We are clearly insane. Despite yesterday’s snowstorm, we decided the time had come for our pilgrimage to the Ice Palace. So we got all bundled up (I am glad I wore my snowpants, even if I looked dorky) and hopped in the car. I gunned it, hoping for the best. And thus our adventure commenced, with the car completely stuck in the driveway. We live less than two miles from downtown, so I had considering taking the bus, but the fare costs more (for the three of us) than parking in a ramp. The husband got out and tried pushing, then shovelling the car out. We weren’t making any progress until a kindly neighbor joined in the effort, with her shovel in hand. After a half hour or so we were finally on our way, with the poor husband panting and sweating. Things went a bit more smoothly after that. I got us downtown, and parked in the closest ramp available. The little man was excited, though unsure what was happening. He fared better than expected with the long trek down uncleared sidewalks. Upon arrival we were able to walk right in. The palace was a beautiful sight to see, but the experince was marred by: 1) the giant Pepsi banners 2) the loudest, most god-awful music blaring from giant speakers. The noise was so pervasive it drowned out any attempts at coversation (a lot of money must have changed hands to have allowed this atrocity to be inflicted upon the populace). I tried to dance to the music in my head instead while we wandered around. We’d gotten there just before sunset so it was interesting to watch darkness fall, with the palace glowing more brightly. Apparently we walked out just as the evening light show was going to kick in, but we’d seen enough, and headed to Rice Park, where the ice sculpture contests take place. I even saw a pile of fresh, uncut ice blocks at the corner of the park. The little man would likely enjoy watching the artists go at them with their chainsaws, but it might give the kid ideas. The finished results are always amazing, though. It was too cold to linger so we briefly warmed up inside the library. Luckily we didn’t suffer any wardrobe malfunctions, though the snowpants were a little tricky when we stopped by the restrooms. As we made the long trek back to the car we were all growing cold and tired, but the husband was still able to carry the little man on his shoulders for a while. The boy was obviously worn out and kept asking for dinner, which only made my tummy growl even more. We are definitely an anti-Atkins household. When we got home we were all clamoring for carbs. The little man demanded rice, the husband downed a bagel and I, naturally, had ramen noodles. After warming up, and filling our bellies, we relaxed by watching Gigantic. It made for an interesting end to an excellent, if exhausting, afternoon.
addendum: I was too tired to post the photos last night, but the gallery is now ready for your perusal. Enjoy.