Alaska
If given the opportunity to visit Alaska, go! It blew me away! One of the highlights of the trip was taking a helicopter glazier tour. It could have been so cold up there, but we got lucky with unconditionally warm weather. We didn’t even need a jacket. I didn’t expect to see such a magnificent color of blue water when we landed. And as if it couldn’t get any cooler, we were allowed to taste a sip of the glazier water. Cold, clean, and crisp, like no other water I’ve drunk.
Another highlight was taking a helicopter to a dog sledding camp. Now, let me just put this out there. I’m a dog person. I didn’t grow up that way. I actually grew up having cats, lots of cats, not all at once, just many who had very short life spans. You see, I grew up in the country in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and we lived very close to a major road. Cat gets out. Cat tries to cross the road. Cat doesn’t make it to the other side. Sorry, tangent, BIG tangent. Let me pull myself back into focus. Fast forward to life with me and Kurt. Well, Kurt grew up with dogs, his whole life. He had been telling me we needed to get one the whole time we were engaged and married, “We need a dog. We need a dog, and we need to get one before we have a baby.” I thought he was crazy, but I finally caved, and we ended up getting Ranger, our Wheaten Terrier, when I was pregnant. Even though Kurt was the one who wanted a dog, guess who’s dog Ranger is? Mine. Yup, that’s right, we’re inseparable. He stole my heart, and I’ve never looked back. He is the coolest creature I’ve ever known. So visiting this dog sledding camp was one of the coolest dog experiences I’ve ever had. And I would encourage any dog lover to give yourself the same treat if you’re ever anywhere that you can. At first, when we landed at the camp, I felt bad for the dogs. I saw all their little houses, and they were out in the cold snow. I quickly jumped to wondering if this was humane. Then we met the mushers and staff who work and care for the pups. Then we met the pups themselves. My heart was quickly filled with warmth, because it was obvious how well they were loved and cared for. Not one dog’s tail was not wagging. They’re born to run sleds and love doing it. They’re trained, and there’s a strategy. Big dogs, called “wheel” dogs, are in the back, closest to the sled. They’re the biggest and strongest and the first to take on most of the weight of the sled. Then you have the “team” dogs. They’re the team’s brawn, pulling the sled and maintaining speed. Up from them you have the “ swing” or “point” dogs. Their main task is helping steer the team around corners. And last but not least, and considered the smartest of the team, is the “lead” dog. This is perhaps the most critical part of the team, because they’re the ones listening to the musher’s commands, setting pace, and keeping the other dogs on the trail. I learned so much on this excursion. We also got to play with some puppies that were recently born at the camp. I didn’t take many photos of food on this trip, I think, because I was blissfully lost in Alaska’s scenery. I have to reiterate what an amazing part of our country it is. If you ever get the chance to go, don’t hesitate, and get yourself on a dog sledding tour.
