Dog Sledding

 

We had a great time going dog sledding with Pres. and Sis. King and 2 other senior couples (the Smiths and Tracys) on Saturday. We went about 1.5 hours north of Anchorage to Willow. That is where the Iditarod race officially starts in 2 weeks on March 8. The Iditarod is a 1000-mile race from Anchorage to Nome that usually takes about 10 days. Dog mushing in the early 1900's was the only way to get mail, food and supplies to gold and coal miners in west coast Alaska from October to June when the seaports were frozen. Now it is a sport of endurance. If you want to learn more there are some good books and movies about the dogs and Klondike and Arctic life in Alaska. (Call of the Wild, Iron Will, Eight Below, White Fang, Togo and Balto). Because of Covid the race won't go to Nome but be a loop that will start and end in Willow. 

The owner of the tour company used to race the Iditarod but retired 3 years ago and now works as a tour operator. He has a kennel with 57 dogs. They are a mixed breed of 13 different breeds and are called Alaskan Huskies (as opposed to Siberian Huskies). They are retired Iditarod dogs and rescue dogs. They have soft thick coats and are so full of energy! The dogs closest to our sled were the strongest dogs and they were named Nate and Jack. The leader was Bev. In between were Lois, Leonard, Emolette, America and a trainee lead dog that I don't remember its name. I like this picture with Nate and Jack looking opposite directions. That's why we need the lead dog!

It was a COLD day. We were provided jumpsuits to put over our own snow clothes, but our hands and feet still got kind of cold, especially when I took my glove off to take pictures! It was 0 degrees when we started (wind chill 10 below). When we got out running on the frozen lake they thought it was 20 below.  We rode for about 1 hr. The musher of our sled was a 16 year old Native Alaskan named Samuel. He sure loved the dogs. He would always call out "Good Dog, Leonard (or Lois, etc)" and encourage the dogs. When we would stop because the sled in front of us was stopped, the dogs would eat snow for water and then jump around ready to go. They wanted to keep up with the other dogs. I sat in the front, Elder Robinson was on the runners in the back. The musher was in between. When we would go up a hill, Samuel would get off and run alongside to make it easier for the dogs. He was a great musher to the dogs (not every musher would do that). The dogs can run 80-100 miles a day, they eat about 12,000 calories a day and can go about 20 mph. It was really a peaceful ride in the trees, so quiet gliding on the slow. Then the trail would drop off or bank around a curve and I would scream in surprise (like the water slides at Splash Summit). It was an adventure! So. Much. Fun.

Afterwards we had lunch at a small cafe in Willow. The waitress remembered Pres. King from a time he brought some missionaries for lunch  over a month ago. She asked about the missionaries and told us about her nephew who was a missionary in Mexico. She had a good memory but I think newcomers are also memorable. She was very friendly and took a picture for us. 

Pres. King took us to see the Willow Chapel. It was built by the members about 60 years ago when they still had members raise money and build the chapels. It was beautiful woodwork and had a wonderful wood smell. The corners looked stacked like Lincoln logs. We couldn't turn the lights on so the lighting in the chapel was dim. The Primary room was very nice too. The hallway looked like it went on and on like the 3D effect of the reflecting mirrors in the temple. It was a beautiful building!

The Aurora (Northern Lights) were supposed to be really good this past weekend with high solar activity. We decided to go to a popular viewing spot above Anchorage between 11 p.m. and midnight. The parking lot was full, about 100 cars,  and cars circling for spots. It is cold so people don't stay more than 30-40 minutes so we did find a place to park. We hiked about 1/4 mile to the top and saw city lights but no Northern Lights. It was fun to hike in the snow at night like Lisa suggested for her family activity. And we had cocoa in the car after. The picture of Elder Robinson looks scary with that shadow though. The Kings have seen Northern Lights twice in Anchorage in dark, quiet neighborhoods. They described it as a wispy fog-like cloud in the distance that then turns green and wavy. It didn't last long but they were excited to see even a small wisp. We'll keep trying. At least we have some warm coats. We need to have warmer socks, boots and gloves if we stay out more than an hour in Fairbanks. Also our phones don't do very well taking pictures in the dark. We are trying to learn though. Appreciate any suggestions too!

I didn't get any pictures of moose this week even though we see one or two every day. It seems to be more routine and not as noteworthy just seeing a moose. The one thing that does always inspire a picture for me is the sunrise and sunset. I was closing my blinds and saw this sunset out my window. I love how beautiful it is. Moose just aren't as beautiful to me. 

Since it has been a little slower this week I have spent more time walking around the halls of the church, getting steps for my Fitbit and listening to Come Follow Me broadcasts on YouTube. My favorites are Tyler and Taylor on Book of Mormon Central, Follow Him with John Bytheway and Hank Smith, Teaching with Power with Ben Wilcox and Talking Scripture (I don't know the hosts' names). I like how  they make the events from church history relevant to me and challenges we face today. I think part of being on a mission is learning to appreciate scripture and prayer more and feeling the spirit each day.  I am glad there is always something new to learn, experience and understand. 

It was sad to hear of the devastation the cold weather caused in Texas and the South. It looked much worse than Anchorage weather. Plus Alaskans are really good at dealing with cold and snow. Lindsey posted a meme from a friend in Texas that said "I'm done with my 7-day free trial of living in Alaska. I'd like to cancel my subscription now." The cold isn't bad when you are prepared for it. It does still surprise me though to see shorts and hoodies in winter. I love to feel bundled up and warm. 

I hope you all have a warmer and better week, although, with enough snow to help snowpack and water year. Not too much or too little--we want it just right! Happy 10th birthday to Reed on Feb 24. 

We love all of you!

Elder and Sister Robinson