Ice

My friend Mae and I decided to go to Ice Park Saturday to take a look at the ice sculptures. I haven't been out for several years because arthritis in my spine. Within five minutes of walking or standing it starts to ache, and soon after that it's full-blown pain. However, I read an article in the local paper last week about a "train" that takes visitors around the park.

A couple who moved here a few years ago from New York decided to make the train and offer the rides free of charge at the park as their way of giving to the community.
We figured we'd give it a try. There are two of them operating at Ice Park.

We arrived about noon and the park was buzzing. We were directed to the stage and told that was the pick-up and drop-off point for the train. The stage is all ice.

While we waited, we watched the drawings for a raffle. The prizes were $100 gift certificates at a local store that carries Carhartt's, a very popular (and warm) winter outerwear. There was a sculpture of a Carhartt's jacket near the stage and one young boy was enjoying himself there.

Before long we saw the trains coming toward us.

The train is a string of about 4 small wooden cars with two bench seats each. The "engine" is a 4-wheel ATV. Each seat comfortably seated two adults with space for a (large) purse in the middle. Each seat was also equipped with a fleece blanket to either sit on or cover legs. (We opted to sit on it - much warmer!)

We found our seats and sat back for the ride. The train took us past all of the sculptures in the park. It was a terrific way to see them without straining my back. If there was a drawback, it was that the train did not stop and allow for photos at any of the sculptures. It was a little bumpy in spots, so it was a little tricky trying to get good sharp photos. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

There were kids playing all over the place. One of the nice things about Ice Park is the kids' play area. The sculptures are made for them to climb on, climb through and enjoy - and they do. There was a hockey game in progress as we made our round through the park, on a rink inside an ice wall.

There were a number of pieces featuring fish, a couple of scorpions and several fantasies, as well as various animals. All of it was wonderful to see. The details are etched to the tiniest hair or scale. Here are a few of the sculptures we saw:

 

It was a fairly nice day, mid-20s with a breeze, but we were glad to get back to the warmth of the car. We finished the day with hot chocolate and cheese-steak hoagies. Great fun and wonderful art.