MUSHING!

Get ready to hear about the coolest thing we did in December!

We had the best time driving our own sled dog teams through the Alaska tundra.  We booked tours through sleddogadventures.com.  We met them at a spot along Chena Hot Springs Road right outside North Pole.

First, we got suited up!  We wore our usual ski gear and then added more layers they provided for us. (Interesting to note: My mom has beaver gloves to put over her regular gloves & Jenny's coat has an Alaska Native traditional looking pattern on it - but using modern material of course.)

This was the coldest day of my family's visit (15 below) and when you add wind chill from the sled, that makes it pretty darn cold!

Harnessing up the dogs

Dad greeting his team

The dogs were aching to go!

We oriented ourselves with the sled.  If you look at the back where we stand, there is a metal break and then a rubber track.  When stopped, you need to put all your weight on the break to keep the dogs from running off (there is a hook for if you need to get off).  As you're moving, you can put weight on the track to slow the dogs down.  I had to stand on the track the whole time to keep the dogs from running into the team ahead of me.

We started with a practice run to learn steering and control.  The guide drove the main sled, one person rode in that sled, and then there was a training sled hooked directly behind that.

The beautiful view a musher gets. (Taken by my dad while riding in a sled.)

We headed back to base, took off the training sleds, and hitched everyone to their own dog team with the exception of my mom. (She drove a little on the practice run but then was content to ride for our main run.)  Then, it was time to hit the trail!

Me, having a blast!

 

It took lots of balance but I managed not to fall off!  Everyone else (Chris, my Dad, and Jenny) fell once.  But to be fair, I almost lost it twice.  Those dogs are crazy fast and the trail is NOT smooth, add corners into that, and falls are expected.  The number one rule, however, is DON'T let go of your sled!  The dogs will NOT STOP!

This was about 2 in the afternoon.  The light was beautiful.  We cherish what little light we have here in the winter.

(Dad - green, Jenny - red, and one of our guides)

Chris and I stopped on a frozen lake.

 Rewarding the dogs with frozen fat after a great run!

My Crazy Frozen Eyelashes

My Dad's Fantabulously Wild Frozen Eyebrows!

Dad, Jenny, Me, and my Mom worn out but happy we had such a fun time!