Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is another one of those things that seems common in Alaska, but not anywhere else. I know there are dog sledders in other northern states; Maine, New York, Wisconsin, Montana, Minnesota and Canada and of course, in the northern European countries. But Alaska is home to The Iditarod, which starts on Saturday, March 7.

The World Championship Sled Dog Races start tomorrow. It is part of multiple Fur Rondevous events. Anchorage is the host city for Fur Rondy and includes the Rondy Grand Prix (a car race on ice), pancake feed, the Miners and Trappers Ball, sled dog racing, a fur auction, parade, carnival, arts and crafts, exhibitions, and many other activities. Fur Rondy runs for 10 days.

I drove out to the Tozier Dog Track on my lunch break and caught a musher getting his dogs out on the trail for a little practice. Here he is hooking up his first two dogs. (please notice that not all Alaskan dogs are spoiled and fat like my three.)

The dog trucks are another common sight up here. Down in the lower 48 you see horse and cattle trailers. We see dog trucks. A whole team can be bedded down on straw, each in their own cozy little cabin with window.

Now he is hooking up the rest of the team. The dogs were yipping and howling with excitement.

What's going on back there? Hurry up!

Hooking up the last dog. And they're off! Of course I didn't catch that action shot as my camera chose that second to close it's lens because I had it open too long. Oh well, there will be more dog races.