pictures from Friday

one of the single block sculptures

close-up of a water faucet and drop

leapord with the multi-block sculptures

Nathan on a slide

2 odd eskimos

Nature park

Nathan in a t-shirt and George in his winter coat.  It is 46 degrees.  I am SOOOO glad it is not 18 below.

beautiful and peaceful

some animal made a nest in the shrubbery 

a nice day

snow angels

we made our mark!

cousin Robin with her daughter Tori

Thai restaurant with my cousin Robin

little cabin in the woods

Northern Lights

Last night we had just settled down, I had just drifted off and we got a phone call about 11:30 pm.  The Northern Lights were visible.  So we hurriedly got dressed and found out the best view spot.  We headed outside.  Yes, they were visible.  It was a pale green ribbon across the sky.  I tried taking pictures but I was not successful.  It was cool.  Back to bed.  Another phone call at 2:30 am.  I headed out again.  George and Nathan stayed in bed.  It was similar.  Back to bed for a few more hours sleep.  And now I find that seeing the Northern Lights for my bucket list was actually not quite enough.  Now I find that I want to see a stunning showing with more colors.  But  at least I have now seen the Northern Lights.

Friday continued

Since we could not actually get into our hotel room we decided to enjoy Fairbanks, which mean ... lunch.  Not that I was hungry after our big breakfast.  But you never know when you will be able to eat next.  We then went into Fairbanks to the Ice Sculpture Park.  They just finished the contest.  What an amazing place.  They had a lot of ice sculptures which were intended to be climbed on.  Ice slides, animals that kids could sit on. Nathan enjoyed them all.  Then they had a section of single block sculptures that were judged.  Some amazing carvings.  They had another section of multiple block structures.     This is where the warm weather was especially felt.  Almost looked like ancient Greece or Rome with statues missing arms, wings, heads ... But even still it was very impressive.  I, personally, was glad of the unseasonably warm weather but I guess it was hard on the winter activities.  This internet connection is very slow so I will put pictures up later.

After the ice sculptures we went to a nature trail area and walked around.  Very pretty.  We pretty much had the place to ourselves.

About 5 pm we headed back to the hotel.  I had a chance to start my blog.  Nathan was trying to connect with my cousin who lives north of here in the boonies.  They were in town for several errands.  Robin, Charlie and their daughter, Tori came over for a visit.  It was fun to reconnect. This hotel has a free ice cream social 6-8 pm.  So we were able to share our tokens.  Charlie took Tori because they had somewhere else to go but Robin stayed behind.  We went to a Thai restaurant.  Very good meal.  Then we took Robin back to the place they have here in Fairbanks.  She called it their little cabin in the woods.  She was not kidding.  I do not think I have seen a place that small. A small building that was large enough for a bed, a little kitchenette area, a closet and some shelves.  The out house was out back.  Their 5 year plan is to actually build a 2 bedroom place on their 7 acre piece of property.  They figure when Tori is in her teens she will want to be in town more.  Right now she is only 7.

After dropping Robin off we went back to the hotel.  It was 10 pm and I was barely awake.  We had signed up to be called if the northern lights appeared so I wanted to get a start on sleep.

I guess you will have to wait for today's pictures, this internet is very slow.

46 degrees not 18 below

We met Nathan at the Snow City Cafe for the absolute best Eggs Benedict.  I got a half order of the BOB - Best of Both - It had spinach, tomato and bacon. 

We checked out and wen to the airport.  It was a small plane which meant that I had a great view.

most crooked stream

gorgeous scenery

Fairbanks airport

We checked into #2 hotel.  

Thursday

Portland airport - cuckoo clock (traveling Portland clock)  

We made it safely to Anchorage.  Nathan met our plane.  We stopped at the city library before going for lunch.

We do not have this kind of sign at our library.

Delicious Flafel pita sandwiches.  yummy.  Then we went to The Copper Whale Inn to check in.  We then to a nice walk along the ocean.  There is a nice bike trail.  Some of it is still pretty icy.We also stopped in to see Nathan's new office.

We relaxed at the Copper Whale Inn for awhile before going out to dinner

This is the view from the back.  I got a better picture latrr

We went for Indian food for dinner. Then we went to Nathan's apartment and watched the Music Man DVD, had some wine.  

Tomorrow will be an early start.  We head up to Fairbanks.  

Nathan said that this may be as close as we come to seeing the NL.  We should have been up here this last Tuesday.

Alaska and the Northern Lights

Nathan will be leaving Alaska this summer so this is our last chance to go to Alaska to see the Northern Lights, while he is there.  This is something that has been on my bucket list forever!! We will head to Anchorage this morning and spend the day there with Nathan. Then the 3 of us fly to Fairbanks for 4 nights before we return to Anchorage and then home.  Surely, sometime during our stay there, we will see them.  While we are gone we found someone to house sit for us. That is a relief to have someone taking care of our pets.

Sunday, Nov 9

Marsha's Chihuly umbrella

Pike's Place Market

We met here for a food tour.  It started with donuts.

Orange Spice Tea

Several types of salmon and we got to watch the fish throwing.

Clam chowder and seafood chowder

Cheeses and mac and cheese

Apple pastries plus many other tastings.  It was all very good.  I tasted everything. We ended with crab cakes.

Interesting bathroom signs

I did not realize until after I took this picture that there is another Y at the end.  

pepper wreath

Don't we look great.  Ready for the Theo chocolate tour.

Then we started driving home.  We stopped for dinner in Tumwater. 

A delicious meal.  I had chicken wrapped in ham and stuffed with asparagus and cheese and pesto pasta.

I would recommend this place.

I got home about 10 pm.  What a fun weekend.