June 22 - 28 : 2008 Summer Iditarod Camp: July 2008

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Hobo Jim and me!

Hi all,

I could write about so many things and so many wonderful experiences...thanks to all of you. I'd like to share what happened on my last evening alone in Anchorage because this experience taught me, without a shadow of a doubt, "go with your gut"..."expect the unexpected"..."be open to adventure"..."don't limit your expectations, which will limit their possibilities"....you get the point.

A tour guide I met on Monday after camp raved and raved about Hobo Jim. Now I know him from "The Iditarod Song", which is cute, but he did not seem to be the kind of musician this "Deadhead" would go for. This woman was relentless, so I said I'd see him Wednesday night at Wild Berry's.

Wednesday night came and I did not want to go. Now there was a cute little van to take me, it was only $15.00, and I had time, but I was going into whine mood (guess I knew I was heading home) and started fantasizing going back to the hotel to rest, pack, etc. BUT...I did promise the lady I'd go, and I DID think kids would think it was cool if I heard him sing the Iditarod song since I'd teach it to them anyway, so I called for the pick-up van.

Now, the van is late , so I call again. The van has now broken down and I fantasize going back to the hotel and giving up. But I think of the lady and think of the kids and wait for the van (which flew past me and only stopped because I gave a New York "Taxi" type scream).

I get to the theater JUST in time...I thought. Hobo Jim is with some people saying goodbye to them and saying that he'd see them Saturday. I'm waiting to buy my ticket when the guy says there WILL NOT be a show since I was the only one there! I was not happy now.

Hobo Jim hears this whole interaction and takes over. He tells me not to worry...pours me a glass of wine....takes me over to a little snack area with his friend Christime...and proceeds to SING TO ME!!! He sang three songs JUST to me! He loved that I wanted to tape his singing of Iditarod Trail! He then walked me over to the area where you buy his cds and started GIVING all of them to me!! YES!!! (I only took one....I'm not greedy). Then he and Christine decided I should have a dog. I was a bit confused, but went along with them to his truck. He GAVE me a great stuffed dog that plays....you know it....the Iditarod Trail song when you push a button! I was really dazed by now and overcome and pretty speechless.

We hugged goodbye, etc., and I went to meet the van to go back to my hotel...but NOT! Jim and Christine pulled up in the red truck and off we went for dinner, drinks and lots of fun and conversation!! Yes...I got into a stranger's truck to go for drinks!!! WOW!!!!

THAT was an adventure!

I hope I can attach the pictures and the little film I took so you can be my living proof that this really happened.

BE OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES!!!!!!!!

Wow....

Ellen

Friday, July 11, 2008

Your Quilt Squares!

Don't forget to create and send a quilt square to Terrie by August 1 so that the NEXT GREAT QUILT can be sewn together so it is ready to journey to classrooms around the world during the 2008 - 2009 school year. In order for the new quilt to visit your school, you must contribute a quilt square. If you aren't interested in having the quilt visit your school, but you wish to contribute a square anyway, please do. Email Terrie your 'square' intentions so she knows you'll be sending her your contribution. Let's make this quilt the most awesome quilt ever!

This year, we'll have 3 quilts traveling to schools! What an incredible way to share Iditarod and Alaska with learners of all ages. You will be able to read about the 3 quilts on the website this year. Watch for information at the For Teachers section of the website! http://www.iditarod.com/teachers/

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Hi Boot Camp Friends!

I hope your travels home (back to the real world) were safe and that you're rested up after our week with each other! It took me a few days to adjust, but am getting back in the swing of things.

Saturday after the picnic, Diane P., Herb and I had one last "Alaska" meal together at Phyllis' Seafood in Anchorage before heading our separate ways. My husband and son arrived Sat. evening and my family adventure began. We spent a couple of days at Denali Nat'l Park, hiking, river rafting and midnight golfing! Who knew there was a golf course in Healy, AK? For the sports-nut family that we are, the chance to tee off at almost 11 p.m. and play surrounded by mountains into the wee hours was a thrill! The sky was clear our first day there, so we had great views of the mountain, too! Then it was back to Wasilla to a new b & b. We took the train from Anch. to Seward and a went on a Kenai cruise. It was a crystal-clear, warm day and we saw orcas, humpbacks, stellar sea lions, sea otters, eagles, puffins, etc. It was glorious!

Our last goal was to ATV (a new experience for all of us and one that my teenage son was anticipating.) Sara Heintzmann (sp?) of the K-9 Fairies had given me one of her husband's cards , so we hooked up with Heiny's ATV Adventures for an afternoon trip to Wishbone Lake. Marty (Sara's husband) was a fun and patient leader as I went slowly, got stuck and even fell off my ATV - no injuries, just embarrassment!! We saw a black bear and lots of beautiful views (and quite a few mud puddles.) At the end, Marty took Jack, my son, for a speedy ride without his parents to slow him down.

Next week, a group of teachers from our school, including Jeanne and me, are working on our Iditarod project. Sheryl Cater will be there, as well as past campers Mark B. & John C. Jeanne and I will share our learning and experiences with them and will let you know how to access our work.

I'm planning to burn cd's of my photos once I've edited them to a manageable number, so watch for them in your mailbox.

Diane - Here's the scoop on the photo of me on the ground - I had harnessed Attla and was unhooking her from her chain to hook her to the gangline. Her chain got wrapped around my ankles and down I went. Unhurt, but embarrassed once again! Here's a photo of Attla successfully hooked up!!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Summer Camp 2008

Thanks for being a part of our 2008 Idita-Camp!

Stay in touch!

How many versions of this picture do we have? Let's see a few of them!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

A Favorite Picture from Summer Camp!

I have a LOT of favorite pictures, but this is one of them. Ann, I am not sure what happened here or why you are on the ground, but I think the picture symbolizes how each camper did what it took--- to make this a fantastic experience!

Hey everyone! Do you have a favorite picture to share? Post it and tell us why!

Target 2009 Teacher on the Trail Cathy.... Swings from the High Rope!

Cathy did an awesome job on the swing! I am just glad none of our group knew how to run my video camera.... No video of me! Yea! (Ok, Chas St. George from Iditarod did take video of these events. Watch for the video on Iditarod Insider at some point! We are looking forward to our projects with the Alaska National Guard and the Stay on Track program!

If the video doesn't play for you, check back later.... some of our articles are under construction

Sara Swings Like Spiderman!

Sara wins the prize for best format on the swing! Congratulations Sara!

Shannon Swings!

Swinging was a blast! Way to go, Shannon!

Sara on the High Ropes Course!

Way to go Sara!

I fully admit I wasn't as brave as Sara was--- but with Cathy's patience and support on the beam, Cathy and I accomplished this after Sara and National Guard Leader Scott completed this crossing. --- It was an incredible experience.... Awesome!

June 30 Adventures with the Alaska National Guard

On Monday, June 30, Cathy, Sara, Shannon, and Diane visited Fort Richardson Army Base. The Alaska National Guard has an incredible STAY ON TRACK program to help youth stay off drugs and alcohol. During the next 'race season' you will learn more about the project which will help kids around the world learn to make the kind of choices that lead them down the trail to healthy lives. Watch the website for additional information. Together, the Alaska National Guard and Iditarod's Educational Department will work on several projects!