Oh. I don’t even know where to start. My lil ginger heart burst. Somehow I’m still breathing and living and blogging, but seriously today was so awesome. I took a helicopter up to a glacier. Met the most gorgeous sled dogs. Went for a sled dog ride. Then, held a puppy that made me fall in love.
Let’s start at the beginning… I did the Helicopter Glacier Ride and Sled Dog Ride with Alaska Icefield Expeditions. They gear you up with a safety vest and boots.
Helicopter selfie!
The views were beautiful and our helicopter pilot pointed out different landmarks and fun facts.
We landed on the glacier near the dog sledding camp. Sixteen people and over 200 dogs live on the glacier in the summer season! Most of the guides that run the dogs are actual Iditarod competitors and this is like their summer training camp. Our guide Riley competes in the Iditarod. He lives in Alaska in the Summer and Colorado in the Winter. He owns 16 of the dogs and another 24 or so are his friend’s dogs.
I actually didn’t originally sign up for this excursion because I felt bad having dogs pull me. But I talked to a few people who basically said they are made for this. I asked Riley about it too and he said they each only pull about 5 pounds of pressure. And having these dogs pull the sled is like when you take your dog for a walk – they get SUPER EXCITED to GO!! The dogs got very happy when we got near their area because they knew they were about to go.
This is Corky. He’s a little big to be a professional sled dog (they were smaller than I expected). Riley compared them to marathon runners – most of the dogs are very slender and made for long distance running. I realize I totally have fallen in love with the wrong sport according to my body type and will start researching sumo wrestling asap.
“Let’s go boys!!!” <- What Riley yells at them to go. There are boys and girls in the pack though.
After the ride and tons of pictures we were able to meet 3 week old puppies. This is Vedder (he’s a boy). And I love him.
He was making these little baby/puppy noises and digging his nose into my neck. My heart completed melted. I can’t even explain the love. (Is this how it feels to have a baby? Asking for a friend.)
Question: Should I quit blogging and become a professional Dog Sledder? Or should I just get a puppy? Or a baby? Or a hobby?
Disclaimer: This post is part of my partnership with Princess Cruises. All opinions are my own.
Uma maneira bem legal de começar a trabalhar na internet é consumindo conteúdo de quem
já ganha dinheiro online.
This trip is definitely bucket list level for me! That sounds totally amazing! Like a dream! That is so incredible that you got a chance to experience this. I say get a rescue pup, but then again, won’t Vegas get jealous? 😉
OMG! I did the exact same thing in 2012! It was through Alpine Air Alaska. It was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life! AND! To make it even more awesome, it was on my birthday. SO SO fun. It took everything in me to not stuff one of the baby pups in my jacket when we were done! Glad you enjoyed it!
You have to listen to the “This American Life” podcast from this past week! They interviewed a girl about her “game face” when she worked those sled dog tours. I thought it was funny and touching at the same time! I also look forward to walks/runs because I can Podcast (its a verb) it up.
Get a baby, but just one. The second will knock you on your a$$ when he hit puberty (oh, that was my inside voice speaking…)
I will often say that my dog is my favorite child. She is, and the kids know it. She never sasses me, listens the first or second time, is always happy to see me and only needs to be fed twice a day. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E.
Okay. I’ll just get one. Glad that decision is behind me 🙂
This looks amazing! What an experience!
Oh, puppy love…. There’s nothing quite like it. Until you have your own baby and then it’s 100 times more powerful. But both come with a LOT of responsibility so don’t rush into either. 😉
Breathtaking pictures! I love your sense of humor.
That looks so cool! I would die to be able to play with that puppy. For so many years it was all I asked for for any occasion.
You SHOULD get a dog. And I should get my second dog.
Alaska is absolutely beautiful. Maybe our summer vacations plans will change…
Get a puppy fo sho. Dogs are friggin awesome!!!
That puppy is completely adorable!! Sounds like such a great experience!
babies are amazing, if that is what you really want. Otherwise furbabies are awesome too
Definitely not a baby. They’re the worst.
Looks like an amazing experience!
So, so jealous. When I was about 13 I got to go dog sledding with my family and became convinced I was going to become a professional dog sledder, despite the fact that we lived in DC where we almost never get any snow. So you’re living my dream right now and I totally support you buying a puppy / and or sledding forever.
That puppy is ridiculous! Kinda neat that the dogs enjoy it, so it’s a win win! 🙂
I would LOVE to take a trip sledding! I had a husky/malamute mix growing up and she loved pulling us kids on the sled. And the puppy! OMG!!!!
Looks like an amazing time!
Ahhhh that looks so awesome! I’ve always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise and now I need to add this excursion to my list.
Puppy noises are so cute!
Longtime lurker, but I have to say – I am SO PLEASED that you’re loving your visit to Alaska! I live in Fairbanks AK and I love to see other people have fun here.
I’m super happy you got to hang out with sled dogs. Running, eating, and repeating is what they’re all about too. 😀
You need that puppy. Perhaps you could start a sled dog camp?!
So beautiful, I seriously fell in love with Alaska when I was there. And puppies! Oh, the loves. I hope he still had sweet puppy breath. Yes, having a baby is like that. I thought I was crazy about my dogs, until I gave birth 5 months ago. I am no longer productive, as I spend all day squeezing and smooching my baby!
…because you asked, that means YES.
Long time reader who rarely comments but I seriously LOL’d at your ‘Asking for a friend’ comment. Hilarious!
Puppy!!! I fell in love with my puppy and 6 1/2 years later I still love him to pieces.
You’re getting to be a regular helicopter flyer….
OMG! Seriously. Jealous of your trip. I love dogs! Want to do this so badly! And I have no idea what it’s like to have a baby. Just puppies. And puppies are amazing.
Oh my god, stop it. That is INCREDIBLE! Gorgeous views and ohhhhh that puppy. Gah I want to go out there!!! I’m overwhelmed by how cute and beautiful all of that is. Dang.