Disempowered somewhat by a cold, I decided to skip today’s run and opted instead for a hike to see some sheep. Proper wild sheep with cool horns.
The tiny white speck down there is the campervan. The even tinier yellow speck (zoom in required) is Darren on his run
Cool sheep
Pretty spring wildflowers. Shame about the foot.
Darren informed me of a nearby wooden shack where I could get a decent photo from. I innocently sauntered over, boldly approaching the door, only to walk straight into a life size native woman staring blankly at a computer. Actually just a figure of a woman, but a prominent one at that, what is that all about, scared the life oot of me!
Ooh, did I mention Canadian crisps? Yes, I admit I’m a crisp addict, with crisp fetishes of insane proportions. OK, maybe I just like crisps. Proper crisps though, of the type dismally, woefully unavailable in the US. Turns out that the Canadians may have learned a thing or two from the old British establishment: decent salt and vinegar crisps! I made sure to stock up before we left Canada for the last time (grabbing packets by the handful, mumbling some excuse about using up the Canadian currency).
So, having stopped in the middle of nowhere near Destruction Bay, at a supposed ‘closed’ campground, we were surprised to hear another truck rock up. It was pulling an unusual trailer, but we barely gave it a second glance as it continued to the far end of the campground. It was only when we heard some strange shrieking, yipping, and yapping that our ears perked up. Suddenly, our inner detective to find someone ignited. We went out to investigate… only to gate crash the Grand Husky Relocation Roadtrip. The dogs had just finished their winter season pulling sleds around Fairbanks, and were en route to the Mendenhall Glacier for the summer season, to do more sled pulling and tourist photos for the cruise ship passengers.
The dogs were open to a bit of random human interaction and patting from us, although truth be told, they were more interested in their food and water. And posing for photos wasn’t really happening. It was a real palaver – an exercise in control, organization, and patience – as they were taken out of their traveling ‘kennels’ and hitched to a long line strung across between the trees. Each one had to be released individually, and then tied just close enough to the next dog to have a good sniff, but far enough apart to avoid excess antagonization. Fascinating to watch. What was even more amazing was that there were about 40 dogs… and just one woman with them. Very impressive. I couldn’t help imagining the potential mayhem if anything went wrong. Luckily for her, and for us, nothing did go wrong. Fed and watered, the dogs were off on their way, and we were left in peace and quiet – the silence all the more cherished after the husky mayhem.