Adventure through Alaska's picturesque landscapes by dogsled
Experience the Thrill of Alaska: A Journey with Paws for Adventure
In the heart of Alaska, a unique adventure unfolds as writer embarks on a dogsled ride with Paws for Adventure, a tour company renowned for its authentic Alaskan dogsledding experiences since 1998.
Nestled in Fairbanks, this company prides itself on maintaining high animal welfare standards and working with professional mushers, including Iditarod finishers. Their mission is to provide a personalized and memorable adventure with their sled dog teams.
The writer's dogsled ride began under the pale orange light of the four o'clock dusk, with a team of beautiful, undaunted dogs - M&M, Swiss, Nyack, Billy, and Themla - leading the way. As the sled moved forward, the writer's role was to slow them down, jumping on a rubber drag pad to manage the speed on steep slopes and tight curves.
The cold Alaskan air was a stark contrast to the writer's usual vacation spots with its diamond-dusted snow and the frozen Chena River. Yet, it was a gift, allowing the writer to enter a hidden world unseen by cars and trucks and most people. The only sound the writer heard was the soft tapping of the dogs' paws on snow.
The dogs, despite the harsh winter conditions, were in high spirits. They disliked the snow anchor and pulled at it, testing its hold. But inside the tent, they were warm, happy, and rosy-cheeked with bellies full of hot food.
The writer travelled 25 miles on the dogsled, thanking each dog along the way for bringing him to camp. The journey was not without its challenges; the writer felt his knees begin to ache after 20 miles, and a freezing wind burned his cheeks, made his eyes water, and left white beads of ice on his beard. But these hardships only added to the adventure.
As the full moon lifted up from the Chena River, the Milky Way painted its own snowy band across the sky. Snow mists eddy across the flats, resembling a thousand horizontal ghosts rushing south. The writer reached his camp, where a wood-burning stove warmed him and the dogs.
Paws for Adventure offers more than just dogsled rides. During the fall (September until snow arrives), they provide fall dog cart tours using wheeled training carts for mushing training runs, allowing a hands-on introduction to mushing with opportunities to interact with puppies. Summer tours are less detailed in their listing but may include similar hands-on activities with the dogs.
The writer realised he was not just participating in a dogsled ride, but actually vacationing. He expressed gratitude for the experience, feeling a sense of appreciation for the dogs and the Alaskan wilderness. As he carried bottled water in a frozen state in his parka, he knew this was a vacation unlike any other.
For more information about Paws for Adventure and their tours, visit their official website here.
[1] Paws for Adventure. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pawsforadventure.com/ [4] Paws for Adventure. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g52258-d1715910-Reviews-Paws_for_Adventure-Fairbanks_Alaska.html
- Whether you're seeking an extraordinary adventure or a unique experience of outdoor-living, Paws for Adventure in Alaska is the perfect destination for your lifestyle.
- Embrace the essence of adventure travel by joining a fall dog cart tour with Paws for Adventure and immerse yourself in the joy of mushing and interacting with adorable puppies.
- If you're dreaming of an escapade that combines travel, adventure, and home-and-garden, look no further than the heartwarming dogsled ride offered by Paws for Adventure.
- Don't miss the opportunity to walk on the frozen path less traveled with Paws for Adventure and embark on a dogsled ride through the beautiful forests of Alaska, promising an unforgettable encounter with the wilderness.
