Friends

“It’s no secret that the hardest working members of the team are the mushers! Maybe that’s because there are 11 of them and only two of us.” Rick Desotelle and Bonnie Ulrich drive the team using the word “hike!” with authority and enthusiasm. Their job is to be sure that everyone on the team is well cared for, in good health, and are happy – whatever that takes!

The word “mush” comes from the French word “marche” and means “to walk or march.” The mushers certainly do a lot of that and more. They must never take their eyes off of the team, making sure all the lines are straight, tight, not tangled and moving in the right direction. Also, they must continually look ahead in order to give the right commands. They must be willing to run, pedal, or push the team whenever they are in various conditions calling for some extra “umph!’ Mushers take these responsibilities very seriously and Rick and Bonnie live by the philosophy, “When you tame something, you are responsible for it.”

The Door County Sled Dogs team is made up of separate parts, none more important than the other. Each relies on one another and is eager and willing to do their part. The sport of dog sledding is a high-energy sport with all the ups and downs that entails. It is great exercise and it is sometimes tricky. It can be dangerous and even life-threatening under certain circumstances. But given the right conditions and a top-notch team, it is more often graceful, poetic, and wondrous. Rick and Bonnie sum it all up by saying, “Mostly it’s A BLAST!!”

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE DOGS!