I am not a dog person, so when I was offered a chance to go dog-sledding with a few friends just outside of Algonquin Park, even I was shocked at how quickly I jumped.

The morning we were scheduled to go out though, I was cursing that jump. Negative 20 degrees weather is bad enough when I have to stay inside, the thought of spending a few hours outside, without even a heated bathroom to escape into sounded like torture! But, I dragged myself out of bed, put on literally everything I owned and headed out, with my girlfriends.

When we got to the chalet, the very first sight we were greeted with was a line up of smiling Huskies.
You know what? I don’t care how much you like or dislike dogs, or how cold it is outside, I DARE you to look at a group of smiling dogs and not smile back.  Its impossible!

One thing I was really happy to see, was how much these dogs LOVED to pull and run, they could barely wait to get going!  In fact, if we hadn’t been standing on the brakes so hard, I don’t think they would have waited.

After a brief safety demo, we were all ready to go.

It took a few false starts, a few near tips, and probably a few more “MUSH-es” was technically necessary, but we were soon on our way.  Through the frozen forest, up over hills, around curves, it was starting to get really fun. Then, all of a sudden, we left the trees and the teams were sprinting across a frozen sun covered lake.

It was amazing.

The sun was high up in the cloudless sky, the snow underneath us was crunchy and fluffy and gorgeous, and me. my partner and our team of pups were working together over the little bumps and hills.   Flying over the snow was one of the most free and exciting feelings I had ever felt.
Over frozen lakes, little islands and back through the forest.  Up steep hills, all of us pushing together, and then down the other sides holding on for dear life.  It was at once exhilarating and extremely peaceful.

When it was over my legs were jelly form the running and pushing, but I can honestly say it was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced, and I learned that maybe, I am a little bit of a dog person after all.