Shoeing

by Rick Fowler

My introduction to ‘shoeing’ came in 1958 when I was six years old.

My grandfather strapped a pair of black ash Bear Paws on me, asked how they felt, and said, “Now get out there and enjoy winter!”

In the late 60’s while in high school I was assigned a short story to read by Jack London called TO BUILD A FIRE.

I was mesmerized by the setting London presented, and enthralled by the plight of the antagonist a lone man, accompanied by a large Husky is shoeing through a frozen wilderness when he breaks through the ice and wets his feet and legs.

As quickly as possible he needs to build a fire to dry out or perish…. The story led me on many vivid imaginary trips to the Yukon, where I was a man’s man like London.

I survived with instincts, a gun and my trusty snowshoes while doing battle with grizzlies, avalanches and blizzards.

I often look back on those innocent days, when I could venture from yard to yard on my ‘shoes’ and no one would yell at me for trespassing on their property.

I often look back on my early high schooldays as an avid reader of adventure stories too.

After reading about dozens of wild, rebellious and courageous men I could venture into a myriad of winter places with my imagination and my shoes.

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