Last week I went and checked out the World Ice Art Championship, which is an ice carving competition held in Fairbanks every year. Something about the climate here is ideal for large blocks of ice sitting around. Overall, it was very cool. Some incredible sculptures. My tripod broke right when I got there, so the photos are a little dark or blurry.
There was a maze, although there weren't too many decisions to make.
(Sun, sailboat, lighthouse). They shine lights, sometimes changing color, at the sculptures. The index of refraction of ice makes the whole thing glow.
1st prize in the single block competition. There were different types of ice that provided texture on the rings, incredible.
This is one from the multi-block competition. If I stood next to the scorpion, I'd be as tall as the pincer.
Also multi-block, also huge.
Oh yeah, Lauren - forgot to tell you, I built you something. Lets try to save it until August, ok?
Oliver did an incredible job of spinning an ice top. I was inside.
I am sick just looking at the photo.
A couple days later, Julie showed me ropes on snow biking. It was very cool. The snow here is firm packed and dry enough that it felt a lot like riding a dirt trail. Except, every so often we would find ourselves on a frozen creek or pond. Apollo likes biking, too. Thanks for the photo, Julie!
