the legends we had only known through the Internet before--Jen and Erin included!
*In case you were wondering, there is a three-way tie for my favorite things in Alaska so far: Vern Halter's "Dream a Dream" dog camp; our visit to Karin Hendrickson's kennel; and Saturday when we could actually meet many of the mushers who will be in the great 2015 Iditarod!
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