My next adventure with Karelin was going to Mount Crested Butte in the middle of Winter 2008. We booked a deal that included 3 nights in a lodge and a rental car. Of course, we did not plan to ski! We just wanted to enjoy the views, the picturesque town of about 700 inhabitants, and ride on a dog sled by Lucky Cat Dog Farm.

We departed on January 14, 2008, from DFW airport and we arrived at Gunnison airport around midday. The sun was shining on the tops of the 4 foot walls of snow surrounding the road to Crested Butte. It was amazing to see this God-given gift of so much snow and icicles that decorated the trees and houses as we drove.

The lodge was beautiful and the room quite big. After unpacking we went for a walk on the main street. The smells of cinnamon and coffee surrounded us as we walked on a white street. We found several restaurants that offered tempting menus, and we had a nice dinner.

Next morning we took the car for a ride around this fairly tale place. The views of the mountains (real mountains!) were splendid. A red European-looking little church was a perfect picture as well as the streets and the roads and the deer and goats we were able to see from in the distance.

However, the next day was the best. It was 8 degrees below zero, but we dressed the warmest we could and started early to our appointment with the Lucky Cat Dog Farm. To our surprise, Becky was waiting for us with seven dogs and a puppy! Six dogs were attached to the sled and one followed us.

We went into the sled, and after Becky covered us with thick blankets, she put the puppy on my lap. For me that was the best part of the whole experience. He was a “sled dog in training” and was there to observe what he would one day do himself. What a wonderful long ride we had, and the puppy behaved like a champion. I even got some gentle licks on my face. He was happy, cuddled, and warm!

We saw majestic elk and a group of five deer running at a distance, and miles and miles of beautiful fields covered with snow. It was a surprisingly smooth ride despite bumps on the road. The speed was not over 10 miles per hour. It was very pleasant, and so absolutely special to help to “socialize” a future sledge dog on my lap.

Next day we returned the rented car and took our flight home. What an adventure!
And it was only the start.