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I just came back from an action-packed outdoor weekend. Can you believe it -- I skijored!
Wearing a helmet and harness, sled dogs pulled me around a track. I concentrated as best I could on proper form, desperately hoping to remain upright.
Later I was told that my dogs were faster than many of the other teams and that I looked good. So I didn’t feel too bad that I fell down when I tried to stop at the end of the lap. At least I didn’t run into the hind legs of the dogs.
I did this at an event called BOW in the SNOW. I think this is the fifth event I’ve attended at Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW). My first event was in 2007.
BOW programs include training and experience for women in a large variety of outdoor activities: canoeing, kayaking, hunting, trapping, rock climbing, archery, rifle markswoman, camping, wildlife habitat, cross-country skiing, skijoring, dog sledding, snow shoeing, boat and trailer handling, fly fishing, snowmobiling, tracking, tree identification, sausage making, pine needle basket making, outdoor cooking, knife, tool, and chainsaw sharpening, and more.
BOW also conducts events such as guided fly fishing, caving excursions, sea kayak outings, horse packing trips, and pheasant, turkey, and deer hunts. In March BOW will bring a group to Baja for snorkeling with a colony of 400 wild sea lions, kayaking, hiking, and seeing gray whales.
BOW, founded in 1991, offers outdoor skills training through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other sponsors.
More than 35 states and several Canadian provinces have BOW programs modeled after Wisconsin BOW.
Last weekend I experienced the event with participants from Illinois, Texas, Washington, Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, and Wisconsin. I felt comfortable among women representing a variety of ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Coming soon – Part II!
