Visit to the Denali Sled Dog kennels, a mushing demonstration and a presentation on the history of mushing in the park. In the sled museum, displays on sled technology from the native Alaskan sleds to present day....a new, high-tech carbon composite dog sled on display![]()
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All the dogs positioned, in their harnesses and ready, the helpers let go the safety rope, and the dogs literally sprinting from the git-go; the sled, equipped with silicone-covered skids for lower resistance on pavement, accelerates like a rocket, swings round the far turn, the park ranger leaning his body over the inside of the turn. He doesn't even have to give the "Mush!" command, the dogs are so anxious just to run,... and run.... Ranger explaining the various positions and roles of the dogs in the team; The dogs closest to the sled - known as the "wheel" dogs - sit patiently, ears perked - they never take their eyes off the lead dog. Each time he sits up, or makes any movement, the other dogs jump to attention immediately, hopping and straining against the harness, barking, mad tail-wagging, mouths open with tongues hanging out the side...they are keyed on the lead dog's every move.....
Jeanne and I a bit ragged from our 3 days in the park, feeling in need of a bath, laundry, and, as Jeanne says, "a bathroom you don't have to go outside and walk up a hill to get to in the middle of the night!". We take a cabin on Carlo Creek just south of the park entrance, replenish energy levels at the Panorama Pizza next door with a large pizza, house salad, and a couple of Pale Ales from Glacier Brewing Co. (Anchorage)
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