Alaska: The North and Ice Museum

We flew back to Fairbanks and did some exploring in our remaining couple of days. We drove west and did a hike on the way to Chena hot springs where we walked through an Ice Museum.  

Hike crossing the water

Beautiful views of the mountains

Up at the top

The ONLY time it rained while we were in Alaska was when we had finished the hike and we were waiting for the next tour through the Ice Museum. It poured like mad, but we were inside and warm. 

The ice for the sculptures is collected from a nearby river. It is cut into big squares and transported to the museum where they have designed special tools for creating their sculptures. There is a couple who works here and makes all the sculptures - they have won a bunch of competitions and are some of the most famous ice sculptors in the world. 

A jousting knight

Apparently you can stay the night in the Ice Museum in this lovely polar bear bed.... seems a bit chilly to me though. 

We were very glad for the coats they provided

Some of the work is exquisite

Musical ice? I tapped it and it actually worked! 

Some things were recognizable

The most expensive drink I think I've ever purchased for myself, but it was yummy! The only drink that they serve is an apple martini at the ice bar. Its served in a martini glass (you guessed it!) made entirely of ICE! 

This particular piece of ice is not harvested from the river (thankfully! who wants to drink out of pond water?!) this ice sculpture was made with restaurant grade filtered water. 

The caribou skins are a life saver (behind-saver?) to keep your warm rump from melting the ice chairs. 

Now for some very random, but very interesting pictures of Alaska. 

Fun facts about chickadees - some of my favorite birds

In Alaska it gets so cold that cars won't start. They have to have an electrical plug to warm up the starter block so that the car can turn on. There are all sorts of places to plug in the cars throughout the city. 

And last but not least, MIDNIGHT SUN! 

It is so light out

The sun was still above the horizon, but unfortunately because of the clouds you couldn't see it. 

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and stories from our adventures in Alaska. Thanks for taking the time to read our blog. I'm on a roll now, so hopefully soon you will see posts from Seattle, Joshua Tree/San Diego, Jamaica and Salt Lake City