World Ice Championships: Blocks of Ice No More

by Jamie Rhein on

Wow! Amazing! Fabulous! Totally Awesome! You pick the descriptors. From February 27 to March 25 during the World Ice Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska the best of the best ice-sculptures are made–some you can walk through.

Professional ice-sculptors participate in single block or multiple ice-block competitions and spectators get to watch as the artists carve away at the ice until the art they envision appears. I remember somewhere that Michelangelo would picture in his mind what his masterpiece looked like when it was still uncarved inside the marble. With his carving tools he would help what already existed come out. Or perhaps, I’m making this up. Somehow, though, that idea stuck in my head. Regardless, at the end of the World Ice Championships, beauty is set free from ice blocks that all started out looking the same. Of course, this beauty eventually melts and drips away. Until then, there is plenty of viewing time once the pieces are complete.

While the competitions have set times where you can see the artists at work, there are other activities for all ages to enjoy. Here is the list and schedule of events. Amateur ice-carvers can also try for prizes. The sculputure in the photo carved by Steve Brice, Aaron Costic, Heather Brown and Joan Brice is “Time for Tea.” It was a 3rd place winner in the Realistic catagory. Each of last year’s sculpture is featured with photographs of the various stages of its creation on the World Championships website .

Hitch50 Comes to a Finish

by Adrienne Wilson on

Remember Scotty and Fiddy? They started off about two months ago on a mission to hitchhike their way to the state capitals of all 50 states in 50 consecutive days. (Yes, even Alaska and Hawai’i.) Erik gave them some link love early on in their adventure and now that they’ve completed their fantastic voyage from state-to-state it’s time to recap. On October 10, 2006 the two young men headed off into the cold, dark, unfriendly land we know as the United States… Okay, that’s not true. They did head off on October 10, 2006 and I’m sure part of the whole thing was not only set up to score some free travel, but to show that there is a little kindness in the hearts of Americans everywhere for two men with extended thumbs. Now, whether or not they stuck out their thumbs or just prearranged every single ride, you’ll have to find out on your own by visiting the Hitch50 site.

They did spectacular job blogging the whole shebang which includes photos and video. I kept tabs on the fellas by text messaging, hoping to give them a lift at some point in their journey, but they moved a lot faster than I imagined they would. Their mission was successfully completed the mission on November 28, 2006. Way to go guys!

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of November 12

by Adrienne Wilson on

Settle down and settle in as I take you on a spin of our five favorite’s from the week that was… You’ll love it – I promise!

5. MTV Launches Travel Guidebook Series:
My MTV days are just about over and done, but the memories will last forever. (Not that I did any of the crazy stuff you see on the network these days.) If you’re off to Ireland and looking for some place hip, spunky, spanky, no, no, spunky and cool with more pubs than humanly possible to crawl you may want to check out this blurb from Neil.

4. Travel Insurance for the Over-65:
There are two peak times in one’s life when the opportunity to travel should be seized; in youth and old-age. During each time frame there are many things to consider before taking off into the wilderness. One of the most important is travel insurance and while you may only need it in your young age to cover really silly and naive mishaps, it’s a little different in your golden years. See what Iva found about the situation for the over 65 and start planning ahead if you don’t think they’ll be giving you a break to take a break.

3. Procreation Vacations:
We’ve talked about ‘Babymooning’ and heading out on vaca to go half on a new baby boy or baby girl, but surely it is time to think about it again. Why? Because it’s getting colder. Because the holidays are coming. Because babies are just too darn cute not to have! You decide and if you think your clock is ticking maybe it’s time for a moonlit stroll on the sandy shores of Tonga.

2. Craig Duff Blogs from Egypt:
Gadling is a travel blog and we point to other travel blogs that we like from time to time. Erik points us to his pal who blogs from Egypt. Craig is his pal and all, I’m sure, but as an outsider and unbiased set of eyes reading I’d say it’s swell. Go check it out if you need info or fuel to get your own travels to Egypt going.

1. Surfing Alaska:
Can’t say that I’ve been to Alaska or that I’ve been surfing and I can’t say that I wouldn’t try it out, but this isn’t about me. This is about an article found in Outside mag on surfers who do brave the icy waters and their experiences. If you can’t take the cold get off the board. Yuk,yuk, yuk….

Surf’s Up in Cali!

by Iva Skoch on

Californians, Oregonians, and Washingtonians had a brief tsunami scare this morning, if anyone was awake and noticed. Yes, the National Weather Service actually posted a tsunami advisory at 6:05 AM PST, before canceling it.

This was because of tsunami activity at multiple sites in Japan and even Shemya, Alaska. Now, granted, the wave height noticed was only 20cm (.65 ft.) above mean sea level in Alaska, but that, apparently, qualified as a tsunami. It was no joke in Japan, however, as some areas were evacuated.

We’re not sure how long the wave activity lasted, but it was probably not long enough to get out your board, and it was certainly not long enough for anybody to get through any TSA line.