Alaskan Sled Dogs
Alaskan Huskies always Ready to Run!
April 21, 2023
Crossing under the timber archway at the entrance to Chena Hot Springs, we were welcomed with a chorus of barking and sporadic howls from the sled dog yard to which I couldn’t resist echoing back.
I had never seen the true power of dogs until Nivaun and I decided to skip another year of watching dots on a screen over the Arctic and go to the Iditarod start ourselves. We went back 4 years in a row to watch the ceremonial start in Anchorage followed by the official restart in Willow. Just seeing the buzz of mushers and dogs preparing for such an epic journey is an amazing experience and then to witness the surge of the teams as they launch themselves down the trail, no end in sight; it is simply mesmerizing.
On this trip, I had hoped we could arrange a sled dog ride somewhere along our route with one of the Iditarod kennels. Being shoulder season, it was unlikely. My heart lept, when I realized we may just have a chance here at the Hot Springs.
The next day at the Activity counter we were advised to head to the dog yard and talk to the mushers, as it was a day-by-day/hour-by-hour decision based on conditions.
We lucked out and were able to secure the last spot for the day, just the two of us on a sled.
We had been warned depending on conditions it can be a very short ride. But from the moment the musher picked up the brake, and the dogs launched themselves from stationary to full forward motion, it didnt matter how short it was going to be - it was so incredible to experience.
As as kid my dream was to be astride a wild horse running free and this was about as close to it as I can imagine. To move with the energy of the natural world is a feeling not to be missed!
What made it even more special is that we were able to run with two of Lance Mackey’s (4 time Iditarod winner) retired dogs. Lance was one of our favorite mushers. His life story is incredible, a demonstration of true love between a musher and his team, check out this link.
