It was the beginning of March and
the weather was harsh
(Or so goes the tale we recite)
Eight friends agreed that there was a need
To go up North for a couple of nights.
It's funny they say, as the weeks tick away
How memory fades and flickers:
The adventure in time becomes a legend in mind.
The Ballad of the City Slickers.
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It was early this year when the e-mail appeared
From our good friend and leader Joanne,
"We'll head up north and find out our worth
Dog sledding will be this year's plan."
When the Friday came we were ready and game,
But it seemed that we lacked organization.
By the end of the day, Bill had us straightened away
And we met at "Rebner Station"
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We arrived up North late, but the efficient
Kate
Was able to get us outfitted.
Some boots she did find (the waterproof kind)
And with warm sleeping bags we were kitted.
Boy! Taly quavered, when Liz read the waiver:
The possible outcome was our end.
We forgot the danger when a female stranger
Said, "Will we have to sleep with 'those men'?'"
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We met Anne, of course, and her son, the G-Force;
He seemed to be typically teen.
They'd come two years before, so they knew a lot more
Although later we'd swear he'd not been.
We learned how to say "no", "let's go" and
"whoa":
It's all in the tone of your voice.
Then we made our way to the motel of TJ,
Where the overnight digs were choice.
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We were totally floored to find open doors,
But the rooms were quite clean and so cheap.
Some went out for food and cased the local 'hood,
While others were happy to sleep.
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Breakfast was hearty; the entire party
Ate like it was our last time.
We forgot the tip, but Bill was quick
Once again, to keep us in line.
We got in the car and drove to the yard
Where we first met a few of the canines.
They were as excited as we, they could obviously see
That an adventure would leave through the pines.
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The weather was great and the mood was upbeat
As we got to the head of the trail.
Nad and Pat, two great guides (and now two friends besides)
Assured us that we wouldn't fail.
We learned how to load so gear properly stowed
And we tied up our tarps with some hitches.
There wasn't a trucker in this group of mushers
So our knots (in some cases) had glitches.
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Now harnessing huskies can be awfully risky,
They say that 2-wheel drive is best.
They bark and they squirm, but they meant us no harm
They're excited to rise to the test.
We met Patch and Rita and adorable Teeka
(Alison's favourite, it seemed).
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Kipper was crazy, and no-one was lazy.
Tilly, Tiny and Taly made a great team.
Of us all, Taly wore the most fashionable gear,
Her pack was the most comfy to sit on.
Her choice of eyewear was the most striking to bear
We shortly nicknamed her Goggles Paisan. |
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So Pat took the lead and we hopped on the sled
And we took to the trail like a shot.
The dogs surged ahead and we all kept our heads
Although my stomach was tied in a knot.
It didn't take long for the trail's whooshing song
To coax me into a rhythm.
We swept through snowy trails on the sled's smooth rails
And the white world looked like heaven
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A puddle of slush fell in Karl's way as he
mushed
Although his face stayed as straight as a poker.
It wasn't till late that we learned of his fate
And his knee high, cold, wet soaker.
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Lunch in the cold air is a complex affair
Our guides, they prepped everything for it.
Tuna never tasted better and veg soup without letters;
(Kipper assured that I wore it).
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We got going again and the rhythm kicked in
We flew along until we got into a traffic mess.
Going for a ride and then running beside
Is a really good test of your fitness.
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We fell off our sled and the dogs quickly fled.
Mike and Bill chased them down (they weren't jogging).
Taly met a nice tree, so Joanne's ride was free
In return Joanne dumped the sled on Tal's noggin.
Bill's team turned their tails on a hill (never fails)
But he got them back around right.
Jay and Alison's group needed a bit extra juice,
So Anchor was brought in for his might.
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It was well into the day when we got where
we'd stay
We unpacked our sleds and our dogs.
The tent was so warm but the work wasn't done
Jay, Karl, Mike and Bill went to find fire logs.
The tent needed bailing (we could have gone sailing)
So we lined up with buckets for dipping.
The outhouse's door was frozen ajar
So we hung coats outside before stripping.
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We mixed food in with water and we fed the four-footers.
The bricks were quite slimy and gross.
But the dogs didn't care - Roy caught his out of air!
As we avoided a bite with a toss.
We finished our chores and came in from outdoors,
And then it was time to feed us.
Pat and Nad made us steak, George's Potatoes were great!
And the Nanaimo bars were fa-bu-lous!
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The dogs were quite tired, although some still
seemed wired.
Most settled down on their beds of hay.
The stars were aglow and the bright moon cast shadows
And we settled into evening that way.
The stories came out and we read into the night
About One-Eyed Mike, Blasphemous Bill and Dan McGrew
We lined up our stuff and one by one nodded off
And slowly the silence grew.
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There are things in your head as you're lying
in bed
And the day stretches out behind you.
With Service's verses still running their courses
As sleep angels are coming to find you.
You awake in the dark to a howl or a bark,
Or to fire that needs constantly stoking,
But the sleep still seems more restful, more relaxing and peaceful
Than a city in which you are choking.
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The morning dawned clearly and we rose bright and
cheery
To a breakfast of pancakes and snausage.
Sweetie slipped off her collar and all the dogs hollered
To see her run free of her bondage.
We packed up our things and re-tied our strings.
We said good-bye to our bivouac.
Amid flying poop we sledded back to the loop
That took us back to the head of the track.
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The most challenging part was the end, not the
start,
When I drove the lead team on the trail.
We were cresting a hill when I slipped and I fell
And my knee came right down on a rail.
If Pat hadn't stayed, Irma'd be running to this day
And I'd still be holding on tight.
But instead I'm with you, my knee as black as it's blue,
And I'm telling this story tonight.
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Saying 'bye to new friends (both canine and human)
Was the hardest part of the trip.
Putting the dogs away, I have to say
Was like having your heart removed with a rip.
Driving back to the city it seemed such a pity
To live in a place that so fettered.
Great as it was, I'm happy because
Next year it will be even better.
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