Wile, a White Isabella Siberian, takes a break after his last sled run. Photos by Kevin J. Henley.
By Amy A. Winnemore
awinnemore@gmail.com
With their ears at attention, I slowly lift my foot off the break and quickly balance on my sled’s two runners/skis as a team of eight Siberian and Alaskan huskies race down the snow-covered trail.
About a two-hour drive from the Delaware Valley is the historic Inn at Pocono Manor. All the snow this winter has only added to the outdoor entertainment at the Inn, which features ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, sleigh and horseback rides as well as the Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours.
While many might think dog sledding only happens at the Iditarod in Alaska, if there’s at least 4-6-inches of snow on the ground and it’s colder than 40 degrees, then these dogs are ready to run. Sled dogs have long been known for their work ethic. About 150 sled dogs and 20 mushers took part in the 1925 Great Race of Mercy, where they relayed diphtheria antitoxin 674 miles across Alaska in five and a half days, saving the small city of Nome and the surrounding communities from an epidemic. The International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) and the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) are even working toward gaining Olympic recognition for mushing, which is the state sport of Alaska.
Of the 22 dogs who live with the couple, some were adopted as puppies, others have been given to them by rescues and shelters while still others were brought to their door by owners wanting to give their dog a better life. Several of the dogs, Pica, BB and King, were abandoned by their owner, along with 100 other huskies outside of Montreal, Canada. After they were rescued, Eric and Susi adopted them from the Washington Area Rescue League.
“Certain teams are together because they get along with each other,” says Susi.
The dog team members are given titles according to their position in the team relative to the sled. These include leaders or lead dogs, swing dogs, team dogs, and wheelers or wheel dogs. Lead dogs steer the rest of the team and set the pace. Swing dogs are directly behind the leader. They swing the rest of the team behind them in turns or curves on the trail. Team dogs are those between the wheelers and the swing dogs, and add power to the team. Wheel dogs are those nearest the sled and musher, and a good wheeler must have a relatively calm temperament so as not to be startled by the sled moving just behind it.
All the dogs are named after places or things in Arizona.
"We did that just to be different and not have the expected Husky names like Denali, Tundra, Snow, etc.,” explains March.
Guest take turns mushing (riding on the back of the sled and driving the team of dogs) or sitting in the basket of the sled as a passenger. Two guests are on the sled at one time. One person is mushing (driving) the other sitting in the basket. Other guests ride along on a sled pulled by snowmobiles.
With one of the handlers, Angelina, driving our snowmobile we head off after the first musher. Charging our way up the hills, the snow is a bit sparse until we pass the trails and reach the snowy open space on the Inn at Pocono Manor’s golf course. After each musher stops the sled, the dogs stop and roll around in the snow to cool off.
With the sun slowly setting on the horizon, I take my turn to mush. Feeling a little nervous, I hold onto the sled as the dogs swiftly race down the trail. They know the course and all I have to do is enjoy the ride. Afterwards, I pet them all and tell them what a great job they did today. It’s a great way to enjoy the cold outdoors, spend time with animals and check off another item on my Bucket List.
If you go: Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours costs $60 per person ages 11-years-old and up and is $35 for those ages 5-10-years-old. Children under four are not permitted. Visitwww.arcticpawsdogsledtours.com or call 570-216-2551. For more information on the Inn at Pocono Manor visit www.poconomanor.com or call 570-839-7111
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