Iditarod History and Overview of The Last Great Race

Iditarod History and Overview of The Last Great Race Each year in March, men, women, and dogs from around the world converge on the state of Alaska to take part in what has become known as the Last Great Race on the planet. This race is, of course, the Iditarod and though it doesnt have a long official history as a sporting event, dog sledding does have a long history in Alaska. Today the race has become a popular event for many people throughout the world. Iditarod History The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially started in 1973, but the trail itself and the use of dog teams as a mode of transportation has a long and storied past. In the 1920s for example, newly arrived settlers looking for gold used dog teams in the winter to travel along the historic Iditarod Trail and into the gold fields. In 1925, the same Iditarod Trail was used to move medicine from Nenana to Nome after an outbreak of diphtheria threatened the lives of nearly everyone in the small, remote Alaskan town. The journey was nearly 700 miles (1,127 km) through incredibly harsh terrain but showed how reliable and strong dog teams were. Dogs were also used to deliver mail and carry other supplies to the many isolated areas of Alaska during this time and many years later. Throughout the years, however, technological advances led to the replacement of sled dog teams by airplanes in some cases and finally, snowmobiles. In an effort to recognize the long history and tradition of dog sledding in Alaska, Dorothy G. Page, chairman of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial helped set up a short race on the Iditarod Trail in 1967 with musher Joe Redington, Sr. to celebrate Alaskas Centennial Year. The success of that race led to another one in 1969 and the development of the longer Iditarod that is famous today. The original goal of the race was for it to end in Iditarod, an Alaskan ghost town, but after the United States Army reopened that area for its own use, it was decided that the race would go all the way to Nome, making the final race approximately 1,000 miles (1,610 km) long. How the Race Works Today Since 1983, the race has ceremonially started from downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday in March. Starting at 10 a.m. Alaska time, teams leave in two-minute intervals and ride for a short distance. The dogs are then taken home for the rest of the day to prepare for the actual race. After a nights rest, the teams then leave for their official start from Wasilla, about 40 miles (65 km) north of Anchorage the next day. Today, the route of the race follows two trails. In odd years the southern one is used and in even years they run on the northern one. Both, however, have the same starting point and diverge approximately 444 miles (715 km) from there. They join each other again about 441 miles (710 km) from Nome, giving them the same ending point as well. The development of two trails was done in order to reduce the impact that the race and its fans have on the towns along its length. The mushers (dog sled drivers) have 26 checkpoints on the northern route and 27 on the southern. These are areas where they can stop to rest both themselves and their dogs, eat, sometimes communicate with family, and get the health of their dogs checked, which is the main priority. The only mandatory rest time however usually consists of one 24-hour stop and two eight hour stops during the nine- to twelve-day race. When the race is over, the different teams split a pot that is now approximately $875,000. Whoever finishes first is awarded the most and each successive team to come in after that receives a little less. Those finishing after 31st place, however, get about $1,049 each. The Dogs Originally, sled dogs were Alaskan Malamutes, but over the years, the dogs have been crossbred for speed and endurance in the harsh climate, the length of the races they participate in and the other work they are trained to do. These dogs are usually called Alaskan Huskies, not to be confused with Siberian Huskies, and are what most mushers prefer. Each dog team is made up of twelve to sixteen dogs and the smartest and fastest dogs are picked to be the lead dogs, running in the front of the pack. Those who are capable of moving the team around curves are the swing dogs and they run behind the lead dogs. The largest and strongest dogs then run in the back, closest to the sled and are called the wheel dogs. Before embarking on the Iditarod trail, mushers train their dogs in late summer and fall using wheeled carts and all-terrain vehicles when there is no snow. The training is then the most intense between November and March. Once they are on the trail, mushers put the dogs on a strict diet and keep a veterinary diary to monitor their health. If needed, there are also veterinarians at the checkpoints and dog-drop sites where sick or injured dogs can be transported for medical care. Most of the teams also go through a large amount of gear to protect the dogs health and they usually spend anywhere from $10,000-80,000 per year on gear such as booties, food, and veterinary care during training and the race itself. Despite these high costs along with the hazards of the race such as harsh weather and terrain, stress, and sometimes loneliness on the trail, mushers and their dogs still enjoy participating in the Iditarod and fans from around the world continue to tune in or actually visit portions of the trail in large numbers to partake in the action and drama that is all part of The Last Great Race.

Project finance of power plant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Project finance of power plant - Essay Example Emerging markets have also employed the concept3. For instance, a company may want to undertake some oil exploration and extraction. The process is very expensive. The company may convince several sources to finance its project, with an agreement that upon finding the oil and extracting it, they will have a share of the proceeds. Repayment is therefore based on the success of the project and the future cash flow determines the amounts each source gets4. The principal participants project financing transaction include both national and international banks; national and international sponsors; government banks; capital markets; amongst others. The company seeking financing for the project will usually formulate a proposal that it presents to the various participants. Based on the strength of the project proposal, the company will get the funding subject to repayment terms. The terms are not fixed. They depend on the bargaining power of each of the contracting party5. The risk factor in such an arrangement is evident. The creditors lend the company undertaking the project the money not having a clear picture of whether or not they will get repaid6. They undertake a risk analysis that informs their decision to come aboard. We shall look at project financing, how it works, the risk involved and how lawyers go about addressing the risk issues and cushioning their clients from loss as much as possible. Given the complexity of a project financing transaction, the number of players involved and their nature and the amount of money invested, the risk is very high. There is need to effectively manage the risk to ensure every party is cushioned from possible losses that may arise as a result of an unforeseen circumstance. Heinz-Peter Berg provides a 7 steps risk management procedure.7 Establishing goals and context: In this step, the environment of the project is reviewed to

Strolling along the Narrow Paths into the Deep Forest Essay

Strolling along the Narrow Paths into the Deep Forest - Essay Example A soft waft of air tickles the leaves above creating a flip-flopping light underground – something romantically perfect for couples. Going to the forest is one of the best voyages in life to take. God indeed loves humanity as it manifests through the perfect beauty of the nature surrounding us. I can remember one sunny and blissful morning when I decided to take a trip to an outskirt nearby. Half a kilometer away, I could tell that one blissful reunion would take place later that day. Because I am a forest addict, I had the cheek to go there all by myself. Just like what most forest goers encounter, I had my share of stern tests. Before getting to the heart of the timberland, I knew that I had to go through tough challenges. Nevertheless, these challenges would not tarnish attitude towards this place since the way I feel while am at this place outweighs the few challenges I have to encounter. Therefore, no matter how many challenges I would encounter, it enhances my confidence and attitude towards the place; thus, giving me a good reason why I will always consider it the best place I can be in the world. Finally, I arrived at the doorstep of the jungle, and the first thing I saw was a cohort of vibrant buds bowing their heads down to welcome me, and although quite silly, I felt, as I was treated royally. As I hovered above my head, I could see the wild vines meshing up with each other to form a lovely wild curtain; I could also hear the birds chirping tones in mirth. It gave the impression as if they were chanting out in harmony to serenade me. I stared down and saw my leather booths muddled up with some thick mud clinging around them, but I knew the sludge was not going to stay there for long as the spiky fingers of the rye were ready to wipe them out. When I finally took several steps inward, it seemed as time has traveled so fast that day. In fact, the surroundings turned rather gloomy, although everything  was still in sight. This reminded me that and that I would finally leave and get back to the normal life.  

Journal Writing Essay Example for Free

Journal Writing Essay Week 1 – Reflective Journal This was my first day in class for the unit Co Ordinate the Work Environment. Amongst the class mates each one introduced the self to others, and Adrian as a teacher for the unit introduced himself to all of us. Today’s lecture was based on housekeeping and overview of unit outline. I learned about different ways to contribute and practise effective workplace practises. I also learned about different leadership styles. I felt good throughout the class as I was an active participant in all topics. I felt good about taking on the knowledge about learning and sustaining workplace ethics and self morale. I believe that this knowledge will help during my job times. Week 2 – Reflective Journal In today’s session I learned about developing and implementing work plans. The idea behind is to integrate into and build a healthy, trustworthy and reliable relationship with colleagues. I listened the whole session carefully, gave my opinion at right time and respected to the opinion shared by other students. I also learned about how at a workplace we can maximise the performance and outcomes and yes how can i forget the amazing organisational theories, boring but important. I took proper notes throughout the session and kept myself attentive till the end. Week 3 – Reflective journal In this week’s class I learned about implementing various strategies to ensure that the communication in a workplace is effective. I think the information was very necessary to develop my own level of understanding of initiating and sustaining a healthy communication amongst colleagues. I also learned about different ways of resolving the conflicts at the workplace if and when they arise. I personally would always be proactive about it however at any times if i do face any such conflicts then the knowledge that I received today will help a lot. Week 4 – Reflective Journal This week Adrian told us about workplace environment in regards of the resistance, different ways to deal with it and how we can bring a change in an organisation. I think this week’s session was very important from the academic perspective but also will help me in future in my carrier. I was active throughout the session. We also talked about the decision making process that takes place in everywhere and i felt good about that how important all this info was. Week 5 – Reflective Journal This week’s class was the interesting one because i learned about how important it is to always add on to our existing skills and knowledge by undertaking various training workshops related to same work. It was good to learn that taking such training lessons keeps us synchronised with the latest in the world and that these should not be neglected. Then we were also taught about different ways how we can monitor our own progress and appraisals. I felt this week’s session was very important and the knowledge delivered will help me in future. Week 6 – Reflective Journal This week was an important time in class as i had my first assignment for this unit due. The assignment was to make a report on the overview of any organisation related with the same sector. While making the assignment and reflecting on various areas of the organisation i realised that it included mostly a lot of things that we covered in class and i was glad because i already had them in my mind and my notes.

College Essay examples -- Teaching Education

College Every person who begins a college career has a multitude of reasons for doing so. Some people do it because they are expected to get a college degree. Others do it hoping for a better life than they could have without a college degree. I am not entering college for either of these reasons. I am a high school dropout who believes I can do better than I did. Therefore, my reasons for beginning college are some what different than the average person starting college for the first time. I have something to prove to myself. I want to prove that I can earn a college degree. I am beginning college after a long hiatus from the academic world. You see I dropped out of high school in 1973 after completing my sophomore year. I was young and in love with the man to whom I am still married. School was never a problem for me, however; I was eager to begin my adult life and high school was not part of my plan. I wanted children right away. Subsequently I gave birth to my first child, Tosha, in 1974 and education became the furthest thing from my mind. After all, I had a baby to care for and love. Twenty-two months later I had a son, Jason. I was a stay at home mom with two children. I didn’t begin work until both of them were school-aged. I held various jobs until 1985 when I became employed at Andover Togs in Pisgah. I still had not completed my high school education at this point. My children had always me to get my GED. I had excuse after excuse for no...

HSC Speeches Essay Essay

â€Å"Great speeches do not merely address a contextual purpose; they also touch the hearts and minds of those who hear them†. Evaluate to what extent the statement above supports your understanding of the speeches set for study in Module B: Critical Study of Texts. Words in their most basic forms are just unintelligible sounds. Yet with the combination of emotion and verve, only then do they become meaningful. Words which not only combine emotions but also contextual misunderstandings and inequity are a recipe for the invoking of spirit. Words are the key to communication, a commonality throughout each culture, nation and religion. Though the sounds they create are different, the true intertwined emotion and feeling behind these words weave a tapestry of both global disunion and union. Words are not restricted to a language or a sound, they are infinite in there meaning and purpose. Nevertheless this doesn’t change what it invokes in the people who either hear or read it. Rather it inspires them. Contrary the popular belief, feminism is a first world idea. Margaret Atwood, a lifelong feminist, born in Canada, a country who gives females the same opportunities as men, is the epitome of a first world woman. It almost appears she is the antithesis of her global sister Aung Sun Suu Kyi. A woman, born in Burma, raised by political activists and placed under house arrest for 6 years for her movements towards equity. The importance of their upbringing though makes a resounding impact upon the audience, since their points are identical. Though they may be in different stages, the end goals are one. This display of unity spanning across nations, cultures and time creates a timeless foundation for the solidarity of women. The power of a nation and society on any individual no matter the gender has insurmountable influence upon the youth. Atwood’s ‘Spotty Handed Villainesses’ is a speech written to inspire women that it’s okay not ‘to be good all the time.’ Why should women be depicted as one dimensional characters, why is there a seemingly an innate fear amongst authors to give a female character a legitimate personality, flaws and all? She encourages readers to look past stereotypes by addressing their almost inbred mental fears. For the bad behaviour of women have no shades of grey. It is black and it is white and the lines are clearly drawn. Lest we forget when a women â€Å"was good she was very good and when she was bad she was horrid.† This tenor is also present within Suu Kyi’s speech ‘Keynote Address at the Beijing World Conference on Women’, the notion of women constantly  having to justify their own existence. These stereot ypes, nursed into infants until their adulthood reflects this symbolism awakens a sense of epiphany within the audience. The traditional belief that the patriarchal paradigm is the reason for life and the justification of living, with the instilled belief that â€Å"the dawn rises only when the rooster crows.† Atwood & Suu Kyi’s words strike us, for they have found our commonality, our youth. The commonality of folk tales, which were supposedly told to enforce morals and values to us, instead enforced boundaries. These boundaries which we were too young to understand or even acknowledge solidified the link between us. These boundaries hinder the true identity of women and their position in society, For isn’t the sole idea, a commonality between all women? The contextual purpose is addressing the notion of why women cannot monopolise the â€Å"true traits† of men; for they are men and men alones traits. Yet to give these identical traits to a woman, spells her immediate downfall. Why cannot women stand on their own two god given feet, and be recognised without representing th e traits of their male counterparts. This lone concept is the link, which encourages a movement within the hearts and minds of the readers, the movement to not become a stereotype. Though both speeches address the commonality of inequity, their words emanate and establish an emotion and bond meant to reach inside an individual and shock them. Their meaning rises above the words they choose to address the concept; thus manifesting in the readers psyche. The truth of the matter is that we are all spotted. Like the wicked lady Macbeth, though these spots cannot be seen, they are â€Å"indelible†. They shall never be removed, yet though they are there it doesn’t mean they should be given the power to determine a life. To be spotted isn’t ‘bad’; to be spotted is being real, and this stigma around female characters, that they are somehow more realistic than real women, the readers, is a detrimental mistake. These very stereotypes are found in every novel, article and song we either read or listen to. Whether knowingly or not women have been subordinated in their source of comfort, at their most vulnerable. Women have â€Å"no sole protector†, they are on their own and it’s time for them to recognise this and stand up for themselves, no matter their circumstance. Society is the downfall of equity and an encumbrance to the rise of feminism across the globe. These are the strength of Atwood’s and Suu Kyi’s words. These are the words that  inspire and touch the minds and hearts of those who hear them. They have grasped a contextual issue faced in both countries; female inequity, and created a movement amongst complete strangers across the globe. They have done this though creating a bond with the readers by their words. They are meant to be personified and expanded. This is why they earned the title of being a great speech.

President Andrew Jackson - 1541 Words

In regards to the overall effect a single president has had in the course of US history, President Andrew Jackson should be taken into consideration. Though his morals and personality have long been critiqued and scrutinized, Jackson’s presidency had an indisputable effect upon the power of the president as an individual. Jackson’s profound influence upon the office of presidency was exemplified within his fiscal, social, and political interventions in American politics during the mid nineteenth century. President Andrew Jackson changed the office of presidency through his continuous actions, which served to diminish the power of the federal government thus increasing both his political and economic agendas. The economic policies Jackson enacted demonstrated his distrust of both large government and Northeastern power brokers. Due to his hatred for big government, Jackson detested the Bank of the United States. Jackson ensured that the Second Bank of the United States (BUS) failed by vetoing Congress’s attempt to recharter it in †¦.. In addition Jackson also secured its decrepit state by withdrawing federal funds from the bank, which he later would deposit in his â€Å"pet† banks. Although his hatred for the bank invoked controversy there were many that shared his economic beliefs. In Doc 4 this is exemplified as Jackson is portrayed is the hero slaying the hydra-headed monster. The portrayal of the Bank of the United States as a mythological monster reinforces the notion thatShow MoreRelatedAndrew Jackson : Good President845 Words   |  4 PagesPresident Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson helped to provide for a strong protection of popular democracy and individual liberty to the United States. Andrew Jackson known as the people’s president held a strong emotion in the states right’s which advocated to the increase of executive power. President Andrew Jackson was good for his country, because he provided certain decisions that helped form America into a better place than where it was before. President Andrew Jackson showed significant positivesRead MoreBiography of President Andrew Jackson615 Words   |  2 Pageswith the rating of sixth overall that Andrew Jackson received for his presidency. Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and a member of the Democratic Party. Jackson made many positive and negative decisions as the president of the United States. Andrew Jackson expanded the power of the president and he also expanded democracy during his time as the president of the United States. Andrew Jackson has gone down as one of the best presidents in United States history and that’sRead More President Andrew Jackson Essay2140 Words   |  9 PagesPresident AJ Andrew Jackson was born in 1767, and grew up in the border of North and South Carolina. He attended frontier schools and acquired the reputation of being fiery-tempered and willing to fight all comers. He also learned to read, and he was often called on by the community to read aloud the news from the Philadelphia papers. In 1775, with the beginning of the American Revolution, Andrew Jackson, then only 13 years old became an orderly and messenger. He took part in the BattleRead MoreAndrew Jackson Was An Influential President1989 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to Andrew Jackson, â€Å"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes†. Jackson believed that the rich were using their position of power to become wealthy. Jackson’s main goal during his presidency was to shift the power from the rich overpowering leaders to the more common people. He believed that the common people would do a better job at running the government and he wanted the voices of the people to be heard. Jackson was aRead MoreBiography of President Andrew Jackson Essay2828 Words   |  12 PagesAndrew Jackson was one of the most controversial presidents that has governed the United States, both historically and while he was the leader of the country . Like many Americans during the time he was born, Andrew Jackson was born to Scottish and Irish immigrant parents on March 15, 1767. It is unclear for certain which, but Jackson was born in one of the Carolinas, which at the time were British colonies. Jackson was raised as a child of the frontier, and likewise received the type of sporadicRead MoreUS Presidents: Andrew Jackson Essay1694 Words   |  7 PagesAndrew Jackson—our country’s seventh President and a decorated army general—is one of the most controversial figures in American history. Many praise him for his role in bringing about popular democracy and individual rights; however, Jackson’s role in the Indian Removal Act, his extreme racism, and his support for slavery cause many to question his legacy. Jackson’s involvement in the Seminole Wars is particularly disturbing since he not only authorized but actively encouraged the use of force againstRead MorePresident Andrew Jackson : A War Hero1409 Words   |  6 PagesThere have been many arguments made about President Andrew Jackson. A war hero, standing tall and strong, he tried to represented the idea of reform in government and in the American ways. Jackson is often credited to be one of the United States’ greatest presidents, but there are many powerful reasons for doubting that claim. From the beginning, in 1824, Jackson has tried to do what is best for our nation, but evidence like the spoils system, Trail of Tears, and the Bank veto, has shown that inRead MorePresident Andrew Jackson: A Conflict of Interest Essay913 Words   |  4 PagesAndrew Jackson is without doubt one of the most influential, controversial, and scandalous presidents that held the office. His ideas created the Democratic Party. His creation of the Democratic Party escalated tensions in Washington D.C. and across the political landscape. These actions led to the creation of an opposing second party. His extreme policies and loose interpretation of the US Constitution affected expansion, commerce, and politics of the nation domestically as well as in the internationalRead MoreEssay on Was Andrew Jackson a good president966 Words   |  4 PagesWas Andrew Jackson a good president Andrew Jackson was born in a backwoods settlement in the Carolinas in 1776. His parents, Scotch-Irish folk, came to America two years before his birth. His mother was widowed while pregnant with him. At age 13, Andrew joined a regiment. He and his brother were both captured and imprisoned together by the British. Their mother got them released, but his brother died on the long trip home. During his independent days, he lived in a tavern with other studentsRead MoreAndrew Jackson : The Second President Of The United States1580 Words   |  7 PagesAndrew Jackson, more commonly known as the seventh president of the United States, was a symbolic figure of the democratic advances of his time (1767 – 1845). He was also able to strengthen the power of presidential office in America. His journey to these accomplishments was not always easy but he was still a strong enough man to make them happen. Andrew Jackson was born March 15, 1767, in a settlement called Waxhaw. This settlement was made up of Scotch-Irish immigrants and located in along the