March 8, 2016

Everyone still moving at a rather slow pace. That is due to the weather conditions mostly. Its very warm so the snow conditions are slow. Ex. In ROHN where many mushers are right now it's 28 degrees. The next checkpoints, MCGRATH< TOKOTNA etc are -2. That will be better for the teams.
Right now NICOLAS PETIT is in first and out of ROHN. Followed by DALLAS SEAVEY, MITCH SEAVEY and WADE MAAS.
Thought I could send you the Iditarod trail may but.....
This might help--the checkpoints listed:
WILLOW
SKWENTNA
FINGER LAKE
RAINY PASS
ROHN ---surrounded by the mountains---Martin Buser's sons name
NIKOLAI--VERY remote and isolated. About 125 population--Martin Buser's other sons name
MCGRATH--Hank and I flew into and stayed a few days then on to TAKOTNA
TAKOTNA---one of my favorites. Misty and Barney introduced me to what real cooking is
                       we cooked for the mushers and most of them stayed for their 24 hour layover--cuz of        
                        position in the race and the GOOD FOOD--started by JAN NEWTON who has passed
                        but Misty does her justice. Misty and Barney just built a house (yes, THEY built it)
                        by the Iditarod trail. They invited me to stay with them so I could see all the mushers
                        go by from the comfort of their home. How sweet and certainly something I REALLY
                        want to do. Barney has his own private plane service. Hank and I flew with him. He
                        let us see the mushers running and gave us quite a wonderful in- air tour.
OPHIR
CRIPPLE
RUBY
GALENA
NULATO
KALTAG
UNALAKLEET--My next favorite place. Bret and Davida own Piece on Earth--pizza and the only
                             restaurant in town and rooms. We stayed with them. GREAT PLACE and so good
                             to experience the mushers coming into this checkpoint.
SKAKTOOLIK--We stopped here to deliver mail.
KOYUK
ELIM
WHITE MOUNTAIN
SAFETY
NOME---Great town--really bustling during the Iditarod as this is the finish. I LOVED IT. My parka
                is also in the museum there!! Wild and lots of fun. You can schmooze with the mushers
                after their long, difficult journey, see the dogs up close and personal and go to the banquet.
                Here is where acolytes are given out with a wonderful dinner catered by the Millennium
                Hotel in Anchorage.

If any are teachers out there, check out Laura Wright's posts or page. Go to www.Iditarod.com then
on the left side of the home page you will see Teacher on the Trail. Click on that and there you have it. Some interesting projects the classrooms are doing, info given etc etc. Check it out.