ahhhh, spring break. . .

Well it started off well. Andrea (my friend who taught out here last year) came to visit me for the end of her spring break, and the beginning of mine. She arrived on Wednesday, and Thursday after school we rode out to the Old Woman cabin for a night (the cabin is in the trees at the base of the hill in the picture--->).
Hoping to meet up with some mushers at the cabin, we ended up passing 5 on the trail, and meeting up with the red lantern right as he was leaving the cabin.

It was beautiful spring weather- we did a little skiing, and hiked to the top of Old Woman.


We also decided to try our hand at some ice fishing on the way home- with axe in hand, and fishing line ready, we hacked our way through nearly 2.5 feet of ice!! And then, we still didn't hit water!! So for all of our effort, we had little to show. . . next time!!

After she left on Saturday I spent the time crafting, skiing with the dogs and doing some spring cleaning in and around the house.

It always seems to go by so fast. Though I'm ready to get the last quarter started (and finished) there is a lot to be done and I've yet to find the motivation to get the ball rolling. . . I'm sure it will hit me soon :)

I hope you are all enjoying your own spring- whatever that may bring. . .

Iditarod and pests. . .

Well, the race is here. . . here are a few (bad) pics of Bouser and others (the first to Unalakleet). If I can figure out how to attach short video clips I'll do that too.


As for the pests issue- I just had to add this picture. . . a day at the spa you say?!?! Oh no, lice treatment, home remedy style :) That's right smearing mayonnaise all over your hair, letting it sit for two hours, and then a rise with vinegar and lots of combing will work just as good as any chemical treatment. . . in case you ever need it :) heehee. . . hopefully not. No worries though, it's done and over with and my hair has never been so clean and moisturized! (despite the slight smell of potato salad lingering for the day! :)

Savoonga. . .

Well, it's been a week since I've been back, but I'm not sure I've sat down yet. . .
It's been a whirlwind of travel, meetings and subs in my classroom. . . I'm still trying to get it all figured out. But enough about the boring stuff. . . let me show you Savoonga!
We lucked out with great weather (good temps and great visibility)- I got to take a long walk on the island, and was envious of the snow they had; I was wishing for a pair of skiis! This is on the ridge, over looking oceananic ice. . . it was all gone the next morning with the warm southerly winds that kicked up that night.
The skin boats, in winter condition, lined the shores and evidence of whaling among the village homes made it unique to any other village I've visited before. I even bought my first piece of ivory- a little seal.


Oh, as for the conference stuff (I suppose that is the reason I went there :)- that went well too. A new position for me to help lead a district mini-inservice, but it went well overall I think. I presented on differentiated instruction, foldables in the classroom, and web-based resources. We did a lot of work on the wiki and the best part, an entire room of people talking MATH!! It doesn't get much better than that ;)