63. Go dog sledding in Alaska

I'm not planning to compete in the Iditarod anytime soon. Being pulled around by a former Iditarod participant and his dogs for a few hours outside of Anchorage was more than enough adventure for me. This man, a transplant from, of all places, Italy, was passionate about his dogs. And you have to be, since they depend on it, you depend of them. I was surprised at how much the dogs, Alaskan Malmutes, loved the cold. In fact, they needed it to prevent overheating from running so hard. Malmutes love running so much, that they become very hot, and need to roll around in the snow to recover. They were not pretty dogs, but they were smart, strong, loyal and hard working. I now have a new appreciation for the entire past time of dog sledding, and will watch the Iditarod with fervor, from my couch under a blanket, in the warmth of my house.

Eric and Jenny with Alaskan Malmutes