Learning to “Mush” in Montana

I am making this out-of-sequence entry into the blog because I had such a great, small adventure learning to dog sled and "mushing" on the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park in the Gallatin National Forest before attending the annual dinner dance and auction at the Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, Montana. Last year I had a one person exhibit, "Penguins of the Antarctic," with lectures and a book signing at the museum. Everything went very well and a member of the staff called after the exhibit and invited me to attend the annual dinner dance event. I had learned about a dog sledding school south of Bozeman during the exhibition and was eager to attend the dinner dance so that I would be close enough to spend a day learning to mush. (I came to find out that "mushing" was a linguistic devolution from the early French explorers of Canada for the word, "marche," to walk or hike. I had never felt my French Canadian heritage until Julie explained the history of "mushing.")

The Museum of the Rockies is a natural history museum focused primarily on dinosaurs and the numerous skeletal remains found throughout the region. I was pleased and enthused by the opportunity of the venue because while I look at the images of Antarctica and Penguins as composition and art, others see my images as pictorial natural history.

Hunter Johnson and I arrived in Bozeman, Montana, a few days early and drove to Paradise Valley. I have the best cold weather gear for Antarctica and almost never have the opportunity to use it in the United States. We were ready when we met Julie, our teacher and guide. The sun was out and there was very little wind. It was cold, but not that cold. Julie showed us how to set up the sleds, harness the dogs and gave us the commands and sledding techniques. Off we went.

The small, approximately 35-pound Siberian and Alaskan Huskies employed by Julie were much faster and stronger than I imagined. When Julie said, "Hang on!" she meant it. It was a lay-you-on-your-back lightning start. Going up inclines one helps like riding a skateboard and pushing off along the way, but you really have to ride the brake on the downhills. Turning was reminiscent of my earlier days of riding a motorcycle to art school...leaning left, leaning right and around you go. But of course the best part of it was the dogs. What characters and what joy they seemed to have in pulling and running. They also liked the hugs when we stopped for lunch and they really liked the little chunks of meat Julie brought along for each of them. There was not a growler among them, all seemed to be happy and joyful and were ready to go after our lunch and rest. The way back was much different in that a storm come in and we were surrounded by large snowflakes that fell faster and faster as the sun disappeared and the temperatures dropped. It never snows in Los Angeles and rarely have I seen snow in Antarctica itself. I like snow and the return trip was very fast in the growing gloom. By the time we arrived at base I was as cold as I had ever been in Antarctica. Maybe next year I will be able to arrange a full day or two and dog sled into Yellowstone among the bison, elk and wolves.

www.museumoftherockies.org
www.hunterjohnsonmusic.com
www.yellowstonenationalpark.com