Adventuring with dogs and sleds.

Alaska is quite possibly the most beautiful place in the northern hemisphere. At least the parts that I've seen. Regardless of the fact that it's freezing cold, being outside is just amazing. This trip I had two goals: a) see a moose b) go dog sledding

I saw no moose, but I did go dog sledding. 

Planning ahead, I dragged Friend S along for the ride. After searching for a company, we found an amazing woman who had a small team of dogs that was willing to take us out for an hour. She was so fantastic and incredibly friendly. You could tell that she loved her dogs and took good care of them. 

Before we went on the sled, we were given a lot of clothes to wear. Friend S and I clearly had no idea how to dress ourselves and by the end of our schooling we looked like tiny gnomes. Cute, tiny gnomes. We were given a safety chat and told the potential hazards of going out in -30 weather. (PSA: there are a lot of scary things that can happen to humans in negative degree weather) After Friend S and I got over the fear of frost bite and the potential of losing our noses and chins, we had a really good time. 

We had a team of 10 dogs. How they pulled three people, I have no idea. The trail was just gorgeous. It was sunny and the light glimmered off the snow. The dogs were going so fast, filling our faces with cold air. it was so serene and peaceful. 

I love being in the midst of god's creation.

At one point, we had a bit of a crash. It was like in Cool Runnings, when the bobsled flipped over and their heads were bouncing on the track. The sled fell over, and we were dragged for a few feet. We got out of the sled...and the dogs took off. Our guide took off after them.

I looked over at Friend S and we burst out laughing...and then, being my mother's daughter, I immediately thought: well crap. This is the beginning of a Lifetime movie. Two city girls, lost in the Alaskan wilderness, chances of survival are meek. They have to eat bugs and build igloos for warmth. 

Thankfully, the guide came back with the dogs before the made for TV movie plot could thicken. 

It took a bit of time to get everything back in order, but eventually we were on our way again. 

All in all, we went about 8 miles. Partially on the Iditarod trail. I've never been so cold. 

but as Elsa says....the cold don't bother me anyway...