Today we drove 2 1/2 hours down to Seward for our dog sled ride adventure. The scenery along the way was so beautiful. We stopped at a little Espresso shop for delicious hot chocolate and checked in at Ididaride Dog Sled Tours around 10:30. We met Mike who was to be our tour guide. After immediately telling us that our boots were inadequate for the ride, he took us into the gift shop and loaned us some special boots. As we waited for some other guests to arrive, Ms. Wright skyped with her class, and the rest of us checked out the surrounding area. There was a moose antler on the porch that we found intriguing. It was extremely heavy! There was an old sled and of course the snow. Once all parties had arrived and were ready, Mike explained that we would each be driving the sled. He gave directions on how to stop, how to go, and how to slow down. He told us the commands the dogs would listen to on the trail. "All right" was the signal to go and "whoa" was the signal to stop. I was feeling a little overwhelmed about being in control of the dogs but excited to get going. We partnered up, as one of us would ride in the sled 8 miles out and the other would drive. Then we would switch as we came back in. The partners were: Mrs. Smith and I, Mrs. Wold and Mrs. Brewer, and Ms. Holstien and Ms. Wright. The ride out to Exit Glacier was so amazing. Those dogs are so well trained. They loved running and were anxious to go anytime we stopped for photos. As much as I loved riding in the sled and enjoying the view, the ride on the back of the sled, being in control of the sled, was the ultimate experience. I had borrowed a Go Cam from a family in my class and was able to get a little footage. All of our technology had issues with the cold but between all of us we got some amazing pictures and video. Below you will see the video from the Go Cam and some pictures from the ride. Tomorrow afternoon the six of us head off to Alaska. On Monday we are going on a dog sled ride at the Seavey Ididaride Sled Dog Tours. Tuesday through Friday we are attending our conference. Saturday we will observe the ceremonial start of the Iditarod and Sunday we will drive to Wasilla and see the official start. Friday morning I will skype with my class and Mrs. David's class. I hope to find time to skype with the other first grades as well as Miss Lauren's second grade at VVE. Check out the flyer on my front page with links to help you follow us at home. Which musher is your family following at home? I have placed my kids into 3 groups as we study Alaska and the Iditarod this month. They will work with their group members throughout this unit of study. The three groups are the tundra, the taiga and the icecap. Each group has a mascot (an animal that lives in that region). Meet Puffer, the Puffin, Chocolate, the Moose and Paul, the Walrus.
Yesterday the class spent time looking through a short powerpoint of 25 mushers in this year's Iditarod. Then in their groups, they worked together to choose their top three mushers. Each group identified their first choice of musher to follow and also 2 alternates, just in case. Some groups worked smoothly and had a plan in place for making sure all voices were heard. Other groups struggled to come to consensus. But eventually all groups were able to make their top three choices. After the groups made their choices, I selected my mushers. I chose Aliy Zirkle as my main musher and Dallas Seavey and DeeDee Jonrowe as alternates.
Today we all wore our special t-shirts that my daughter, Lauren, designed for us. Ever since my cousin, Kris, was in the weather business, I have joked that those weathermen and women have the best jobs. They never have to be right. They get to make their best guess and oh well, if it is wrong. But come on now. Last night the weatherman was predicting that there would be sleet and some slick conditions this morning, so our district followed other districts as they cancelled school for today. Now don't get me wrong, I am glad they made the decision last night before I headed to bed rather than after I was up and dressed for the day. But as the evening progressed and it became morning, there was nothing on the ground or coming down that would have prevented us from going to school. The temperatures are frigid for central Texas for sure. Around mid morning it began to precipitate a bit but it amounted to nothing. I am not complaining about a day off, especially when it makes for a long weekend. I have enjoyed playing board games with my son and husband all day and hanging out in my pjs. I just think it is interesting when you look across the country. Some places wouldn't even consider closing school for a day like this or any other day in which we have cancelled or delayed. It's all about your environment and what we are prepared to deal with. I can remember walking to school in frigid temperatures and snow as how as my boots in Iowa. I remember one year my dad had to shovel out a pathway in our alley from the garage to the street in order to get the car out. Rarely did we get a school cancellation in the winter. This has been the craziest weather in Austin this year. My daughter, Lauren, who began her student teaching this semester, mentioned that in the four weeks thus far, she has only had one full week, because of these cancellations and delays. I can't wait to read the book Recess at 20 Below to my kids and compare the idea of recess in Alaska to recess in Texas. They will not believe that kids can play outside in Alaskan winters. It was in the high 20's yesterday and we kept them inside for recess. Craziness all around! If you live somewhere other than Central Texas, tell me about your weather this winter. Have you missed much school? This is the message we received today that announced our 2 hour delay of school. I guess in light of some confusions last Tuesday, they opted for the "better safe than sorry" side. There is no precipitation on the ground or coming down in my area of town. I think the east side is getting sleet and possibly flurries. But our district is on the west side of town. Only in Texas! |
Jennifer WolffI am a first grade teacher and I am so excited to participate in this project with my colleagues. Archives
March 2014
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