Dogsledding in Wisconsin, 2005!

Carlyn and Dick had a fantastic trip to northern Wisconsin in March 2005. This was in the area around the Apostle Islands, around the little towns of Bayfield and Cornucopia. Dogsledding was the primary excuse, and here you can see what was happening at Wolfsong Adventures .

The Dogs

• Before people arrive, the dogs wait quietly. They have been brought out of the kennel enclosure in preparation for a run; normally they aren't on these short chains.
• As soon as we started toward them, the dogs perked up and began to take notice.
• Carlyn is greeted by one of the 39 friendly dogs at Wolfsong.
• Guide Max, Carlyn, and owner John Thiele introducing the dogs.
• Meeting Koko.
• An affectionate canine.
• The dogs are all Siberian Huskies. We were surprised by the wide variety of colorings, and especially by these gorgeous, mysterious silver-white eyes!
• Another silver-eyed beauty.
• A different coloring.
• Gonzo is 14, but still loves to run. He was as eager and boisterous as any of the younger dogs when he was hitched to the sled!
• Three of the youngest dogs, about a year and a half old. John calls them 'puppies.' Earl Grey is on the right, part of a litter with tea names. He's the most vocal of all the dogs, and has earned the nickname "Constant Comment!"
• The more mature dogs (most of these are around 8 years old, I believe) tend to be more patient.
• Dick gets a face-licking greeting from one of the dogs.

Getting the dogs ready for a run

• Carlyn moves Koko to the truck for loading. These dogs are so strong, you have to hold them up on their hind legs or they'll pull you right off your feet! Just ask Dick.
• John and Carlyn pose with Koko.
• Lifting Koko into her box on the truck. The dogs weigh about 50 pounds each, but they help get themselves loaded, because they know it brings them closer to running!
• Dick harnesses Gonzo. One, two, three, Oops!
• Nearly ready to start. Koko is in the foreground, Carlyn is holding her first-day lead dogs Suki and Minnie (full name Petite Filet Mignon). The middle dog is Lightning(?), and at the back are BB and Simon.
• Carlyn's second-day team, Lutefisk (Lutie) and Lefse as lead dogs, someone in the middle, and Krumkakke (Krummy) and Sondbakkle (Sonny) at the back.
• Dick with his second-day team. I wish I had thought to photograph each day's team lists; John keeps a magnetic board with all the dogs names laid out in the various teams.

On the trail!

• Carlyn was brave (or foolish!) enough to take some photos from her moving sled. It was a beautiful ride on narrow trails through the woods. Just a light snow falling.
• Another view from the trail.
• Carlyn is getting closer to John's sled. John, the guide, was in front, Carlyn in the midlde, and Dick brought up the rear.
• Dick and his team on the trail, taken during a momentary stop.
• Dick and his team in motion.
• We sat out on a frozen lake for lunch. The snow was several feet deep on top of the ice, so we were able to stomp out a sunken area for our feet!
• John and Dick at lunch on the lake.
• Carlyn on her sled, Krummy and Sonnie in the foreground.
• Carlyn and Dick at the end of the second day's run. You can see Carlyn in the correct riding stance on the sled, feet on the runners, hands on the handlebar. In between the runners is the rubber-tread drag and the metal brake; the snow hook is at the right side of the sled in its own quick-release pouch. Behind Dick in the snow, you can see the snow hook for the neighboring sled. The cross bar that you can see above ground is what you stomp on to drive the double hooks into the hard-pack snow.

Check back for more trip pictures, including a nighttime dogsled trip and the Lake Superior ice road!

Last updated 3/05. Copyright 2003-5 by Carlyn G. Morenus. Questions? Send email to cgmoren@yahoo.com