McGrath Museum

Superhero Returns

Museum

Today we went to the museum right next to the McGrath school. We saw items there from animals, animal furs, early life like logging, and it even had one of the first air plane propellers on the wall. The first room we went into was full of real animals stuffed and furs from animals. The second was about the Iditarod and the history of the Iditarod like the first trail, why, and even some stories of the trail. The last had stuff of the early people living in Alaska. The room had lots of stuff on display like old clothes from animal skins, models of first sleds, baby carriers, and even a big model of a logger's cabin.

All of us got to learn about the history of the iditarod and people. This is a picture of a Moose antler with a painting of a woman on it. I though that this was very interesting.

Ready to Volunteer

Downeastern Husky and Dallas Girl went to the checkpoint for a preview of what's ahead. Very exciting! The BES team has two work rooms to use while at the checkpoint. Mushers, vets, and dogs will pass right by the room. Team members will be able to work in the kitchen serving mushers or work outside with other volunteers, helping mushers, and caring for dogs - around the clock. The first mushers should be in Tuesday night.

Thank you historian Mr. Collins for helping us learn about McGrath history.

ice fishing and ping pong

First thing after we got here we went to the museum then walked a mile to the lake for ice fishing, only thing missing was the fishing rods so they brought small stick rod ones. Nobody got anything but I got some sleep in while I was waiting for my fish. The rec room at the school is a nice place to have fun, we had some intense ping pong matches there. It's a different feel here from Anchorage but kinda more like Brooksville.

Checking Out the Checkpoint

Tonight a few of parents, Downeastern Husky and me, Dallas Girl, took a walk down to the checkpoint to check it out. A nice lady gave us a tour and showed us every room there was to see. We actually have two of our own rooms! Overall, the checkpoint was very welcoming and great to see!

When flew to McGrath I thought the plane ride was going to be long and boring, but it was short and I had a good view.

Arriving in McGrath

Today we got up pretty early and flew into McGrath. The plane ride was not very long at all and the view was great. shortly after arriving we went ice fishing, which was fun. Instead of using ice fishing traps they jig the line, which is on a wooden spindle. The bait consisted of salmon, salmon eggs and crab. Unfortunately we did not get a fish, but we did meet some people from McGrath. When we arrived at 9:30 the temperature was -10F and then it climbed to 20F by noon.

McGrath

We made it to McGrath! The plane ride was pretty cool because we saw amazing mountains including Denali. The school is really cool and there are really nice people here. When we went ice fishing it was pretty fun to hang out with the McGrath kids. I can't wait to see the mushers come through the checkpoint!

In McGrath...

The temperature was cold when we landed. We got into the school after a short break in the lodge like house at the airstrip and temporarly settled into a cool room that had a ping pong table and a foos ball table. We went ice fishing. We had to walk a mile and a half there on a completely straight road, but it was a relief when we got to the pond. There were kids from McGrath there fishing too, which was cool. We had to walk back the mile and a half again and move all out stuff into a more permanent room. We are sitting in the room blogging at this very moment. We plan on getting back to Anchorage on Friday, and leave for home on Friday night.

The McGrath School

Today we arrived at the McGrath school. The grades go from k-12. The school is a little bigger than our school, but there are the same number of kids. In this picture, there are some huge fish and turtles that are in the student lounge room. I am having so much fun here in Alaska with my friends and I hope the next few days to come are just as exciting!

First Day in McGrath!!!

We arrived in McGrath today at 9:15 am. The first thing we did was claim our baggage and ride on a bus to the McGrath School. We set up our things and started walking to the ice fishing spot. We ice fished and then walked a mile and a half back to the school. It was pretty cool meeting the students in Alaska! It was a good way to get to know the students.

First day in McGrath

Ice fishing with the McGrath kids was fun. They fish a lot different than we do. They use a heavy duty stick and they cut grooves into it then put line on it. After they put the line on it they put the hook on it. After that they put the bait on and put the line down in the hole. Here in McGrath you have to scoop out the hole like every five minutes because it keeps filling up with snow which freezes. That is what McGrath is like so far. I think the rest of the time that we are going to be here we will all have a great time.  I hope that we all will.

Leaving for McGrath!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is 5:00 am in Anchorage Alaska and we are getting ready to leave the hotel and get on a plane for McGrath!!!!!!!!!