Oh Alaska

The first mushers are getting into Nome today. So exciting to watch some live footage of the event. 

The kids and I have been following it quite closely from day 1. We are doing an Iditarod Unit Study for school. We all got to pick two mushers to follow for the duration of the race. The kids chose their mushers based on their online profiles. Alex chose Jeff King and Scott Smith. Jeff  pulled into Nome just a few moments ago in 7th place. Niyah is following twins Anna and Kristy Berington. They seem to be sticking together in the race. They are currently in Elim and in position 28 and 29. 

Nater decided to track Aaron Burmeister and Trent Herbst. Aaron was third into Nome today. 

Trent is currently a bit behind in position 67, but still doing so well. Everyone that is still in the race is amazing! Even the ones that had to scratch for one reason or another have my deepest admiration and respect. They are all incredible athletes.

For our studies, we have been tracking position, time in and out of each checkpoint and dogs dropped. Dropping a dog means that a dog is left behind at a check point for one reason or another, whether it be an injury, tiredness or even behavior. Something that I have learned by following the Iditarod is how well these dogs are cared for. They are given the utmost attention before, during and after the race. As an animal lover, I was a bit concerned that the race might be too long or too extreme for the dogs to complete. Watching The 2015 Iditarod champion pull into Nome in the wee hours of the morning, it was obvious that his dogs were anything but overworked. His lead dog, Reef was ready to play. 

We are also learning about the 1925 serum run to Nome and those who played vital roles in bringing a cure for the diphtheria outbreak that was causing the deaths of so many children. 

We started with Balto, just because he is so closely associated with the serum run. Balto was the dog that completed the final leg of the run to Nome. We then read about Togo. Togo's accomplishments have not been as recognized; although they are as important, if not more so, than Balto's. 

Togo completed the longest stretch in the serum run over the most difficult terrain. 

Leonhard Seppala, the man that owned both Balto and Togo was heartbroken that Togo's accomplishments were all but forgotten. It makes me feel sad also. Now, when I think of the serum run, I think of Togo first.

Adventures in Odyssey is also getting on board with the Iditarod. They have produced a three part episode in which Wooten travels to Alaska and ends up on a mission with a group from the non-profit organization "Carry The Cure". This real life team of heroes carry the message of hope to remote villages along the Iditarod trail. The suicide rate in Alaska is twice that of the rest of the U.S. Carry The Cure helps kids realize that their life matters.

I am going to be disappointed when the 2015 Iditarod is over. We  have enjoyed these past 11 days, from the Ceremonial start in Anchorage to watching Dallas Seavey win the Championship and now waiting until the very last musher arrives in Nome and the lantern is extinguished.

Following the mushers through Alaskan towns and remote villages has got us looking into Alaskan real estate...wishfully. I am falling in love with that gorgeous landscape.