Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Anticipated Reunion

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Mrs. Christie Smith’s Second Grade Class

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Karen, Christie Smith, Isaac Smith, and Noggin

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Karen, Keith Grant (ICES Principal), Dr Tim Edsell (Superintendent of Indian Creek Schools), and Noggin

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Karen and Dr. Tim Edsell (somewhere under all of those layers!)

After reminiscing with retired second grade teacher, Judy Misiniec, and current-day second grade teacher, Christie Smith, we figured out that I’ve been visiting Indian Creek Elementary in Trafalgar, Indiana for at least 16 years! Judy was a teacher devoted to bringing outdoor adventure into her classroom through the Last Great Race curriculum, and her passion for the annual Iditarod unit wore off on other great teachers at her school. Every year I look forward to returning to Trafalgar to see my friends and bring a little of that outdoor mushing magic indoors to the students. This is Noggin’s second year visiting Trafalgar but she already considers it home.

Mushing through Morristown

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Thank you, Tracey Collier—an awesome Iditarod teacher and longtime fan of dog mushing—for inviting us to Morristown Elementary! Noggin and I had great fun with your third grade class. Enjoy following the race!

Pack your sled and hook up your dogs! Iditarod starts Saturday, March 3rd …

More from Mt. Healthy

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The enthusiastic teachers from Mt. Healthy sent us more photographs from yesterday’s talk. I always LOVE getting photos—it’s difficult to take them myself during the presentation, and Noggin has yet to master the smart phone camera. The students, well-prepared for our visit, offered up many fun and thoughtful questions. We could have gone much longer than the 1.5 hours allotted! The teachers plan to follow the Iditarod Sled Dog Race with their students. Don’t forget the race begins March 3rd … MUSH!

Representing the USA …

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This morning Noggin did a fine job representing TEAM USA (and sled dogs everywhere) at our presentation at Mt. Healthy Elementary in Columbus, Indiana. The big and beautiful flag as our backdrop put my Alaskan Husky in a very patriotic mood. Noggin is always such a good girl at our talks— she does deserve a gold medal. But, thankfully, she was quite content with the slices of American cheese stashed in my back pocket.

 

 

 

Romano is Still Skyping…

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Romano might be pushing 15 years old but he’s still Skyping and loving it! This will be my 18th year presenting Iditarod talks at schools and public libraries across the country, and my third year giving presentations via Skype. Email Romano now at mymusher@yahoo.com to reserve a date on his busy schedule…

The Eiteljorg and Pet Pals TV

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Noggin and I visited the awesome Eiteljorg Museum in downtown Indianapolis last Monday for a TV taping for Pet Pals TV with Patty Spitler. We were there to promote the Eiteljorg’s new exhibit — DOGS: FAITHFUL AND TRUE.

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Honestly, Noggin was a little bored with all of the preparations leading up to her big television debut. But, thankfully, when the cameras started rolling Noggin rallied like she’s the next Marilyn Monroe. I was just happy my often-overly-relaxed husky actually stood up for the entire 2-minute interview!

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Karen Land and Noggin with Patty Spitler and Pet Pals TV.

Noggin Is Getting a Big Head

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Noggin is finally starting to get the hang of posing for photographs which was a good thing last Thursday night at our talk in Hope, Indiana. We had a fun crowd at the Bartholomew County Public Library (Hope branch) and everyone wanted shots with Noggin, the rowdy star, who for once didn’t snooze on her bed the entire talk, but instead browsed the aisles looking for a good book. She is a VERY smart dog, you know!

A big hug and thank you to our friends, Sue and Larry and GOAT, for stopping in and surprising us. We always love seeing you. Goat, Romano’s brother, is quite the sweet talker and has the most creative vocabulary of ANY dog I know. Noggin was quite impressed!