Hiking in solitary… but with dogs

It’s spring in Alaska. And you wouldn’t know it to look at the snow still on the ground. This winter gave us more snow than I’ve seen in well over a decade… and I have loved its visit.

But the sun is returning and our days are getting longer. The snow is starting to melt, too slowly. I know though, like a guest who sometimes overstays her welcome, so too, the snow will eventually leave.

It was to these mounds and mounds of snow that my thoughts went when I woke up in the early hours of the day. Bryce and Jupiter were at the end of their patience with the COVID-19 home isolation imposed upon their daily routines. I smiled to myself as I declared this day a day of play.

As soon as my morning self-care routine was complete, I loaded up my 20 year old son (who is home from university, finishing his spring semester online), my standard poodle, Bryce, and my rambunctious catahoula rescue dog, Jupiter. Also joining us would be my newest family dog addition; Arti. A cute little French bulldog puppy filled with an adventurous spirit and a lack of fear common among puppies who are new to life’s experiences.

We headed up to Denali State Park for a day of hiking and play.

In Alaska, our government is referring to the COVID-19 “shelter in place” mandate as the “hunker down, Alaska style” mandate. Here in Alaska, we have about 740,000 humans within about 670,000 square miles of open space. So you see, we are fortunate to have plenty of room to roam.
Alaskans, right now, are encouraged to get outside for our own mental and physical health. We have plenty of land to keep us spread out and away from each other.

My son and I took our 3 dogs and headed up to Denali State Park. The park is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Galavanting homestead. The whole trip, up and back, is a lovely scenic drive.

We found our way to a favorite secluded trailhead. Even on the busiest of days in Alaska, this trail doesn’t see a whole lot of people. But on this day, the trail was eerie in its seclusion. Quiet and alone.

The snow was at least 6 feet (2 meters) deep everywhere we ventured. And much deeper in some places. The heavy snow deadened sounds, creating a true feeling of isolation. With the dogs leading the way, we got right to work basking in what we all needed… unabashed playtime

Arti, being much too young to hike anywhere, rode in a pack. Thus continuing the long standing tradition of Galavanting dogs (and babies!) to go with me where ever I go. If they’re too small or too young to make a trek themselves, well, I just toss them into a pack and we’re off, always together! Every now and again, we’d take a break from hiking and Arti could get out of his pack to enjoy some free play time in the snow with his poodle and catahoula family members. 

The dogs rolled and ran, chased and stalked. I watched their body language as they dove right into the world around them. Their senses were in tune with the forest and their exuberance broke up the silence of the day.

We stayed out for quite a long time, never seeing another human all day. The day recharged us, dogs and people alike. I reminded myself; in the face of overwhelming fear and uncertainty of COVID-19, this right here  this quiet moment spent with the dogs I adore and the son I love; this is what my core desires.
We are safe. We are together. We are loved.
My great wish for you is that you feel safe, together, and loved as well.