26 G O I N G P L A C E S | F A L L 2 0 1 5 jenafor azure
As I walk up to Bluesky Expedition's
mushing team, some of the 30 dogs –
mostly mixed breeds, including border
collies and huskies – continue to lay
outside near their dog houses, while
others jump eagerly, hoping to be
picked for the team. Eight dogs typically
make up a sledding team, but only six
are chosen for this hot summer run.
Without snow, a wheeled cart will
be our sled. My husband, Mark, and I
take a seat while owner-operator Ger-
ald Azure stands behind us to guide
the dogs. With a quick command
("hike!"), we're off. Gerald is in full
control of his team for the 1.6-kilome-
tre ride along a gravel road. His cry of
"gee" orders the dogs to turn left and
"haw" is for a right. The dogs are
excited to prove themselves. They
want to run and they want to run fast
– up to 50 km/hr. We hoot and holler
as the boreal forest whizzes past. As
we fly back to home base, the only
thing louder than my heart pounding
is Mark's call for one more lap.
www.blueskymush.com –L.C.
So Mush Fun
Even sans snow, Bluesky's canine
crew is always in pursuit of fun.
