The Tripod, July 2018

Iditarod HistoricTrail Alliance July 2018 The Tripod PO Box 2323 Seward AK 99664 IditarodHTA@gmail.com http://www.Iditarod100.org The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Trail news The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the Sterling Highway Milepost 45 to 60 Project, which would bypass Cooper Landing, identifies the Juneau Creek Alternative as the “preferred alternative” for the project. This alternative would bisect the Resurrection Pass National RecreationTrail and the Bean Creek Trail near Juneau Falls. A full map of the alternative can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/yaj38fp7 To compensate for the break in the long-distance character of the Resurrection Pass Trail, by Cooper Landing, as directed in the record of decision, the state will provide a pedestrian walkway on the Snow River bridge 17 miles from Seward.

“The new pedestrian walkway will connect existing and planned portions of the Iditarod Historical Trail — Southern Trek route,” which is proposed, but not yet built, according to the federal record of decision. National Trails Day® The Trail for all Seasons The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance promotes public awareness of the Iditarod Trail and its gold rush and Alaska Native heritage by encouraging education programs and historical research, assisting in the protection, improvement, maintenance and marking of the Trail and developing partnerships that foster stewardship commitments and support. On June 2, 2018 people across the country came together and surpassed the collective goal to improve 2,802 miles of trail—the distance across the US—during American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®. In a momentous effort, 3,954 miles of trails were improved in a single day.

For 25 years, National Trails Day® has united the trails community on the first Saturday of June with the goal of connecting more people to trails and public lands. In 2018, American Hiking Society set a target goal to improve 2,802 miles of trail to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System and the public enthusiastically rallied to improve trails from coast to coast. American Hiking Society invited hikers, cyclists, equestrians, paddlers and everyone else who enjoys spending time outside to join the nationwide efforts. Participants built and maintained more than 750 miles of trail and picked up trash along thousands of additional miles of trail. American Hiking Society is grateful for every individual who pitched in to leave a trail better than they found it.

Beyond trail work projects, hundreds of individuals and organizations hosted community-wide festivals and outdoor recreation opportunities on National Trails Day®. It was a great opportunity for people to try something new, explore wild spaces, or get outside right in their neck of the woods or city. 1 Iditarod HistoricTrail Alliance From the past… "Iditarod Pioneer" January 13, 1917 LOSES FAITHFUL ANIMAL There is scarcely a person in the whole of the Innoko and Iditarod valleys who is not acquainted with Leo Clifford, the genial young man who for many moons, regularly delivered the Iditarod Pioneer to its hundreds of readers long the creeks.

During the past five years in the sledding season, Leo was aways accompanied on his rambles by his famous two-dog team, composed of sturdy "Prince," the malamute leader and the faithful "Jack," largeboned, of rangy architecture, red of complexion and of no particular breed or boast of ancestry. Over hundreds and hundreds of miles in this valley, besides a couple of trips to Seward, these teammates cheerfully hiked with Leo, as he hung onto the handlebars of his light sled. They were willing animals, and their team work was all that could be expected of any two dogs, consequently they were much prized by their owner. But alas and alack! on Thursday night last Jack put an end to all future runs and journeys by jumping over the partition of his box-stall in George Adams' Kennel and strangling himself to death by the strictures of the choke collar about his neck.

Leo found his dog yesterday morning in a suspended position, and although there were faint signs of life, he was unable to resuscitate the faithful animal, and "Jack" has gone where all good dogs go. Which mosquito repellents works best If you are outdoors in the summer, mosquitos can be a problem. What are the best mosquito repellants? Products containing DEET have been shown both safe and effective. DEET is shorthand for the chemical N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, the active ingredient in many insect repellents. A 2015 article in the Journal of Insect Science examined the effectiveness of various commercial insect sprays and products containing DEET, all proved effective and relatively long lasting. DEET isn't the only weapon. Products containing the active ingredients picaridin are as effective, says Dr.

Dan Strickman, with the Global Health Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates July 2018 Foundation. They are widely available around the world. "Picaridin is a little more effective than DEET and seems to keep mosquitoes at a greater distance," he says. When people use DEET, mosquitoes may land on them, but not bite. When they use a product containing picaridin, mosquitoes are less likely to even land. Researchers found that a product containing oil of lemon eucalyptus was about as effective and as long lasting as products containing DEET. One surprising finding in 2015 was that a perfume, Victoria's Secret Bombshell, was a pretty good repellent. It turned out bugs hated the smell. "Walk the First Mile of the Iditarod Trail" The Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers' brochure "Walk the First Mile of the Iditarod Trail" has been very successful.

At the start of the summer season there were none left of the first printing of 2500. A second printing of 5000 was ordered and is now available in many locations around the town. The Trail Blazers thank the Alliance for a grant of $1,000 to help pay for the new printing. As usual there is a lot of summer traffic over the Iditarod Trail through Seward. "Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread." Edward Abbey 2