Hollywood. RIP.

6:30 am. 18 degrees.

Today was probably one of the worst days I’ve had in the three years I’ve been there. It started out find, had a bath of ice water as we went around the trail and the weather couldn’t figure out if it wanted to rain, sleet or snow. We made it, and it wasn’t horrible. However, on the second trip around, I went as the behind person, which is usually less stressful than going in front as you don’t have to set the pace or constantly remind people to slow down.

Everything was going fine until the edge of my runner on the snowmobile caught the edge of the trail and started pulling me sideways. Before I knew it, my sled was on its side. I could hear the dogs at the halfway point and knew E-bear would have to switch out four passengers with drivers with no help and I’m sure he was cursing me. I was digging myself out and got the snowmobile back upright, which was a pretty good feat, but didn’t have enough weight to tilt it back to the trail. After three times of moving forward, or back and having the sled tip, digging it out, tipping it up and getting stuck again, I had to call Kris to come help me. Failure doesn’t begin to describe how I was feeling.

I recently had a friend pass away and I pulled my column in the local paper because of censorship issues and my dogs father, Hollywood, who is a great dog had been sick. When Kris showed up, I broke into tears, yelling that he needed to teach me how to use the snowmobiles and how to get myself out.

It’s the first time I’ve cried on the job in three years and I couldn’t help it. In my head I was saying ‘there’s no crying in dog sledding.’ Kris got me out and we caught up to the tour, only after I ran over a vole (like a small mouse). I was miserable. To top it off, Hollywood ended up passing away that afternoon, so that added to everything and I was a bucket of tears. I felt like quitting, but knew as I have known for the last three years, that I wouldn’t.

I swear E-bear will never go on tour with me again, although he says he feels bad for leaving me behind. I have to say the people I work with make the days passable and the dogs gave me plenty of loving as my tears were falling on them.