Arctic Adventure

Mid January loomed gloomy, cold, and dark. The colorful and cheery Christmas decor that had once brought excitement and joy had been removed from most homes and yards taking with it the happiness of the season. School had resumed despite the complaints of children. Each morning Teri and Rodrigo pulled the covers up over their heads and begged to stay home; their pleas falling on unsympathetic ears.

“We need an adventure at the barn,” Teri proclaimed on the ride home from school one day.

“That’s for sure,” Rodrigo exhaled, “I haven’t been motivated to keep the path cleared, but I know it would be so good if we got out there.”

“Please work on it so this weekend we can go on an adventure,” begged Teri.

The next few days were filled with much needed anticipation and the longing for something new. Bundled up to fight off the cold they headed out. “Look who is coming along with us today,” Teri exclaimed, holding out Blue, her stuffed dog she got for Christmas.

Rodrigo laughed, “So, you like the little guy now, even though he isn’t real?”

Hugging Blue she chimed, “He isn’t the real thing like I wanted, but he has been pretty great to have. Next Christmas I’ll be more specific and tell Santa I want a real dog, not just a dog!”

Opening the barn door Rodrigo shared an idea, “How about we see what adventures Blue would take us on!”

“I love that idea,” squealed Teri.

They went inside and placed Blue in one of the old animal stalls, at that moment the sun must have burst through the heavy clouds outside. A brilliant streak of light came through the cracks in the barn and landed on their faces, causing them to close their eyes for a moment from the brightness. When they opened them again instead of the old animal stall and barn walls, they looked out over unending miles of white earth rising and falling, great pines heavy with frosted limbs gathered in patches among the frozen hills, all lit by a gigantic full moon.

Teri and Rodrigo stared, both a little disappointed that they had not been met by glorious sun and the colors of warm summer months. A yipping and dancing figure drew their attention downward.

“Blue,” shouted Teri as she looked into his intense blue eyes that had been his name sake. She laughed and rubbed behind his ears when he put his front paws up on her lap licking her face. “Oh it’s good to meet the real you too,” she said softly into his ear. He got down and began dancing around them again yipping and howling, then he jerked his head up looking off to the side. He bolted in the direction then ran back to them several times.

“What’s going on boy,” Rodrigo asked.

“I think I hear other dogs,” suggested Teri.

Rodrigo listened carefully and announced, “Yes, I do too.”

Looking towards the direction Blue kept taking off, they saw in the distance, tucked in amongst the trees, the lights of a small cabin.

“Ok Blue,” Teri said, “we will follow.”

She was surprised as she started to roll across the snow that it was hard like a road and she didn’t sink in much at all.

“My nose hairs are frozen,” chuckled Rodrigo.

Teri took a deep breath in and started to cough it felt so cold. Once she could speak again she exclaimed, “Wow, it’s much colder here than at home. I’m glad we wore our snow stuff!”

“Me too,” agreed Rodrigo, “but my fingers and toes are freezing still.”

“Mine too, let’s hurry to the cabin; it’s probably nice and warm inside.”

They moved as quickly as they could and both felt like popsicles by the time they reached the cabin. Blue had run ahead and was jumping and playing with dogs who were all barking and howling excited to have a new friend.

Before they could reach the cabin door it was flung open. A large figure stood silhouetted in the doorway and Teri nearly screamed, she thought for sure it was a bear on its hind legs, but the figure called out before the scream could escape, “Alright boys I hear you out here telling me you’re ready to go.”

Teri and Rodrigo moved forward and spoke tentatively, “eh, hello, sir.”

Blue ran up just then and started jumping on the man excitedly. A loud laughed bellowed from the man and he said, “Well hello there, you are new,” then looking at Teri and Rodrigo he continued, “and so are you. You two must be frozen, those snowsuits are no good in this weather. Come on inside and tell me who you are.”

They went into the small cabin and immediately gathered around the wood stove enjoying the warmth that spread over them. Teri looked at the gentleman; he had a large fur coat with a fur hood that wrapped around his head mixing with the big dark beard that covered the lower half of his face, fur mittens on his hands and fur boots completed his bearish look. He began to remove his bear layer and she could see a strong fit man emerge. His eyes seemed nearly as blue and intense as her Blue’s and she could see kindness in them.

“Now,” he boomed, “My name is Jim, please tell me who you are and what you are doing out here.”

Rodrigo piped up, “I’m Rodrigo and this is Teri. We followed Blue to go on an adventure!”

If it's an adventure you are after you’ll certainly find it here! I was about to go out and check my trap lines and let the dogs do what they love, run. You are welcome to come, but you’ll need some better gear than what you have. I have some of my kids' old stuff around here.”

He got up and pulled a box down from a loft. “I’m sure you’ll find something that fits in there. You guys look through while I get the dogs set to go.”

“Wow, thank you,” Teri said, “but wouldn’t it be better to go in the daytime when it’s light out?”

A grin spread across the man's face as a deep laugh erupted, “We are in the arctic dear, the sun won't rise again for a couple more weeks. We can’t wait on that now can we, especially if we want to eat.”

He went out the door and Teri and Rodrigo discussed how crazy it would be to live without the sun as they looked through the box finding fur coats, mittens, and boots much like the ones Jim wore, but their size. When Jim returned he smiled, “Ah, it’s good to see those used again. I am glad they fit you. We are ready to go. Your Blue wanted to join the team, so we shall see how he likes being a sled dog.

Teri and Rodrigo were filled with excitement as they went out, seeing the sled and line of dogs harnessed to it and each other. Blue looked at them and gave a proud bark then started yipping and howling along with all the other dogs. Teri went over and gave him a pat on the head, “You are just as excited as us aren't you bud.” Teri looked at the other dogs and realized they all looked like Blue, intense blue eyes, mostly white face, belly, and legs, with varying colors of browns to dark gray backs.

“Alright you two,” called Jim, “let's get you set up on the sled before these guys go nuts with anticipation, running is what they live for.”

They got settled on the sled, and Jim wrapped a large fur blanket around them, saying, “we head across the frozen pond first, then the fun begins going into the woods!” He went to the back of the sled and yelled, “HIKE.”

Instantly the dogs took off, both Teri and Rodrigo jerked back, shocked for a moment then the rush of cold air brought a smile to both lips and Rodrigo shouted, “Wahoo!”

They rushed on across the frozen pond and into the trees; it was amazing. Now and then Jim would yell commands to the dogs and they would move right or left or stop. Jim would check on his traps then on they would go. At one point Rodrigo nudged teri and pointed up into the sky. She looked up above the tops of the trees to a spectacular sight. The sky was filled with green, purple, and pink lines that moved up and down, back and forth like a child was scribbling in the heavens. They both watched in total awe at the show above them. Jim bellowed, “Oh, the heavens are dancing for you! I’ve not seen such a glorious display of northern lights as this one.”

Before they knew it they arrived back at the cabin, both wishing the ride could go on. Teri looked at Rodrigo and giggled, “Your eye lashes are all white!”

He started to laugh and hooted, “you should see yourself, your hair that is out of the hood is frosted too.” Jim came into view and they both erupted in laughter again seeing his once dark beard now looked white as Santa’s.

Once they got the giggles under control they helped Jim get the dogs to their individual kennels, each with his or her name above it. They got food and water for them all as wellasfresh straw for bedding. Jim gave Blue a good rub announcing, “You did great out there Blue, you’d make a fine addition to my team.”

Teri went over looking into Blue’s eyes she said, “You’d like that wouldn’t you.” Blue nuzzled into her neck. “I’ll miss you too Blue, but this is what you love and you’ll miss it dearly if you don’t stay.”

Rodrigo and Teri told Blue goodbye and thanked Jim multiple times for the adventure. Jim told them to come back anytime.

As they headed away from the old magical barn, the cold and the dark of home did not seem nearly as bad as it had before.

If you’d like to read about another adventure Rodrigo and Teri experienced check this one out.

To read about the start of their adventures together check this story out.

If you love Alamsaas much as I do maybe you’ll enjoy reading this short tribute I wrote about it.