Ice in Fairbanks

Adam and I awoke early on Friday with much to do in a short time. We headed out the door by 8:00am to head to the 2012 BP Ice Sculptor World Championship. The art of the ice sculptures is INCREDIBLE!! I wanted to show you all the pictures so scroll through the slideshow below to see what Adam and I saw.

Duh! I thought that was common sense

It was a chilly -13 degrees out and yet it was snowing. Among the most memorable of the sculptures was a larger than life Polaris Snowmobile. The detail was amazing. The track of the snowmobile so intricate with each cleat carved perfectly to look so real. The detail was amazing down to the logo, and instrument gauges of speedometer and tachometer (RPM gauge).

Each crystal on the bottom contains a Coca-cola bottle

Reminds me of my brother Amery

Ice Outhouse!

After taking in all the artistic sculptors we had a little fun. We headed over to the giant slides made of pure ice. It was like the jumbo slides at a fair with several shoots side by side. I of course had to take a run for myself. Which I do not have pictures of since Adam took a video of me.

Ice Maze

After the giant slides we meandered over to the smaller slides including a whale slide which I also had to give a try. The slides were fun but there was also a HUGE ice maze. I could not get a good picture of it being on the level with it but below is the picture from their website. We did not go into the maze as we were getting quite cold by this time having been outside for close to two hours.

After the ice show we headed to downtown and turned into the Wal-Mart parking lot to get a picture of all the winter outlet stations. Fairbanks reaches ridiculous subzero temperatures so many parking lots of stores have complimentary outlets. Lowes, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, even the church that Tia (the DCE of whom we stayed with) works at has plug-in’s in their parking lot. Fairbanks is for the hardcore. While I love Alaska I could see myself living here someday I don’t think I could reside in Fairbanks.

Each yellow station has an outlet

Plug it in, plug it in...

Drive to Fairbanks, AK

Having never been to Fairbanks, AK and having my fiancée Adam here to split the 6 ½ hour drive meant one thing. We needed to go to Fairbanks. The Northern Lights have been SPECTACULAR! So Adam and I decided to head north to Fairbanks to see an even better view of them. The drive itself was stunning. We happened to hit a clear day and the roads were dry. Our destination was 360 miles away but the road is a 55mph one lane highway.

There she blows!

As we drove north the view of Denail (Mt. McKinley) slowly took over the whole front windshield. We finally hit a pull off and took several pictures. The drive to Fairbanks actually goes around Denali National park (on the East side) so we did not get a straight on view but it was still breathtaking.

Panorama view 

Beautiful Peaks!

Once we hit the edge of Denali National Park there were no radio stations to be found. This was not a problem as the “Kristi & Adam Radio” was going strong. Adam was thoroughly impressed at the wide range of genres and songs I could spit out at random. Needless to say Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” and Flo Rida’s “Low” (Apple Bottom Jeans & Boots with the Fur) were repeating songs that we always resorted back to and even as I write remain in my head.

On the road again...the curvy scenic road

look at all the TREES!! That's solid trees!!

Denali the tallest peak in North America!

As we exited Denali National Park the snow seemed to disappear...

Where did the snow go?

Nearing Fairbanks, a beautiful overlook!

We were careful to plan out our gas station stops since there are no gas stations throughout the 150 mile stretch of Denali National park and a lot of the little “towns” (more like villages) that are north do not have gas stations either.

We made it to Fairbanks in a little under 6 hours which is amazing since we stopped to take lots of pictures along the way. We made a brief stop at my friend Tia’s house. I knew Tia since she is the DCE at the church up there and she is a Concordia University St. Paul Graduate. Tia advised us to head north for dinner at Silver Gulch which is “America’s Northern Most Brewery” and to check out the Alaska Pipeline.

Nightfall was upon us as we pulled in to the Alaska Pipeline view point. Fascinating stuff! The Trans Alaska Pipeline System was designed and constructed to move crude oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the northern most ice-free port in Valdez, Alaska an 800-mile route which crosses three major mountain ranges, permafrost and earthquake-prone zones, and hundreds of rivers and streams.It cost $8 billion in 1977, and was the largest privately funded construction project at that time. Construction began March 27, 1975 and was completed May 31, 1977 with the first oil moved through on June 20, 1977.

After seeing the pipeline we headed to a “town” called Fox to eat at Silver Gulch which is the Northern most brewery in America. In lieu of my birthday Adam and I both got steak. It was fantastic food and the drinks weren’t bad either.

We headed back to Tia’s hoping for northern lights but instead it began to snow…no such luck but tomorrow would be another day.

Home brewed root beer and steak! YUM

Birthday Blessings

 Tuesday March, 6th was my birthday. I was have had an abundance of cards from around the world (well with a sister in Germany that's the norm haha), from friends and family. I felt much loved to receive phone calls and connect with my good friend Bridget who is attending college in Marquette, MI. In addition I felt simply blessed to have Adam here to visit. His presence was a good enough gift but he insisted on taking me out on a date. I jumped at the opportunity and got all dressed up.

Date night not via skype!

Living in Alaska, and being here on the snowiest season recorded I opted to wear boots and bring along my black flats. I think i'll start a new trend as I make boots look good with a dress. Don't you think?

 We made a quick stop at Tabbie's as she said she had a birthday surprise for me too. We arrived and sure enough Tabbie had made me a funfetti-kit-kat cake. WHOA!!! For those of you who know me you know that kit-kat bars are my absolute favorite candy bar, or candy for that matter. Also funfetti cake is my favorite. I love it so much that I want it for my wedding cake, but this is still in discussion since funfetti is not traditional and the venue we booked does not allow outside food so the cater would have to make it. At any rate I was ecstatic to see such a unique cake with all of my favorite things!

From there we headed into Anchorage to eat at the newly opened Olive Garden. We got there only to find it was an hour and a half wait. Adam and I received a little light up pager. We decided to go over to the shopping complex across the street. We were pleasantly surprised that the pager reached all the way through Target and Best Buy. We didn't buy anything but it was a great way to pass the time and simply walk around.

 The following day I arrived at work and found that Pastor had made funfetti cupcakes, and Ericka and her three kids had created a bouquet of Kit-Kat bars!!! It was the most creative and unique gift I have ever received!!

On this day of my birth I look back upon how far I have come in my life. I was born to loving parents and grew up in a small town that instilled lifelong values and in a church that encouraged my growth in every way possible. I have siblings that would breathe for me if that were possible. I attend a wonderful Christian college and found devoted Christians in the DCE program and on college campus. I have been privileged to be on an internship with such amazing people to support and surround me.

When life’s inevitable tragedies entered my life I am surrounded by a loving community of family and friends. As the years passed I have been made more and more aware of the need for encouraging those around me and for promoting Christ. God keeps expanding my vision and giving me more meaningful work to do. The Bible never speaks of retirement and while I am far from it I get closer to the close of this chapter called “Alaska Internship”

As I grow older in age so too does my relationship with Christ. When I was younger I was taught Jesus loves me…because the Bible says so. So simple but I never knew what that meant. When my faith is challenged by obstacles or people who wish to bring me or those around me down, I am remind that it is not the work of Christ but of sin and the devil himself.

This is an exciting time of my life. Graduation, marriage, future full time call in a church (wherever God takes me), adventure, and uncertainty.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!- Psalm 118:24

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a (woman), I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1Corinthians 13:11-12)

I want to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I don’t want to stay the same! I want God to continue to grow me and change me and mold me. I don’t want to make the same mistakes year after year, but I want to learn from them and overcome them. I know God is doing a new thing in me each year. I don’t want to look over my shoulder, lamenting about the past and the mistakes I’ve made. Instead, I want to look forward to what God is doing in me and through me TODAY. This year, I want to take the wisdom God has given me and make the right choices. I want to put away my “childish” ways, my immature, selfish ways.
Forgetting what is behind and straining what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…

Thank You, Lord for creating me and blessing me with an incredible life with a wonderful family and friends amazing people in my life. I am blessed beyond measure! Thank You, God for birthdays. I pray that this year I continue to grow and mature. I do not want to be the same this time next year. I surrender this year to You. Amen.

Iditarod Ceremonial Start

Adam arrived late Friday night. The following morning was the ceremonial Iditarod start in Anchorage. I say ceremonial because the Iditarod trail does not actually connect from Anchorage to Nome. Instead the runners have a ceremonial start Saturday and then restart for the real race the following day in Willow, AK.

Adam and I

The race alternates routes. Every other year, the route alternates between a northern and southern course. North goes through the towns of Cripple, Ruby and Galena; south heads to Iditarod, Shageluk and Anvik. The northern route is run on even years and the south route is run on odd years. This year they use the north route.

snow, snow, and more snow with the America, Canada, New Zeland, Norway, and Alaska flags at the starting line.

Adam and I arrived downtown an hour and a half early thinking we would beat the rush but the parking ramp was already ¾ full, and people were lined up along the fence that outlined 4th street. It was 30˚F which was actually a comfortable temperature for me. We waited and watched all the pre-race activities including special guest speakers including the Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, Alaska governor Sean Parnell, and former governor Sara Palin.

People lined up along the street

Colorguard

Eagerly awaiting to go

Pre-run snack!

I wonder what she is thinking...

After the ribbon cutting by Governor Sean Parnell, the national anthem was sung by local girl Cody Beltrami a junior at Service High School in Anchorage AK. From there the color guard began their march down 4th street followed by a snowmachine (snowmobile-- I never know what to call them anymore).

The first team lined up and the countdown began 3…2…1…GO! And the dogs ran down the chute. All of the snow is brought in to cover 4th street. This year we had no problem finding snow since it has been the snowiest season on record. We have so much snow that the city of Anchorage has run out of places to dump the snow as the normal “dumping grounds” are full. It seems contradictory to me. They remove all the snow only to fill the streets again this first Saturday in March. But I guess it’s necessary.

And they're off!

Pretty dogs!

Cheering them on

They run with their mouths open

The mushers are released one team every two minutes. The first run is not a race but just plain fun. The teams run from Anchorage to the Campbell Airstrip which is 20 miles up the trail. Once there, there is a lot of excitement as the mushers unharness their teams. After a good night's sleep, the mushers take the dogs by truck to Willow, where the race officially starts the following day.

There they go

It was fun to see the mushers and take part in such a historic event. I was glad to share it with my fiancée Adam, and glad for the warm (well 30*) snowy weather.