Running Silently Betsy Waterman with Gary Waterman

PREVIEW: Chapter 1

Ski Heaven

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1! Go driver!” yelled the timekeeper. “Hike! Hike! C’mon, Bayley! C’mon, Norm!” I shouted. With a jerk and a jump, we were off—me on skis with two dogs dragging a hapless human in their wake. I thought, Oh please, please let me get around the first corner and out of sight before I fall. Fortunately, it was only about 200 meters to the first turn. My odds were good. “Haw, Bayley! Haw, Norm!” We turned left and out of view. “We made it. If I fall now, only one or two racers at most will see me,” I said to myself. I was very relieved. As I settled in behind the dogs, I looked at the beauty around me. It was snowing, and I was part of the landscape. Boy! I would never have thought I’d be here doing this. Only a few years ago, I didn’t even know such a sport existed. Where am I, and what am I doing? That’s the tale I’d like to share with you. It’s a true story. There may be a few details here and there that may not be exactly accurate, but I’m afraid that’s due to a less-than-perfect memory, not fabrication. This tale revolves around my wife, me, and a little-known sport called skijoring.