The ice park

This week wonderful friend Ann came for a visit. She lives in Anchorage but we still only get to see her once or twice each year because she spends so much time working in remote places researching seabirds and generally staying out of the big city. For the first time in years she won't be heading to Greenland this summer so maybe we'll actually get to see her a bit more than usual. She and Max went for a tour of the neighborhood trails while I stayed home keeping Kieran company after he received 4 vaccinations earlier in the day. Poor kiddo. This trail is down in the valley below us and connects to our trail up on the ridge. Can't wait to get out there exploring!

Later in the week we met Ann and some friends at the ice park. The world championship ice carving competition is held in Fairbanks each year because lakes around here provide the clearest and best carving ice around. It's a great event for the rest of us - these sculptures are amazing.


We had Kieran out in his super techie baby buggie for the first time. This little stroller converts from wheels to skis to bike trailer and back to stroller in no time. I think it may be Kieran's second home this spring and summer.


He was uncertain about it on its maiden voyage. He was plenty warm but maybe a bit lonely in the little cabin all by himself. We'll take him out during the day next time. It is a pretty strange scene to be trying out a new mode of transportation - lots of bright colored lights and large machines moving heavy pieces of ice around. I don't blame him for wanting to retreat to the car for a reassuring nursing session while Max hurried around the rest of the park snapping pictures. All in all it was a successful outing though. We didn't freeze the baby and Kieran lasted nearly 2 hours before letting us know he'd had enough of his new super deluxe ride and the ice park.


Maybe it was this scary sculpture that turned Kieran's attention toward the exit. Creepy.