Running with Reindeer

We had our second best night of Aurora viewing last night, and finally crawled into bed very tired but very happy around 1am when clouds started moving in. Sadly we had to check out of the Aurora Borealis Lodge today, but we now have an old trapper cabin for three nights. The cabin lacks the vast views of the horizon that we enjoyed at our last lodging, but makes up for it with the massive logs used in its construction and a bird feeder in the front that is apparently the favorite spot for every chickadee that remained in the state for winter.

Now that temperatures are near or even slightly above zero we’ve added more activities to the schedule. Today’s adventure was a trip to Running Reindeer Ranch, where you roam around in the snow while an incredibly fired up herd of ten reindeer run all around you, digging in the snow, weaving through the people, and occasionally walking up for a pat. Much to Audrey’s delight, not only was hugging reindeer not discouraged, it was actually encouraged, and thus today’s reindeer hugging session may go down as her trip highlight. My main takeaway from the afternoon was that a) reindeer can get the zoomies and b) reindeer with the zoomies are REALLY amusing.

Weather forecasts are calling for clouds the next three nights, but if it is clear we’ve got our Arctic gear and cameras at the ready.