The scenery was gorgeous. We drove right past Denali National Park. We were hopeful that we could see Mt. McKinley. D is able to see it many times from his 10h floor office in downtown Anchorage. So, surely we should be able to see it when it is less than 5 miles from us right? One is left to think. We never saw it..coming or going. We even pulled over many times in hopes that the clouds would part just for an instant. Nope. Statistics say that 78% of tourists never get to see it based on the weather and cloud cover. This made us feel slightly better. The hunt for McKinley up close is on! But this is what we did see.
There is part of the drive near the Tanana Flats where the snow just blows a mist across the road. It is very erie looking. It also makes it challenging to stay on the road when you cannot see it. The only warning I have on the drive/road is this: If you like to read a book while your in a car...don't. Not for the weak in the stomach. The road itself is rough and patchy. I'm told this is normal for the Alaska Highway. There are parts that are much better and parts that are really hippity hoppy. Kids thought it was fun.
We stayed at a great little hotel that appeared to be an old apartment complex that they turned into a hotel. It was nice to have two bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room to relax in. And it is nice to not have to eat out all the time. Homecooked is always more kind to the stomach. So off we went to the ice park. There are two different competitions: Single block that are much smaller and multiple block. So the question you are asking yourself is where do they get the ice. Check out this website if you want to see the ice sculptures live and see who won and everything ICE. ICE PARK
A Native Whaling Boat Tree of Love
Mermaid won first place.
Scubba Diver and turtle. Metamorphosis
Don't mind Aubrey's face...she was pretending to be a rabbit being captured. Pegasus
Rocketman
Look closely...calling on Native Spirits Super cool designs
These are now the multiple block. The night we went was the deadline for the multiple block competition at 9:00pm. So some were not finished yet, while others were. It was very interesting to see how they use such heavy machinery to move the ice and place it perfectly onto thier scultptures. Super impressive. We also learned that by using a torch they are able to shine the ice up to make it clear. If they freeze boiling water it gives it a more cloudy appearance. We spoke with the artist for the single block rocket and the multiple block on the edge of lonely (picture below). He said they had their largest center peice break less than 12 hours before the deadline. It came crashing down. So all day they had to rush and remake it sacrificing their original design. The scale of these is hard to see in the pictures, but they are HUGE!
The park also has slides, mazes, tunnels and sculptures that you can climb on. The kids had a blast going down the slides. If you bring a small sled you go even faster. We didn't bring a sled, but kind onlookers let us use theirs. It was perfect. They even have an ice skating pond and warming huts.
What a fun trip. I think we will have to come again.
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