Photographic Memories #23
As every traveller knows, when you look back through old travel photos, many of them trigger wonderful memories. With lockdown incomplete and travel still on hold for a while, we currently have no new adventures to blog; we do though have many such memories…
Photo #23: Huskies
This is the last in our Photographic Memories series at least for now. Spending time in a “proper” winter environment affords opportunities for activities different from the norm, so during our break in Tallinn in 2015 we enjoyed several experiences for the first time. One such was dog sledding. It was quite an exhilarating feeling to be pulled across the snow by the group of lively athletic dogs, the fresh cold air rushing against our faces as we sped through the farmland.
As we arrived at the farm, the dogs had barked excitedly and clamoured for attention. Our host explained to us that this really was as it seemed, these dogs so love taking their turn to pull a sled that they compete with each other to be chosen for each ride. “Me me me”…they bark. Just as interesting was the difference in character between the huskies: some, as you can see, we were able to pet, others were of a different disposition and were handled in isolation from any visitors. Look but don’t touch.
It was a terrific excursion, one which you don’t need to be a dog lover to seriously enjoy.
21 Comments
Deb
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. Riding a dog pulled sled is so unbelievably rare for most of us.
Even if you are not a dog lover you would love such a ride, a possibly at best once in a lifetime for most. If you are a dog lover on top of that, you would certainly fall for these adorable strong dogs, the photos are so beautiful!
They certainly have a lot of character and personality. I recently saw the movie Togo and was quite moved!
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Deb, it was a magical experience, the interaction with the dogs was amazing,beautiful creatures. Would definitely want to experience this again one day. 😊
wetanddustyroads
Ahh, what a wonderful experience! Love the photo’s – so full of excitement and happiness 💌.
Phil & Michaela
It was amazing. The Huskies were beautiful, would have liked to spend more time with them. 😊
Annie Berger
What a thrilling experience you both had on the farm in Estonia being pulled by dogs! Naively, I thought that it was something that went on in the Canadian Arctic or in Alaska as we here in North America always hear of the famous Iditarod race. As others have already mentioned, it would be exciting to add this experience to a future trip to the Great White North if Steven could be persuaded as he is definitely not a fan of cold weather.
Sad to see your Photographic Memories coming to an end. Hope we will all be treated to new posts soon of your travels wherever they take you.
Phil & Michaela
You should definitely talk Steven into braving the cold weather for a dog sled ride, it is so exhilarating and so much fun. We would love to drive the sled too so that will have to be on another snowy trip.
Glad you enjoyed our photographic memories, we have only stopped for now as we are heading off on our first post lockdown trip this week. We will definitely be posting as we go and hopefully showcase Cornwall giving you an insight to the beauty of the region. 😊
Andrew Petcher
I could never get that close to a dog. I will have to skip this experience.
grandmisadventures
Oh what sweet fury friends and what a fun experience to share with them! 🙂
Phil & Michaela
They were beautiful animals and they just loved to socialise and work, they were as excited as we were 😁
Lookoom
I have read many wonderful experiences with sleds and dogs, I am ashamed as a Canadian that I have never had this opportunity for myself.
Phil & Michaela
It’s certainly well worth it if you get the chance
Gilda Baxter
Sounds like great fun, I would love to give it a go. Nice friendly dogs😀
Phil & Michaela
Yes it was, Gilda. The friendly ones were very affectionate, the others had a very different look in their eyes…
Marie
Your memory has stirred one of mine – we were in Tromso a number of years back and I’d prebooked a dog sled trip. We were collected by minibus from the town and transferred at least an hour away. There were about 20 or so people there. When they started giving instructions about controlling the sled the penny dropped and I remember the wave of horror sweeping over me when I realised there was only room for one of us….. and the other was going to drive the damn thing!! I’d assumed we’d be side by side, and someone else would steer us…heading off romantically through the snow like something from Dr. Zhivago!! Well I was never going to be the driver…. I reluctantly hopped in … Tom took the reins or whatever and off we went…. I literally screamed for the 90 minutes!!!
Phil & Michaela
Ah well.. As we approached the place, I was extremely nervous in case we were left in charge of the dogs and the sled. I don’t think I would’ve been confident: Michaela was a lot less nervous (she’s an ex show jumper so although that’s a long time ago she at least has a “zone” she would aim for), so when we got there and were given a driver I was actually very relieved. Foot note… the girl wasn’t just any old driver, she was an international sled driver who has represented Estonia many times!
Marie
It must be a very strenuous sport at that level of competition… so physical and needs such concentration…. Tom was wrecked after his sortie into the experience but I think I traumatised him more than the dogs😅 😂
Phil & Michaela
Quite possibly!
Toonsarah
Sounds like a wonderful experience, but like Marie I would only be keen if we had an experienced driver 😆 The dogs look beautiful however!
Monkey's Tale
I’ve always wanted to go on a dog sled and we have a few here but somehow I’ve never booked it. After your story I really want to go! Maggie
Phil & Michaela
It’s well worth it Maggie!
WanderingCanadians
It’s always nice to go through old photos and reminisce about previous trips or memories. We tried dog sledding a number of years ago and had a blast. It was quite a unique experience and a good way to spend time outdoors in the winter.