2013 Ice Alaska - let the fun begin

It's Wednesday which means it's time for a BBBS Activity and when I headed to town to pick up MP the temperature on the truck registered a nice warm 25 degrees.  Definitely way too nice to be indoors cooking or anything else so only one thing to do - "GO TO THE ICE PARK".

The Ice Park officially opened yesterday when the carvers for the single block competition were allowed to start their sculptures.  However, in preparation for opening, there have been carvers working for weeks on preparing the sculptures in the children's park, the slides, the maze and other things throughout the park.

Above are just some discarded chunks of ice from other projects but I wouldn't be too surprised if these aren't turned into something before the park closes.

A big ice bowl - shaped like a whale lying on his back.

Above is the hockey rink for skating or a little hockey action.  Last year the rink was way over at the other end of the park but since it is the 2nd year, it appears that things are a little more organized.

We walked from the entrance gate directly to where the single block carving is in progress.  And everyone was busy trying to get their sculptures completed - Friday night they will be lit up.

It was fun to watch the sculptures working on the ice. (Above: Come on Girl - United States)

One of the carvers was behind this salmon cutting the ice with a saw.  His partner had a turkey baster filled with water that he was using to glue some of the other pieces on. (Melody of Fish Soul - Russia)

Below is a drawing of what the above sculpture will look like. (Nautilus - United States)

And these diamond shaped pieces of ice will be "glued" on.

This sculpture will include a young girl and a harp.  The carvers were very happy to pose for us.  (Memories of the Harp - she is from Japan, he is from the United States)

Visitor of the Sun - China.

The alien and space ship were pretty much complete but they hadn't started on the "flowers" yet.

Such concentration on polishing this horses hoof.

(Above: Water and Fire - Russia)

 (Above: Mother Nature - Iceland)

(Blue Ballet - United States)  With that title, I still don't know what this is - MP thinks it's an alien and I thought the top looked like a jelly fish - guess we'll have to wait to see.

It was great this year to get more pictures of the sculptures.  (The Meteor Final Destination - Russia)
Pulled the below picture off the website - the carvers will work through the night as needed to complete their sculptures.

(Above: Drill, Flow, Experience, Iterated Return - United States)

(Sweet Nectar - United States)

I did take lots more pictures but since it's getting late - time for bed.  Will post more tomorrow and I can hardly wait till Friday when I can see the finished products and get more pix.