So I harnessed up my trusty skijoring dogs (er, not really), or rather, the three sisters:
Here's Ms.-can't-contain-her-excitement-Lucy ready to go.
I decided to take Lucy, Gracie and George, since I thought this team would work out well for the first skijor. They're all the same size, small and don't kill themselves pulling. Which means they'll stop when I ask them to, they'll eventually slow down, get bored and flit off the trail, etc, etc. But they're fun little freaks! And... they also like to go as fast as their little legs will take them, which is always fun.
Now, notice the small pieces of GRAVEL!!??? I should have perhaps taken closer notice of those before I left. There was one short section where there was a bit more gravel, as I was soon to find out...
Cut to, oh, about 60 seconds later when my ski caught a piece of that gravel and I landed flat on my arse before I knew it.
Note the dogs and their *concern* for my well-being. That's Lucy looking off into the trees like she sees something more interesting than ME flat on my arse! Then nice thing about these guys is that they don't keep screaming down the trail with me bouncing along behind. They're extremely laid back and merely waited till I got my stuff together, shook the snow out of my pants, and got back on my feet.
And wow! Lookit that river. A few days of -20ish weather and the ice has really started forming. Nice!
It seems to be "Lucy Day" - here she is sticking her tongue out at me:
Gracie looking back, happy as usual. I like running them all side-by-side like this and they really seemed to like it as well. They have a lot of freedom (and less tangles!) without the necklines, so I think I'll try this more often.
When we made it back to the truck, it really felt like we ALL could have done a lot more than the few miles we did. They were looking at me as if to say "huh? That's it?" But I think it's wise to ease into it till I get my "ski legs" back! Gee, I'm getting smart in my old age.
10 comments:
hi my name is Hassan zamani from Iran I am very happy for see your weblog . I love snow and dog . I live in tehran . your photos in web is very beautiful. excusme becuse my english is very bad .my mail is (hassan.zamani@gmail.com).
I am geologist and IT engineer .
Hi Hassan,
Thanks for visiting. Your English sounds just fine!
Stop by anytime, I guarantee there will be LOTS about snow and dogs for the next, oh, FIVE months! :-)
So...
If you've only really gone x-country skiing a few times, and have an adopted retired leader from racing team (14 years old but acts like a puppy), a mutt who loves to pull, and GSP that won't pull at all, can you just throw in a few harnesses (check), skijoring belts (check) and some skis/poles (check), and still make it home without a body cast?
Any thoughts?
Ah Kristi,
I wish I was there: a chance to do ski instruction, first aid, nursing and have a good laugh all at the same time! We'll book tickets for 2009... I've always wanted to drive the Dempster, just maybe not in winter. Stacie, can Whitehorse be the staging ground? My imagination is running wild. Right, back to studying.
Cheers,
Jen
Kristi, I'm not sure (no, I AM sure) that I'm not the one to ask. Today my arm got wrapped up in a line that went UNDER the 4-wheeler tire. Still trying to figure out if I did any damage... but I can type!! My arm is swollen, but I'm pretty sure it's just bruised.
So, yeah Jen, we'd keep you busy!!! Oh, you would have laughed to see me pinned to the tire of the quad today! Haha, good times!! Then you could have assessed my injuries and smacked me in the head for being a moron!
So Kirsti, I've warned you - but I'll still voice my opinion - GO FOR IT!!! But, try and stay somewhere flat with no trees (or other impaleable objects) around - shouldn't be too hard up there? I'd say just try first with the retired 14-yr old. I have a 13-yr old who's like that! Flippin' amazing! But that'll give you the hang of it, while you're still sort of in control. When you start to get that sense of false confidence (which I excel at), go for the 3 dogs. Starting out with 3 dogs is a bit crazy I have to admit.
Jen - of course Whse can serve as your base camp. I've been trying to guilt you into coming up for years!!! You'd love the skijoring thing y'know.
God, having a Nurse Jen and Dr. Leah around - how handy!!
Hey Stacie, Any tips on how I can train my cats to pull me like that? ;)
Sure Jeff, I'm sure it would be a blast with about 20 cats or so. It's just finding those wee little harnesses that's a problem!
OK - tried to skijor last night as we didn't have to help train the team - yay night off! Yoenne took our pet Wilma, who let's face it, is a star... she just charges out there pulling like crazy! Me, I hooked up a retired leader, a 12 year old female (Skinny had just been fed so couldn't take him.), while Yoenne went up the trail, then back down the trail, then up... waiting for me (har har). I got about 200 m (and MAN WAS IT FUN) before my, ahem, lack of technique made poor little Tanna just lie down. That's it, she said. No more of you. So I'm going to have to practise with her a bit. She was scared of the skis and of me being on my arse all the time. I think she'll come around though. Maybe I can hook up two+ dogs when I can actually ski... i'm thinking 2008. Anyway, it was hysterical and I just laughed and laughed.
And FYI, it has snowed every day since early October. Currently, it's snowing.
Alright! And you didn't even break any bones!! Yay. (Jen is saying "did you wear a helmet??!!")
It is a blast eh? I tell ya, once you try it you get addicted big time!
I have to say, can't complain about our snow situation here. Most of the drivers are, but it's been great for skiing! Today, I was able to fly down the side roads here before the stupid snow plows come through. It was awesome!
Argh, Stacie you stole my helmet line. Impalable objects though--yikes--if I had any cash I'd be booking a ticket just from reading that! Don't pull 'em out--sucking chest wound (or should that be fuckin' chest wound). Actually, I want to hang around with the guy and the cats though--maybe I'd get to stitches (and not just from laughing). Shit, I'm late for school. Cheers, Jen
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