It Makes No Never Mind

by James Nalley

At the time of this publication, Mainers will be in the “dead of winter,” with plenty of snow and bitter cold. There are two overall options at this point. First, hide out until the onset of cabin fever drives you crazy, or second, head out into the snow and play. As for the second option, various activities come to mind, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even dogsledding.

Dogsledding, or dog mushing, has been practiced for more than 1,000 years. According to Hurtigruten Expeditions, “The oldest archaeological evidence of this mode of transportation dates back to around 1,000 A.D, when the native and Inuit people in northern Canada used a single dog to pull minimal cargo.” As time passed, dog sledding rapidly spread throughout the continent and the power of multiple dogs became more appealing.

Interestingly, although the dog breeds and sled construction changed, the experience itself has remained the same. As stated by the Maine Office of Tourism, “On the sled, you are inches above the snow as your dog team bolts down wooded trails, across frozen lakes and over snow-covered meadows. Sled dogs are bred to pull and, in well-kept teams, are having as much fun as you are.”

For those interested in trying it out, some outfitters offer short excursions in which you have the choice of driving the sled or riding as a passenger. For example, in the Piscataquis region, there is Maine Dogsledding Adventures (www.mainedogsledding.com). Run by Don and Angel Hibbs, they offer half- and full-day tours from their kennel in Millinocket. After meeting the huskies, they harness up a team and mush 10–12 miles into the surrounding wilderness, with Mt. Katahdin in the distance. According to the owners, “We stop midway and build an open fire, boil water, feed the dogs, etc. Everyone, including kids, can take a turn on the runners driving the sled.” It should be noted that Angel was the first woman to win the Sandwich Notch 60, placing first in 1988 and 1989. More recently, they are three-time winners of Maine’s Can-Am Crown 250-mile race.” Needless to say, you are in good hands.

For those interested in watching dogsled racing, there is the Wilderness Sled Dog Race (www.100milewildernessrace.org). Held annually in February, the teams start and finish at the Leisure Life Resort. There are three categories: a four-dog team race, a 30-mile race, and a 70-mile race. Of course, there is the International CanAm Crown Sled Dog Race (www.canam-crown.net). Held in March each year (except for 2021), it offers three categories: a 30-, 100-, and 250-mile race. The 250 has rapidly gained popularity as the longest sled dog race in the eastern United States.

Well, on this note, let me close with the following jest: An old man is lost in a freezing blizzard. As the snow reaches his ankles, a dog sled arrives. The driver asks, “Need some help?” “No, God will save me,” says the old man. The sled mushes on. When the snow reaches his waist, another dog sled arrives. “Need a lift?” says the driver. “No, God will save me,” says the old man. The sled mushes on. When the snow reaches his neck, he sees another sled. “Need a hand?” asks the driver. “No, God will save me.” The sled mushes on. When the snow envelops him, the old man gets sleepy and dies. At the gates of Heaven, he asks, “God, I was devoted to you! I attended church every week and constantly prayed! Why didn’t you save me!?” God replies, “Are you crazy? I sent three dog sleds!!!”

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