A Day of Mushing

Awoke this morning in front of the cast iron cook stove.  The heat warming my feet brings a smile to my face.  I'm on vacation.  Looking out the window as the day becomes light, sipping coffee and watching the snow fall.  It couldn't be more perfect.  I am on road trip with a friend to learn about mushing.  We have a light breakfast (we called this first breakfast) and then out to feed the dogs.  Thirty six dogs in total barking and circling for food.  After feeding and meeting each dog we head back inside for warmth and second breakfast.  I hearty egg, sausage and stuffing bake.  Fantastic.  I will at it to my repertoire.

After breakfast we head out on the snow machine to break trail for the dogs.  I typically would call this machine a snowmobile, however when you are in the Upper Peninsula the size of snowmobiles dwarfs anything I have every seen.  Breaking trail proved difficult with the deep powdery snow.  At one point I needed to get off the machine and sank up to my butt in the stuff.  Once trail was broke we headed in to get geared up.

Layers and layers of warm clothing.  Then out for a thorough lesson of the sled and the dogs.  As the harnesses are brought out so was the excitement of the dogs.  Once the dogs are set we are off.  One snow machine in front, two teams of five dogs, and 1 snow machine behind.  I'm on the sweep for the first eight miles.  Watching the teams of dogs run was fun.  The sun would break through for moments at a time.  Feeling the warmth on my face was fantastic.  The reflections and shadows made the trail look amazing.  Then it was my turn to get on the sled.  The dogs took off. The gentle rocking of the sled, the power of the dogs and the wind on my face felt incredible. I couldn't stop grinning.  The dogs had gone 8 miles in pretty deep snow and had been working hard.  They now were at a nice trot helping me learn how to corner and get the feel of the sled.  The snow is deep and slows the team further.  It is fun watching the dogs interact with each other.  The subtle reprimand when a teammate is not pulling with the others.  Not much for me to say or do but keep my balance and encourage them.

Then we get to the last leg.  The trail is faster.  The dogs pick up the pace excited to return home.  You can feel the change in their running style and the quickness of the trail.  Then we are pulling into the yard, met by chaos of the dogs left behind.  Setting the break and hook I get off the sled and praise each dog.  Several are flopped down in the snow.  We unharness the team and wipe off the snow from the legs and feet.  Then they are rewarded with a treat which they devour in seconds.  A treat well deserved.

Now inside for a quick snack for us and prep of the dogs evening meal.  Feeding is met with another round of excited barking and then bedding dow for the night. It has been a beautiful day and night is no different.  A clear sky full of stars.  Now it is time to warm by the fire and eat a steaming bowl of chili.  A day can't get much better than that.