I was speechless when the race concluded.... Got texts from my teacher friends who went, and emails from a few of my students. Honestly though, I was just in dismay and array. I am not a betting woman (or teacher). I hardly care who wins what race anymore. But this was just so different than I could have ever predicted... These people are such tough, friendly hardworking mushers.
Jeff King was slated to win (or at least had it in the bag with the last leg of the race...) I think one of my tables who picked him to follow & win really thought he would take the title (I know I certainly did!)
Aside from that, he had this charm & humor that made me root for him too. (Plus his daughter was lovely a dancer, so sort of a sole sister from the get go...)
I went to bed thinking he would win one night over spring break. When I woke up, everything had changed... Jeff can tell it way better than I would every paraphraze it... If you want to, you should Take a gander.
This next week back at school we will be writing our mushers. Please comment if you want me to print this out because we will be getting packages together to send to our Alaskan pen-pal mushers.
I never dreamed my musher, Hugh Neff, would have scratched also. This really is one of the last great races.... I have so much respect for EVERY MUSHER who has attempted this great race, regardless of completion. And the ones who keep coming back for the fight are gladiators, matadors, mushers. Many thanks, may you be blessed in all future journeys. My unrelated, ice-picking tale |