The Tripod, March 2019

Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, PO Box 2323, Seward AK 99664 http://www.Iditarod100.org IditarodHTA@gmail.com The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. The Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance promotes 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. Use “Pick. Click. Give.” to donate to the Alliance The Iditarod National Historic Trail Alliance is included in the Permanent Fund Dividend “Pick. Click. Give.“ charitable contributions program. When you file for your PFD on line, you will be given the opportunity to donate money from your PFD to the Alliance.

Public Lands Bill passes Congress has passed a Public Lands Package in nearly unanimous bipartisan fashion (92 to 8 in the Senate and 363 to 2 in the House). The biggest provision of the bill is the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF has funded nearly one thousand trail projects and thousands of other projects ranging from National Parks, Forests and Wildlife Refuges to community parks and ball fields in all 50 states. LWCF funding has provided for the completion of the Appalachian Trail and the building of major segments of the Pacific Crest Trail and at least ten other National Scenic and Historic Trails. Until now LWCF had to be reauthorized every few years, but amid congressional gridlock the program was constantly at risk of expiring. This uncertainty placed conservation projects funded by LWCF in jeopardy.

With permanent reauthorization there is no longer worry about the program expiring. Included in the Public Lands Package, the Every Kid Outdoors Act congressionally authorizes the Every Kid in a Park program. This program provides every Fourth grader and their family free access to all federal public lands and waters. Hundreds of thousands of students have taken advantage of the program since it began. The new law extends two trails within the National Scenic and Historic Trails system. The North Country National Scenic Trail will now connect with the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and be rerouted in Minnesota to be more accessible. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will be expanded into six states reflecting the travels of the historic Lewis and Clark expedition.

From the Past… “Iditarod Pioneer” April 6, 1912 FLATS BEATEN A SECOND TIME Last Saturday evening, before the largest crowd yet assembled in the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, Iditarod, the second games of the double basketball series were played between Flat and Iditarod, the Iditarod ladies winning by the narrow margin of 10 to 8, and the local men’s team winning by the score of 20 to 8. Both games were replete with exciting plays and the results were in doubt until the very end. The individual and team play was good on all sides, and showed marked improvement on the previous week.

The ladies’ game, in which the better half of the interest and betting seemed to be centered was first on the program, and at the conclusion of the first half the local five seemed to have victory within their grasp the score 1 The Tripod March 2019 then being 8 to 2 in their favor; but during the interval the visitors seemed to have puzzled out a combination, for their work and form in the second half was a distinct surprise and reversal. And they almost snatched victory from defeat - many being of the opinion that if the game had gone five minutes longer such would have been the result. The game, to a disinterested bystander, seemed unnecessarily rough and aggressive for ladies’ play. The couches should teach more cleverness and less brawn, thereby making a prettier game and minimizing the risk of injury. Also, the rooting of some had too personal a flavor.

None should forget the rules of good conduct because the ladies have consented to play for our amusement. Let there be no selection of players for personal remarks in the ensuing games: it might disrupt the sport. In the men’s game an effort had been made to balance the talent equally, and Iditarod was represented by an entirely different set of players from the previous week. The visitors displayed greatly improved from over the last game, and when the first half ended with the score 6 to 6, the betting was even that they would win, with few takers. But the loss of Labelle, who was in poor condition from the trail, was disastrous for them, and although they fought doggedly, they lost the half by the score of 14 to 2. The play of Labelle was a matter of much favorable comment by everyone. He had a good eye for baskets, and is fairly elusive under guard.

The only criticism of his game is that he should bound the ball from the board more, instead of throwing clean for the basket. The visiting five throughout indicated excellent latent talent that practice and good coaching will develop into a fine team, and it is predicted that if the present lineup is maintained, the concluding games of the series will produce some scores very flattering to Flat City. Considering that they, almost to a man, never saw a game of basketball before this winter, their present skill and knowledge of the game is much to be commended. Trivia trail answers: 1. What is the longest ice-skating trail in the United States and where is it located? The Lake Morey Skate Trail, 4.5 miles, Fairlee, Vermont. 2. What is the longest continuously paved bike trail in the United States and where is it located?

Paul Bunyan State Trail, 115 miles, not including a couple of short road connections through the towns of Baxter and Bemidje. It goes from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidje State Park in Minnesota. Iditarod Trail on front The photograph on the front of the Winter 2018-19 issue of “Pathways Across America,” a publication of the Partnership of the National Trails System, shows Gemma Amorelli, intern with the Chugach National Forest, working on the Upper Winner Creek trail building day along the Iditarod National Historic Trail on July 14, 2018. The photograph was taken by Jacob Torres, the Iditarod National Historic Trail communications intern. 2019 Statewide Trail Conference The Alaska Trails 2019 Statewide Trails Conference will be held April 18-20 at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

For a Conference agenda go to Alaska-Trails.org The conference keynote speaker is Lisa Maloney, who has lived in Alaska more than 25 years. She is the author of the award-winning travel guide book Moon Alaska and the soonto-be released Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska. She contributes outdoor and lifestyle articles to a number of publications. Mike Shields will hold a pre -conference training course on Terrain Dynamics on April 16-17. This will include a field day at Russian Jack Springs Park. 2