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High Temp.
20 F
Low Temp.
-17 F
Wind
NW 10-20 MPH
Miles Traveled
0
Hours Traveling
0
New Snow 0
Inch
(since last update)
People
Seen 200
(since last update)
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Posted Tuesday 2/11 10 PM fromThe Pas, Manitoba
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The polls are closed, and the votes have been counted. We're going
to be staying in The Pas (pronounced Pa) for a few days. Thanks
to everyone who voted, and keep on voting. Remember that you're
a vital part of the Bimaadagaako Adventure!
We skied into town last night, and we already feel like celebrities.
It seems like everywhere we go, people have heard about the two
guys from Chicago who are skiing to the south end of Lake Winnipeg.
Even though the news has to travel a long distance in the north
country, it still seems to travel fast.
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Click Photo To Enlarge
Sunset framed by cedar sprigs. During the fur trade, voyageurs
learned from the Cree to make a tea from cedar in order to get vital
Vitamin C. |
Click Photo To Enlarge
Everyone wants to know what the dogs eat. Here, Dave uses an
ax to prepare Saylix and Lichen's daily ration of raw meat. |
The Pas is a flurry of activity surrounding the upcoming
annual Winter Trapper's Festival. From what we've gathered from talking
with people around town, it should be a really good time. Dave and
I have even been granted dignitary status for the festival's duration.
That means that we get invited to all of the festival's events, banquets,
and ceremonies. |
| The Trapper's Festival is centered around the 35-mile
long World Championship dog sled race, which takes place on Wednesday
morning. However, the festivities last all week long. People come
from all over northern Canada to display their talents of ax-throwing,
animal-calling, leg wrestling, log throwing, ice-hole chopping, canoe
packing and other skills used during the days of the fur trade. It
sounds like a blast! |
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Which events do you think you'd like to participate in? Have you
ever thought of trying to call a bull moose? What do you think moose
sound like? |
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Click Photo To Enlarge
Sled dogs bred for racing are much smaller than Lichen and
Saylix.
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Mushers bring their dog teams to The Pas from all over
the northern United States, Canada, and even from Europe to compete
in the race. Typically, the dogs used for racing are much smaller
than Lichen and Saylix. Racing dogs aren't nearly as furry, but can
run like the wind. The 35-mile race takes the mushers only a matter
of hours to complete. If we were to enter the race, we would surely
come in dead last. It would probably take at least three days for
us to cover that same distance! |
| That's not to say that Lichen and Saylix aren't as strong as racing
dogs. Saylix and Lichen could certainly pull more weight, and their
thick winter coats make them much better suited to traveling long
distances. As Dave likes to say, "It's like comparing Mack Trucks
to Corvettes." Dave nor I have ever been to a dog sled race and
are looking forward to talking with mushers and comparing stories
of winter travel. I'm sure that Lichen and Saylix will have good time
meeting some new dogs as well. |
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Today we visited the Opasquia Middle School in The Pas
to talk with students about the Bimaadagaako Adventure. Usually when
Dave and I go to talk with students, we feel like the center of attention.
But, today was different. Lichen has wanted to come to a school visit
(he told us, trust me!), so we brought him along. I must admit that
he stole the show. It's very humbling to be shown-up by a 100-pound,
stinky sled dog! |
The Wilderness Classroom Organization
4605 Grand Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
(630) 204-0420
info@wildernessclassroom.com
All content copyright (c) The Wilderness Classroom, 2002. All
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