Dog Sledding in Maine

Our last trip has been a real pleasure, like some people would say, "a blast".

We spent 4 days in the "Wilderness", dog sledding and cross-country skiing. We drove up to Maine (6h) to meet the Mahoosuc Guide Service on the Friday night. We then met all the participants around a cup of tea. The Mahoosuc Guide Service provided us with all the gear that we needed for the trip. Everyone trying to find the right pair of (army) shoes, quite comfortable by the way, that was pretty funny. And here we are ready, for the adventure. The next morning after a very nice breakfast at THE only place open in a 50 square miles area, we had the pleasure to meet the dogs. We would take for this trip 3 sleds and 15 dogs. After a good session of tummy petting, we "loaded" the dogs (Or I would rather say the dogs loaded themselves) into the trailer and departed for The adventure.
The first day, we spited in 2 groups, 6 people would mush to the camp meanwhile the 6 others would cross-country ski to the same camp. After the introduction to the basics of driving the sled, and after some apprehensions, so many things to remember, we finally released the beasts. It is nearly like the first time you take the wheel of a car! Anyway, a real blast.
The next quest was for water. We took turns in digging a hole in the foot thick ice of the lake. The first "donut" we made was a little bit to close to the muddy bottom of the lake, and we had to start over a little farther away. First evening by 15 Degrees F ! The tents are quite cozy, little stove to get some heat, a fir bough floor where you crawl onto. A real luxury in the middle of nowhere. We enjoyed a large fire on the side of the frozen lake, that kept us awake for some time before the fatigue of the day took us to our beds.
During the second day we splited the day in two parts, mushing and cross-country skiing. At lunch we had the interesting lesson about how to start a fire with a bow drill. Quite impressive! It actually works...
The evening lesson explained and practiced how to make strings, ropes, from different materials found in the nature. And most people remember the 22 days(not more :-) needed for the wood to separated layers.... Come to a trip and you will understand.
The last day was beautiful, we had a hard time leaving this peaceful place and we did a last Tummy petting to the dogs and everybody returned to the "real life" with the spirit full of beautiful images and full of great moments.

But don't worry, I am sure there will be other trips coming soon...

Ready to leave, everybody is quite excited.	Our first contact with the dogs, the equipment, we are ready, ... Tighten up, Let's go !!!
Quite a peaceful moment after the effort. We enjoy it totally.	"Light as wind" little squaw is making the hole to get water, we are all helping.
Yerk, muddy, all these efforts, let's do an other hole farther away.	Nothing better that a big nice fire to warm all the spirits.
Everyone has his home made bath tub ! Just wait to pour some hot water in it...	Nice fire started with a "bow drill fire" technique.
hush, hush, tighten up, let's go	Inside the tent. All the comfort, stove, wood, pine branches floor. Luxury by 15 degrees F (-7 C).
On our way back, cross country ski, backpack, in a beautiful wild frozen place.	Nature Talk
On the way home...
Everybody is sad, even Barney, it's over, but don't worry, you'll do an other trip soon!	Humm, I think really everybody enjoyed it! Maybe a little bit tired, no? But what a pleasure.