World Ice Art 2009

On Monday, Scott and I decided to head north to Chena Hot Springs to celebrate 7 years of marriage. The resort has a large spring surrounded by rocks outside and two small hot tubs and a swimming pool inside. Children are not permitted outside so we took turns holding Isabel inside while the other person ventured out showered and wet and made the freezing windy walk down to the water, which was approximately 75 feet away. The water itself was quite comfortable but there was snow covering the surrounding rocks and the wind was gusting, causing your hair to immediately freeze. It was difficult to leave the warm water as it was cozy and you knew the wind would be less than pleasant on your soaking wet body, but we each took pity on one another waiting inside which wasn't very warm either. Around 10pm, there was a loud knock on our door followed by knocks on the neighbors' doors. Only then did I remember that I had agreed to be notified if the northern lights were visible. The rooms had no phones, so this was the notification system. I immediately went outside to see. The aurora came out in full force in horizon spanning ribbons of green. It was very cold and windy but I couldn't help but watch for awhile. We don't often see them, partly due to not being outside a lot at night. On our way home, we stopped at the site of the 2009 Ice Art Championships and checked out the ice sculptures in Fairbanks.

It was pretty chilly, so dad bundled up little Bell in her fleece outfit, surrounded by a snowsuit sack, surounded by Scott's wool coat!

It's difficult to see but Scott was particularly impressed by the thin rope the boy is holding made of ice.

This is a caribou being pursued by wolves. It actually got 1st place in the realistic category in the multi ice block competition.

This one is a woman surrounded by horses with a pair of totem poles in the back.

This was one of my favorite single block entries. I am a sucker for the delicate ones.

This was my favorite multi block entry. It received 2nd place in the realistic category.

King Kong received 5th place but also got the Governor's award. This was Scott's favorite. There are skyscrapers below and he is holding onto a plane.

This was titled Subsistence. The last elk has an arrow going into it.

This is a kingfisher with a fish in its beak.

Another of my favorite single blocks. It was called Tranquility.

Stairway to Heaven was impossible to capture on film. There are crosses surrounding the whole thing, Jesus on the cross, two angels standing guard, and each step bore a commandment.

After Scott put Bell in his jacket, she fell asleep pretty fast. This was taken right when we got back to the truck and she just woke up.