Snow Fun (Part Two)

Have you ever stood on the runners of a sled, icy wind humming past your ears, eight fur-ball muscle machines snatching bites of passing snow as a musher intones “haw! haw!”? After last weekend, we can say “Yes!”

We drove to the forest above Pagosa Springs where a local sled-dog operation was waiting (impatiently with lots of howling and yipping and jumping) to show us the ropes. So much unconcealed excitement!

We were out on the trails for an hour. We learned commands, helped steer and brake, listened to paw-falls and runner slides in the snow while the bluebird sky and bright sun (almost) kept us warm.

Then came snuggles and introductions and more howling and more snuggling. (And a toasty fire with smores and treats and extra malamute loving.)

Tessa’s favorite buddy was Tuck, an Alaskan husky (breed of malamute mixed with hound), and Maggie was partial to Nibbles and Miss Piggy. There was Tank and Havoc and Patty and Rolo and Kimble and 6-month-old puppy Rapid and, like, a dozen more.

And our guides, both awesome ladies, knew all their quirks and foibles and strengths and — miraculously to us — could tell them all apart!

We drove away exhausted, after watching those dogs work so hard, and a voice from the backseat asked, “Can we do it again tomorrow?”