Mush!

I've already shared with you the joy of my winter wonderland getaway. But if you'll indulge me for one more post, it seemed to me that our night time dog-sledding adventure deserved something more.

Have you seen Balto, the animated film depicting the real life sled dog that delivered anti-diphtheria serum over the frozen tundra in hurricane winds at temps of fifty below,helping save the lives of children in Nome, Alaska in 1925? There's even a statue of him in Central Park.

Maybe it was Balto I had in mind when I made our dog-sledding reservations. Starlight, adventure, and speed, followed by a crescendo of inspirational music and a poignant, happy ending.

Alas, I had not factored in the wind-chill factor or the frostbite warning. Not to mention the odor of dog poop.

Did you know that when you are lying in a dog sled at ground level your nose is just about even with the butts of the eight adorable husky dogs on your sled team. Dogs who apparently wait until the sleds are in motion to relieve themselves.

Daughter #1 and I shared a sled, her lying in front. The parts of me she covered would be my last remaining body parts with any sensation.

"Umm-bye!" our musher called. The dogs made a half hearted attempt at moving our sled. Then stopped. "Go dogs, go," she yelled, as they stalled several times on the trail like a car out of gas.

She sounded like an inexperienced parent entreating their toddler to stop dawdling. Say it like you mean it, I silently begged.

The sled carrying First-Born Son and Daughter #2 raced by us. "Umm-bye!" their musher called out in an authoritative voice. Now that's what I'm talking about!

We rounded a curve in the trail and the sled stuck in the snow, dangling precariously at an odd angle. "Do you need us to get out?" we asked, clutching the sides.

"Oh, no." The musher ran forward to move the dogs and pry us loose.

Not a foot above our faces, pine branches laden heavily with snow swayed in the wind. I pulled my hood further down over my head and held my arm over Daughter #1's face, much like I had many times over the years when she was in the front seat of the car with me and I'd stepped on the brake.

But, no matter. The sled loosening jostled the tree and a miniature avalanche landed on us both.

"I'm so cold and tired," Daughter #1 whispered. "I just want to shut my eyes."

"Me too," I replied, "but don't fall asleep."

I didn't have to add, Because we might never wake up; the words hung in the air along with our frozen breath.

We laughed about it later. The inexperienced musher. Our frost-bitten digits. Our big, arctic adventure.

I'm glad we did it. The woods are beautiful at that time of night. Completely still and white. Huge evergreens shimmering with snow, lighting up the trail. Glorious.

No doubt infinitely more so than in the lush green of summer or the fiery blaze of autumn, the only two ways, incidentally, I plan on viewing them in the future for any extended period of time outdoors.

And if there are any dogs around, you can bet I'll make damned sure I'm several feet above the level of their butts.

 

Comments

[Nancy McDonnell]

Sounds like fun even with the avalanche and smell of dog bum.
:-)

However you have now forever changed my romantic view of dog sledding. We like watching the movie 'Snow Dogs' and many times have wished to take a little trek yelling 'Mush'...but now I think I'll pass.

[Jan]

This made me LMAO, because my romantic view of horse-drawn sleigh rides went out the window when we got stuck in a sleigh drawn by a very large, very pregnant, and very flatulent horse.

[LPC]

Ha! Now two of my favorite writers are telling stories about dog sleds. What is going on? See Mon Avis, Mes Amis as well.

[KLM]

OMG, things you never really think or envision when you see those adorable animals on tv! I am sure I will be remembering your post when I watch another show with dog sleds! Great experience none the less.

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

Is it okay if I pretend I went on your adventure so that I don't actually have to do it myself?

[blognut]

How do they run and poop at the same time? Are you serious? Now I gotta know!

Anyway, sounds like a fun time in spite of it all!

[Ocean Girl]

It is soo funny when we're the ones who booked ourselves into the adventure. This will be one shared moment you and your first daughter will remember and talk about for many years to come.

[class factotum]

So even when it's that cold, you can smell their poop?

[~The South Dakota Cowgirl~]

This sounds like a LOT of fun!

[Gretchen]

Okay, I know it was cold and wet and all, but it sounds damned fun to me!!

[Sprite's Keeper]

Just reminds me of every night lately with a farting beagle under our bed and a heater that refuses to believe we actually want it working. :-)

[Picture Imperfect]

LOL... unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes all that much...

[Mama Badger]

Should you ever come visit Jan or I in sunny Cleveland, you can visit the Balto statue in the zoo. I guess the team spent their last days here at our zoo.

I hate it when something sounds so appealing before you really do it. Then the splendor of imagination turns into the reality of cold, wet dogs. Sorry it wasn't all magic.

[Lynn]

Oh Maureen--I'm howling. *Snigger--I just cracked myself up* Discovering the beauty of the animal kingdom and atuning oneself with nature is so much nicer when seen through the eyes of a lense. Or from inside a nice, toasty house. Ah well, if it had gone as smoothly and cozily as planned, it wouldn't be a stand-out memory!

[PLRH]

Despite the dressing in layers, the freezing temps, and the dog butt smell, I would still like to got for a dog sled ride. BUT with an experienced musher and for a very short ride.

[She Writes]

You are one BRAVE woman!! Brave!

[Gropius]

Sounds like an adventure one would not soon forget. How magical. And at least they don't put silly outfits on those dog, like pink sweaters.

[Kristen @ Motherese]

Hilarious!

My husband and older brother had a similar experience on their dog sled ride in Alaska a few years ago. Before their trip, they were bragging about the fun that was in store for them. They were distinctly less boastful after they returned!

[Heather]

I always wondered "How do those dogs keep from getting frostbite on their feet?"

This is unrelated...Hubby just mentioned the issue of his mother's arm flying to his chest every time she had to slow down or stop.

Great long lasting family memories! I'm happy for you!

[SuziCate]

The way you tell this is hilarious. Your daughter and you will have many years of fun intelling and reliving this. I'm sure your new big question if "why do other dogs WANT to sniff each other's butt?"!

[Erin]

Well it seems I'll have to scratch off dog sledding from my bucket list.

[Vincent]

Are you not to stand on a sort of runner thingy shouting Mush while cracking a bull whip by the ears of the slack dogs ?.
They have those things on wheels here. Wheels like they have on those baby strollers that look as if jogging up Kilimanjaro is the usual trot for their owners.

[jessica]

can I just say that if you and I ever go on a vacation together, I'M PICKING the destination.

[Smart Mouth Broad]

Oh no. You've shed a whole new light on the excitement of dog-sledding. Peee-yuuuu! LOL I'm reading backward so I'm off to read about your winter wonderland.

[Constructive Attitude]

Isnt balto also a book? hmm

[kathryn]

Huh. And here, I thought that all that frozen air would freeze those doggie-poops the second they hit the arctic chill. Shows you what I know...and further convinces me that I'm just not cut out for this particular endeavor.

Or any other that involves the possibility of falling asleep and not waking up! (This cracked me up...'cause I was thinking the same thing! As a good mom, you were kind enough not to say it out loud!)

[Casey]

Brrr, I'm cold just thinking about you guys. I've never heard of Balto but I'm going to add it to our Netflix.

I had no idea the dogs pooped while they were running. I should teach my dogs to do the same, they sniff every inch of our damn yard before doing their circles/turn/squat routine. Glad you made it out alive.