Six days ’til departure.

I had no idea blogging would be so interesting! I need to say that starting next Sunday, all my blogs will be geared towards my 1st - 2nd grade students. My trip is a result of a generous educational award by the Don Keele family, and my purpose is to share the experience and everything I learn with my students.

We have followed the Iditarod in our classroom for several years, ever since a little 1st grade boy and I discovered we had a common interest in it. Look where that led me! I asked that boy if he would like to follow the race at school and if he would like to choose a favorite musher to track. He was excited, and went home, researched the options with his parents, and came back with the name of Jeff King. That student knew how to pick a winner! We have followed Jeff King ever since. This year we will also follow Melissa Owens. She has been an e-mail buddy to our class, has sent us pictures, dog booties, and answered many questions the students have asked. We wish her well.

As part of our classroom study of the Iditarod, we have looked for examples of positive character traits that are demonstrated by the mushers in the race. As we have identified acts of compassion, good sportsmanship, perseverance, personal best performance, and kindness, we have learned that there are very positive things happening in this race. There will always be examples of poor sportsmanship, unfortunate events, and inappropriateness in any competition or sport, but this is clearly a race made up of people who love their dogs more than they love winning. It is a race made up of dogs who love to run, love the race, and love their mushers. Because my husband and I are also dog owners/lovers, we can relate. I also know there will always be people who don’t understand the dogs and that relationship. However, I find the race to be a great opportunity to educate my students about those positive character traits found in the race, and will continue to be a huge fan of the Iditarod.

I’m glad for the responses I’ve received so far, and appreciate the advice and information from people who have been to the Iditarod before. Thank you! I hope to meet some of you in Anchorage and at the race events.

Tonya

Our Iditarod Itinerary

Alaska Iditarod Itinerary for Tonya and Marty Wessman

Sunday – 24^{th –} Leave for Pasco at 5:30 a.m. Fly to Seattle at 7:45 a.m., flight 2101, Alaska Airlines, depart at 10:10, flight 87, arriving in Anchorage at 12:43 p.m. Pick up car. Check in to Clarion Suites Anchorage (1-907-274-1000)

Monday – 25^{th -} Possible choices for today – visit Alaska Heritage Museum (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd. (265-2834), find and photograph the Tom Thumb School (my mom used to teach there), Anchorage downtown walking tour, road trip to Whittier. This last option is the best if we have good weather.

Tuesday – 26^{th -} 7:30-8:00 a.m. Conference Registration, 8:15-12:00, 12:00 Lunch on our own, 1:00-2:30 – meetings, 3:00 – visit the Van Zyle kennel and art gallery, 7:00 -8:00 – museum visit.

Wednesday – 27^th- 7:15 – Leave for Group field trip – Iditarod Headquarters Vet Check with mushers and their dogs. Visit Martin Buser’s Kennel, listen to Martin talk about his experiences. Return around 5:00 (lunch will be provided).

Thursday – 28^{th -} 8:00 Conference Sessions – Technology Integration, Thematic Instruction: Iditarod, Teacher on the Trail, Author Presentations – Beverly Stevens, Lisa Fredrick. 12:00 Lunch on our own, 1:15 – Speaker – Behind the Scenes – A Race Volunteer’s Story, 2:30 – Character Education and the Iditarod, 3:30 – Classroom Applications , 5:30 - Wells Fargo Mushers’ Banquet Sullivan Sports Arena, Anchorage

Friday – 29^{th -} 7:45 – Conference Sessions – Putting it all in your sled, Tips and Tools for an Educator’s Journey, 9:00 – Special Speaker David Monson, Susan Butcher’s husband presents a tribute to his wife. 10:00 – Training Session for Dog Handler’s Certificate, 11:30-1:00 Lunch and Author Book Signing. 1:00 Speaker Libby Riddles, author and first woman to win the Iditarod, 2:30 – Speaker Dr. Stuart Nelson – Iditarod’s Chief Veterinarian – slide show presentation of first-hand experiences, 3:30 – Wrap-up session for teachers.

Sabbath – 1^{st -} Possible choices today - 10:00 Ceremonial start – 4^th Ave/D Street, 11:00 church at SDA church on 10^t Ave., visit Bobby’s grave (Tonya’s brother), hiking in Westchester Lagoon or Kinkaid Park for wildlife viewing

Sunday – 2^{nd -} Leave by 11:00 for Willow. (2 hr. drive) Restart begins at 2:00. We will be volunteering as dog handlers. There are over 100 mushers, so we are told that volunteers will each help with several teams.

Monday – 3^{rd -} Leave Anchorage at 7:00 a.m., flight 94, arrive in Seattle at 11:16 a.m., depart at 12:40, flight 2100, arriving in Pasco at 1:35 p.m.

More to do – Sign up for Northern Lights wake-up call, attend Fur Rondy events