Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The Iceman Freezeth



It's easy to forget it's winter in some places when you live in California.

Here are pictures of some of the Fairbanks, Alaska, Ice Festival sculptures. Brrrr and Wow!!


22 comments:

Law Fairy said...

This is what makes me sad about California. One of my close friends is an LA native, born and raised, but I was raised in Colorado. She's always so happy when it's bright and sunny out this time of year, but it just makes me depressed.

At least I'm going home for Thanksgiving next week! :)

mist1 said...

I grew up in Minnesota. The ice castles were the best...until they collapsed and killed people.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Law Fairy,

So you got your ticket issue straightened out? Good news!

I love California, but we have no logical progression of seasons, which can be confusing.

I always miss Autumn in NY and New England.

I took a bag of ice cubes out of the freezer and set it in the sink last night. This morning, I had an empty, wet bag. I was hoping for a unicorn.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Mist,

I lived on Christmas Lake off Lake Minnetonka for a couple of years. My older kids used to shovel a skating rink on the ice. The most devout fishermen in the world built little shacks on the lake with heaters, and drilled holes in the ice to fish through. The snowmobilers were the Hell's Angels of Winter, aiming for little kids and dogs.

One night my earrings froze in my ears while walking from my car into the Guthrie. Some people made a living jumping car batteries that died during hockey games.

Minnesota has the most beautiful quality of light I've ever seen. I'm sure it's because of all the lakes.

I have wonderful memories of that place. You must miss it. Oooftah.

urban-urchin said...

That carriage is amazing! Wow. I am enjoying the leaves changing here-autumn for the first time in a long time (since I lived in the UK) although raking them? Totally different story..

Anonymous said...

Isn't the top photo from NYC, right near the Plaza Hotel? Anyway, I live in Upstate NY and went to college for a year in Minn. so far, no real snow here. It will come, though. I welcome it. I will take zero degrees any day compared to sweltering 90's and high humidity. I figure you can always put more clothes on (which in this case, as opposed to sex), but in summer, what are you gonna do? Peel skin off?

Odat said...

Ah so refreshing! But the snow is a coming here soon, and I'll complain about it then. However, I'm glad I live here with the seasons.
Peace

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Urchin,

Just rake up enough to make a big pile, then jump in them.

I miss fall leaves. Fallen fall leaves. Sigh.

Laughorist,

I know it looks like the hansom cabs that park by the Plaza Hotel, but no. These ice sculptures are in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Odat,

Looking forward to your complaints. You have a real way with them!

Merritt Fields said...

Those are gorgeous, but cold...YUCK!

Nihilistic said...

I lived in New York and Philly for a few years...Geez I hate the snow still...I need a few more years of no snow to even think about wanting to "VISIT" snow...no more living with snow...no shoveling...UGHHHHH

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Aisby,

Too bad ice doesn't last longer in the tropics.

Youstinkidon't,

I've shoveled snow and chipped ice off enough windshields to last a lifetime.

Thanks for your visit. I tried to check out your link, but your profile/blog was unavailable.

Christina_the_wench said...

We have an ice festival here in Michigan too in January. cool stuff. Very talented people with ice picks. Little scary too.

jali said...

These are gorgeous.

The art amazes me - when I go to my holiday party at work I spend waaaay too much time staring at the ice sculpture. My coworkers are too polite to tell me to move along.

Mist is hilarious.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Christina,

You have to wonder how someone becomes talented with an ice pick.

Jali,

As long as they don't prod you with ice picks.

Ice castles don't kill people. People kill people.

Lex said...

Brrr and wow, indeed.

thailandchani said...

I miss seasons also here in California. Although I was raised in California, I lived in many other states where the seasons were evident. The constant sunshine does get on my nerves sometimes. Some rain would be nice. No snow.. but rain. Rainstorms, the soaking kind. No wind. Will someone take that to The Management? LOL

Beautiful ice sculpture.

Peace,

-chani

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Lex,

Yup. that says it all.

Chani,

Snow is beautiful, but most impractical. We had a heavy rainstorm the other day. I was so excited! Of course, California drivers react to rain as if it were snow. They even give "storm warnings" on the news. It's RAIN, people. Not a blizzard. Get over it.

Where in the Golden State do you live?

*~*Cece*~* said...

I'm in S. CA, so I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. Its so hot here today.

Cute blog!

Crankster said...

That ice carriage is amazing!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Cece,

I loved the weather in SoCal when we lived there.

Thanks for visiting. Your blog is really beautiful, and a fun place to spend time.

Crankster,

That one's my favorite, too.

I tried to make igloo blocks as a child. The project was always disappointing.

katrice said...

Wow indeed! This is the only beauty in coldness, I believe.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Katrice,

I hate to be cold, but I appreciate winter scenery if I'm dressed for it. This means wrapped and bound and burdened with a great deal of warm clothing.

When I can see my own breath, it's too cold.