"All work and no play makes Tammy a dull teacher," so I decided to play a bit the day before the conference. It's always been a bucket list item of mine (and Kelly's) to mush, or drive, a team of dogs. That happened for us at Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennel in Big Lake, AK. I first met Martin at the mushers' picnic in 2016 at the Iditarod Headquarters. He is such a nice guy who understands teachers, because his wife is one. When Kelly and I started to organize our trip, we enlisted the help of Alaska Mushing School to teach us to mush safely. Can you imagine my elation when I realized that the school takes place at Iditarod champion Martin Buser's place?
My students have connected with Martin because they know he's been working with Disney on the new Togo movie. The 2nd graders are very well-versed on Togo and his amazing role in the 1925 Serum Run. So...families of my kiddos, get ready. Your child is going to want to see this movie as soon as it's released!
After learning the techniques of mushing that I've only talked about with my students, I had the surreal opportunity to actually experience them. The day before I left my student, Hudson, said, "Mrs. Drudy, did you know that Iditarod mushers have to ride the drop mat for many miles when the race first starts?" I did not know that. Trust me, I do now!!!! We averaged 10 miles per hour, but oftentimes we were cruising along at 15 mph. Our team had 6 dogs ranging from yearlings (18 months) to 5 years. The retired racers were our lead dogs, and those hyperactive yearlings were team dogs. When there was a HUGE tangle on the gangline, I had to secure the sled while Kelly snapped into action and took control of the incident. We are both signed up to be dog handlers at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, but will first need to be certified by attending dog handling school. After this episode at Happy Trails, I told Kelly she's already passed the final exam. No course of study is as effective as experiential learning...and that Kelly did in full-out beast mode!
Of course the best part of the day was conversing with Martin, who was hard at work scooping frozen poop in the dog yard. All I can say is this: They don't call it Happy Trails Kennel for nothin'! I was in my happy place, indeed.
My students have connected with Martin because they know he's been working with Disney on the new Togo movie. The 2nd graders are very well-versed on Togo and his amazing role in the 1925 Serum Run. So...families of my kiddos, get ready. Your child is going to want to see this movie as soon as it's released!
After learning the techniques of mushing that I've only talked about with my students, I had the surreal opportunity to actually experience them. The day before I left my student, Hudson, said, "Mrs. Drudy, did you know that Iditarod mushers have to ride the drop mat for many miles when the race first starts?" I did not know that. Trust me, I do now!!!! We averaged 10 miles per hour, but oftentimes we were cruising along at 15 mph. Our team had 6 dogs ranging from yearlings (18 months) to 5 years. The retired racers were our lead dogs, and those hyperactive yearlings were team dogs. When there was a HUGE tangle on the gangline, I had to secure the sled while Kelly snapped into action and took control of the incident. We are both signed up to be dog handlers at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, but will first need to be certified by attending dog handling school. After this episode at Happy Trails, I told Kelly she's already passed the final exam. No course of study is as effective as experiential learning...and that Kelly did in full-out beast mode!
Of course the best part of the day was conversing with Martin, who was hard at work scooping frozen poop in the dog yard. All I can say is this: They don't call it Happy Trails Kennel for nothin'! I was in my happy place, indeed.