I bought a season pass to the ice park, because I like to go several times during the season. I enjoy watching the artists work, and I try to visit during the day and at night, when the sculptures are illuminated with colored lights.
This past Monday, Steve and I went to the Ice Park with Gip and Carmen. I looked forward to seeing the multi-block sculptures completed, and by going in late afternoon, my plan was to photograph them in daylight, and then, later, under the colored lights.
My plan didn’t go as I hoped because I had forgotten about Daylight Savings Time, so we got there way too early for sunset. (I wish we could just skip DST, as it doesn’t benefit us at all up here)
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It has been so quiet around the house since Kayla and Colt left us. I’ve found myself sitting in silence and wishing for interaction with another adult when Steve is at work, or the sound of little boy laughter. I’ve looked through the photographs I took while they were visiting, and relived the happy moments several times. It was a great visit.
This past weekend, the Junior North American Championship Races were held at the Jeff Studdert race grounds at Mushers Hall. This is one of my favorite events of the year, because the mushers are cute kids! I especially enjoy the first competition, as that’s when the littlest mushers take to their sleds and are towed by one dog around the short track. Some of these children are only 3 years old, and they are so adorable!
When we first arrived (Lisa went with me), I recognized a little girl as being one of the first little mushers I watched back in 2005 - when she was only 3. I didn’t attend the race in 2006 or 2008 (we were in Homer in 2008), but saw her again in 2007. And here she was again - still racing, but this time encouraging her little sister. (I’m assuming it was her sister, as they looked very much alike and came from the same vehicle)
There were a few tumbles from the sleds, but the children were so bundled up in winter gear that no one was hurt. It did result in a few entertaining and comical moments to see sleds tip, and dogs take off running - sometimes not in the right direction. All in all, it was a really fun day! We stayed until the 2-dog race was complete. The children driving those sleds were older - I estimate them to be about 7 to 10 years old, but I’m not certain. There isn’t any information about this race on the Junior Musher Association website, to confirm my estimate.
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(This is a very PHOTO HEAVY post, so I used thumbnails as much as possible)
It’s hard to believe that our visit with Kayla and Colt is over. They left us at 1:30am - very early - on Wednesday morning. Steve took Kayla to the airport alone, and was able to get a pass to go up to the gate with her, so he could help her with Colt. It’s a good thing, because their flight was delayed. There were also several other young children flying that night, and everyone seemed to have their second wind.
I certainly didn’t envy Kayla her trip home, but I know she was looking forward to seeing her husband and family again. I wish that teleportation was a reality, because flying in and out of Alaska is no fun at all. Both she and Colt made it back to NC safely - although worn out. Kayla had to go to work today and she’s exhausted. Poor girl.
Saturday, we took Kayla and Colt to the North Pole Championship Race being held at Chena Lakes Rec Area. It was snowing heavily, and there were white out conditions at times. Nevertheless, the dogs and the mushers were excited to run, and I was thrilled to see them run, as it was the first race I’ve attended this season.
Colt seemed to take the snowstorm in stride. He was dressed warmly in the snow gear that Katie from the Fairbanks Freecycle so generously provided me with. Paw Paw held onto him while I maneuvered for a good vantage point for photographs. Towards the end of the race, we made our way over to the musher trucks so Colt could see the dogs. Instead, he became quite interested in a dogsled. Future musher, perhaps?
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