Reindeer pt 1

Around Christmas time, there are movies and songs talking about Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer who leads Santa and the other reindeer across the sky to deliver Christmas presents.

It is a picture, we all grew up with but unless you've seen one in real life you have no idea of how small they really are.  You read that right!  Small is how I would describe them.

They aren't that much bigger than a pony.  The only ones I've seen are maybe waist height on me.

Many years ago, reindeer were imported to Alaska during the last part of the 1800's and the early 1900's for a variety in uses.  In fact, when gold was  discovered in Nome, reindeer were for food and for hauling sleds for miners.  There was even a postal route which used reindeer instead of dogs because the reindeer could forage while food had to be carried for the dogs.

Last time I was in Nome, there was a reindeer who loved riding in the back of a truck and is well known around town.  I never found out if it was a male or female reindeer but it looked cute in the back of the pickup.

On the other hand, if you ever get to Fairbanks, Alaska, you can see a bunch of reindeer on the main campus.  As you take the Parks Highway south from Geist road, the on-ramp curves around the university campus giving you a prime view of the reindeer.  Just remember, they may look larger than life but if you ever run into one, it will be quite small maybe no more than chest height.