Tourism, Hospitality, & Outdoor Recreation students spent a day at Lugdon Lodge ice fishing and dogsledding.
13 students from different University of Maine campuses, from USM to Machias and of course UMFK, joined us last week for an insiders peak at running a four-season lodge during the coldest season of the year. We had beautiful weather! Thankfully we had just enough ice to set a few traps on Eagle Lake, right off the shore at camp, and just enough snow in a nearby field so everyone had a chance to MUSH!
The class split into 4 groups. Dad (Ed) took 3/4 of them to the ice to drill holes, put up the shelter and set some traps. A couple of the students had their own traps and jig poles, too. Unfortunately, no fish were harmed – good thing we weren’t relying on the students to put lunch on the table. Instead, Mom (Marion) made biscuits, chocolate chip cookies and whoopie pies. Dad made moose stew and baked beans.
Mom, Zander and I took 1/4 of the class at a time out on the dogsled. With barely enough snow, there wasn’t much braking material, so we only hooked up 4 dogs each run, but it gave the students a chance to each drive once around the field. Just long enough for the fear to turn to exhilaration. Just long enough to feel the power of the huskies. Just long enough to fall in love with the dogs and want to come back for more! We invited the students to come back to try again once we have more snow. I hope at least a few take us up on the offer. I love sharing the experience of dogsledding with newbies. If YOU want to come dogsledding with us, Call Mom. Dad, Mom, and Zander have worked hard clearing trails and it looks like we FINALLY have enough snow to run!!
Lugdon Lodge 