There's a lot of cures for cabin fever during a long winter. Some are more creative than others. Skijoring probably falls in the more creative category. It's an activity that involves a person, a set of cross-country skis and a darn good dog that would rather play than stay.
Molly Patton moved to Minot over a year ago from Fairbanks, Alaska, a place where involvement in winter activities from skating to snowmobiling is pretty much mandatory. There's just too much daylight and too much winter to stay indoors all the time. So when Patton marched into Minot with her dog Daisy, she brought with her a fondness for skijoring. To her surprise, in a Northern climate state where snow is often overabundant, she has yet to discover any fellow skijorers.
"It would be fun to find some other folks that do it, but so far it is just me," said Patton. "I think I got into it because it was something to do in the cold, short days of life in Fairbanks. We found out about it through the paper up there when they we're having an event, a fundraiser for dogs."
Intrigued by she saw, Patton obtained a young border collie-husky mix from a dog pound in Fairbanks and entered the fun world of skijoring. According to Patton, it was Daisy that deserved the credit for leading the way.
"They told me she was part husky, so I thought she might be able to do it," remarked Patton. "She's better at it than I am. She taught me, basically."
Most dogs like to stay active. Many are capable of a variety of activities, including the natural effort of pulling. When it comes to skijoring, much like in dogsledding, it is the dog or dogs that take the lead. Patton learned that Daisy could be relied upon to play the lead role when the team became lost on a series of interlocking trails at Anchorage, Alaska.
"I wound up way out by the airport somewhere. We got lost. I was way off," said Patton with a laugh. "By the time I figured out that we weren't going to make it back on my own navigation, I just pointed her back and she made all the right turns. She found the way home."
Skijoring creates a bond between the dog owner and handler. Patton cuts short skijoring runs when Daisy fails to show her usual enthusiasm. At other times, it is Daisy that is pulling on the rope and ready to go.
"It depends on the weather and the conditions," explained Patton. "Sometimes we go for a half hour and sometimes for an hour. It's a real toss-up. Sometimes I know she would like to go for a lot longer. She's built for it. It's fun for her too."
While Patton and Daisy were enjoying a dash on the river late in the afternoon on New Year's Day, Minot very much resembled winter in Fairbanks. There was plenty of snow and, as Patton pointed out, a colorful sun dog was visible in the western sky.
"But the wind blows a lot more here. It's crazy," said Patton, commenting on the blustery conditions she and Daisy often encounter. "Still, I like being outside and seeing what's going on around town when most people are inside by the fire."
In the Fairbanks area skijoring fun races are often held. Patton and Daisy used to take part in them. They did their practice time on a series of routes at Fairbanks, some of which ran through an area with an abundance of wildlife.
"We'd run into moose and all sorts of interesting things," said Patton.
Patton's skijoring in Minot has been primarily limited to the Souris River. Sometimes the riverbank shields the view of the community, creating somewhat of a wilderness atmosphere. On the river Daisy and Patton quietly cruise through portions of the city, enjoying the fresh air and taking in the sights and sounds of Minot.
"I notice that people think I'm really strange for going out but, seriously, I think it keeps me in tune with what's going on," said Patton. "I like to be out when it's light and bright. You have a better perspective."
